In news that has shocked the beauty biz, Aerin Lauder is reportedly stepping down from her post as Senior Vice President and Creative Director of Estée Lauder to pursue her own fashion and lifestyle brand.
Aerin - granddaughter of the legendary Estée, and currently the third largest shareholder in the cosmetics company - will reportedly still hold a "senior creative role" within the brand, but is keen to focus on a fashion and lifestyle brand that is reportedly set to include accessories, homewares and jewellery, which some are saying will be based on her grandmother’s private collection.
While we're sad that Aerin - who has played such a key role in leading the iconic brand in a new direction, bringing Carolyn Murphy on board as a spokeswoman and signing Ethiopian-born Liya Kebede as the first black model to represent the brand - is stepping down, an Estée Lauder spokesperson has assured the industry that, "Aerin Lauder is a vital part of the Estée Lauder Companies and the Estée Lauder brand. She will continue to have a senior creative role with the brand and will continue as a member of the board of directors of the company. An announcement is forthcoming about her future business plans." What do you think of the news? Are you sad to see Aerin leave?