Estee Lauder Cos Inc's chief executive expects the North American economy to start recovering this summer and is preparing the cosmetics maker by sharpening its focus on service and brand-building.

India's gold buying abated as the yellow metal traded above the keenly-watched $1,100 an ounce level, but a stronger rupee aided sentiment, dealers said.

Johnny Weir won't be wearing a costume trimmed with fox fur at the Vancouver Olympics, but the US figure skater says his switch to faux shouldn't be considered a victory by anti-fur activists.

Cool snowboarders and acrobatic freestyle skiers may boost official timekeeper Omega's street-cred amongst a younger crowd at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the Swiss watchmaker's said.

SuperGroup, the fast-growing British fashion group considering a stock market flotation this year, said it has appointed former Vodafone director Peter Bamford as its non-executive chairman.

German premium fashion house Hugo Boss sees growing signs that the fashion industry has turned the corner and expects it to get back to past growth rates from 2011 as well-heeled shoppers splash out again.

Thailand's PTT Aromatics and Refining (PTTAR) said it had rescheduled a major shutdown for maintenance of its 1.19 million tonnes aromatics plant to June from March. "Earlier we had planned the shutdown for March.

Young Chinese businesswomen with an eye for luxury are increasingly treating themselves to Cartier goods, becoming key customers for the Richemont brand.

Beijing entrepreneur Li Jinxun's first trip to Taiwan was a life-changing experience, but not because of the sightseeing.

German fragrance-to-fashion retailer Douglas Holding AG is counting on consumers' appetite for indulgence to prop up earnings this year.

Italy's fashion sector will emerge from the financial crisis before others but the government needs to help companies be more competitive, the head of an industry body said.

British budget fashion chain New Look posted solid Christmas trading and said it anticipated further growth in 2010 despite the expectation of a tough economic backdrop.

Close, the new perfume from the American giant is the result of a collaboration between a shock trio of Patrick Robinson, head of design at Gap, the perfumer Givaudan and the Interparfums group.

The 31-year-old grandson of Yves Rocher will take the helm of the global cosmetics empire following the death of the firm's founder, the company said.

Following John E. Kyees retirement, Eric Artz – formerly of the VF Corporation – has take over the position of financial director of Urban Outfitters.