It’s the biggest-ever buyout for a luxury brand founded in Oz – French cosmetics giant L’Oréal has struck a deal to acquire skincare brand Aesop for a moisturising $3.7 billion. The Melbourne-based company has been a winner for its Brazilian owner Natura, which has had a controlling stake for more than a decade. Last year, Aesop posted sales of US$537 million across 29 countries and opened its first store in mainland China. And Go-To – the brand founded by Zoe Foster-Blake – is seeking new owners following the collapse of its majority owner, Aussie cosmetics giant BWX. Go-To is managed independently from BWX, but other brands, including Sukin, could be left in the lurch. Reports speculate that Foster-Blake, who sold 50.1% of Go-To to BWX in 2021, could buy it back for a reduced price.