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The Glossy Podcast is a weekly show on the impact of technology on the fashion and luxury industries with the people making change happen.
Week in Review: Nike x Tiffany, Nike's lawsuits, the Lyst Index
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, we talk about Tiffany’s collaborations with Nike and the departure of its executive creative director Ruba Abu-Nimah. We also discuss Nike’s ongoing lawsuits with Lululemon and Bape, and the rising and falling of some major fashion brands based on the new Lyst Index.
29:2503/02/2023
Terez founder Zara Terez Tisch: 'Activewear has become a dirty word'
When Zara Terez Tisch launched her namesake brand Terez in 2008, right before the recession, her main goal was to find her light in a sea of darkness. The New York City-based brand, which initially sold leather handbags, quickly grew from operating out of her parents' basement to selling through wholesale partners.
In 2012, Terez expanded into apparel and updated its mission to center on spreading happiness and positivity through clothes. While a kids' line marked the move into the new category, the overwhelming demand for the hero product led to Terez launching colorful leggings for women. That's now the brand's most popular category, according to Terez Tisch. But it's seeing competition.
"I am a big kid at heart, and … kids are a huge part of our brand's DNA," Terez Tisch said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast. "Since launched our first store this past fall, our kids' business has been rising once again."
The flagship location, which opened in NYC's Upper East Side in September 2022, is a physical manifestation of all the best parts of the brand, she said, citing its bright decor and welcoming energy.
49:1401/02/2023
Week in Review: eBay's luxury play, the viral Schiaparelli show, the future of denim
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, we talk about eBay investing in luxury resale company Cudoni, the viral looks from the Schiaparelli show and the expectations for the denim market, based on Levi’s earnings.
25:5327/01/2023
New Lively CEO Kristin DiCunzolo on the next era of the DTC brand
For a company to grow, big changes must often be made. Such has been the case for Lively, a digitally native lingerie brand founded in 2015 by Michelle Cordeiro Grant. Since its inception, Lively has had much success navigating the crowded undergarment space, thanks in part to its prioritization of inclusion, community and connection, according to Cordeiro Grant.
A few years into the brand's existence, Lively was acquired by Japanese lingerie company Wacoal in 2019 for $105 million. In August 2022, Cordeiro Grant announced she was stepping down. Kristin DiCunzolo, previously vp of marketing and direct sales at Wacoal America, was appointed Lively's president and CEO.
In her new role, DiCunzolo has ambitious plans to catapult Lively's steady growth. That includes expanding the brand into new categories, diversifying its retail channels and launching it in international markets. Lively is launching e-commerce in Canada later this year.
"Our community has grown with [Lively]. They've aged with us also. But what [the customer] liked when she was 25 might be different almost 10 years later. So we want to be sure [our products] continue to [excite her] while also igniting a new fresh audience," DiCunzolo said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast.
47:3525/01/2023
Week in Review: The Adidas hoax, luxury in China and the state of brand-run resale
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, they take a look at the hoax around Adidas’s fake co-CEO, the future strength of the luxury industry in China and the reason so many brands are getting into resale.
21:3920/01/2023
The Clear Cut's Olivia Landau on modernizing the diamond shopping experience
When Olivia Landau started her educational diamond blog in 2016, she had no idea it would transform into the multimillion-dollar brand it is today. The Clear Cut brand, in its current state, officially launched in 2018 and specializes in creating custom rings for clients.
"It was through working with [my co-founder and husband Kyle Simon's] friends when creating their custom rings that I realized most people don't know the first thing about buying a diamond," Landau said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast. "[Kyle and I] quickly realized there must be a whitespace in the market, if strangers [in the market for a ring] were trusting me with their life savings. ... That's when we decided to commit full time to making this happen."
Though Landua, a fourth-generation jeweler, initially did not anticipate working in the industry, her vast knowledge of diamonds and gemstones has fueled her company's growth. According to Landua, since The Clear Cut's launch, it's doubled its revenue every year. Building off that momentum, the company built a cutting-edge proprietary software system in 2020, allowing it to elevate the customer experience by matching clients with gemologists, while simultaneously scaling backend manufacturing and distribution.
As The Clear Cut continues to capitalize on the wedding boom, Landau and her team are focused on simplifying and further customizing the diamond shopping experience, while continuing to educate customers.
36:0518/01/2023
Week in Review: LVMH shuffles executives, Stella McCartney posts losses, Uniqlo raises wages
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
On this week’s episode, executive reshuffling at LVMH shows how the company continues to dominate global luxury, Stella McCartney reveals losses in 2021, and Uniqlo is raising the wages of its Japan-based workers by as much as 40%.
24:1713/01/2023
Creative director Dao-Yi Chow on the first year of Brady
There's no denying Dao-Yi Chow's influence in the fashion industry, especially menswear. Chow's worked with Sean John and Donna Karen, and he co-founded the CFDA award-winning brand Public School.
Now, along with NFL quarterback Tom Brady and Jens Grede, founder of Frame and Skims, Chow is behind Brady's namesake apparel brand, which launched in January 2022. Shaped by Chow, the brand's creative director, Brady's key attributes include intentionality and functionality.
"This is the first time [I've designed pure performance wear], and it's been a really enjoyable journey. The way we approach design at Brady is a lot more intentional than in my past work. It's thinking about the end user in intentional ways and approaching development -- whether that's [a product's] silhouette or fabric textile -- in a very clear way," Chow said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast. "I'm not saying I haven't designed in a clear way before, but it was a lot more subjective. The design process [at Brady] is less about trying to make something cool, [and more about] making something that's functional and does what we're saying it will do."
As creative director, Chow has designed multiple collections that represent the brand's core goal of blending performance and lifestyle. That includes its swim collection, which launched over the summer. As the brand prepares to celebrate its first anniversary on January 12, building upon its popular core apparel items and expanding its distribution are top of mind.
36:5111/01/2023
Week in Review: Victoria's Secret CEO resignation, Rolex price hikes, Adidas vs. Thom Browne
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, we take a look at Victoria’s Secret losing its CEO, Amy Hauk, after only eight months; Rolex raising its prices and the impact on the larger watch world; and Adidas suing Thom Browne for trademark infringement over the brand's use of stripes as it moves into sportswear.
27:4006/01/2023
Verishop's Imran Khan: 'Our mission is to help independent and emerging brands thrive'
Prior to launching online marketplace Verishop in 2019, co-founders Imran and Cate Khan defined a white space with strong potential: an e-commerce site catering to influencers-turned-brand founders.
“If you were an independent brand creator, and you were building a brand with a point of view and a story to tell, there was no platform [for you],” Imran Khan said on the latest Glossy Podcast. “Brands in the ‘makers' economy’ don't want to be on every platform; they want to be on a platform where they can distinctively tell their stories. They were distributing through social media. Our thesis was that social media would become more crowded, making it difficult for these brands to acquire customers.”
Of course, that’s proven true. In step, Verishop has evolved its business model to provide creator brands with marketing solutions, on top of serving as an aggregator. It’s been successful: Today, Verishop sells 5,000 brands from 3,000 merchants. Its monthly merchant retention rate is over 99%, and its merchant count grew 120% year-over-year in the third quarter. Its marketing solutions business grew 6X in the same period.
“We're seeing incredible product-market fit,” he said.
36:0004/01/2023
Glossy's Year in Review: Controversy, inflation and greenwashing in 2022
On the Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi, international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week. But in this special year-end episode, the three hosts break down fashion's biggest news, themes, trends and controversies for all of 2022.
Highlights include controversies at Balenciaga and Yeezy, the impact of inflation, the return of physical retail, the future of fashion week, and the rise of greenwashing. Stick around until the end to hear predictions for 2023. And thank you all for listening to the Glossy Podcast this year.
48:5828/12/2022
Pete Nordstrom on loyalty: 'Being helpful and kind to customers pays off'
Pete Nordstrom, a fourth-generation member of the Nordstrom family, currently serves as the retailer's president and chief brand officer.
Nordstrom got in his start at the company working in the shoe department and worked his way up from there. According to hIm, the experience he gained from directly working with customers still helps him succeed in his role today. "[Working in the shoe department] is a very high-touch proposition that requires a level of commitment and service," he said on the latest Glossy Podcast. "The humility you learn from that is also helpful."
Aside from his executive responsibilities, Nordstrom also hosts The Nordy Pod, a podcast launched in February that gives Nordstrom fans an insider's perspective on all things Nordstrom, retail and fashion.
This week, Nordstrom sat down with Glossy editor-in-chief Jill Manoff to discuss how Nordstrom prepared for the holiday season, and how the company takes a unique approach to customer service, innovation and operations.
42:2921/12/2022
Week in Review: Fast fashion stays winning, what's driving luxury, Gucci's first show without Michele
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, fast fashion companies Zara and Shein posted big earnings, even though the downsides of fast fashion are known. Elsewhere, young adults are fueling luxury’s growth in the U.S. and the U.K. And Gucci will debut its first show without Alessandro Michele — or any creative director at all — in February.
24:3516/12/2022
Lyst CEO Emma McFerran: 'Luxury and premium' fashion sales remain on the rise
If you're an avid fashion shopper, chances are you've heard of Lyst. The 12-year-old shopping app has the largest assortment of premium and luxury fashion online in one place, according to Emma McFerran, the company's newly-appointed CEO. McFerran joined the company in 2014 and has risen through the ranks to her most recent position, which was officially announced in July.
In her new role, McFerran is dedicated to fine-tuning Lyst's app to strengthen the user experience. "Our members are our most powerful cohorts. ... We use data and technology [from the app] to drive recommendations, which are personal to [consumers]. The more we learn about you, the better the offerings become," McFerran said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast.
In May 2021, the company announced a "pre-IPO" funding round of $85 million. As Lyst focuses on scaling its business under McFerran's leadership, eventually going public and broadening its offerings and brand partnerships will remain top priorities.
36:2214/12/2022
Week in Review: Stitch Fix earnings, Jordan's new flagship and the future of resale
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, Stitch Fix reported below-expected revenues, possibly indicating a flaw in its recommendation-based business model. Elsewhere, Jordan Brand is getting its first flagship as Nike tests letting the sub-brand stand on its own, and new funding in the brand-owned resale world signals a changing secondhand landscape.
24:2409/12/2022
Fabio Barreto on leading Farm Rio's international growth mid-pandemic
According to Fabio Barreto, global CEO of Brazil-based Farm Rio, its tropical, eye-catching designs, along with its prioritization of digital and its unique brand story, have fueled the fashion brand's popularity since its launch in the ’90s.
To Barreto's point, Farm Rio's ability to connect with a younger audience through digital channels singlehandedly helped the brand stay afloat during the height of the pandemic, when customers couldn't access its physical retail locations.
"[Ours is] a unique brand. It's a new story, it's a different story, and it's a very strong story. We know a lot of what we are and what we're not and the lifestyle we care about," Barreto said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast. "[Our ability to tell] that story in such a strong way, with sophisticated messaging, assets, imagery and visual merchandising, is something that [resonates] with the customer."
Since Farm Rio's inception, it has opened over 90 stores in Brazil alone. And it recently forayed into international markets. In 2019, it opened three stores in the U.S., including in New York and Miami. And in June, it opened its first permanent location in L.A., following a slew of pop-ups. Farm Rio also has a store in Paris.
43:5507/12/2022
Week in Review: H&M layoffs, Savage x Fenty lawsuit and the Balenciaga controversy
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, layoffs hit H&M as the company sees rising costs, and Savage x Fenty settled a consumer protection lawsuit centered on misleading its members about payments. Also, a deep dive into the Balenciaga controversy and what it means for the future of the brand.
36:2402/12/2022
Scanlan Theodore's Melinda Robertson on preparing for an 'inevitable' recession
When Melinda Roberston moved to the U.S. to work on Wall Street in 2012, she didn't expect to receive high praise for her wardrobe. Unlike her American counterparts, Robertson almost exclusively wore Australian fashion brand Scanlan Theodore, which specializes in workwear for women. To her surprise, however, Scanlan Theodore's chic aesthetic was a hit, and it led Robertson and her business partner, Sarah Blank, to approach Gary Theodore, the brand's founder, with a pitch: to launch the company in the U.S.
"[Scanlan Theodore Americas] was very much born out of [my and Sarah's] personal need and the feedback we were receiving [from female bankers]," Robertson said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "One of the trickiest things [when launching in a new country] is knowing whether the product will translate. First: Is it going to translate internationally? We felt confident on that front, because all these women [on Wall Street] were so excited about our suits. Then, once you're [in the U.S.], the question is: How is it going to translate in other states? We felt confident on one front, so we did it."
Two years after pitching the idea to Theodore, the trio became business partners on the U.S. business in 2017. Now, as co-CEO of Scanlan Theodore Americas, Robertson is responsible for growing the brand's presence in the American market. Currently, the company has two boutiques in New York City, plus stores in Long Island, N.Y., Miami and Dallas. A location in Washington, D.C. is set to open June 2023.
"We've had to be patient," Robertson said. "We've secured the locations we wanted, and now we're focused on building the brand."
48:2930/11/2022
Malone Souliers' Mary Alice Malone: 'It's important to move, adjust and take opportunities'
For Mary Alice Malone's luxury footwear brand, Malone Souliers, making shoes the "hard way" is what has set the company apart since its inception in 2014.
Launched in London, Malone Souliers has become a sought-after brand due to its extremely high level of craftsmanship. Malone got her experience as a shoemaker at the famous Cordwainers shoemaking school in East London. After graduating, she began her journey of building a footwear company that has since evolved into a premium brand.
Though Malone Souliers does sell an assortment of footwear, including sneakers and flats, its signature style is a high heel named Maureen. When Malone created the now-bestselling shoe in 2015, she knew the intentional design and engineering would win over consumers. After some hesitation from buyers due to the unique silhouette, Maureen debuted as part of Malone Souliers' spring-summer 2015 collection and became a hero product.
"Creating the Maureen was a feat of engineering. It is a really supportive shoe, and it's beautiful," Malone said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast. "Trying to get people to buy Maureen took a bit of convincing, at first. But then she had her arrival moment, and it's never been the same."
Now that Malone Souliers has established itself in the industry, its founder is looking at the bigger picture. Aside from building up the brand's e-commerce site, she recently expanded it to new product categories and new international markets. "I think of [Malone Soulier] as a lightweight boxer. ... It's important to be able to move, adjust and take an opportunity where you see it," Malone said.
39:4123/11/2022
Week in Review: COP27, Nike's Web3 launch, lowered holiday spending
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and U.K. reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, COP27 revealed the dire need for more urgent action from the fashion industry to reduce emissions. Amid brands' lofty promises, greenwashing is still common and many big brands are raising, rather than reducing, their emissions. Also, Nike launched its big web3 project, called .Swoosh, and retailers in the U.S. and U.K. are preparing for lowered holiday spending.
31:3018/11/2022
Jennifer Meyer: 'I would not have my business' without retail partners
In 2005, Jennifer Meyer decided to take a leap and bet on herself. Though Meyer had no previous experience in design, her dream was to become a jewelry designer. With support from her family, she learned how to create jewelry and eventually launched a company.
"I wanted to design pieces that I wanted to wear and that I knew my friends wanted to wear," Meyers said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast. "I wanted classic, beautiful, everyday pieces that would be in your jewelry box forever and that you could layer or keep on, and that you could live in."
Fast forward, and Meyer is now the founder of her 17-year-old namesake jewelry line, which has since expanded into new categories, including fragrance. And she collaborated with Canadian luxury outerwear brand Moose Knuckles to create an 18-piece collection, in 2021. In Oct. 2018, Meyer opened her brand's first physical retail location in L.A.'s Palisades Village shopping center.
In terms of next steps, the core of Meyer's company will always be fine jewelry design, but she is looking forward to further expanding into fragrance and exploring the home category. "We'll see where that all takes me," she added.
43:3916/11/2022
Week in Review: Johnny Depp's Savage x Fenty cameo, The RealReal's profitability push, Condé Nast sues Drake
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi is joined by Glossy editor-in-chief Jill Manoff to talk through some of the biggest fashion new stories of the week.
This week, Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance in Rihanna's Savage x Fenty show, prompting criticism after he was accused of domestic assault. Elsewhere, The RealReal announced some of its plans to reach profitability sooner, including offering a warranty program for bigger purchases and data monetization. Finally, Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue magazine, is suing Drake and 21 Savage over a fake Vogue cover.
31:5011/11/2022
Untuckit's Chris Riccobono: To grow a brand, 'brick-and-mortar is a must'
Though Chris Riccobono didn't have any fashion experience when he launched menswear brand Untuckit, he managed to solve a problem in the business casual space. The company's dress shirts designed to be worn untucked have been copied by a plethora of competitors and fueled its profitable business.
Since entering the market 2011, the NYC-based DTC brand has seen its fair share of highs and lows: Prior to the start of the pandemic, Untuckit had expanded to 90 retail locations around the world, including six in Canada and a new store in England. But subsequent lockdowns forced Riccobono to temporarily close all locations.
"There wasn't one time during the pandemic that we gave in and said, 'I wish we didn't open these stores.' We stood behind them," Riccobono said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "You can't operate a massive growing men's retail business without having stores."
The slight setback didn't stop Untuckit's growth. Once the quarantine and guidelines lifted, and consumers began feeling comfortable in public spaces again, Untuckit sales ramped up. In 2021, Untuckit opened three new locations, including in Long Beach, California, Sarasota, Florida and Manchester, U.K.
Now, Riccobono is expanding his portfolio. In June, along with Derek Jeter, Misty Copeland and Wayne Gretzky, he introduced an all-new brand, Greatness Wins. It's centered on performance athletic apparel.
36:4509/11/2022
Week in Review: Louis Vuitton's Dream Space, NYFW data and dim forecasts at Under Armour, Canada Goose
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, a look at Louis Vuitton's new Paris-based exhibition space and the other brands that have recently opened experiential spaces. Also, new data shows New York Fashion Week Spring 2023 made a big impact, and price forecasts were reduced at Under Armour and Canada Goose.
18:3904/11/2022
Jennifer Fisher on growing her namesake brand: 'It's time to step on the gas'
Jennifer Fisher may have fallen into launching her fine and brass namesake jewelry brand in 2006, but she's proving she's got a knack for scaling the company.
Since its inception, Fisher has grown her company into a lifestyle brand. She opened its first West Coast store in 2021, which she followed with a location in NYC's Soho neighborhood in June. The brand is also available in eight Saks stores across the U.S.
"When I started this brand, I didn't want to rely on wholesale. I started this company out of my bedroom selling direct-to-consumer, customizable fine jewelry. My intention for the brand was to stay true to that. … [Jennifer Fisher] never had a large-scale wholesale business intentionally. But that is now changing," Fisher said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "We still love our DTC model. But for the growth of [the brand], it's important for us to be in other cities so people can touch and feel the jewelry. We've noticed with opening up [our] two stores how important is for people to actually see [the jewelry]."
As Fisher plans for 2023, she says nothing is off the table. From food and home decor to fragrance and beauty, the founder is ready to explore and expand into every category that makes sense for the brand. "I never say never," she said
31:2402/11/2022
Week in Review: Yeezy's implosion, the new pain-filled spa experience and Glossy's Influencer Brand Dinner
On the latest Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and West Coast correspondent Liz Flora break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, a discussion of how Kanye West's fashion empire came rapidly crumbling down. Plus, Liz takes us into the new world of spa treatments that are more focused on endurance than relaxation and provides a dispatch from Glossy's Influencer Brand Leaders Dinner, with partner Izea, on October 25.
33:5328/10/2022
Global CEO Tricia Smith on creating a 'sense of discovery' at Anthropologie
Coming off the heels of its 30th anniversary, Anthropologie has no plans to slow down.
Anthropologie celebrated its 30th anniversary in late September and, in step, produced an interactive installation at the New York Academy of Art called “By Hand, By Heart.” The installation, which ran from Oct. 1-2, showcased the brand's rich history and decades' worth of eye-catching storefront art. The company also published its first coffee table book with Rizzoli, titled "Art of Anthropologie," which celebrates Anthropologie's roots and creative accomplishments.
At the helm of the heritage brand is Tricia Smith, who took on the role of global CEO in April 2021. From a very young age, Smith knew she was passionate about retail and serving customers. Though Anthropologie's reputation for keeping the customer front and center was one of the biggest draws for Smith, it was an unforgettable experience while visiting Anthropologie's Soho, NY location over 20 years ago that piqued her interest in the brand.
"I remember the way the store made me feel. I distinctly remember that it was the first time that I, as a young woman, felt inspired by a retail experience," Smith shared on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "It was the thoughtfulness of the curation of products, from apparel to candles and home accessories, all celebrated with these amazing and incredible visual installations. It inspired this sense of discovery in me that Anthropologie was the first to create."
Since assuming the role as global CEO, Smith's biggest goal has been to invoke that same feeling of inspiration and creativity in customers.
"When the opportunity was presented to me to join as the CEO, yes, it was exciting. But it was a bit of a pinch-me moment," Smith added.
32:2826/10/2022
Week in Review: NBA fashion, Skechers sues Hermès, early holiday marketing
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
On this week's episode: looks at the fashion evolution of the NBA and Skechers' surprising lawsuit against luxury brand Hermès. Plus, a deep dive into the different ways brands and retailers are tackling earlier-than-ever holiday marketing.
26:3321/10/2022
Rhone's CEO Nate Checketts on the brand's strategic approach to pricing
Nate Checketts, CEO and co-founder of men's apparel and activewear brand Rhone, has mastered the art of building a premium brand at a comfortable pace. Rhone, Checketts' 8-year-old brand based in Connecticut, has gone through its fair share of growing pains. Checketts owes its ability to power through the tough times to quality products and smart strategies.
"Part of the ethos and emphasis of Rhone has always been marrying aesthetic and function," Checketts said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast.
Activewear, or as the brand categorizes it "performance lifestyle," has been a key driver of Rhone's business. The category performed incredibly well in 2019, but like every other brand, Rhone was not prepared for the year that followed.
"[The year] 2020 was an enormous challenge for us because the interest swung into active and lounge[wear], and we could not keep those products in stock. We were chasing inventory," Checketts said. "Not only [were we] not able to get enough inventory to keep up with demand in a typical calendar year, but now, you have supply chain challenges and countries shutting down, too."
Checketts said the sudden increase in demand and new challenges the team faced helped shape Rhone's business strategy from there. "As we thought about 2021, we had to start making calculated decisions as to when we thought lifestyle [apparel] was going to come back," Checketts said.
45:0619/10/2022
LVMH earnings, Thom Browne at the CFDA, Farfetch's concierge service
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, a look at LVMH's earnings and the resilience of the luxury fashion sector to changes in the economy, and Thom Browne taking over as chairman of the CFDA. Plus, a breakdown of Farfetch's concierge service and ways retailers are catering to the lucrative — and secretive — ultra-wealthy customer base.
27:2614/10/2022
Arianna Casadei on modernizing her family footwear business
Arianna Casadei, head of marketing at her family's namesake brand, Casadei, has her eyes set on the future of retail and technology. The 60-year-old, Milan-based luxury footwear business, which was started by her grandfather, has made a name for itself through its design and craftsmanship. And its "Blade" heel style has become well-known among footwear fans.
"From a craftsmanship perspective, [the Blade heel] is so interesting, because heels are usually made of plastic, while here you have a stainless steel heel sole within it," Casadei said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "With all of the trials they did throughout six months — the whole team was restlessly trying and trying, day in day out [to create the perfect heel] — when it came alive, it was like winning a championship or something."
This year, Casadei is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the "Blade," which has been a bestseller since its inception. As part of the celebration, Casadei released a limited-edition wearable NFT, a first for the company. To develop it, the company partnered with web3 firm Another1, and it launched the NFT on Decentraland in September.
Another area of growth for the brand has been through physical retail. Currently, Casadei has two brick-and-mortar stores in Italy and one in the U.K. And with the U.S. being a large online market for the brand, there are plans to expand its physical footprint to the states very soon.
"We want to grow, from an omnichannel [perspective]. And we're looking at possible solutions [for providing] localized stock [in the
36:5012/10/2022
Week in Review: Inside all the drama at Paris Fashion Week
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down all the biggest fashion news from the week.
On this week's episode, we take a look at all the dramatic news that came out of a very packed Paris Fashion Week, including the Bella Hadid spray-on dress at the Coperni show and Kanye West's controversial "White Lives Matter" shirts.
27:5007/10/2022
XRC Labs partner Diana Melencio: 'The future store is everywhere'
As a partner at XRC Labs, a New York-based venture fund and startup accelerator, Diana Melencio is actively working to help underrepresented founders get the funding they need to run successful companies. The fund primarily focuses on retail technology and consumer goods. To date, the company has invested in some of the buzziest names in these industries, including The Lobby, Billie, Caraa and Wear.
"It's a business imperative to invest in underrepresented founders only because ... so much of the untapped opportunity isin those areas," Melencio said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "It's not a marketing ploy or something that we're actively trying to skew our demographics for, but rather one that is grounded in the fact that there is a huge opportunity in investing in these types of founders."
Melencio has only been with XRC Labs for one year, but her past experience on Wall Street prepared her for this role, she said. For 10 years, Melencio focused on investing in consumer retail and healthcare. She then founded two companies, one of which received an XRC Labs investment. Right before joining XRC Labs, Melencio ran WISE Ventures, an investment fund.
With over a decade's worth of experience in funding and retail technology, Melencio is excited about the future of retail and the new brands and founders that will arise as a result.
"Consumers [want to] purchase a product anywhere and everywhere," Melencio said. "To me, the future store [is] everywhere, like a truly omnichannel experience."
38:1005/10/2022
Week in Review: Milan Fashion Week recap and Daniel Lee’s Burberry appointment
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, the main topic of conversation was Milan Fashion Week, the trends on display and the distinction between MFW and its London and New York counterparts. The second half of the episode is devoted to Daniel Lee’s surprise appointment at Burberry and the potential directions he might take the company.
27:0230/09/2022
Irina Lazareanu on the ‘indie sleaze’ vibe shift: ‘It’s not a trend. It’s a feeling of expression’
From getting discovered by Chanel's former creative director Karl Lagerfeld to becoming his muse and eventually a supermodel, Irina Lazareanu has decades worth of experience in fashion.
"It was very much being at the right place at the right time," said Lazareanu on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "I could never be [the perfect model]. I had to find something that was completely mine. And I had to stick to that conviction that I'm still going to show up like [myself]. I'm not going to change because everybody else looks a certain way. [Being different] was terrifying at 18."
Staying true to herself came with a lot of rejection, she said, but it was worth it when Lagerfeld noticed her at a casting call. From there, Lazareanu's career took off, and unbeknownst to her at the time, she ruled the early aughts runway.
Two decades into her career, Lazareanu has had a lot of time to reflect on her upbringing and ascension to superstardom. She published her first book "Runway Bird" in April, an insight into her whirlwind career along with the people who helped her along the way.
Below are additional highlights from the conversation, which have been lightly edited for clarity.
The social media effect
"It's good that people are using their platforms to talk about [issues in the fashion industry]. At the same time, I also think it's very important for somebody to pay their dues and do the work. If you have worked in fashion for years, you want to be paid for your work. But if you had a viral video on TikTok because you did a funny dance and all of a sudden, you want to be paid millions of dollars when people [like] journalists, models, stylists, designers, et cetera have worked for 20 or 30 years to get somewhere [then] I don't agree with that. Your work needs to also reflect your value and what you bring to the industry."
Pioneering the "indie sleaze" trend
"Indie Sleaze as the Gen Zers call it was just called indie [when I was growing up]. It was an amazing time in music and fashion in the early 2000s where you had groups like The Libertines coming and creating this movement that wasn't grunge. It was post-grunge. It had a little bit of the '90s baggy jeans, dirty hair and ripped jeansthing going on, but it was also mixed with glamorous aspects. It wasn't about following trends and wearing brands, it was about getting through your day and surviving it. That's how I look at it. It was authentic. It's not a trend and it’s not a movement. It was a feeling of expression."
47:4828/09/2022
Week in Review: London Fashion Week recap
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the fashion industry's biggest news of the week.
This week, Zofia reports back from her time at London Fashion Week, including how the death of Queen Elizabeth II impacted shows and what differences she saw between the approaches of designers showing at LFW, compared to NYFW.
24:2223/09/2022
Stitch Fix's Loretta Choy: 'Every part of the work we do has had to evolve'
According to Loretta Choy, chief merchandising officer at Stitch Fix, data is one of the most important factors in fulfilling the Stitch Fix customer's personalized demands.
Choy joined the Stitch Fix team in 2019, only a few months before the pandemic upended the workforce. She said her team's ability to adapt and analyze data was key to keeping the business afloat. Choy's team uses billions of data points to inform which products and new categories Stitch Fix introduces to its assortment. Under her leadership, Stitch Fix added athleisure and activewear to its offerings after noticing consumer shopping trends had shifted.
"We were thinking, 'How do we ensure during Covid that we have apparel that is right for [the consumer]?" Choy said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "Some of the [demand we saw] from our clients was item [specific], but often, it was about the end use. It was about, 'How [do] I shift my look or my wardrobe?' Those were important data inputs we received."
Choy admitted that working in traditional retail environments for close to 20 years presented a slight learning curve when joining Stitch Fix, but she said the transition enabled personal growth. Now that Choy feels more settled in her role, she is focused on expanding Stitch Fix's men's, children's and womenswear into more apparel categories.
The executive's expansion efforts are in line with Stitch Fix's growth strategies. Stitch Fix announced during its Q4 earnings report conference call on Tuesday that its net revenue and active clients in the quarter were lower than expected, due to a turbulent retail market. However, leveraging Choy's intentional use of data, the company hopes to tap into under-serviced demographics and increase consumer acquisition.
35:0621/09/2022
Week in Review: Glamour, diversity and the metaverse at NYFW
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff discuss the biggest news in the fashion industry of the week.
This week, on a special New York Fashion Week episode, the hosts discuss the vibe at NYFW this season, compared to the lackluster previous seasons. They also talk about see-now-buy-now, the return of big names like Fendi and Tommy Hilfiger, and the future of the fashion calendar.
Also, this episode marks the 1-year anniversary of Week in Review, which started as a special episode recapping last September's NYFW. Thanks to all for listening!
26:5116/09/2022
Katia Walsh on 'permeating Levi's with the best digital data and AI capabilities'
The retail industry is increasingly integrating AI efforts into business strategies, and Katia Walsh, chief global strategy and AI officer at Levi Strauss and Co., is at the forefront of those changes. Walsh has been with Levi's for nearly four years and has led the charge of melding Levi's values with innovative technological capabilities to both drive change and increase revenue.
Walsh has a strong track record. Prior to Levi's, Walsh's work contributed to transforming companies across many industries in 30-plus countries. She holds a Ph.D. in strategic communication with a specialization in quantitative methodology.
"I joined Levi's because of what the brand symbolizes for me. Especially growing up in a communist country, it meant so much more than clothes — and I love the clothes. ... It's also a symbol of freedom, of democracy, of the unattainable. To this day, if you ask people in Eastern Europe what some of the strongest brands are, Levi's tops that list. I also joined Levi's because of its DNA of innovation. ... It has always stood up for making an impact on the world," Walsh said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast.
The executive credits developing three particular passions as the key to her professional success. Those include data and information, technology's ability to amplify information, and the power of machine learning to analyze it all and drive desired outcomes.
38:5014/09/2022
Week in Review: Kanye clashes with Adidas, brands battle discounts and the EU faces an energy crisis
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion industry news of the week.
On this week's episode, Kanye West's ongoing feud with both Adidas and Gap reveal contentious details about their partnerships, brands across the industry prepare for the onslaught of promotions to deal with excess inventory, and the EU faces an energy crisis and the impact it's having on fashion.
22:2509/09/2022
NYFW designer Hanako Maeda on testing 'the limits of digital' during the pandemic
As luxury fashion brand Adeam celebrates its 10th anniversary, CEO and creative director Hanako Maeda reflected on the brand's growth.
The Tokyo-born, NYC-raised designer, who is also vp of Tokyo-based fashion brand Foxey, said one of the most vital factors to Adeam's success has been being OK with growing slowly but steadily. 'The key is to really know your customer and not to expand the brand in a way that feels too fast or too quick," Maeda said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast.
For example, though Adeam has been around for a decade, it only recently branched out into releasing collaborations with ambassadors. Its first was in February 2020, with tennis star Naomi Osaka — marking her first fashion collaboration, as well. Adeam launched its latest collaboration with model Carolyn Murphy, in June, using the best practices gained from the partnership with Osaka.
"[Our] collaboration [with Carolyn Murphy] was unique because the collection was 100% sustainable. We used fabrics made from organic cotton or fabrics that are biodegradable and go back into the soil after the clothing has met its cycle and lifetime," Maeda said. "I'd love to continue to have these collaborations [because] they inspire me to create different things for our main collection, as well."
In terms of the next steps for Adeam, Maeda has set her eyes on global expansion. The designer plans to build a flagship store from scratch in New York City and grow the brand in Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia.
39:3407/09/2022
Week in Review: Celebrity brands, Savage x Fenty loungewear and the end of Allure's print edition
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and Glossy Pop's Sara Spruch-Feiner break down some of the biggest fashion industry news of the week.
On this week's episode: Ciara is the latest celebrity to launch a brand, contributing to the saturation of celebrity beauty and fashion brands that have sprung up in the last year and raising questions about the sustainability of this market. Additionally, Savage x Fenty is getting into loungewear. And Allure announced the end of its print edition to focus on digital media and its brick-and-mortar store in SoHo.
28:4902/09/2022
Harper Wilde's Jenna Kerner and Jane Fisher: 'Our North Star is to be the next market leader in intimates'
According to co-founders and co-CEOs Jenna Kerner and Jane Fisher, Harper Wilde, the intimates brand they launched in 2017, would not be nearly as successful as it is if it weren’t for the community they built early on.
Kerner and Fisher launched the DTC bra brand after previously working together on a completely different brand following business school. Though the two had very little experience in the retail space, they knew there was an opportunity for a millennial intimates brand to launch and disrupt the industry.
Fast forward to 2022, and Harper Wilde has not only managed to foster a thriving community, but it has also differentiated itself in a crowded market — a feat not many brands are able to tout. To date, it’s leveraged through crowdsourcing and has created a high-quality product made of well-researched raw materials — and Harper Wilde has bigger milestones ahead. For example, the company is hoping to expand into new categories later this year. Currently, Harper Wilde’s online site is its primary shopping channel, but it also sells at Nordstrom in a few stores and online.
“Our North Star has always been to be the next market leader in intimates. There’s so much opportunity for us to continue to provide more silhouettes, more products and more sizes,” Kerner said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. “[Our customer] is asking us for more than just bras and underwear. … Now that we have her size for the most difficult garments to make, there are a lot of opportunities for us to understand how we can make other garments that fit her incredibly well and are super soft.”
39:3031/08/2022
Week in Review: Farfetch's YNAP acquisition, Nike's NFT dominance, Urban Outfitters' profit losses
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.
On this week's episode, Farfetch bought out a controlling stake in Yoox Net-a-Porter from Richemont, Nike topped the list of brands with the most NFT sales at nearly $200 million, and Urban Outfitters made more money than ever but lost profits due to increased costs.
22:4226/08/2022
Bellroy CEO Andrew Fallshaw: 'We've always wanted to be an omnichannel brand'
When Andrew Fallshaw created Australian accessories brand Bellroy in 2010, alongside his three co-founders, he hoped that, beyond designing incredible products, the brand would connect like-minded consumers through community.
Now 12-year-old Bellroy has grown to become a $300 million brand — an impressive growth trajectory from a company that was valued at $83 million just three years ago. Currently, Bellroy sells 82 products across several categories, including wallets, bags and accessories, on its website.
One of the biggest credits to Bellroy’s success has been the team’s ability to create clear boundaries for the brand. You won’t see Bellroy coming out with a fragrance or foraying into areas that Fallshaw considers outside of the “carry scope.”
“In 2010, we launched our first product, which was five slim wallets. … We re-engineered the wallet from the ground up … They took off [and] they found incredible resonance. That notion of slim wallets, which hadn’t really been a focus before then for brands, grabbed hold,” Fallshaw shared on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. “We had a few years of rocketship growth, but our intention was always to fill into the carry space and help people with how they organize their things and move through the world.”
41:1624/08/2022
Week in Review: Executive reshuffle, the state of resale and Outdoor Voice's possible acquisition
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff, break down some of the biggest fashion news stories of the week.
This week, the hosts discuss the executives that have recently left brands, including leaders at Asos, Eileen Fisher and Lively. They also break down the state of resale and the unique challenges resale platforms face in light of inflation, and the possibility that Outdoor Voices may be acquired or seek a round of investment.
24:3919/08/2022
Atterley's Kelly Byrne and Alexandra Shulman on building a 'more user-friendly' fashion marketplace
Despite a booming e-commerce market, U.K.-based e-tailer Atterley is managing to differentiate. That's thanks to a powerhouse team that includes co-CEO Kelly Byrne, formerly of Nasty Gal, and chief trends officer Alexandra Shulman, previously editor-in-chief of British Vogue.
Under Byrne and Shulman's leadership, Atterley has grown its reach among shoppers who value its business model of "a marketplace supporting boutiques globally [and] a champion in the ethos of independent shopping," as described by Byrne on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast.
This year, the company is hyperfocused on growing its U.S. consumer base. Currently, the U.S. is Atterley's second-largest and fastest-growing market, according to Byrne and Shulman. They're now focused on building brand awareness while spotlighting the company's ability to provide consumers with a unique online shopping experience.
"Where Atterley is really strong are in these lower price points but above the high street, and [with] brands that other countries have never heard of. I'm sure that, in the states, a lot of our offerings are exciting new brands that you aren't going to find anywhere," Shulman said.
41:4617/08/2022
Week in Review: BeReal, luxury inflation and the Inflation Reduction Act
On the Glossy Week in Review Podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest news in the fashion industry of the week.
This week, BeReal may be an opportunity for brands to show an authentic side, and inflation doesn't seem to be impacting big luxury companies like Ralph Lauren and Capri Holdings. Plus, will the Inflation Reduction Act have a positive impact on the fashion industry?
24:0812/08/2022
Dorsey founder Meg Strachan on the perks of running a 'very lean, profitable business'
Meg Strachan launched jewelry brand Dorsey in November 2019 as a side project. Though she knew she eventually wanted to launch her own company, financially, it didn't seem possible.
"My path to founder was not a leap, it was gradual. I call it a parallel path," Strachan said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast.
Strachan had over 15 years of experience as a growth marketer at brands like Anine Bing, Carbon38 and Bandier. But when it came time to fundraise for Dorsey, she faced roadblocks.
"I wasn't able to raise money prior to the brand having traction, which was fascinating for me, because I met with a lot of incredible VCs," Strachan said. "I was told, 'You have the exact resume of a founder we would invest into,' but all of them really told me, 'We don't really know the jewelry market.'"
In September of 2019, Strachan joined sustainable activewear company Girlfriend Collective as the vp of growth across all channels. "I took on the role on a full-time consulting basis. I was [working] 9-to-5 with Girlfriend ... and I started to moonlight Dorsey at night and on weekends, essentially running the company when I wasn't doing my full-time job," Strachan said.
Strachan's growth marketing and e-commerce experience helped Dorsey scale to become a seven-figure business in less than three years. Simultaneously, Girlfriend Collective saw 350% year-over-year growth during her tenure at the company. As Strachan transitioned into running her company full-time, growth and expansion through creative marketing and wholesale have been some of the most exciting areas of focus for her.
"How I'm growing the business is certainly very different than most of the companies that I've worked for before," Strachan said.
46:4610/08/2022
Week in Review: Fashion Month takes shape, Estée Lauder eyes Tom Ford and the metaverse impacts retail
On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, Glossy editor-in-chief Jill Manoff and fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska discuss and break down the biggest fashion news of the week.
This week, several designers announced fashion month plans, shedding more light on what's in store for September — which may or may not include an elongated Milan Fashion Week. Also, Estée Lauder confirmed the rumor that it’s exploring a Tom Ford acquisition. And an innovative physical retail experience proved that the metaverse is impacting brands’ approach to stores.
21:4005/08/2022