Latest news with #Cartier
India.com
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Rajinikanth's heroine, who did only 15 films in her entire career, transformed herself in 7 years, where is she now? What does she do? Her name is…
Many actresses in the film industry have disappeared with time, but even now, when any of their films or songs come out, we suddenly remember that they too used to be an important part of the industry, but where are they now? Today, we are going to tell you about one such beauty, who started her career at the age of just 16, but is now completely missing from the Indian industry. Who is this actress who won the title of Miss Teen World? The actress we are talking about here has worked with many big superstars during her film career. Not only this, she even romanced a superstar 40 years older than her on the big screen, but now she is away from the industry. This beauty wanted to become a model and actress since childhood. This diva was raised in abroad, completed her studies there, she even started modeling at the age of 14, and won the title of Miss Teen World in 2009. The actress whom we are referring to is none other than Amy Jackson. When did Amy Jackson make her debut? Amy Jackson got a chance to work in the Indian film industry. Here we are talking about Amy Jackson, who started her acting career in 2010 with the Tamil film 'Madrasapattinam', in which she played the lead role without any acting experience. After this, she entered Bollywood in 'Ek Deewana Tha' (2012). After this, she appeared in hit films like Telugu film 'Yevadu' (2014) and Kannada film 'The Villain' (2018). Which film made Amy Jackson popular? However, she got real recognition from the role of 'Neela' in Robot 2.0 (2018), which proved to be a superhit. In her career, Amy Jackson has worked in more than 15 films, including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Hollywood films. She made her American TV debut in 2017 with 'Supergirl' (2017) and entered the British film industry with 'Boogie Man' (2018). Her film career has been about 15 years long. Who did Amy Jackson marry? Amy Jackson married British actor Ed Westwick in 2024. They have two children, a son Andreas, and a daughter. However, before marriage, while in the industry, her name was linked to many big stars, including Prateik Babbar and George Panayiotou. Apart from acting, she is also associated with many institutions. Amy is also an animal rights activist and has been a brand ambassador for PETA. Where is Amy Jackson now? What is she doing? Amy Jackson lives in London with her family and is quite active on social media. She has a very good fan following. According to media reports, her total net worth is around $6 million (about Rs 45 crore). She has worked with fashion brands like Hugo Boss, Cartier, and Bulgari. Her monthly income is more than Rs 50 lakh, and she charges around Rs 1 to 2 crore for a film.
Buzz Feed
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
37 Gifts That Don't Cost A Lot But Will Absolutely Become One Of Their Favorites
An Ikea bag coin purse that'll just be the cutest thing they ever did see — it's perfectly sized to hold their earbuds and keys while paying tribute to the greatest thing to come out of Sweden (aside from their meatballs, obvs). A waterproof version of the beloved Taco, Cat, Goat Cheese, Pizza game — it's a card game they can play with their family for guaranteed giggles and a way to catch their breath from traipsing around in the ocean. A tiny bookshelf that'll quickly become their favorite way to de-stress after a long day — they can shake it to send the teeny books flying, then (after a restorative deep breath) put them back on the shelf. My apologies to their rage room membership, this might just be the solution they need. A jute tote for your friend who spends their weekends hunting through their local farmers market for the freshest flowers and would really benefit from a sturdy bag to help carry them home. One reviewer even used it to display florals on their wall! A shockingly realistic-looking soup can safe to stash their life savings in so they can live without the fear of their sibling's grubby little paws trying to snatch it and spend it all on ice cream. A light-up flying orb that'll make them feel like David Blaine whenever they break it out for a mental break from doom-scrolling. It's basically a fidget spinner for tech fiends — it has built-in lighting, a boomerang effect, and can be thrown at a variety of angles and speeds! A tube of Summer Fridays lip butter balm for your bestie who has a habit of reapplying over and over mid-gossip sesh — replenish their stash with a conditioning, shea and murumuru seed butter–packed option they'll love as much as they do spilling tea with the girls. And a keychain cap holder designed to fit their new fave Summer Fridays lip balm to ensure they don't lose it when they're out and about in the sun, sipping an iced coffee, riding their bike along the boardwalk, lounging at the beach, eating an ice cream cone, etc. A balloon-dog bag charm that'll help them climb aboard the ~bag charm train~ without compromising the quirky style they've carefully put together over the years. Allllllllll aboard! Or a novelty crossbody bag they can count on to always be the literal cherry on top of all of their looks. It's big enough to hold all of their essentials (phone, wallet, keys, lip balm) but small enough that they won't be able to overstuff it like they do their other everyday bag. A trio of hypoallergenic gold-plated earrings for anyone who is tired of their current lineup and wants an easy, trendy fix they can pop into their lobes and say, "Ooh, cute!" A gold-plated paper clip necklace from affordable (and fabulous) jewelry brand Pavoi, whose sole mission seems to be finding a way to glam up all of our looks without having to gobble up all of our dollars. One reviewer even used it as a base to make a charm necklace! And a set of golden bracelets that'll make it seem like you've splurged on the famed Cartier versions but for less than 20 bucks! They can wear 'em together or separate them and pair them up with their already-loved baubles. A set of LED lightsaber chopsticks you're going to need to order two sets of so you can share 'em with the Chewbacca to your Han Solo (aka whoever happens to be who you get sushi with every Friday night). One reviewer even ingeniously used them as hair accessories when visiting Galaxy's Edge! Ruffled crew socks with delicate flowers embroidered along them that'll bring their cottagecore vibes into a new season. They're breathable (perfect for summer) and will add a little extra *~somethin', somethin'~* to any outfit. A Creamy Coconut fragrance rollerball with a scent to transport them right into an island paradise anytime they apply it to their wrists. Is this what the Love Island villa smells like?! I'd like to think so. Lego cherry blossoms to add to their already-cherished brick bouquet or to plop into that darling little vase that's been sitting empty on their desk forever because they've never been willing to commit to keeping actual blooms alive. The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook complete with 150 recipes, all using ingredients they can pick up at their beloved supermarket of choice. They can spend the next month cooking up a storm! A Bluetooth scrolling remote that'll take their laziness trait to the next level but leave them feeling smug at the same time for working smarter, not harder. They can set this bad boy up, get under the covers, and enjoy some seriously cozy, hands-free scrolling. A NeeDoh "Dream Drop," a must-have sensory fidget toy for anyone who can't seem to get their brain to focus on one task at a time. (Too many tabs open both literally and figuratively!) This lil' squish block is super satisfying to play with and reviewers love that it isn't sticky (no gross debris to try to clean off). A rechargeable heated ice cream scoop so they won't have to wait for their Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey Ice Cream to soften before *literally* digging in. Not a moment to waste!!! Some colored pencils with multi-colored tips that'll transform any boring coloring sesh into something straight out of their wildest dreams. I hope their imagination is ready to put these babies to work! A quilted leather crossbody purse that'll be reminiscent of the Chanel one they've always coveted, but comes in fun colors the brand would never touch. One ticket to Compliment City, coming right up. Murdle, Volume 1, a compilation of murder mystery–themed logic puzzles that are reminiscent of the ever-popular Wordle game — perfect for cracking open poolside. This version will encourage them to use powers of deduction and various clues to solve the mysteries throughout the book. Sherlock Holmes, who? An assortment of tomato seed packets that have been designed to look like tarot cards — aka the perfect gift for your friend who has both witchy vibes *and* a green thumb. A "Beverage Buddee" can cover they can add to their Diet Coke can or preferred spiked seltzer. It'll keep bugs and other random debris out of their drink (yuck) so they can enjoy it while you kick back in Adirondack chairs and exchange gossip without concern. A set of cowboy straw toppers so when they use their cup as a makeshift microphone to scream-sing Kacey Musgraves (again), they'll be adorably on theme. When I say "yee" you say "haw!" An Owala FreeSip water bottle in an exciting color that'll ensure no one ever picks up theirs by mistake while they're chatting up the cute lifeguard at the pool this summer. Not to mention, it's made of triple-layered, vacuum-insulated stainless steel that'll keep their drink cold for 24 hours *and* two ways to drink from it (a spout and a straw!) A neck reading light that's easy on the eyes, simpler to manage than a clip-on light, and a welcome addition to their nightly routine of falling asleep while reading a romance novel. And a personalized book stamp they can use to literally make their mark in the novels they typically loan out to fellow book club buds. A pickleball set to pay homage to their new favorite hobby! It comes with two paddles, four balls, and a bag to ensure they have the best-looking gear of all their competitors. Their nemesis' hot streak is about to be OVER! Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Hair & Body Perfume Mist, designed to channel the brand's ever-popular Cheirosa 62 but with a more woodsy vibe that's perhaps more fitting to their preference. It has delectable notes of sandalwood and vanilla orchid — so good they'll want to bask in their own scent all day. Or a bottle of Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume you know they'll adore since you were with them when they tried the sample size of YSL's Black Opium at the mall and fell in love with it but didn't have $95 to shell out. Luckily for them (and your wallet), this one is super similar and will leave you with enough money left to *also* treat both of you to lunch. Poems of Parenting, a book of relatable poems that'll have any new or seasoned parent laughing, crying, and feeling ALL the things. It perfectly captures what it's like to be a parent in today's world in hilarious but emotional sentiments they'll find themselves sending pics of to their mom squad with the same fervor they do memes on Insta. A wireless keyboard and mouse set featuring an aesthetic vibe that might just make them *actually* look forward to spending eight hours at their desk. At the very least their coworkers will be super jealous of how coordinated their workspace looks. A filtering straw to keep any grinds from traveling up, out, and into their mouth. This happened to me recently while sipping on an iced instant coffee... I promptly had to rinse my mouth out. Spare your pal this unpleasant experience, will ya? Not only will this straw filter out any debris, but they can also use it to brew coffee *directly* into any mug or cup (for cold brew). Genius. Or, Oxo's compact Brew Rapid Brewer that'll have anyone wondering, "Where has this been all of my life?" They can toss it into their work bag and literally make cold brew or hot coffee at their desk after surviving the morning commute traffic — it doesn't need to be plugged in or charged!
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Forget Cartier: Made-in-China Luxury Captivates Chinese Consumers
Well-off Chinese used to chase Western luxury bags and jewelry as symbols of status. Now, in a challenge to the likes of Cartier and Yves Saint Laurent, they are turning to homegrown brands. Little-known in the West, names such as Laopu, Mao Geping and Songmont are winning over Chinese customers with a pitch that combines locally inspired designs and cultural pride. Beijing auditor Zhou Linanfang, 35, noticed long lines outside a store selling Laopu gold jewelry from her hospital room last year when she was about to give birth. Her social-media feeds added to the buzz around the brand. Zhou, like many in her generation, considered gold jewelry unfashionable but changed her mind after seeing the filigree flower rings, gourd-shaped pendants and phoenix hairpieces in Laopu designs. Soon after the arrival of her baby boy, her husband lined up at a Laopu store in Beijing for an hour to buy her a butterfly-shaped pendant for $1,600. 'It's just stylish,' Zhou said. 'Now that we have luxury gold pieces, as someone who loves fashion, how could I not get one?' Also taking notice are Western luxury-brand CEOs such as Johann Rupert, chairman of Cartier parent Richemont. He was asked in May whether Laopu was a threat. The brand is 'tied to nationalism and tied to patriotism, and they have a lot of wins in their favor,' Rupert said. However, he added, 'Cartier is universal.' For Hermès, the resale value of its bags remains an advantage over Chinese rivals. Sales of luxury products in mainland China, mostly Western brands, fell around 20% last year to less than $50 billion, according to consultants at Bain. They said China accounted for about one in eight dollars spent on luxury globally. For the year ended March 2025, Richemont's sales in China fell 23%. Laopu listed its shares in Hong Kong last year and its stock surged, giving the company a market capitalization of more than $15 billion. By contrast, shares of Gucci owner Kering have declined more than 20% compared with a year earlier as the China growth hopes that formerly drove luxury shares have faded. In June, NBA player Victor Wembanyama was seen wearing Laopu's signature gourd-shaped pendant at a sports-card show in New York after visiting China. Uncertain economy Zhou said she liked the idea of buying gold jewelry because it might retain its value better in an era of growing economic uncertainty. She said she no longer bought a luxury handbag or jewelry every six months like she used to. 'I might lose my job tomorrow, so I definitely need to cut back,' she said. Laopu's chairman, Xu Gaoming, told shareholders in April that the company has carved out a niche with little direct competition. Chinese gold jewelry makers aim for the mass market, while European fine jewelers don't specialize in gold. Laopu's black-and-white stores offer a minimalist ambience, while pampering customers as they wait with Evian water and Godiva chocolate. A Laopu store in Beijing. As those perks suggest, European brands still have a cachet that is hard to match. People in the luxury business said the Chinese brands might even serve as a feeder to get younger consumers interested in luxury. Vanessa Piao, a luxury-bag reseller in China, said more buyers are treating their purchases as an investment, and they often prefer prestigious names such as Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. 'They are happy to pay $20,000 for a Birkin 25 because they can resell it in a few years without losing much,' Piao said, referring to the Hermès bag. 'They won't pay that money for a luxury bag or any fashion item from a domestic brand, no matter how exquisite and rare it is, because that, to some, is the equivalent of throwing $20,000 down the drain.' Big names, big prices Sophia Zhang, 32, was a loyal customer of Lancôme and Estée Lauder until she became a fan of Mao Geping, the namesake brand of a Chinese makeup artist. Its cream and foundation typically cost half or less the price of the international brands. A 100-gram jar of its signature moisturizer costs $139, compared with $280 for a smaller jar of a top-of-the-line Lancôme moisturizer. 'In the past I figured I'd splurge on skin care, believing those big names were the best, and I'd dismiss local products just because they were cheaper,' said Zhang, who, like Zhou, said she still buys some European brands. Now that she has found a less-expensive alternative that suits her, she said, 'it'll be tough to go back.' Backstage at a Mao Geping show during Beijing Fashion Week. China is also developing some accessible luxury brands priced comparably to Coach and Michael Kors. One is Songmont, known for its simple and modern designs in products such as a $529 shoulder bag. Twelve-year-old Songmont was co-founded by Fu Song and Wang Jie, designers who graduated from China's top art schools. Some of their first products, with Chinese brocade linings depicting auspicious Chinese motifs like dragons, phoenixes and butterflies, were fashioned by Fu's grandmother and other craftspeople in western Shanxi province. Like many other niche brands around the world, Songmont emphasizes sustainability and its sourcing of threads and oils for its leather bags from Germany and Italy. Its stores incorporate pine trees and rocks, and it brought on tennis star Li Na to promote the brand to channel a bold vibe. The next question is whether the Chinese brands can go global. Shein and Temu have succeeded in e-commerce with rock-bottom prices on mostly Chinese-made goods, and some Americans have taken to Labubu, the viral troll-like toy from China's Pop Mart. Laopu, the jewelry retailer, opened its first overseas store in Singapore in June and will venture to Japan next, but a person close to the company questioned whether Western consumers were ready to embrace marketing based on traditional Chinese culture and aesthetics. Bain consultant Claudia D'Arpizio said Labubu's success suggested Gen-Z consumers were open to buying Chinese. However, she said, 'for more of the core high-end luxury customers in the U.S. and in Europe, made-in-Europe is still very important.' Write to Shen Lu at Forget Cartier: Made-in-China Luxury Captivates Chinese Consumers Forget Cartier: Made-in-China Luxury Captivates Chinese Consumers
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Luxury Brands Are Getting Hit by a Vibe Shift
Is the luxury industry going through a short-term blip or something more serious? Bernard Arnault, the billionaire owner of Louis Vuitton and more than 70 other luxury brands, says the current sales slump will blow over. If he is right, now is the time to buy LVMH stock, which is down a fifth so far this year. He has spent more than $1 billion of his own cash on the company's shares since January. But investors are concerned that something is amiss. UBS analysts covering Europe's top luxury stocks said that after two years of waiting for a recovery, 'investors are starting to worry about the long-term structural attractiveness of the industry.' LVMH reported results last week and said sales at its fashion and leather goods division fell 9% from a year earlier in the second quarter, which was worse than expected. The unit is the company's main cash cow and generated nearly 80% of the group's operating profit in 2024. Management blamed weak demand for brands such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior on lower tourist spending. This time last year, the Chinese were snapping up luxury goods in Japan as a weak yen meant bargains were available. But that arbitrage window has closed. Moncler, which reported flattish results earlier in the week, flagged the same issue. Consumers might simply be digesting everything they bought in a record luxury binge during the pandemic. But something feels off. This year, sales across the luxury industry are expected to be flat, Bernstein estimates. That is unusual because the industry normally grows at twice the rate of global economic growth and this will be the second consecutive year of lackluster demand: 2024 was the sector's worst performance since the 2008 global financial crisis—even though there wasn't a recession. There is no clear sign in the data that large luxury brands are losing significant market share to smaller insurgent brands such as handbag maker Polene, according to consulting firm Bain & Company. But certain types of luxury goods are out of fashion. Handbag prices went off the rails during the pandemic and shoppers have diverted their spending to categories they think offer better value for money. Jewelry brands, which didn't raise prices as aggressively over the past four years, are still reporting healthy growth. Cartier owner Richemont said sales of its jewelry division rose 11% in the three months through June compared with a year ago. Demand for Richemont's lower-priced products is still strong, an indication that aspirational shoppers who have deserted brands like Gucci are still showing up at Cartier. Luxury brands also seem to have a problem on their hands with younger consumers. Last year, sales to Gen Z shoppers fell 7%, equivalent to a $5.7 billion drop in spending and the sharpest pullback among all generations. They appear disillusioned with luxury goods after stories about abuses in the industry's supply chain and extreme price markups went viral on social media. People are tuning out online. Growth in the number of people who follow luxury brands on social media is flatlining and online engagement in 2025 is only 40% what was recorded in 2022, Bain notes. The number of vintage dresses appearing on red carpets is a sign of a shift. As luxury brands have become oversaturated on social media, access to rare, one-off pieces is becoming more of a status symbol than shelling out thousands of dollars on the latest handbag. Luxury companies have been here before. In 2015, consumers grew tired of logos and brands were forced to pivot. New, discrete designs like the Louis Vuitton Capucines successfully got people spending again. Multibillion-dollar ad budgets make the biggest luxury companies formidable players. And a wave of innovation is on the way: At least a dozen major luxury brands, including Chanel, Gucci and Dior, have new creative designers who will be showing fresh collections later this year. But the industry is 50% bigger today than it was a decade ago. Even if the latest crop of designers nail what young customers want, it will be tougher for mature brands to grow at the clip that shareholders have become accustomed to. Write to Carol Ryan at
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
Forget Cartier: Made-in-China luxury captivates Chinese consumers
China's Laopu, which specializes in gold jewelry, sees a gap in the European-led luxury market. Well-off Chinese used to chase Western luxury bags and jewelry as symbols of status. Now, in a challenge to the likes of Cartier and Yves Saint Laurent, they are turning to homegrown brands. Little-known in the West, names such as Laopu, Mao Geping and Songmont are winning over Chinese customers with a pitch that combines locally inspired designs and cultural pride. Beijing auditor Zhou Linanfang, 35, noticed long lines outside a store selling Laopu gold jewelry from her hospital room last year when she was about to give birth. Her social-media feeds added to the buzz around the brand. Zhou, like many in her generation, considered gold jewelry unfashionable but changed her mind after seeing the filigree flower rings, gourd-shaped pendants and phoenix hairpieces in Laopu designs. Soon after the arrival of her baby boy, her husband lined up at a Laopu store in Beijing for an hour to buy her a butterfly-shaped pendant for $1,600. 'It's just stylish," Zhou said. 'Now that we have luxury gold pieces, as someone who loves fashion, how could I not get one?" Also taking notice are Western luxury-brand CEOs such as Johann Rupert, chairman of Cartier parent Richemont. He was asked in May whether Laopu was a threat. The brand is 'tied to nationalism and tied to patriotism, and they have a lot of wins in their favor," Rupert said. However, he added, 'Cartier is universal." For Hermès, the resale value of its bags remains an advantage over Chinese rivals. Sales of luxury products in mainland China, mostly Western brands, fell around 20% last year to less than $50 billion, according to consultants at Bain. They said China accounted for about one in eight dollars spent on luxury globally. For the year ended March 2025, Richemont's sales in China fell 23%. Laopu listed its shares in Hong Kong last year and its stock surged, giving the company a market capitalization of more than $15 billion. By contrast, shares of Gucci owner Kering have declined more than 20% compared with a year earlier as the China growth hopes that formerly drove luxury shares have faded. In June, NBA player Victor Wembanyama was seen wearing Laopu's signature gourd-shaped pendant at a sports-card show in New York after visiting China. Zhou said she liked the idea of buying gold jewelry because it might retain its value better in an era of growing economic uncertainty. She said she no longer bought a luxury handbag or jewelry every six months like she used to. 'I might lose my job tomorrow, so I definitely need to cut back," she said. Laopu's chairman, Xu Gaoming, told shareholders in April that the company has carved out a niche with little direct competition. Chinese gold jewelry makers aim for the mass market, while European fine jewelers don't specialize in gold. Laopu's black-and-white stores offer a minimalist ambience, while pampering customers as they wait with Evian water and Godiva chocolate. A Laopu store in Beijing. As those perks suggest, European brands still have a cachet that is hard to match. People in the luxury business said the Chinese brands might even serve as a feeder to get younger consumers interested in luxury. Vanessa Piao, a luxury-bag reseller in China, said more buyers are treating their purchases as an investment, and they often prefer prestigious names such as Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. 'They are happy to pay $20,000 for a Birkin 25 because they can resell it in a few years without losing much," Piao said, referring to the Hermès bag. 'They won't pay that money for a luxury bag or any fashion item from a domestic brand, no matter how exquisite and rare it is, because that, to some, is the equivalent of throwing $20,000 down the drain." Sophia Zhang, 32, was a loyal customer of Lancôme and Estée Lauder until she became a fan of Mao Geping, the namesake brand of a Chinese makeup artist. Its cream and foundation typically cost half or less the price of the international brands. A 100-gram jar of its signature moisturizer costs $139, compared with $280 for a smaller jar of a top-of-the-line Lancôme moisturizer. 'In the past I figured I'd splurge on skin care, believing those big names were the best, and I'd dismiss local products just because they were cheaper," said Zhang, who, like Zhou, said she still buys some European brands. Now that she has found a less-expensive alternative that suits her, she said, 'it'll be tough to go back." Backstage at a Mao Geping show during Beijing Fashion Week. China is also developing some accessible luxury brands priced comparably to Coach and Michael Kors. One is Songmont, known for its simple and modern designs in products such as a $529 shoulder bag. Twelve-year-old Songmont was co-founded by Fu Song and Wang Jie, designers who graduated from China's top art schools. Some of their first products, with Chinese brocade linings depicting auspicious Chinese motifs like dragons, phoenixes and butterflies, were fashioned by Fu's grandmother and other craftspeople in western Shanxi province. Like many other niche brands around the world, Songmont emphasizes sustainability and its sourcing of threads and oils for its leather bags from Germany and Italy. Its stores incorporate pine trees and rocks, and it brought on tennis star Li Na to promote the brand to channel a bold vibe. The next question is whether the Chinese brands can go global. Shein and Temu have succeeded in e-commerce with rock-bottom prices on mostly Chinese-made goods, and some Americans have taken to Labubu, the viral troll-like toy from China's Pop Mart. Laopu, the jewelry retailer, opened its first overseas store in Singapore in June and will venture to Japan next, but a person close to the company questioned whether Western consumers were ready to embrace marketing based on traditional Chinese culture and aesthetics. Bain consultant Claudia D'Arpizio said Labubu's success suggested Gen-Z consumers were open to buying Chinese. However, she said, 'for more of the core high-end luxury customers in the U.S. and in Europe, made-in-Europe is still very important." Write to Shen Lu at
