Is the Estée Lauder Cos. trying to double down on fashion?

Hot on the heels of reports that the sweetness giant is considering an acquisition of Tom Ford’s fashion operations, the corporate is alleged to be in talks with Balmain for a beauty license.

Representatives from each corporations declined to comment on the published reports.

Balmain would add one other high luxury name to Lauder’s stable, which along with Ford includes Michael Kors. The corporate played more within the designer fragrance arena within the early Aughts, with licenses including Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger and Tory Burch, but shed those brands during the last couple of years in favor of a method focused on luxury area of interest fragrance brands like Editions de Parfum Frédéric Malle, By Killian and Le Labo. 

Currently, Balmain, owned by Mayhoola, has a luxury hair care range, but doesn’t have a major presence in beauty.