Fashion Mannuscript June/July 2022 by Mann Publications

THE TRAVEL ISSUE

FA S H I O N M A N N U S C R I P T NEW YORK LOS ANGELES MIAMI THE HAMPTONS

INSIDE:

DIGITAL FASHION’S SUSTAINABLE IMPACT FRANKI RAY’S BEST FRIEND FOUNDERS REDEFINE LUXURY

PLUS:

MIA SHOES MERGES STYLE AND COMFORT

TOBY MORGAN REVOLUTIONIZES THE BODYSUIT WITH LUSCA

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CONTRIBUTORS Michelle Alleyne Amy Berkowitz Howard Bader Norah Bradford Frank DeLucia Rachel Evans Leslie Gallin Erynn A. Gifford Frances Harder Jordan Harouche R. Couri Hay Debra Hazel Courtney Hazirjian Shannah Henderson Amanda Hodge Eve Hodgkinson Donna Johnson-Klonsky Merilee Kern Natasha Kersey Michele Gerber Klein Donna Leah Nathan Liao Krystal Peguero Daniella Platt Wilfredo Rosado Sandra Roy Benjamin Seigel Annie Watt Sabrina Zohar

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Now that spring is upon us, we at Mann Publications, and specifically Fashion Mannuscript, have found ourselves very busy, with days and nights full of events. This past month, we have expanded our presence at trade shows and in California with our attendance at FashionGo Week and the ICSC trade show. Fashion Mannuscript was the main sponsor of FashionGo Week in Palm Springs, where, over four days, we engaged with thousands of retailers and exhibitors to promote our magazine and our new social media initiatives on Instagram and Twitter. We so enjoyed working with the FashionGo Week team to help to make the event a success. Additionally, Fashion Mannuscript will soon be featured in all of the major fashion buildings in California and the West Coast. Next, I flew to Los Angeles to attend the Marcum Retail Symposium, where Fashion Mannuscript was a media sponsor. Tom Nastos was the event speaker, and he highlighted the many ways that trade shows are evolving with the addition of digital components along with print. It was so heartening to hear so much excitement and anticipation for the future of the trade show industry. It’s been an extremely exciting (and sometimes tiring) time, but there is more to come on the horizon. After many conversations with my team, we are excited to begin the process of creating a special magazine that will be an outlier in the retail industry, filling a gap in the market today. We are thrilled to introduce this magazine, and we welcome any ideas and suggestions. We will also be expanding our social media department, managing not only our own accounts, but the pages of new clients as well. Our social media pages have seen a huge jump in views and engagement, and we are excited to share our knowledge and provide this service for our clients in addition to the work we do with our print and newsletter departments. Needless to say, Fashion Mannuscript, Mann About Town and Mann Report, are bigger and better than ever. Enjoy this issue!

“Winning is about having the whole team on the same page.” — Bill Walton

ONE MANN’S OPINION

We’ve made it to the longer and hotter days of summer, and with them comes fun warm-weather trends like bright two-piece linen sets and Western-inspired footwear and accessories. I’m thrilled to share this issue with you all as we complete spring and enter into the summer season — it was so exciting to see the different ways that the fashion industry has embraced trends, sustainability and technology so far. Our cover feature, Toby Morgan of the bodysuit company Lusca, is not only embracing a popular trend, but reinventing it with the brand’s magnetic closures. With this new innovation, Morgan is improving on the garment’s fit and ease of wear, something that had not advanced beyond uncomfortable and difficult to attach clasps and closures. I so enjoyed talking to Morgan about her background as a lawyer (she still currently practices while running Lusca!), the design process for the magnetic closures and her favorite way to style a Lusca bodysuit. As the bodysuit category continues to grow, it’s exciting to know that a change-maker like Morgan is a part of innovations to come. In the pages ahead, you’ll find even more exciting fashion industry trends and advancements, including a tech platform for customers to design (and test drive) personalized jewelry, a beauty brand founded by a high school senior with a passion for clean beauty and helping customers feel their best and a look at exciting pop-up and interactive events that are taking place all over the country. Also to be found is coverage of FashionGo’s exciting in-person event, which took place last month in Palm Springs. Our team was so excited to attend and had such a great time! Enjoy this issue! As always, please reach out to me with any questions or thoughts at lderrico@mannpublications.com.

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MAY 2022

46 ON THE COVER

TOBY MORGAN REVOLUTIONIZES THE BODYSUIT WITH LUSCA

FASHION FAVORITES

BY LAUREN D’ERRICO

H&M Brings Guilded Glamour to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit

Concept Store and Fashion Brand Incubator “At The Venue” Hosts Launch Party in Nolita By Lauren D’Errico

“The Nolcha Shows: NFT Edition/ Powered by Tron DAO” Bridges Fashion, Art and Tech

Farm Rio and Nordstrom Celebrate First Footwear Collaboration with Popup Shop

COVER FEATURE

Pacsun Transforms NYC Soho Flagship Store into a Summer Oasis with Etoile Monogram Capsule

Goodwill NYNJ Raises $200,000 at Second “Evening of Treasures”

FASHION FABULOUS 7

One Mann’s Opinion

Editor’s Letter

Fashion 411

16 FASHION FAVORITES

“AT THE VENUE” LAUNCH PARTY

Photo courtesy of Ilya Savenok

As advisors to the fashion industry, we have experienced the global and local issues that affect the way you do business and are well-positioned to help you deal with changing conditions. We help you turn challenges into opportunities through innovative and insightful thinking. Cash flow planning, gross profit by product line, chargeback analysis, assistance with access to capital, and operational improvements are just a few ways we help fashion companies gain an edge. We provide a wide range of financial reporting, tax and advisory services to make your business and finances stronger.

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THE DEPART MENTS 36 Fashion at Home

65 TechWear

78 The Columns

101 Trade Show Update

113 Crossword Puzzle

114 Look Books

116 Horoscopes

119 By The Numbers

120 Social Soiree

124 A Closer Look

126 Last Look: MIA Shoes

FASHION FORWARD 42

Meet Joann Zehenni: The Teen Founder Behind Gemini Beauty, the Natural Skincare Brand with a Mission By Lauren D’Errico

Best Friends Sasha Spivey and Stacey George Redeﬁne Luxury with Franki Ray By Lauren D’Errico

Pamoja: The Handbag Brand for Modern Trailblazers By Lauren D’Errico

The Must-have Accessories Checklist

By Debra Hazel

Sachse Retail Summit: Conversations on the Future of Retail By Joseph Pastrana

Photos courtesy of AMAN

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H&M BRINGS GILDED GLAMOUR TO THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART’S COSTUME INSTITUTE BENEFIT Photos courtesy of H&M

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FASHION FAVORITES

xtravagance, glitz and glamour were the themes for H&M’s one-of-a-kind looks, created exclusively for this year’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit in New York City. The looks, designed by H&M’s in-house design team, were inspired by this year’s exhibition, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” which explores the sartorial narratives that chart the evolution of American style paying homage to America’s Gilded Age, the era of the 19th to mid-late 20th century. For each look, H&M’s designers pulled inspiration from the evolution of American style and designs from this era, focusing on the grandiose nature of the time, said the company. “It has been a pleasure working on these pieces for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit. We were influenced by the Gilded Age while designing these two custom looks, really drawing on styles in the United States from the 19th and 20th centuries. Both designs have very dramatic and glamorous details, really highlighting the opulence of the Gilded Age,” said Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor at H&M. Actor Laura Harrier wore a gown that drew on the fashion styles of the Gilded Age. The dress was a corseted gown that accentuates the waist, creating the hourglass figure that was representative of the era. The top of the gown was a boned corset-style bodice, attached to a cartridge pleated skirt with a vintage petticoat underneath which adds volume and creates the silhouette symbolic of the era. “Each year, The Met Gala shines a light on important moments in fashion history and I am so excited to be a part of H&M’s storytelling process at this year’s gala,” said Harrier. Designer Victor Glemaud’s ensemble was a tribute to the late fashion icon André Leon Talley, paying homage to his signature look with a dramatic opera coat. The coat included details inspired by the American couture designer Charles James, and was dramatically worn over a classic tuxedo. The entire look was made in white and ivory, and created an angelic and powerful expression, said H&M. Glemaud’s look was a reinterpretation of white tie, classic and refined while including contemporary details in monochromatic colors. “I have a long history of working with H&M on the Met Gala and have been honored to escort some of their guests. I have been lucky enough to enjoy the process of seeing my look conceived, fitted and brought to life by the stellar H&M design teams. This has been an amazing moment for me,” said Glemaud.

FASHION FAVORITES

CONCEPT STORE AND FASHION BRAND INCUBATOR “AT THE VENUE” HOSTS LAUNCH PARTY IN NOLITA BY LAUREN D’ERRICO Photos courtesy of Ilya Savenok

t The Venue, a multi-brand retail store, co-working space and event space, celebrated the opening of its new Nolita storefront location with a launch party for guests and brand representatives that included food, drinks and music as they shopped the fashion, home and accessories brands currently in rotation at the space.

A concept born in Taiwan by CEO and owner Fanny Kong, who comes from a background in knitwear manufacturing, At The Venue allows brands to showcase their designs while offering opportunities and support for production, manufacturing and networking for entrepreneurs to successfully build their brands. At The Venue also owns workshop space

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FASHION FAVORITES

in New York City, Taiwan and southern China, where affiliated brands can design and produce their garments in-house. After a successful popup in the West Village in March 2021, Kong began to pursue a brickand-mortar location for At The Venue, and the Nolita location officially opened at the end of April 2022. “We love New York!” Kong shared. At the launch party, the fashion brands in rotation in the space focused on knitwear designs and sustainable production. Brands included Berkley Clothing, an activewear maternity brand; Emilia George, a preto postpartum fashion brand; Fully Fashioning, a womenswear brand merging timeless pieces with modern flair; Tai&Momo, a children’s brand focused on designs that have the potential to match with parents’ looks; See by Elise, a womenswear brand offering knitwear designs; Choix, a womenswear brand that features designs in gaelle cotton and Fang, a menswear brand celebrating the contemporary male experience, as well as At The Venue’s namesake brand, which features one-of-a-kind upcycled pieces made by in-house designers in Taiwan. During the evening’s festivities, guests roamed through the store’s indoor space as well as on At The Venue’s private outdoor patio space, and ate a variety of vegan bites and treats catered by Beatnic. Attendees mingled happily with one another throughout the space, and took photos under the custom neon sign that read “Meet Me At The Venue” in green light.

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JUNE 2022

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FASHION FAVORITES

THE NOLCHA SHOWS: “NFT EDITION/POWERED BY TRON DAO” BRIDGES FASHION, ART AND TECHNOLOGY Photos courtesy of Nolcha Shows

Photography of Anton

During Bitcoin 2022 in Miami, The Nolcha Shows: NFT Edition/Powered by Tron DAO presented extraordinary and diverse artwork through creative programming, engaging activities and captivating entertainment, the company said.

discovery, promoting cutting-edge, innovative talent through runway shows. Now broadening its horizons, The Nolcha Shows is infusing its event expertise into the art world and becoming a leader in the event space industry for NFTs and the Web3 space.

Tron DAO is one of the largest and most active networks dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and decentralized applications. Tron DAO boasts an impressive ecosystem spanning all aspects of Web3, from DeFi and NFTs to GameFi projects, and the largest circulating supply of the Tether stablecoin across the globe, The Nolcha Shows said.

On display were digital NFT art, large-scale sculptures, photography and paintings by Beeple, Yiying Lu, Zevi G, Kfir Moyal, Mateus, Jason Skeldon, Lawrence Leyderman and more, displayed on Canvas canvases. The event also featured new launches and NFT marketplaces, including advancements by Courtyard, BitKeep, ChainGuardians and APENFT.

Over the past 14 years, The Nolcha Shows: NYFW has built an acclaimed platform of

“At the core of our mission, APENFT aims to facilitate the creator economy while catalyzing

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both financial and cultural inclusion in the metaverse,” said Sydney Xiong, director of APENFT Foundation. “APENFT Foundation is the world’s first NFT art foundation that realizes crossover purchases and aim to bridge conversations between stakeholders in the traditional art world and the digital art community emerging around NFTs, and we are excited to be partnering with The Nolcha Shows on one of the hottest events around BTC 2022!” Xiong continued. Sponsors and partners include Tron, APENFT, ChainGuardians, Foresight Ventures, BitKeep, Artifact Technology, Courtyard, Nori, D’ussé, Project Galaxy, OCA, The Billionaires Club and Canvia, among others.

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FASHION FAVORITES

FARM RIO AND NORDSTROM

CELEBRATE FIRST FOOTWEAR COLLABORATION WITH POP-UP SHOP Photos courtesy of Nordstrom

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FASHION FAVORITES

Farm Rio, the Brazilian fashion and lifestyle brand, has expanded its offerings with the launch of its first shoe collection globally. Debuting exclusively in the U.S. in partnership with Nordstrom, the collection features artisanal detailing, such as embroidery, beads and crochet, and will bring the brand’s colorful and joyful ethos to footwear styles, including sneakers, sandals and mules, said the company. Designed to be a bold addition to the wardrobe of print-lovers everywhere, Farm Rio shoes are 100% vegan, made in Brazil and come wrapped in a bag made from the brand’s leftover fabric. The initial selection of tropical prints and colors also embodies Farm Rio’s signature style, inviting guests to dress in happiness from head to toe, whatever the season, the company said. Shoes range in price from $145 to $395. To celebrate the launch of Farm Rio at Nordstrom, customers were invited to visit an exclusive popup at the Nordstrom NYC Flagship. The pop-up evoked the colors and tropical elements of Brazilian street markets, with detailing from fruits and flowers to clothes and accessories, transporting shoppers to a warm and happy place, said Nordstrom. The new collection is available now at 60 Nordstrom locations across the U.S. and Nordstrom.com, at Farm Rio stores and at farmrio.com.

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JUNE 2022

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FASHION FAVORITES

PACSUN TRANSFORMS NYC SOHO FLAGSHIP STORE INTO A SUMMER OASIS WITH ETOILE MONOGRAM CAPSULE

acsun’s Soho flagship dawned a new look as the space was embellished in the brand’s newly released Etoile Monogram Capsule pattern in celebration of the Summer 2022 collection. Pacsun’s Etoile Monogram Capsule is a fully gender-fluid collection, inspired by the sand and sea of California’s coastline, consisting of not only apparel, but lifestyle items and summer essentials in aqua, sand and limone, said Pacsun. The collection is also available for Pacsun’s youngest consumer, Pacsun Kids, with renditions of styles in a vibrant orange. To kick off IRL activities for consumers and guests, Pacsun hosted a livestream with runway model and content creator, Mathieu Simoneau, who gave a preview into the collection, store displays and decor. Simoneau also stars in the campaign, alongside style icon and entrepreneur Emma Chamberlain. Through May, store-goers enjoyed boardwalk-inspired entertainment,

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including branded claw machines and more. Along with the physical store components, the first-ever monogram takeover can be seen now on Pacsun’s social media as well as in the metaverse on Macworld with 3D layered clothing launching this week and its newest rollout of the NFT series Pac Mall Rats. “At Pacsun, we’re always finding creative ways to interact with our consumers, keeping in mind how much they value both their physical and virtual identities,” said Brieane Olson, president of Pacsun. “With our firstever Etoile Monogram Capsule, we wanted to authentically engage our consumers and immerse them in the collection through different digital and physical touchpoints, showcasing the true intersection of fashion, technology, lifestyle and community.”

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Photos courtesy of Dave Kotinsky Getty Images for Pacsun (PRNewsfoto/Pacsun)

GOODWILL NYNJ RAISES $200,000 AT SECOND

“EVENING OF TREASURES”

oodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ (Goodwill NYNJ) through its second, and first in-person, annual “Evening of Treasures” event raised $200,000 to provide employment and behavioral health services for thousands of people with disabilities and other barriers in the New York City metropolitan region. The event, which celebrates sustainable fashion and the power of work, was hosted by legendary supermodel Paulina Porizkova, at the Tapestry Building in Hudson Yards in New York City.

Hilfiger, and guest designers and attendees in one-of-a-kind second-hand outfits including designers Willy Chaviarria, Calvin Klein; Yeohlee Teng; Shawn Pean, June79; Felita Harris and Aja McCoy, Harlem’s Fashion Row; Rinat Brobach and Suzanne McKinsey, ABLEmade. Also featured were fashion industry insiders including Steven Kolb and CaSandra Diggs, CFDA; Josh Peskowitz, #menswear; Fern Mallis; Linda Levy, The Fragrance Foundation; Lauren Singer, environmental activist, entrepreneur and blogger and Maria Torres-Springer, NYC Deputy Mayor.

“Evening of Treasures” included a thrift cocktail reception and fashion show of one-of-a-kind, upcycled Goodwill creations by the Tommy Hilfiger brand and designers Gigi Burris Millinery, Maxwell Osborne of anOnlyChild and Dao-Yi Chow of Public School, as well as design student Monica Palucci from SUNY’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). All of the garments, which were upcycled using textiles donated to Goodwill stores, were auctioned to benefit Goodwill services. In addition, the auction included a one-of-a-kind bag designed by designer Heron Preston as part of the HeronPreston x Mercedes collection. Experiences included a stylist session with Jacqui Stafford.

The evening also featured stories of people with disabilities and other employment barriers whom Goodwill NYNJ has supported on their journey to employment and independence for years or even decades.

Photos courtesy of Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

The event’s red carpet featured Leonello Borghi and Sarah Hand of Tommy

“Goodwill offers programs that help people with disabilities like autism, people living with mental illness and our many friends and neighbors who are unemployed or underemployed to receive training and assistance to find, get, and keep jobs,” said Katy Gaul-Stigge, president and CEO of Goodwill NYNJ, at the event. “Our retail stores help support these programs, but the fact is, we could not carry out our mission without philanthropic contributions from institutions and individual donors like you.”

FASHION 411

BURBERRY INTRODUCES CAMPAIGN FOR THE LOLA BAG

urberry revealed its campaign for the Lola bag, designed by Riccardo Tisci. At the heart of every Lola product lies an attitude — strong, sexy, smart and present — and a multifaceted energy that amplifies inherent confidence, said the brand. The campaign starred Bella Hadid, Lourdes Leon, Jourdan Dunn and Ella Richards.

Photo courtesy of Torso Solutions for Burberry

Captured by Torso Solutions and styled by Suzanne Koller, the campaign

The Lola bag is available to purchase globally in Burberry stores and online.

PETE DAVIDSON STARS IN H&M CAMPAIGN CAPTURING THE ENERGY OF MENSWEAR

&M announced that Pete Davidson is the face of its new menswear campaign that emphasizes the powerful connection between clothing and the confidence it gives men when taking on everyday life. The campaign captures the fresh energy in global men’s fashion, which is all about the freedom of expression and self-confidence in personal style every single moment, said H&M. “Collaborating on this campaign was a great experience. We had a lot of fun creating the photos and content. The clothes are comfortable and feel great to wear which is what I love about H&M,” said Davidson. “We are thrilled that Pete Davidson is the face of our bold new campaign. Pete encapsulates everything H&M loves about the new menswear mood, with his self-confidence and play with personal style. He is so relatable, inspiring guys around the world to create the moment with their look themselves,” said Henrik Nor-

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“It was amazing to work with Riccardo and the Burberry family again and I absolutely loved shooting this campaign!” said Hadid. “I always have the best time on set, there was so much energy and it was great to work with a mixture of incredibly talented people.”

The Lola bag is a soft silhouette punctuated with the Thomas Burberry Monogram clasp, which celebrates the heritage of the brand and its founder, and polished chain strap. The Lola is a padded and softly constructed bag, hand-crafted in Italy. It is available in various fabrics, from Italian-tanned leather, to cotton canvas and raffia. Classic colorways include black, camel, primrose pink and bright red. New colorways include orange, bright sky blue and vivid lime.

dvall, global business unit director for menswear at H&M. Featuring men wearing new season H&M pieces mixed with favorites from past menswear collections, the campaign reflects evolution and bold statements, said the brand. The campaign encourages men to enjoy what they already own, buy vintage and add in the new pieces from H&M’s menswear collections. The campaign a holistic approach that moves beyond complete seasonal change to a new way with fashion for all, H&M said. Pete Davidson is a stand-up comedian, actor

Photo courtesy of H&M

speaks a distinctive visual language — functional yet spirited — which captures Lola’s attitude from every angle, Burberry said. The campaign also locks onto the bag’s gravitational pull, an irresistible force that reaffirms Lola’s status as a signature Burberry bag, said the company.

and writer. He has been a part of Saturday Night Live since he was 20 years old and cowrote, executive produced and starred in “King of Staten Island.” His personal style is as individual as his humor, recognized for his experimentation with fashion, the brand said.

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FASHION 411

MACY’S CELEBRATES BLACK CREATIVES WITH ICONS OF STYLE

acy’s celebrates Black creatives with the return of Icons of Style, a collaboration with Black visionaries to help move the fashion world forward. GooGoo Atkins, Areeayl Goodwin, Matthew Harris, Jerome LaMaar, Ade Samuel and Stella and Blaise Bennett will create limited-edition seasonal collections throughout 2022 to inspire customers to embrace their personal style. Featuring exclusive designs for brands found only at Macy’s, each creative artfully designed a fashion-forward capsule of must-have items, inspired by their unique perspective and dynamic style, said the company. Through Mission Every One, the brand’s social purpose platform, Macy’s continues to intensify its commitment to amplify Black brands and introduce more diverse design talent into its assortment while offering customers an elevated fashion experience. Icons of Style will feature three seasonal must-have collections with later capsules launching in July and October.

“We are proud to announce the second iteration of Icons of Style with a new group of Black visionaries who are bringing their creative excellence to Macy’s and inspiring customers to own their style with one-of-a-kind pieces,” said Durand Guion, vice president, Macy’s Fashion Office.

Photo courtesy of Business Wire

“We are committed to helping diverse brands grow to scale and amplifying diverse voices to create more choices and robust shopping experiences for our customers while shaping a brighter future with bold representation for all,” Guion continued.

The brands participating in Icons of Style include the following: GooGoo for Bar III, Home by Areeayl for I.N.C. International Concepts, Mateo for I.N.C. International concepts, 5:31 by Jerome Lamaar for And Now This, Ade Samuel for I.N.C. International Concepts and Stella & Blaise for Epic Threads.

THE OUTNET LAUNCHES RESALE SERVICE POWERED BY REFLAUNT a bag buyback option for a list of pre-approved designers giving customers the opportunity to receive store credit as soon as their item is accepted. The partnership with Reflaunt gives The Outnet customers access to the world’s largest resale network as well as a seamless experience through complimentary home collection or Photo courtesy of Yoox Net-A-Porter Group drop-off, digital product authentication, pricing he Outnet, part of Yoox Net-A-Porter, has launched a new service in part- recommendations and professional photognership with Reflaunt, where customers raphy, said the company. The service will have the opportunity to resell ready-to-wear be offered in the U.K., Germany and Hong shoes, bags and accessories for store credit Kong SAR for both womenswear and menswith an extra 10% incentive or direct bank wear. The U.S. will launch for womenswear transfer once sold. The Outnet will also offer only, with menswear to follow in line with The

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Outnet U.S. menswear site launch this spring. “Having the ability to extend the life of luxury beyond seasons and trends is what defines The Outnet as a business. Our resale partnership with Reflaunt will give our customers the opportunity to extend the life of their past favorite pieces and support of our vision of encouraging a circular mentality,” said Emma Mortimer, managing director, The Outnet. The Outnet’s resale service follows the launch of Net-A-Porter and Mr. Porter’s resell services, which all contribute to Yoox Net-APorter’s commitment to “Unlock Re-commerece,” one of the 12 commitments within its ambitious “Infinity” sustainability strategy to 2030, said the brand. Through this commitment, Yoox Net-A-Porter aspires to give luxury products multiple lives by bringing innovative and exceptional re-commerce experiences to customer across its four online stores by 2025.

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EXECUTIVE CHANGES

FASHION 411

SINGH NAMED CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF HUDSON’S BAY

Most recently, Singh was vice president, finance, with Ontario Power Generation. Previously, Singh

held leadership roles with Ernst & Young, leading financial account and reporting, corporate governance and training, and assurance services in her time with the firm. On her appointment, Singh said, “I am thrilled to be joining Canada’s iconic retail institution, Hudson’s Bay. I am inspired by the work the team has done to transform the in-store experience and look forward to supporting Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada.”

Photo courtesy of Hudson’s Bay

udson’s Bay, the Canadian store operations under HBC, announced the appointment of Nadira Singh as chief financial officer. Singh brings more than 15 years of experience in finance, project planning and process transformation to the retailer, with a track record of developing strategies that drive financial and operational excellence, the company said.

Nadira Singh

TAPESTRY INC. APPOINTS CASEY AS CHIEF INCLUSION AND SOCIAL IMPACT OFFICER

apestry, Inc., a New York-based house of modern luxury brands, announced that David L. Casey has been appointed as chief inclusion and social impact officer. Casey will have responsibility for continuing to shape and deliver Tapestry’s equity, inclusion and diversity strategy and will oversee its social impact efforts through advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism. Casey joins Tapestry from CVS Health, where, as senior vice president, workforce strategies and chief diversity officer, he was accountable for strategic diversity management and workforce

initiatives. Previously, he served as vice president, workplace culture and chief diversity officer at Anthem, where he led the development and implementation of enterprise-wide workplace and diversity management strategies. Upon his appointment, Casey said, “I am excited to be joining the leadership team at Tapestry, an innovative global company with powerful brands and strong momentum in building its inclusive culture. I began my working life in the fashion retail industry and couldn’t be more thrilled to have my career come full circle.”

Photo courtesy of Business Wire

David Casey

CROCS NAMES BRATTER AS VICE PRESIDENT AND GLOBAL HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY

rocs Inc., a global casual footwear brand, announced Deanna Bratter’s appointment as vice president, global head of sustainability. In this newly created role, Bratter is responsible for driving the company toward its goal of achieving net zero by 2030 and enhancing commitments and impacts across environmental sustainability, social responsibility and corporate governance (ESG). Bratter joins Crocs from Danone North America, where she served as vice president of sustainable development/One Planet One Health, leading the organization’s progress to addressing climate change, advancing responsible sourcing, restoring natural ecosystems, improving sustainable pack-

aging and more. Prior to Danone North America, Bratter led corporate sustainability for WhiteWave Foods and was charged with the company’s sustainability initiatives, annual CSR and ESG reporting and helping to create a values-driven culture.

Photo courtesy of Business Wire

“Consumers are keenly focused on purpose, inclusivity and a sustainable future, and Crocs has set clear ambitions to integrate sustainability into every part of their business and products,” said Bratter. “This is an iconic brand, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to apply my experience in creating more sustainable systems to Crocs, bringing collaborative and innovative solutions in an effort to ensure we meet our commitments and create a more sustainable and comfortable world for all.” Deanna Bratter

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FOOTWEAR

FASHION 411

PUMA AND FERRARI RELEASE SECOND SEASON OF THE FERRARI ION F

Photo courtesy of Puma

Both new shoe styles feature a clean, rich graphic mesh material and a color matched internal neoprene sock construction for added comfort. The colors and design inspiration is taken from summer lifestyle with two hues, a white “Pool” mesh graphic, and a red mesh graphic called “Sunset.” The progressive style also features a knitted sock construction and a magnetic fit-lock for increased performance.

ports company Puma together with Ferrari have elevated their footwear partnership with a second-generation release of the highly anticipated Ion F collection. Representing the pinnacle of footwear, the new Ion F sneakers embody a perfect fusion of luxury and performance, said Puma.

Embracing the evocative and elite design cues of Ferrari — specifically the state-of-the-art front wing of Ferrari’s pioneering SF90 Stradale sportscar — the second generation of Ion F sneakers comprises of two new style capsules, the Ion F Pool and the Ion F Sunset, the footwear company said.

Glamorous, fast and luxurious in equal measure, the new Ion F proudly displays the Ferrari wordmark and “Cavallino Rampante” emblem, Ferrari’s iconic Prancing Horse, Puma said. The recognizable designs feature a reflective TPU panel at the back of the sneaker, wrapped by a sculptural PU foam support in the shape of a wing, for additional traction and ultimate comfort. The Ion F Sneakers are currently available at selected Puma and Ferrari store locations and online on puma.com and store.ferrari.com.

REEBOK LAUNCHES NEW PERFORMANCE RUNNING SHOE, THE FLOATRIDE ENERGY X

Engineered with high-performance efficiency in mind, the Floatride Energy X most notably features a carbon fiber plate in the forefoot. Offering a premium performance feel that is suitable for elite marathons, while durable and affordable enough to double as a long-distance training shoe. “All runners should have the opportunity to reach their highest potential,” said Keith Stern, senior product manager, running footwear at Reebok. “We created the Floatride Energy X to give runners of all levels a premium performance racing

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Photo courtesy of Reebok

eebok has announced the launch of the Floatride Energy X, the brand’s newest high-performance running shoe versatile enough for both marathon racing and long-distance training. Offered at an accessible price point, the latest addition to the Floatride franchise continues to build upon Reebok’s mission to make both running and premium running products more approachable for all.

shoe option at an accessible price.” Key highlights of the Floatride Energy X include the flexweave upper, which is lightweight, breathable and durable; the Carbon Fiber Plate, which is at the forefoot for optimal efficiency and comfort and the Floatride Energy Foam, with maximized

stack height that offers speed and cushioning. Coming later this season, Reebok will be dropping a range of fashion-inspired colorways of the Floatride Energy X. As fashion continues to collide with performance footwear, Reebok says it is excited to bring the history and technology of the Floatride franchise to the fashion running space.

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BEAUTY

FASHION 411

BATISTE INTRODUCES LEAVE-IN HAIR MASKS AND NATURALLY DRY SHAMPOO

atiste has expanded its portfolio to provide more ways to achieve refreshed hair in-between washes. The introduction of two new innovations, Batiste Leave-in Hair Mask and Batiste Naturally Dry Shampoo, adds to the brand’s line of in-between wash haircare products.

Photo courtesy of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

“With busy schedules picking back up and consumers looking for quick, simple solutions, Batiste is more dedicated than ever to helping our consumers get beautiful hair between washes in seconds,” said Stacey Ramstedt, vice president of marketing for Batiste. “The brand continues to innovate and develop effective formulas that address unique consumer needs. We are thrilled to launch both Leave-In Hair Mask and Naturally Dry Shampoo this year; the perfect addition to our current variety of options for refreshing your hair between washes.”

The Batiste Leave-In Hair Mask is a rinse-free hair treatment designed to nourish and revive the look and feel of hair. Batiste debuted three varieties of the new Leave-In Hair Mask, each formulated to revive dry and damaged hair for a noticeable improvement, including: Smooth, made with silk proteins and best for taming curly or frizzy hair; Repair, made with pea proteins and revives dry, damaged hair and Strength, made with flaxseed protein and prevents breakage and leaves dry and brittle hair feeling stronger. Batiste Naturally Dry Shampoo is made with rice starch to absorb excess oil and instantly refresh hair, with 100% natural extracts, said the company. The plant-powered formula is vegan-friendly, made without parabens or sulfates, and has an invisible finish. The three botanical fragrances include Bamboo Fiber & Gardenia, which instantly restores volume and texture to find hair; Coconut Milk & Hemp, which refreshes frizzy hair and tames flyaways and Green Tea & Chamomile, which provides a light, fresh scent while absorbing oil from the root.

VICTORIA’S SECRET REVEALS CAMILA CABELLO AS THE STAR OF THE FIRST-EVER BILINGUAL CAMPAIGN FOR BOMBSHELL FRAGRANCE

ictoria’s Secret announced the newest Bombshell campaign, highlighting the brand’s best-selling fine fragrance with three-time Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum and chart-topping singer/songwriter Camila Cabello. In the brand’s first bilingual campaign, captured by photographer Zoey Grossman, Cabello showcases her individual Bombshell energy with a natural vibrancy and authenticity — a perfect embodiment of the fragrance’s bold and confident scent, said Victoria’s Secret.

“On set, Camila exuded a presence throughout the day that didn’t need to be directed — her vibrance and confidence shined through organically. It was all about a celebration of her and her personality that brought this fragrance and campaign to life,” said Raúl Martinez, chief creative director at Victoria’s Secret.

The brand added that the campaign is about embracing who and what you are and furthers its commitment to celebrating and uplifting all women by reinforcing that there is a Bombshell in everyone.

Bombshell is a timeless mix of freshcut peonies and exotic fruits, said the brand. Citrus notes and Brazilian purple passion fruit start the fragrance off with a bright sparkle, and the heart of the fragrance blooms with the signature Shangri-la peony from Tibet and creamy-sweet Madagascan vanilla orchid, creating a fruity floral blend.

“For me, being a Bombshell is being exactly who you are and having the courage to celebrate who you are, every day. I’m excited to join Victoria’s Secret in embracing the Bombshell in every woman,” said Cabello.

To further celebrate the Bombshell fragrance collection, Victoria’s Secret hosted “The Bombshell Gardens,” an immersive and sensorial experience in New York City in May. Located on the High Line, the pop-up brought

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Photo by Zoey Grossman for Victoria’s Secret

the fragrance to life via unique activations such as fragrance bars, peony adorned installations, personalization stations, and the chance to meet Victoria’s Secret’s Bombshell perfumer, Adriana Medina.

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COLLECTIONS

FASHION 411 JCPENNEY DESIGNS LIMITED-EDITION COLLECTION INSPIRED BY MARYLIN MONROE Photo courtesy of Business Wire

and fashion legacy, this exclusive capsule collection provides customers with clothing they’ll feel both comfortable and stylish in,” said Val Harris, senior vice president of product design, trend and brand management, JCPenney. “Designed for all women who love quality and timeless style, JCPenney is pleased to expand its portfolio with this versatile, affordable collection.”

CPenney — the shopping destination for diverse, working American families — introduced Marilyn Monroe by JCPenney, a collection of pieces that honor the enduring style of feminine silhouettes and effortless, polished looks, said the company. In a nod to the “Everyday Marilyn,” JCPenney designers created a chic and streamlined assortment of wardrobe essentials inspired by the off-screen Monroe — the

humanitarian, artist and entrepreneur. Pieces include sleek capri pants paired with crisp shirting and full-skirted sundresses cinched at the waist, offering customers styles that are both timeless and reflect the season’s key trends. The capsule collection will also include footwear with JCPenney’s new partnership with Keds. “Inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s effortless style

The 12-piece assortment features a spring- and summer-ready color palette of black, white, coral and navy blue. Available in sizes XS-3X, any woman can create a preppy look with classic stripes or a whimsical feel with playful floral patterns. A special edition of Keds with Marilyn Monroe-inspired design details will be available exclusively at JCPenney in late May to complete the collection. “We are thrilled to see this collection come to life,” said Dana Carpenter, executive vice president, entertainment, Authentic Brands Group and owner of the Marilyn Monroe Estate. “Marilyn’s fashion legacy continues to influence today’s styles, and these crisp, clean designs really capture the essence of her off-screen persona.”

UNIQLO AND MARNI COLLABORATE FOR FIRST-EVER COLLECTION

Yukihiro Katsuta, Fast Retailing Group senior executive officer and head of R&D for Uniqlo, commented, “We are proud of how this collaboration with Marni has produced a collection for a new era and a new season that allows everyone to experience the joy of wearing clothes. The Uniqlo philosophy of clothing that is simple, high quality, functional and ingenious in detail, imbued with creative vitality, has produced bold and innovative LifeWear.” “I am extremely pleased that we are able to offer this essential LifeWear collection that accentuates individual character and feelings in a positive way,” Katsuta continued. The staple items characteristic of Uniqlo provide a blank canvas for the distinctive use of color

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that is synonymous with Marni, along with pop-style, warm graphic prints created especially for this collection presented in larger and smaller iterations in an arresting play on proportions, said the company. In contrast to monochromes and patterns, the added twist provided by relaxed silhouettes and bold balloon volume updates staples for everyday use. Building on the theme of “universality,” this is a lineup concealing unlimited possibilities that seems to draw out optimism in the everyday, Uniqlo said. The silhouettes, such as a dynamic cocoon silhouette Blocktech coat and pajama set with a drape that seems to flow, can be worn by men and women of all ages. The balloon skirt in the women’s line features diagonal pleating that gives volume-enhancing look and can be matched with a sleeveless blouse in the same color palette for a coordinated look. The men’s line includes a tailored jacket and pants with a

Photo courtesy of Fast Retailing/Uniqlo Co., Ltd.

lobal apparel retailer Uniqlo announced the launch of the Uniqlo and Marni Collection, its first collaboration with the Italian luxury fashion brand. This collaboration with Marni has produced a collection that is bold and brimming with playfulness, in a distinctively Marni style, said Uniqlo.

distinctively Marni touch. The lineup of gingham prints and solid colors is styled in an effortless silhouette perfectly suited for the current trend toward exquisite ease, Uniqlo said. The pocketable parka in a supple nylon material is an all-purpose item that pairs well with swim shorts for an active and stylish summer.

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years of natori NATORI.COM mannpublications.com

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Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

ANTHROPOLOGIE PARTNERS WITH DESIGNER MARK D. SIKES FOR EXCLUSIVE HOME COLLECTION

nthropologie, the apparel and home goods retailer founded in 1992, and Mark D. Sikes, an interior designer and author, have announced the launch of their exclusive collaboration, named The Poppy Collection.

An esteemed interior designer and tastemaker, Sikes has worked on projects throughout the United States, the company said, and has a talent for creating beautiful and timeless interiors that embody an indoor and outdoor lifestyle. Sikes’ design work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful and many more publications. He is a member of the AD10 List and Elle Decor’s “A-List” for both 2021 and 2022. Sikes has also partnered with manufacturers in furniture and fabric to develop his signature product lines, including Chaddok, Soane, Hudson Valley Lighting, Troy Lightning, Schumacher, Annie Selke, Merida and Blue Pheasant. Sikes’ first book, “Beautiful,” was a New York Times best seller and was followed up by

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the highly anticipated “More Beautiful,” which debuted in 2020. Named after the designer’s beloved French bulldog, The Poppy Collection captures an all-American story with a bohemian spirit, said Anthropologie. Comprised of beautiful fabrications and patterns that each tell a different story and create distinctive rooms, the collection showcases a thoughtfully curated assortment of pieces that can be added onto or taken apart depending on space. “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our inaugural collection with revered interior designer, Mark Sikes,” said Mary Beth Sheridan, chief merchandising officer for AnthroLiving, Anthropologie’s home assortment. “The collection embodies the classic Americana sensibilities that Mark has spent his career perfecting through his flawless furniture and décor designs. We were adamant about making this collaboration accessible with approachably

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priced items, including a robust gifts and entertaining assortment inclusive of candles and tabletop pieces.”

alignment with my values as a designer.”

“We are delighted to introduce our Anthropologie customers to his refreshing style and point of view,” added Sheridan. “Centered around maximalist prints and modular styling, the collaboration embodies Mark’s signature indoor, outdoor lifestyle.”

Sikes continued, “Throughout the design process, we carefully considered the need for flexible and versatile furniture that changes and grows with us as our lives do the same. I am incredibly proud of the collection we created together and am overjoyed at the opportunity to connect with the devoted Anthropologie community.”

“When ideating my dream collection, I knew that I wanted to create luxurious pieces that could complement each other perfectly, but also have just as much an impact on their own,” said Sikes. “From the very beginning, I knew that Anthropologie would be the perfect partner to help me realize that dream. Creating beauty has always been my passion, and I am now realizing that is is also my purpose. Anthropologie’s approach to continually offering products that inspire, excite and influence their customers is in complete

The Poppy Collection is available from Anthropologie both in-store and online. The line is comprised of furniture, lighting, wallpaper, tabletop pieces, linens, candles and decorative accessories, and is priced between $14 for glassware through $1498 for a dining table. The launch of The Poppy Collection comes on the heels of another monumental announcement for the designer, said Anthropologie; in March it was announced that Sikes will be working with First Lady Jill Biden on redecorating her East Wing Office.

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SAVE THE DATE

TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL

GOLF OUTING M onday, July 25th, 2022

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April 2022

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Peter S. Duncan I 212.481.1137 I pduncan@gcomfort.com Matt Coudert I 212.542.2121 I mcoudert@gcomfort.com Andrew F. Conrad I 212.542.2101 I aconrad@gcomfort.com JUNE 2022 FM | 41

PAMOJA

THE HANDBAG BRAND FOR MODERN TRAILBLAZERS BY LAUREN D’ERRICO Photos courtesy of Pamoja

ashion industry veteran Stephanie Evans founded Pamoja, a handbag company that sources the leather goods for its products from Spain, for the customers she has affectionally dubbed “The Modern Trailblazer.” Modern Trailblazers are independent, fashion-loving and always-on-the-go change-makers who live to forge their own path — and their perfect accessory is Pamoja’s Nia bag, the brand’s fi rst style. A multi-functional bag made in contrasting leather and suede, the Nia is a three-in-one handbag — it can be a clutch, wallet or crossbody with a chainlink strap — that seamlessly transitions from day to night. Designed to satisfy both the functionality and the purposefulness that Modern Trailblazers crave, each purchase of the Nia also makes a global difference: a percentage of each Nia bag sold is donated to the Kujuwa Initiative. The brand also currently offers the Pamoja Tote. Featuring a cotton body with a full-grain leather handle, the tote is reversible, made with hand-dyed Nigerian prints. The opposite side proclaims the meaning of pamoja, a Swahili word: “togetherness, a shared sense of purpose or motivation in a group — collective.” Below, Evans shares what led her to create Pamoja, her creative process when it comes to developing new designs and her plans for the brand’s bright future as it continues to grow. Do you remember your ﬁrst handbag? How did you know that you wanted to be a part of the fashion and accessories industry? I don’t remember the fi rst handbag I had, but I had a ton of handbags in high school. My mom loved shopping, so I would tag along with her and get a lot of stuff. In terms of knowing that I wanted to get into the industry, I thought in the back of my mind when I was in college that the fashion industry would be cool. I interned with Procter & Gamble after my sophomore year, and I did customer business development there. I was working on their pet national account with PetSmart and Petco, selling pet food to them. I thought, “if people are buying pet food for a living, then someone must be doing that in the fashion industry.” I started doing research and understanding if there truly were buying roles in fashion — and if so, how I could get into it.

What was your background in fashion before you founded Pamoja? I was at macys.com for about four years, and I did mainly two roles in merchandise: buying and planning. When I was applying for MBA programs, I knew entrepreneurship was what I was interested in. I thought, “what would I pursue as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry?”

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FEATURES Apparel was one thing that was top of mind, but I wanted [my potential brand] to be something that was of quality, and it gets really expensive when you’re sourcing great-quality fabrics — paying for wages and sourcing from the right places gets costly, so I didn’t think [apparel] would be feasible from a business perspective. And then I was thinking about leather goods — it’s something that you can wear and use everyday. If you’re using great quality leathers, products should be built and designed to last. I started to sketch and learn how I could turn something on a piece of paper into reality. After business school, I was working at Coach in merchandise planning, picking up some additional [education] around what it takes to build a leather goods brand. That was instrumental for me. How did you know there was a gap in the market that could be ﬁlled with the Nia? Working in the fashion industry, I felt like we were pushing out product just for the sake of pushing product — promotion after promotion, we were enticing people to buy things that they honestly didn’t need. I live more of a minimalist lifestyle. I think that less is more, and if you own something that is of great quality, then you’re willing to invest in it. Multi-functionality is also important for me, so in terms of creating product, I wanted to make something that you can use for multiple uses. In designing the Nia bag, I wanted it to be something that you can use as a wallet, a crossbody and a clutch. Were there challenges or surprises that came up when designing the Nia bag? Defi nitely. It’s a lot of work in terms of designing a product — you start off sketching, but then you have to know all of the materials that go into creating that product. If you have something that’s a little more out of the box, it takes time. For my fi rst set of products, I sampled into probably five bags, all of which I do plan on eventually launching. At the end of the day, the Nia bag was the one that I felt most strongly was ready to commercialize and start to sell. It took time in terms of sourcing and everything that you can think about under the sun to get there. How did you decide to work with artisans and leather distributors based in Spain? I did research online. I came across this unique article [in which the BBC] talked about Ubrique, Spain, and the leather craftsmanship out there that is pretty much under the radar. I reached out to a couple of manufacturers out there and learned about the history. For a lot of them, [the trade] is passed on from generation to generation. It’s really a beautiful part of Spain that I have not been to yet, but I can’t wait to go. I just

fell in love with the area and decided that it was the best place for me to do my manufacturing. Tell me about your work with the Kujuwa Initiative. How does its mission mirror that of Pamoja? Pamoja means “togetherness” in Swahili. At the end of the day, I want to build a community around the brand, and I want it to be about driving social impact. When I was in undergrad, I had a friend who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for obstetric fistula, which is a birth defect that is common in Sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia. [Obstetric fistula] is something that I feel should not exist in our world today. I thought, “how do you do things to help prevent that from happening?” I learned about the Kujuwa Initiative in Kenya. They work with young women and young girls on sexual reproductive health to really educate them. [They also educate] men and boys to be supportive in the overall process, because at the end of the day, when women and girls are empowered, it creates a better world, better communities and a better economy moving forward. What is Pamoja’s brand philosophy? In one sentence, Pamoja is creating multi-functional accessories for the modern trailblazer while driving social impact one bag at a time. What does being a trailblazer mean to you? We forge our own paths. We’re really trying to think about how to do things differently, stepping away from the confi nes of societal standards and evolving things in a positive way. What makes you feel the most creative? I feel most creative when I’m not behind a laptop — when I have music on in the background and I’m in my thoughts with pen and paper, writing or sketching new things that come to mind. As a child, [art] brought along a lot of creativity for me, so I try to continue to spend time doing things in that way. What are the top things that you love do every day? I try to work out mostly five days a week, I pray and I love working on my business. And spending time to talk with a loved one, whether it’s my mom, a friend or my siblings. What is coming next for Pamoja? I have other handbag concepts I’ve been working on, so I can’t wait to put those out and share them with my audience. I see Pamoja evolving into a lifestyle brand with concepts like “shop, chill, stay.” [I plan to] really touch on all of those elements and evolve from there. I’m just excited to continue working through that journey.

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FEATURES

BEST FRIENDS

SASHA SPIVEY AND STACEY GEORGE REDEFINE LUXURY WITH FRANKI RAY BY LAUREN D’ERRICO Photos courtesy of Lights & Gin Photography

ranki Ray, the luxury brand offering handcrafted leather and apparel goods that are handmade by India-based artisans, started with a best friendship. Co-founders Sasha Spivey and Stacey George met in kindergarten and have been close ever since — and their connection is clear from the brand’s name, which is inspired by the women’s entrepreneurial fathers.

ness Bag, which comes in three custom-dyed colors (sky blue, brown and white) and features bold-patterned microsuede linings; backpacks crafted from full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather with gold-toned hardware and a “Franki Ray” nameplate weekender bag with leather double handles in sky blue, hot pink and olive green; the bright floral crossbody clutch/wallet and jewelry clutch and a keychain with the brand’s signature gold lion charm.

Spivey and George shared a similar love for fashion in their friendship before they came together to start their brand. “Stacey launched an apparel business with her sister some years ago and designed some fabulous pieces we still wear,” the founders said, touching on their formative fashion memories. “Sasha has always pushed the envelope in terms of style and getting creative with her wardrobe.”

Franki Ray’s apparel includes the Floral Texas Blazer, an oversized denim top with fringe and floral detailing, and floral- and animal-printed tracksuit separates such as the “Zsa Zsa tracksuit” in black florals with a side stripe embossed with a hundred dollar bill print and the “Call My Agent” set in bold leopard print and blue florals. Both pieces are available in male and female sizing options, and the tracksuit pieces are sold separately for a customizable look. Franki Ray pieces range from $40 to $950.

“We both come from entrepreneurial families, so the desire to work for ourselves was an aspiration early on for us both,” the founders continued in an email statement. “It was only a matter of time before we found the right idea and ran with it. Given that we both have a passion for fashion and design, a luxury lifestyle brand seemed like the perfect fit.” For Franki Ray, the pair’s mission was to redefine luxury with statement-making clothing and accessory pieces that embrace creativity, and launched the brand’s first product, the Business Bag, in March 2020 — just two weeks before the world shut down. “Ultimately, [the pandemic] showed us that we are capable of so much,” Spivey and George said. “Entrepreneurship is tough, but we’re here and here to stay! It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, but it’s important to acknowledge how far you’ve come. We are so proud of what we’ve built and can’t wait to keep going.” And stay the brand absolutely did. In the two years since Franki Ray’s launch, the brand’s accessory offerings include the leather Busi-

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The brand’s offerings are statement-making and deeply fun additions to any outfit or look — in the words of Spivey and George, Franki Ray products are for “any person who wants to live out loud, and look fabulous doing it.” At the core of the brand’s ethos is Spivey and George’s desire to embrace luxury with daring and out-of-the-box takes on classic accessories and apparel. “Living a life, a week, a day or a moment of luxury will open your eyes to what you truly deserve, thus turning aspirations into the standard,” they said. “Luxury is different for everyone, but the most fundamental component is simply this: does it make you smile?” Spivey and George continued. “Once you smile, your confidence will carry you to the greatest places mentally and physically, providing a clear perspective of what exactly your next move should be. Take it one step at a time, but hey, if one of those steps is the Franki Ray ‘add to cart,’ then load up!” One of the hallmarks of Franki Ray’s eye-catch-

ing aesthetic is the blue floral print that recurs through multiple accessories and garments across the brand’s offerings, including the exterior of the clutch, the inner lining of the blue Business Bag, the print of the “Eastside Paradise” tracksuit and more. The pattern evokes a sense of luxury and glamour, and unifies the athlesiure and more formal pieces in the brand’s collection with ease. “We clearly have an affinity for floral patterns, but the biggest source of inspiration is our friendship,” the founders said. “We balance each other so well and have the best time designing each and every one of our pieces. It’s an absolute 50/50 collaboration and we believe wholeheartedly that the love and energy of our friendship lives in each of our creations.” The future is bright for Franki Ray, as the brand continues to expand its reach with the entrance into all-new product categories. When asked to identify a product that they’d love to design for Franki Ray, Spivey and George replied, “anything we can dream up!” “We are looking forward to creating our collection of luxury pet products,” they added. “Stay tuned for the ‘Franki Ray Farm’ collection. Also, home decor is on the list.” The founders also shared that they will introduce a swim collection featuring swim trunks this summer and retro-inspired varsity jackets in the fall. At the end of the day, Franki Ray’s bold, playful take on luxury, as well as the brand’s popularity, is a testament to Spivey and George’s close bond of friendship — and their ability to cultivate a successful business relationship as well. “We know each other so well, [which] makes dividing and conquering tasks simpler because we know our strengths and weaknesses,” the founders said. “Working with your best friend is fun! Remember the spark and love for your friendship that inspired you to get to dreaming and accomplishing your goals together, together with kindness you’ll go further.”

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COVER FEATURE

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COVER FEATURE

TOBY MORGAN REVOLUTIONIZES THE BODYSUIT WITH LUSCA BY LAUREN D’ERRICO

Photos courtesy of Katie Parker

or Toby Morgan — the founder and president of LUSCA, a bodysuit company that is revolutionizing the bodysuit as a garment with the use of magnetic clasps — fashion was always an important part of her DNA. As a child, she looked up to an older sister figure, who she felt always created stylish outfits accented by the perfect accessories. Morgan shared that she had an innate skill for knowing when an outfit just worked, and credited this to her fascination with fashion magazines. “I had to have Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Vogue. I’d look through them and admire the colors, the craftsmanship and everything about the clothes, shoes and bags,” she said.

Though she loved fashion, Morgan, who shared that she has an “analytical background,” pursued an education in another field: law. Specifically, she studied environmental law, the aspect of lawmaking that provides protection to the environment through focus on legislation that centers on natural resources. “I went to law school in 2007 and graduated in 2010, so it was definitely the height of the housing crisis and recession,” Morgan said. “[Going to law school] just seemed like the right thing at the time. I went to law school really young — I started when I was 20 or 21 years old, so I was really little.”

money from the settlement,” she said. It was then that Morgan knew it was time to invest in what would become LUSCA, which stemmed from her ambition to improve the closures and clasps that are used in almost all mainstream bodysuit designs. Typically, bodysuits are put on overhead and secured with snap buttons or hook-and-eye closures at the crotch — which can make it incredibly difficult for wearers to secure their bodysuits, and afterward, to feel comfortable wearing the piece throughout the day. Morgan experimented with zippers, velcro and other materials, but nothing she tried had the ease of use and strength to withstand everyday wear that she was looking for. Until she landed on magnets. “At the time, magnets were mostly made for accessories,” Morgan said. “I was calling around to people who I knew in the industry and to fabric stores asking if they had magnets. Everyone was like, ‘What are you talking about? We used magnets in handbags and on sunglasses cases, but we’re not using magnets in clothing.’ And I was like, ‘why not?!’”

Morgan continued, “When I started, I was really passionate about environmental law, and it was really something that I wanted to practice. But because it’s such a small area of law and the economy wasn’t so good, it was really difficult for me to get into.”

As she dove deeper into product and market research, Morgan discovered magnet companies that specialized in creating magnets specifically for clothing. She learned how these magnets were manufactured and if they could be adapted for use in bodysuits, as well as the popularity of magnet use in more accessibility-made garments for people with disabilities. With this newfound knowledge, Morgan hired a designer who helped her to create some initial prototypes, from which she was able to isolate what magnets would work best as bodysuit closures.

From Lawyer to Lawyer-Fashion Designer When she graduated in 2010, Morgan started her own firm — which she called “scrappy.” Though she didn’t know it yet, the firm was a step toward her entry into the fashion industry. As an environmental lawyer, Morgan represented the friend of a man who died in a house fire, working closely with him for seven years. “We ended up going to trial against the insurance company, and we did win in the end, which put me in a position to have a good amount of

One of the factors of construction that Morgan considered was the strength of the magnets, as ones that were too weak would cause the closure to pop open, while magnets that were too strong would create a struggle to put the bodysuit on. She also considered how the magnets would be attached to the body, either directly onto the garment or sewn into an additional pocket and magnet shape, specifically how long and wide the magnets would need to be in order to create the most successful closure.

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“The product development phase was very laborious. It took a good four years for us to figure out where the magnet needed to be placed on the body, how we would get a magnet into the garment and make the bodysuit look aesthetically pleasing,” said Morgan. “For me, it’s so exciting to be in a position to try and solve a problem that I think most women were having, but we just kind of resigned ourselves to.” LUSCA’s inaugural collection — which Morgan called “LUSCA 1.0,” as the brand continues to work to develop and improve its closure solutions — features the brand’s patent-pending magnetic closures on thong and full-coverage scoop neck, turtleneck, crew neck and V neck bodysuit styles. Handcrafted in Mexico by an all-woman team of makers, LUSCA bodysuits are currently available in black, white, charcoal and shades of beige and blue, as well as in vegan leather and leopard print. Prices range from $125 to $200. With body countering fabric that hugs the body to create smooth, seamless silhouettes, LUSCA bodysuits can be styled for any occasion. “What I love about bodysuits is that you can throw them on with anything to dress them up or dress them down,” Morgan said. “My favorite way to style a bodysuit is more casually, because I’m in a casual vibe right now. Watching how other people wear their bodysuit really excites me, too, and seeing women get excited about bodysuits again is also really fun to watch.” The Resurgence of the Bodysuit Because of the popularity of celebrity-headed brands like Skims (Kim Kardashian’s shapewear, intimate apparel and clothing brand) and Yitty (the shapewear and athleticwear brand founded this year by Lizzo), bodysuits are having their moment as a hugely trending style for the spring/summer season. Though the intimate apparel industry is projected to rise to $217.7 billion in 2022, according to Statista, bodysuits tend to fall into a variety of sections of the fashion market — athleticwear, shapewear and everyday garments, as well as intimate apparel, to name a few — which, Morgan posited, is the reason that it can sometimes become more complicated for investors and

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“For me, it’s so exciting to be in a position to try and solve a problem that I think most women were having, but we just kind of resigned ourselves to.” — Toby Morgan

COVER FEATURE

brands to invest in bodysuits.

ly great to wear.”

“The bodysuit has never been broken out as its own category [to judge] how often it’s purchased because it’s rolled into everything else. Bodysuits are in the lingerie category — and if you’re trying to break out of lingerie, good luck,” she said. “And it’s the same with clothing and athletic wear. From a financial standpoint, what investors are wondering is, ‘What’s the potential here? How much money is generated from bodysuits in general?’”

Morgan continued, “If you can get excited about wearing something that isn’t comfortable all the time and is difficult to put on and take off, I thought that if I could get people to actually enjoy wearing [bodysuits], it would be even more exciting — and it would eclipse the market we currently have.”

Despite how widespread bodysuits have become, by and large, the formula for the bodysuit has roughly stayed the same since its initial introduction to the market in the 1960s (and growing popularity since then). “[Companies are not] reinventing the wheel in anyway — it’s the same exact garment, and people get excited about it, but it’s the same thing we had in 1980,” she said. “I wanted to change it. I wanted it to be something that was actually functional-

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The Future of LUSCA The bodysuit industry is changing with the introduction of LUSCA’s magnetic closures — and the brand is continuing to grow as well. Not only is LUSCA continuing to revisit the construction of its closures, but Morgan also plans to offer a greater range of colorways and styles in future collections. With a focus on organic, natural textiles and fabrics that still offer the bodysuits’ signature stretch, LUSCA’s next launch will be a summer-focused collection. Morgan’s passion for her brand and for the po-

tential that bodysuits have to truly be a comfort item is contagious — and it is that passion that she encourages prospective entrepreneurs to harness when they embark on starting their own business. “Find something that you are actually really passionate about and that you care about, because you’re going to need that if you’re going to keep going,” she advised. “If you aren’t passionate and don’t believe in [your idea], you’re going to end up wasting your time and your money. Pick something you really care about and then just keep going.” “I try to envision where LUSCA could be at its biggest and greatest place,” Morgan said, “and I just think of the next step — not all the middle steps in between, because then you will totally lose it, but just the next step.”

LUSCA bodysuits are available for purchase at shoplusca.com.

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FEATURES

THE MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES CHECKLIST BY DEBRA HAZEL Photos courtesy of FashionGo

fter two years of staying home and then working from home, people are looking to get out — and this season’s musthave accessories are reflecting a commitment to color, sparkles and a desire to make a bold statement, said representatives of The Accessories Council at the recent FashionGo conference in Palm Springs, California.

getting more pumped up,” she said.

“We’re starting to get into the idea of maximalist styling. [For] spring 2022 into fall 2022, people want to dress with presence. It’s about dressing with bold colors, with sparkles, ruffles, making sure you’re seen. No matter what region you’re in, this is a consistent idea across all our different markets,” said trend forecaster Jessica Richards, fashion director of the Council.

Yet, the complete opposite is true as well, as princess pumps return. “We want to feel special and decorated,” Richards observed, explaining the growing trend of Cinderella-esque, bedazzled footwear for the evening, as well as the resurgence of classic rain boots.

And returning to in-person meetings also means the return of the cocktail ring, as hands are finally visible again.

People still want to feel secure and safe, Richards explained, after living through uncertain times related to the pandemic. “You’ll be ready for any rainstorm or calamity that comes your way,” she added.

The handbag industry, meanwhile, is staging a comeback. As people are leaving the house and need all of their belongings on-hand, there is a great push for larger bags. For example, luggage maker Rimowa is bringing new silhouettes to the market, including backpack styles, what Richards dubbed “a great extension of their brand.”

For colors overall, purple reigns. After a season dominated by pink, some designers are starting to work with purple more than before. “It’s not as universally popular as pink has been, but it’s a nice new entrant for the top of the color pyramid,” Richards said. Another trend is quirky cool. After a season of brights and warm colors in the red tones being popular, now is the time to look into the cooler end of the spectrum. “In 2020, everyone was locked up in the house,” Richards said. “Blues and greens are starting to move into the color zeitgeist.” In terms of leather, color is deepening. A bit of color is even coming into leather goods, as neutral tones in 2021 are giving way to the traditional, more orangy saddle, but done in a quirky or funky way. “Even the neutrals are

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Footwear, too, has an up-and-coming presence dubbed by Richards as “shoes that go clunk.” Heavy platform shoes (even in party shoes) and heavy footbeds are coming to the fore. “It’s your way to register presence in 2022,” she said. For spring and summer, Doc Martens are being shown with shorts, even in New York City.

The style of the Old West is returning at various price points — not just in boots, but in jewelry, bags and optical as well. Perhaps this is because people are beginning to explore again. “They’re very wearable trends,” she said, referring to these returning styles. Later in the year, look for more variations on loafers (a nod to uniform dressing), as well as shoes that are just more comfortable, including rubberized clogs and shearling slippers. Jewelry trends will be a bit more ornate, with pearls of varying lengths making a comeback. Pearl drop earrings, for example, will add a touch of class to various outfits, from casual to formal looks.

“They used to be fussy, but now we’re seeing that it’s cool and evolving in new ways,” Richards noted of the fresh pearl trends. Fall styles will be even more ornate, inspired by royalty. Chandelier earrings, especially those that are vintage-inspired, also will be popular. Heart-shaped jewelry of all kinds will continue to be popular, representing that, “You’re showing your love to the world,” she said.

“The ring is the thing for 2022, including stacking them up,” she said.

Other handbag styles that are set to return to popularity are the top flap silhouette for uniform dressing, the half-moon style for a bit of newness and the structured tote in a medium size. Also look for geometric shapes like box bags, yet, ironically (especially on the East Coast) are soft carryable clutches. Including such fabrics as shearlings and other soft surfaces, gilded fabrics and brocades, “materials will be really important for this season, and spring 2023 will be heavily textural,” Richards said, looking to even further trends.

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MEET

JOANN ZEHENNI THE TEEN FOUNDER BEHIND GEMINI BEAUTY, THE NATURAL SKINCARE BRAND WITH A MISSION BY LAUREN D’ERRICO Photos courtesy of Gemini Beauty

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FEATURES products: the Daily Brightening Moisturizer with Lychee & Cowberry, the Daily Glow Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and the “All You Need” Eye Cream with Cucumber Extract. Prices range from $38 for single products to $120 for the “Original Kit” box, which includes the trio of Gemini Beauty products in a makeup bag with an illustrative fruit-themed print.

Joann Zehenni

During college application season, when prospective students are faced with the question of what they potentially hope to do with their lives, that question usually leads to choosing a major. But Joann Zehenni chose to start her own skincare business. At just 17 years old, Zehenni is the founder of Gemini Beauty, a skincare company that takes a natural approach to its products, which are created with fruits, vegetables and teas and are free of gluten, oil, phthalates, sulfate and parabens. A longtime fan (and customer) of the skincare industry, Gemini Beauty was born of Zehenni’s desire to help her family’s and her own struggle with lupus, an autoimmune, inflammatory disease that is caused when the body’s immune system becomes overactive. “My family’s struggled with lupus, and with lupus comes extremely sensitive skin, so I got those genetics,” Zehenni said. “I always wanted to have my own skincare brand that targeted people who struggle with sensitive skin, people who want to heal their skin barrier or people who just have that glowy complexion.” Some of the common skin problems associated with lupus include sensitivity to the sun, dryness and rashes on the face, neck and arms. Zehenni, who has borderline lupus, said she couldn’t use sunblock and continuously struggled to find products for her sensitive skin. With Gemini Beauty, Zehenni hopes to address and remedy some of the skin-related issues that she faced through childhood for her customer base. “I was so drawn to the skincare industry because I was like, ‘I’ve used these products in a way to help my complexion and help me feel more confidence and comfort in my skin,’” Zehenni said. “One of the philosophies behind Gemini Beauty is helping people find that comfort in their skin. I didn’t have it for so long and I’ve finally gotten it, so I’m a lot happier with [my skin] now.” Gemini Beauty’s current offerings include three

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Made from pomegranate, satsuma orange, sea buckthorn and mango in addition to lychee and cowberry, the Daily Brightening Moisturizer is “all about brightening your skin and your complexion,” Zehenni shared. Combined with purple and green tea extracts, the lightweight formula promotes an even skin tone and minimizes the appearance of dark spots and discolorations while enriching the skin with antioxidant benefits and deep hydration. “I made [the moisturizer] lightweight specifically because, personally, I don’t love heavy products on my skin because I don’t like the weight of it,” said Zehenni. “I like having fresh-looking skin and the feeling of ‘I don’t have anything on.’” The Daily Glow Serum — which is cruelty-free and vegan — hydrates the skin with hyaluronic acid and reduces redness and skin irregularities with Golden Jewels, a gold mineral pigment. “People always think it’s sparkles,” Zehenni said, “but it’s not sparkles! It’s a cosmetic pigment that is safe for sensitive skin and all skin types in general.” With the Daily Glow Serum, users can add a hint of sparkle and glow to their everyday skincare routine. As Zehenni built the collection, the moisturizer and glow serum came first and were developed together. “I wanted [the Daily Glow Serum] to accompany the Daily Brightening Moisturizer for that extra glow … I was just dying for that dewy complexion that I saw online,” she said. “I wanted the feeling of intense hydration [and] that I had a healthy skin barrier.” The third product in Gemini Beauty’s current line is the “All You Need” Eye Cream, a three-in-one product that Zehenni shared that she created with her twin sister in mind. The Eye Cream utilizes cucumber extract and peptides to hydrate and moisturize, while vitamins A and E and hyaluronic acid provides antioxidant support. In fact, all three of Gemini Beauty’s products are inspired by a member of Zehenni’s family and catered to address their specific skincare needs. Outside of the product line, Zehenni’s family played a large part in the initial creation of the brand — her sister came up with the brand’s tagline, “You’re a Gem,” and helps Zehenni with marketing — and continues to impact it today.

“The moisturizer is for both of my grandmothers, the serum is for my older sister who has lupus and struggles with sensitive skin and the eye cream is for my [twin] sister,” she said. “It’s so cheesy to say, but Gemini Beauty is a part of me. My family made me who I am.” Zehenni’s passion and excitement about Gemini Beauty and its products is abundantly clear throughout our conversation — and especially so when she when she describes her own skincare routine, which Zehenni says is a crucial part of how she practices self-care. “I stick to a daily regimen because for me, consistency is key,” Zehenni said. “I don’t have a very long routine: it’s the Gemini Beauty products, and then I love using a chemical exfoliant, a really good face wash, an oil-based cleanser and a milky cleanser. That’s my version of self care, even if it’s two minutes.” Zehenni’s family’s struggles with lupus has also inspired her to give back, which is the motivation behind the brand’s core value of “Beauty for a Cause.” Gemini Beauty donates a percentage of its profits to Lupus LA, a non-profit health organization founded by Dr. Daniel Wallace, who is the Zehenni family’s doctor. Lupus LA raises funds for patient services including emergency procedures, medical research and fellowships supporting the future of rheumatology and to promote lupus awareness and advocacy. “As Gemini Beauty grows, I want to help as much as I can,” Zehenni said. “[Lupus LA] been amazing, and I love the organization and everything they do. I was excited to help the community in any way I could.” Looking toward the future, Gemini Beauty’s product roster is set to grow, with a new line to be released this fall. Zehenni shared that she is working on a “dream product” that utilizes an ingredient from one of her favorite drinks, and for upcoming products, she hopes to continue to create skincare that is made from everyday ingredients, like fruits and teas. At the end of our interview, Zehenni offered advice to fellow teens who also hope to answer the question of their life’s passion by starting their own business, a beauty brand or otherwise: be sure that you are willing to give all of your time to your company. “With school, it’s a hard balance … You have to be fully committed. You can’t say your’e going to take a break tomorrow and revisit stuff the day after tomorrow — it’s every day,” Zehenni said. “But it’s so fun. Pursue it, because even though it’s super daunting and scary in the beginning, it’s so worth it!”

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FEATURES - FINANCE

SACHSE RETAIL SUMMIT

CONVERSATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF RETAIL BY JOSEPH PASTRANA Photo courtesy of Sachse Construction

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FEATURES - FINANCE

etroit-based Sachse Construction recently hosted its 2022 New York Retail Summit at Rockefeller Center. The event covered a range of topics including pop-ups, the new retailer and landlord relationships and how experiential shopping is shaping the future of retail. Founded in 1991, Sachse Construction established itself by building high-profi le commercial and institutional spaces across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Apart from a hiatus during the pandemic quarantine, the

company has been holding the summit annually since 2014, said CEO Todd Sachse, as a way of fostering a community among its stellar clients. Sachse Construction held its fi rst summit at its home base in Detroit — but quickly realized it would more convenient to subsequently hold the summet in New York where most of their clients had offices. Formatted as a small-scale convention exclusive to the company’s clients, the summit is a combination of formal presentations routinely front-loaded with guest speakers from different industries and informal mixers throughout the day. The speakers cover topical concerns to brands and retailers, but it can be argued that the worthiest insights may be gleaned during the breaks in between panels. Among the guests who mingled to exchange industry chatter at this year’s event were representatives from major brands including Hermès, Max Mara, Ermenegildo Zegna, Estée Lauder, Amazon, Christian Louboutin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Giorgio Armani, Tumi, Tiffany & Co. and Tourneau. Spirited conversations were held by panel members and attendees as everyone posited their respective views on the current state and future of retail as the world enters the post-COVID-19 era. This year’s summit was well attended, as those present seemed eager to learn how everyone else has been coping with emerging from quarantine and managing the ongoing supply chain issues. Noteworthy insights were provided by panelists such as Chanel U.S. Director of Visual Merchandising Robert Fuller; Bloomingdale’s Director of Window Design Leigh Ann Tischler; Showfields CEO Tal Zvi Nathanel; Exclusible CEO Olivier Moingeon and Business of Fashion Senior Correspondent Sheena Butler-Young. While considerable arguments were made on behalf of new technology as a way of engaging consumers, equally persuasive cases were also advanced in support of good old fashion human interaction. Nathanel, for instance, touted his company’s ability to track in-store customer traffic to determine en-

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gagement and conversions, although he made it clear this was done within the bounds of privacy concerns. But independent stories from Fuller and Tischler emphasize personalized approaches, such as tailoring Chanel initiatives on a regional level and the market-specific Pride events at Bloomingdale’s that are meant to inspire traditional brand loyalty. In this regard, conceiving and creating “experiential” installations and interactive visual displays illustrated the importance of such tools to merchandisers across all market categories. Despite all the enthusiasm accorded to a sundry of advancements from data gathering and analytics to buzzy subjects like NFTs and the metaverse, everything still seems to lead toward the importance of brick-and-mortar presence as the best way to connect to end consumers. For instance, at a panel called “Power of the Pop-Up,” little was done to suggest that a pop-up space was in any way a better alternative to a flagship location. At best, it’s an entry point for unknown brands or, in the case of sustainable furniture line Model No., a vital way of tangibly presenting products in a physical space. There was talk of pop-ups being a means of measuring a brand’s appeal in certain markets during certain seasons or determining maximum foot traffic in specific neighborhoods. But, as Butler-Young implied with a question, is securing a “permanent” retail space the endgame of any pop-up? The matter was very easily summed up by Model No. CEO Phillip Raub as a question of the current costs of commercial rents and overhead expenses versus temporary selling spaces. At this point, there’s little doubt that the omni-channel strategy is the most sensible course in reaching even the staunchest of Gen Z’s tech savvy shoppers. The day closed with one last panel on the critical question of how landlords are making it appealing (or prohibitive) to open a brick-andmortar store, especially in light of skyrocketing rents in key cities like New York, London and Paris. As confi rmed earlier that afternoon by Nathanel, these are still at the top of the wish lists of any brand seeking to gain maximum exposure to their customers. But companies such as Sachse are in the business of working with clients to build spaces of long-term value that can offset the cost of such investments. Following the discussion, Sachse Retail Summit attendees convened for cocktails and then dinner to further Sachse’s aim of establishing community, yet again proving that as much as there is a continued reliance on technology to create digital rapport with customers, in the end, nothing can beat building relationships face to face.

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A TASTE OF THE SOUTH

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THE FASHION MANNUSCRIPT PRESENTS:

TECHWEAR

TECHFEATURES

CAN DIGITAL FASHION MAKE THE INDUSTRY MORE SUSTAINABLE? Images courtesy of Nordcurrent

ith the metaverse, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, fashion designers have turned to digital platforms for releasing their pieces, according to NPR. As outlined in a Vox article, Louis Vuitton, for example, has designed a set of skins for the MOBA video game League of Legends. As virtual clothing becomes more accessible to the average user, fashion could be-

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come a more sustainable industry by allowing people to explore their style without needing to buy physical items.

nies as they failed to meet manufacturing goals as a result of the pandemic, which paved the way for virtual clothing.

How Digital Clothing Tackles Sustainability Issues in the Fashion Industry Despite brands incorporating “green policies” to reduce harm to the environment, the fast-paced nature of the fashion industry causes it to be one of the biggest pollution-spreading sectors in 2021, as reported by Eco-Jungle. However, rapid digitalization occurred within clothing compa-

Brands turned to mapping out initial drafts virtually, only physically crafting the clothes once a design has been settled on. In turn, as reported by ProSoft VR, the manufacturing process of one simple dress reduced environmental costs by around four times. “As items go out of fashion and new trends pop

Photo courtesy of Gary He

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TECHFEATURES

up, a cycle of environmental harm is created. Old items end up in landfills, while the creation of new ones emit massive amounts of CO2 and deplete water resources. Games alleviate this burden, as unworn pieces may simply be deleted and replaced by other items with substantively less impact,” said Victoria Trofimova, CEO of Nordcurrent, the biggest game development company in Lithuania. Also a production company, Nordcurrent is known for such video games inlcuding “Cooking Fever,” “Murder in the Alps,” “Airplane Chefs” and “Sniper Arena.” Focusing on freemium and casual games, the company created over 50 games since 2002, attracting more than a half-billion players worldwide. While not completely impact-free, digital clothing items save around 3,300 liters and produce 97% fewer carbon emissions per item, compared to their physical counterparts, reported by TG3D Studios. By satisfying the need for engaging with new trends, consumers will likely be more mindful when buying physical pieces, reducing harm in the long term. Virtual Clothing Quickly Garners Popularity “Real-life clothing items increasingly find their way onto digital platforms. With famous designer houses joining the trend, virtual wardrobes are becoming more similar to ones in real-life,” said Trofimova. “By emulating clothing, users may explore trends, styles and brands without needing to purchase physical pieces, and therefore reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry,” she continued. As an article published by Deseret News noted, the trend is significantly supported by video games, as character customization becomes an integral part of an immersive experience. Games such as Pocket Styler — a competition video game set in the modern world of fashion influencers — allow the player to fully customize their avatar’s look with different clothing and accessories that can be found in real-life stores. “People may express themselves using Pocket Styler by transferring their particular tastes and preferences to the virtual version of themselves. Players may take their time developing a personal sense of style, which is difficult to achieve in real life as trends change and are phased out of stores rapidly,” explained Trofimova. With digital fashion only becoming increasingly popular, a new, sustainable route for the industry is coming into view. By playing with style on virtual platforms like video games, people may still express themselves and be creative using clothing — with minimized detriment to the environment.

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LOCAL SOURCING FASHIONDEX TEXWORLD NYC

JULY 19-21ST JAVITS CENTER Exhibit in the FASHIONDEX local sourcing section and get a table and connect face to face with designers and brands wanting local fabrics, trims and services!!! FASHIONDEX local sourcing section will be situated within TEXWORLD NYC and APPAREL SOURCING NYC this July 19-21st at Javits Center and is the go-to place for local sourcing. Want to exhibit with us, be in the local sourcing section and be featured in our site. RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY info@fashiondex.com | 212.647.0051 | fashiondex.com/local-sourcing

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TECHFEATURES

PACSUN LAUNCHES “PRE-LOVED PAC,” A RESALE PLATFORM ENABLED BY THREDUP Photos courtesy of Pacsun

acsun, the global specialty retailer offering emerging brands and trending fashion through the lens of youth culture, and ThredUp, one of the largest online resale platforms for women’s and kids’ apparel, shoes and accessories, announced “Pre-Loved Pac,” a 360-resale program allowing Pacsun customers to clean out their closets for Pacsun credit and shop pre-loved clothing directly through Pacsun’s website. ThredUp is transforming resale with technology and a mission to inspire a new generation of consumers to think secondhand first, said the company. By making it easy to buy and sell secondhand, ThredUp has become one of the world’s largest resale platforms for women’s and kids’ apparel, shoes and accessories. The company’s proprietary operating platform is the foundation for its managed marketplace and consists of distributed processing infrastructure, proprietary software and systems and data science expertise, ThredUp said. With ThredUp’s Resale-as-a-Service, global brands and retailers are utilizing the platform to deliver customizable, scalable resale experiences to their customers. ThredUp has processed over 125 million unique secondhand items from 35,000 brands across 100 categories.

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With this partnership, Pacsun has leveraged ThredUp’s Resale-as-a-Service (RaaS) to build a white-labeled resale channel, which includes a digital shop, clean-out program and cash out offerings for its customers. Pacsun is one of the world’s leading youth retailers to deliver customized, scalable resale experiences to their customers through ThredUp’s RaaS, the clothing company said. “At Pacsun, we are committed to digital innovation and delivering services that our customers will love and use. Our community already embraced sustainable fashion, and we wanted to incorporate that into our brand experience,” said Mimi Ruiz, vice president of e-commerce at Pacsun. “When we learned about ThredUp’s RaaS offering, we thought it would be a great fit. By leveraging ThredUp’s proprietary technology, we were able to get our resale program up and running quickly, bringing value to our customers while also reducing our carbon footprint,” Ruiz said. According to data from ThredUp’s 2021 Resale Report, the secondhand market is expected to grow 11 times faster than traditional retail by 2025, and younger generations are powering its rise. The report also found that over 50% of millennials and Gen Z say they will spend more on secondhand in the next five years.

“Pacsun understands its customers on a deeper level than most brands I’ve worked with. Incorporating resale into its business made sense for multiple reasons but mostly, because it delivers a service that its customers are already tapping into,” said James Reinhart, CEO of ThredUp. “With Pacsun’s Gen Z customer-base, resale is not only an ideal fit for the company’s demographic but it is also an untapped growth channel for the business.” “Pre-Loved Pac” includes three resale elements that promote circular fashion: a clean out program, cash-out incentives and a resale shop on Pacsun’s website. All elements encourage customers to rotate their wardrobes sustainably, buy secondhand and receive credit to repeat the process. ThredUp Clean Out Kits, available on pacsun.com, can be filled with women’s and kids’ apparel, shoes and accessories from any brand and are shipped to ThredUp for free using a prepaid shipping label. Customers are paid for their re-sellable items in the form of a Pacsun gift card. Any ThredUp seller can now turn ThredUp credit into Pacsun credit, with a value that is 10% higher than the cash payment option. Gently-used Pacsun brands are now available for purchase on pacsun.com.

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Photo courtesy of Courtney Aylee Rhodes mannpublications.com

TECHFEATURES

GEMIST PERSONALIZES THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY WITH DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

emist is the first digital platform that allows consumers to design jewelry and try it on before they buy. Founded by Madeline Fraser, Gemist empowers users to be their own designer and create fine jewelry that is truly unique to them, all while eliminating any and all forms of buyers’ remorse with a home try-on experience wherein consumers can test drive replicas of their designs before committing to making an important purchase, the company said.

Madeline Fraser (Photo courtesy of Trever Orr)

“Gemist’s mission has always been to put the power of creativity and choice in the hands of our customers,” said Fraser. “That’s why we’re excited to include new styles and customization options, adding even more flexibility and personalization to our online design experience.” Gemist offers artisan-quality fine jewelry without retail markups, with a wide randge of options at a variety of price points starting at $200. Each piece is made-to-order with sustainable and responsibly sourced materials in Los Angeles. Fraser, who is a serial entrepreneur, came up with the idea of Gemist while she was designing her own engagement ring, the company said. Fraser shared that she found the process antiquated and time-consuming, and that she did not know what companies to trust to provide real quality jewelry at a fair price. Realizing that the industry needed a refresh, Fraser utilized her tech background to develop and introduce a user-friendly online platform to the jewelry industry. Since 2020, Gemist has streamlined the jewelry design and buying process. With Gemist, the process is simple: select your cut, setting, metal, stone, band and width. Customers are also able to try before they buy, receiving up to three designs in person for a complimentary two-week trial period before they make a final decision to purchase. The company also offers a one-year warranty for jewelry purchases. This season, Gemist launched its Delicate Diamonds collection, an assortment of pieces featuring half-carat natural diamonds, perfect as delicate engagement rings or to be stacked for everyday wear. Later this year, Gemist will be introducing more exciting new initiatives, including the addition of sterling silver as a metal option, the launch of wide wedding bands and the launch of DeBeers Code of Origin Diamonds. Gemist will be adding sterling silver as a metal option to the vast majority of their existing, best selling styles, the company said. The introduction of sterling silver provides quality fine jewelry at an even more accessible price point. They are also launching new solid 14K gold wedding bands in two wider widths and three metal colors ways (yellow, white and rose). These are designed for men, but can be worn by anyone.

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Gemist’s partnership with DeBeers, one of the brand’s principal investors, sheds light on the truth about natural diamonds, the company said, and beginning this year, Gemist will feature DeBeers’ esteemed Code of Origin diamonds. The Code of Origin trust mark signifies that the diamond is natural, conflict-free, was discovered in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa or Canada and has helped provide jobs, healthcare and education with a particular focus on programs supporting women and girls.

For more information and to purchase, visit gemist.co.

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FASHION 411

TECHNOLOGY AFFIRM AND POSHMARK EXPAND PARTNERSHIP TO BRING SHOPPERS MORE PAYMENT FLEXIBILITY

Photo courtesy of Affirm

This expanded partnership comes after Affirm’s Consumer Spend Report revealed more than one in two consumers are interested in using a payover-time solution this year. McKinsey predicts annual growth of 10% to 15% in the luxury resale market over the next decade, and by 2025 will comprise a third of the total market. By selecting Affirm at checkout, approved Poshmark customers can split the total cost of their purchase into biweekly or monthly payments, for as low as 0% APR. They are shown the total cost of their purchase and will never pay more than they agree to upfront, the company said.

ffirm, the payment network that empowers consumers and helps merchants drive growth, and Poshmark, a social marketplace for new and secondhand style, announced a two-year extension and expansion of their partnership to deliver increased payment flexibility to shoppers. Eligible Poshmark shoppers can choose between monthly payments or four interest-free payments every other week for all items over $50.

“As consumers embrace secondhand and turn

to Poshmark for one-of-a-kind styles, great deals and readily available inventory, we’re giving them more flexibility and choice than ever through our expanded partnership with Affirm,” said John McDonald, chief operating officer at Poshmark. “More than half of our available inventory is now eligible for Affirm’s payment solutions, and we’re seeing strong uptake of these options, demonstrating just how valuable this offering is to our loyal community of buyers and sellers,” McDonald continued. Poshmark is one of over 168,000 Affirm retail partners, including Walmart, Target, Williams Sonoma, American Airlines and more. Offering Affirm at checkout can drive overall sales, increase average order value and increase customer repurchase rates, Affirm said.

AURA BLOCKCHAIN CONSORTIUM TEAMS UP WITH SARINE TO SET NEW STANDARD IN DIAMOND TRACEABILITY

Sarine has been selected by Aura to provide full diamond traceability across the entire supply chain. Sarine’s traceability solution is based on data that is independently and automatically generated by its IOT-enabled systems, and is used throughout the pipeline by many of the industry’s leading producers and

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midstream polishers, without resorting to non-verifiable declaratory inputs, said Sarine. “It is an honor to have been selected to partner with the esteemed Aura Blockchain Consortium of leading luxury brands. This new endeavor will enable global luxury brands to benefit from our uniquely comprehensive and factual traceability solution in order to increase supply chain transparency, thereby increasing consumer confidence,” Sarine CEO David Block said. “Our solution enables the jewelry houses the ability to implement a traceability solution based on blockchain technology that is easily scalable and with low overheads to all their suppliers in the upstream and midstream diamond value chain.”

Photo courtesy of Sarine Technologies Ltd.

arine Technologies Ltd. — a company offering precision technology products for the evaluation, planning, processing, measurement, grading and trading of diamonds — announced that Aura Blockchain Consortium, founded by LVMH, Prada Group, Cartier, part of Richemont and OTB Group, has partnered with the company regarding Sarine’s Diamond Journey traceability solution and data for the Aura platform. Through this partnership, the Consortium is laying out the first foundations for best-in-class product traceability standards from raw material to finished product applied in the luxury sector, the company said.

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FASHION 411

TECHNOLOGY ARMANI BEAUTY LAUNCHES VIRTUAL STORE

In the “Get the Glow” room, visitors can discover the brand’s Luminous Silk products. Visitors will be able to choose from 40 shades of Luminous Silk Foundation to find their perfect match. In this room, there is a specialist team available to assist each visitor and if a more tailored service is required, personal appointments can be booked in advance. In the “Colour Studio” room, the virtual try-on

technology Modiface enables visitors to find their favorite shade of lip power, the long-wear lipstick that lends a vivid intensity to lip color. A personal “Eyes-To-Kill” service can also be booked with a specialist, who shares techniques to achieve a beautiful eye with colors and textures personalized to the visitor’s aesthetic needs. The “My Way” room focuses on the fragrance that encapsulates a new vision of profound and free-spirited femininity, said the brand. Designed with a commitment to sustainability, visitors can learn about the fragrances’ carbon neutrality with refillable bottles, natural and responsibly sourced ingredients, as well as the brand’s support of forest preservation programs.

The final “Fragrance Wardrobe” room features the iconic Sì fragrance, an ode to women’s independence of spirit and sophistication. Visitors can take a quiz to find their perfect fragrance match and book a “Fragrance Fitting” service to better understand their fragrance needs, whilst learning perfume gestures to enhance and personalize their scent.

FANCURVE LAUNCHES DIGITAL SPORTS FASHION PLATFORM “At Fancurve, we’re focused on updating the meaning of sports fandom — for today’s digital world and redefining what it will become in the future,” said Chaney. “Our priority is to build a trustworthy and engaging platform for our users as they explore the growing Web3 ecosystem. In doing so, we’re striving to be nothing less than the largest and most innovative digital wearables platform for sports fans across the globe.”

ancurve, a blockchain-enabled digital fashion company, announced the launch of its platform focused on building communities around virtual sports apparel and lifestyle collectibles. By engaging its audience through digitally wearable jerseys and interactive extensions, Fancurve says that it aims to shape the future of digital sports fashion, connecting fans with the biggest athletes, clubs, designers and culture-defining brands. Fancurve is an original, user-friendly platform with bespoke virtual apparel drops designed by highly skilled digital fashion designers. As the locker room for the modern sports collector, Fancurve is a space to express fandom and gear up for the next adventure, the company said. Through its community-driven ethos, Fancurve serves as an approachable Web3 launchpad for other fashion and lifestyle brands as they enter the growing metaverse. Founded by Chris Chaney and Andrew Nestor, Fancurve

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Photo courtesy of Armani Beauty

rmani Beauty unveiled its first Virtual Store in the U.K., offering a variety of exclusive services and uses the latest beauty technology to provide personalized consultations. Located in a virtual Piccadilly Circus, the Virtual Store is inspired by the real-life Armani Box pop-up concept. The Armani beauty Virtual Store has a variety of different rooms, allowing visitors to discover new and iconic products, interact with makeup artists and watch exclusive content.

Photo courtesy of Fancurve

has formed a team of employees with extensive experience across Web3, fashion, e-sports and traditional football, having worked with major industry leaders within these spaces.

At launch, Fancurve has raised a $6.25 million seed round from a diverse cross section of investors across the sports, technology and Web3 landscape. Led by Greenfield One, other key partners (among 42 total investors) include Shima Capital, 6th Man Ventures, OneFootball, Reverb Ventures and Valhalla Capital, with angel investment from MP & Silva co-founder Carlo Pozzali, Sorare growth lead Brian O’Hagan and OneFootball CEO Lucas Von Cranach. Star footballers André Schürrle and Mario Götze also participated in the seed round.

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COLUMNS

DESIGNING YOUR EMPLOYEE ATTRACTION & RETENTION STRATEGY WITH VOLUNTARY BENEFITS By Frank DeLucia, senior vice president, Hub International Northeast suite of products. In today’s environment, where employees and their families are likely to incur more out-of-pocket expenses, voluntary benefits serve as a means to empower the employee. Some traditional advantages of voluntary benefits seem more obvious, such as the following: • Attracting and retaining top quality employees;

mployee retention is a significant issue that employers in the fashion and apparel industry are facing today, and as businesses recover from impacts of the pandemic, labor shortages still threaten the progress. The apparel manufacturing industry is highly labor-intensive and attracting and retaining skilled workers is pivotal to the success of your organization. Turnover directly affects production and productivity, so taking the steps to minimize this proactively results in improvements of productivity, reduction of recruitment costs and the overall impact on your bottom-line. The right combination of voluntary benefits can differentiate fashion and apparel companies in their struggle to attract and retain talent long-term. At the same time, while employers are working hard to manage rising health care costs, offering voluntary benefit solutions is a win-win strategy for employers and their employees. A customized voluntary benefits program offers employees the choice they want and helps them close coverage gaps, without impacting your bottom line. Historically, ancillary benefits have provided companies with a cost-effective and personalized

• Protecting the financial health, wellness and security of your employees; • Adding benefits to your employee benefits program without adding to your costs; • Helping you address the rising costs of major medical health insurance. Funded by the employer or not, voluntary benefits have value to workers in this highly competitive labor market. Here are some options to consider: • Supplemental health: Employees are often stretched to cover out-of-pocket medical costs. Supplemental health coverage pays benefits to members directly for treatments related to injuries, the costs of hospitalization or a critical condition that is covered. • Accident insurance: If an employee or the employee’s family members suffer an accident away from the jobsite, accident insurance helps pay for treatment for injuries. This coverage can help to reduce workers’ compensation claims, as the funds enable employees to pay for their own or their family’s treatment (rather than delaying it) if they are hurt.

• Digital benefits wallets: Easy access to benefits doesn’t just help employee wellness but boosts engagement. So-called digital “wallets” are a representation of benefits details, with a “card” for every offering on a smartphone. These cards can help workers access everything from 24/7 telemedicine to mental health and caregiver support services and discounts for prescription drugs. • Legal services benefits: Group legal plans ensure access to professional legal help for everything from traffic tickets and small claims to landlord and immigration issues. These benefits are good for employers on multiple fronts beyond recruitment — additionally they help reduce presenteeism and absenteeism. • Early wage access: These programs give employees access to earnings that have accrued between paychecks. Early wage access can be an attractive option for food and beverage workers to help avoid predatory lending and other practices that can hurt their finances. Offering voluntary benefits can help to manage the labor gap in your organization as well as attract long-term staff. Work with your insurance advisor to offer a strategic and competitive benefits package.

Frank DeLucia currently serves as senior vice president of Hub International Northeast, a leading full-service global insurance brokerage. Frank can be reached by phone at (212)338-2395 or at frank.delucia@hubinternational.com. For more information on Hub, visit hubinternational.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: John P. Giordano, CPA, Partner Manufacturing & Distribution Practice Co-Leader

jgiordano@citrincooperman.com 631.930.5000 x6351

Citrin Cooperman is a leading accounting and advisory providers for manufacturing and distribution companies. Over time, the ﬁrm has developed a focus on fashion and apparel companies, providing assurance, tax, and advisory to both start-ups and well-established brands. Citrin Cooperman has a keen understanding of the industry and remains upto-date on market trends and changes that impact fashion and apparel companies, and translates this knowledge into industry-speciﬁc business solutions that help clients accomplish business goals and remain competitive in the market.

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IS VIETNAM A TRUSTED PRODUCTION CENTER AGAIN, OR DO SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES REMAIN? By Howard D. Bader

“More lockdowns would hurt businesses like ours, as we wouldn’t be able to deliver products to customers,” Ninh Thi Ty, chairwoman of Ho Guom Group, which produces goods for CK, Mango, Zara and H&M, told The Business of Fashion.

he COVID-19 pandemic, along with its resulting shutdowns and supply chain disruptions, has made once dependable production hubs less reliable. While many parts of the world are rebounding from the pandemic, fashion brands now face the uncertainty of the war in Ukraine, which has resulted in rising costs for both production and raw materials. The ongoing global turmoil has understandably left many fashion brands reconsidering where to locate production. In Vietnam, the future is looking brighter. The country’s economy is growing, and many factories are operating at full strength. For the first quarter of 2022, Vietnam’s textile and garment industry recorded an export turnover of $8.84 billion, which represented an increase of 22.5% over the same period last year. Yet, challenges remain, including rising costs, labor shortages and supply chain disruptions.

Rebounding Amid the Pandemic Over the past 10 years, Vietnam has become a popular alternative for fashion companies looking to reduce their exposure to China. However, production came to a screeching halt last year when the country was ravaged by COVID-19, forcing companies like Nike and Lululemon to shift production elsewhere. In August 2021, a staggering 30% to 35% of textile and garment factories in Vietnam were closed, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS). In many cases, factory closures dragged on for months, as the country battled the Delta variant. In February 2022, COVID-19 infections rose again; however, factories remained open this time around, thanks to widespread vaccination and more relaxed government restrictions.

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With its robust manufacturing sector reopened, Vietnam’s economy is recovering. According to the country’s General Statistics Office (GSO), Vietnam’s economy in Q1 2022 expanded by 5.03% compared with the same period last year. However, its gross domestic product growth was down from 5.22% in the fourth quarter, suggesting that the recovery may have bumps along the way.

Production Challenges in Vietnam While Vietnam appears to be rebounding, it is important to recognize that no country is immune to the current global challenges. For instance, COVID-19 continues to impact factories, particularly those located in Asia. While whole facilities are no longer facing lockdowns, labor shortages are ongoing as workers who test positive must quarantine. According to a garment manufacturer that supplies Nike and Adidas, approximately 40% of its workers had COVID-19 at one point during the omicron wave. Some factories have also not returned to full staffing levels after workers who returned to their hometowns during the lockdown elected to remain there. Accordingly, manufacturers have reported that while orders have increased, recruiting enough workers to fill them is a significant challenge. In addition to offering incentives to recruit more workers, factories are changing shifts, paying overtime wages and rotating workers to ensure production and other business activities can continue with existing staff. Disruption to supply chains also remains a challenge, including a shortage of containers. According to the Vietnam Logistics Association, the average price for shipping containers from Vietnam to the east coast of the United States has increased three-fold to approximately $16,300 USD. Vietnam’s apparel and textile industry must also contend with rising inflation, which has resulted

in higher energy, materials and shipping costs. Its government is also considering an increase in the minimum wage, which may further increase challenges for businesses in Vietnam. As a result of the pandemic, the Government of Vietnam has postponed the annual increase of the regional minimum wage for employees for the last two years. Ngo Duy Hieu, vice president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, argued that higher wages will not only support workers, but also help fuel the country’s economic recovery. “This increasing of wages, both to support employees to overcome difficulties, and at the same time is a driving force to increase labor productivity, help businesses recover quickly and thrive,” he said. Under the proposal, which must still be approved by the prime minister, the minimum monthly wage would be raised to between 3.25 million dong and 4.68 million dong ($142.00 - $204.47). If the minimum wage hike does become law, it would take effect on July 1, 2022.

The Importance of Diversification Countries like Vietnam are seeing economic growth and approaching pre-pandemic production levels, though natural disasters and geopolitical conflict can cause uncertainty for businesses worldwide. To lessen the impact of these events and those that will undoubtedly follow, it is imperative to diversify supply chains, as well as plan for potential production disruptions when negotiating contracts and making other key business decisions.

Howard D. Bader is a NYC attorney who serves as general counsel for clients in a wide range of industries on an international scale. With over three decades of legal experience, he has represented clients in numerous legal matters, including commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights, and mergers and acquisitions, as well as numerous corporate transactions and business law matters. Howard D. Bader hbader@sh-law.com (212)784-6926 www.sh-law.com

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SHAVUOT: THE RECEIVING OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS By Rabbi David Laine

these guarantors and agreed to give the Torah to the Jewish people.

t is customary for the Jewish Family to hear the Ten Commandments in the synagogue on the first day of Shavuot. This year, Shavuot takes place on June 5 and June 6. Experience this special moment with your children and families during this holiday! The 10 Commandments These 10 commands range from the highest and most refined concepts of the belief in the oneness of G-d to the most basic laws which every society has found it necessary to enforce against, such as killing and stealing. 1. I am the L-rd your G-d who took you out of the land of Egypt. 2. You shall have no other gods before Me. 3. Do not take the name of the L-rd your G-d in vain. 4. Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. 5. Honor your father and mother. 6. Do not commit murder. 7. Do not commit adultery. 8. Do not steal. 9. Do not bear false witness. 10. Do not covet what your neighbor has. The Best Guarantors Before G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, he demanded that there be guarantors who would ensure its preservation. The Jews suggested many great people, but their proposals were all rejected by G-d. Finally, they declared, “Our children will be our guarantors.” With this proclamation, the generations to come would continue to observe and cherish the Torah. G-d immediately accepted

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Indeed, we see that throughout history, our people’s connection to Torah has been dependent upon Jewish children. The enemies of our people understood this concept well, and they sought to prevent Jewish children from receiving a Torah education in an attempt to destroy our faith. As we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, we must reaffirm our commitment to proving a true Torah education for Jewish children — our only guarantors. A Pivotal Moment in History Our sages tell us that the revelation of the Torah on Mount Sinai was a defining moment in the history of humanity. What happened on the sixth day of Sivan, 244? And why is it so significant in our everyday lives today? “The heavens belong to the L-rd, but the earth, He gave to humankind,” said King David in Psalms. With these words, King David described the original human condition in a nutshell. We live in a down-to-earth, mundane and material world, where the spiritual essence of things is hidden from us. We go through life, trying to do the best we can with that which we are given, but without knowing the true heavenly purpose of our existence, we often stumble — and sometimes fall. With the revelation at Sinai, that reality began to change. For the very first time, heaven touched down upon Earth, and earthly beings acquired the ability to lift themselves up above the mundane in order to unite with the Divine. The sages explain that since the Giving of the Torah, this breakthrough event is re-enacted each time we perform a Divine Commandment. Preparing for Perfection Had the Almighty desired to establish an instantaneous spiritual paradise on Earth, surely He could have done so. Clearly, this was not His plan. Even after Sinai, it takes effort and dedication on our part to bring heaven and Earth together. We must exert ourselves to do

the Mitzvot, which comes from the Hebrew word “Tzavta,” meaning connection. Each Mitzvah we perform connects the physical with the spiritual. The Mitzvot are our practical, everyday means of bringing heaven down to Earth and elevating this material world back up to its spiritual source. The rewards of a Mitzvah are immeasurable: our actions can bring about a powerful revelation of G-dliness in this everyday world, and enable us to actually experience our oneness with G-d. When, for example, we take physical ink and parchment, write a Mezuzah and place it on the doorpost in accordance with the Torah commandment, we bring heavenly revelation into the home and raise up those physical objects to a higher spiritual plane. When we eat kosher food and say the appropriate blessings over the food, we elevate the mundane act of eating with holy purpose and bring spirituality into our inner lives. So too with the Mitzvot of human interaction: with every Torah-inspired act of kindness we perform, we bring divine loving kindness down into this world and make our own human character traits that much more divine. The cumulative effect of all these Mitzvot is to prepare the world for the ultimate unification of the physical and material, with the coming of the true and complete redemption of Moshiach. Then, there will no longer be barriers between heaven and Earth. We will be able to see the very essence of spiritual reality with our fleshly eyes, and we will live together in peace and harmony amidst material and spiritual abundance. May it occur speedily, immediately and in our days!

For all information on Shavuos and all things Judaism, visit chabad.org or contact: Rabbi David Laine Friends of Chabad Vocational Schools (718)773-5875 cvsIsrael@aol.com

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212.398.1888 | Handler-re.com The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed reliable. While we do not doubt its accuracy, we make no guarantee, warranty or representation about it. The prospective tenant should carefully verify each item, and all other information herein.

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THE SIX MISTAKES YOU’RE MAKING WITH YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE By Sara Sparrow, fashion writer

to copy it to get the same experience. But, by doing so, you quickly become frustrated with the lack of results. When you copy someone else’s wardrobe, you’re not taking your own life and wardrobe into account. For example, if you’re trying to stick to only two dresses — even though you love to wear dresses — you’re going to have a bad time.

re you wanting to create your very own capsule wardrobe? It’s easy to get started, but you sometimes can find that you aren’t getting what you want from it. The problem could be that you’re making some common mistakes. When you know what to avoid doing, you’ll get the wardrobe that suits you best, so let’s take a look at the six most common mistakes that many make as they create their capsule wardrobes. 1. Sticking Too Rigidly to the Rules This sounds like a strange mistake to make. If you’re looking to create a capsule wardrobe, aren’t you going to have to stick to the rules? “It’s so easy to find a set of rules and try and follow them to the letter,” said Carol Peters, a design writer at Boom Essays and State Of Writing. “The fact is though, that everyone is different. The rules may work for others, but not for you.” Find a set of rules that give you a good starting point, but allow yourself to be flexible. For example, if the rules call for 37 items but you’re at 40 and can’t part with anything, that’s okay. You can still have your own capsule wardrobe even if you’re not following . 2. Trying Someone Else’s Plan This is a similar mistake to the previous one that is so easy to make. You browse around online and find a plan that looks amazing and you decide

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You can use that other person’s plan as an initial base, but you’ll want to adapt it to your own fashion and style needs. 3. Using Poor Quality Pieces In a world of fast fashion, it’s very easy to purchase low-quality pieces. However, a capsule wardrobe doesn’t allow for this, so you’ll need to fill your wardrobe with higher quality pieces. A cheaper version of an item will show its age faster and wear out, which is not what you want. Each piece in your capsule wardrobe will need to pull its weight, so ensure that you’re buying items that will last for a longer time. 4. You Can’t Pick A Style You’ve started putting your capsule wardrobe together, but now you can’t decide what to put in it. The problem is that if you are not sure what your style is, then you can’t pick the outfits that should go into your capsule wardrobe. It’s what stops a lot of people in their tracks. The key here is to think about what you removed from your wardrobe in the first place. What wasn’t working in there, and why did you toss it? Looking at what you have removed, therefore, is a clue as to what would work in your wardrobe and what you’d like to wear on a day-to-day basis. 5. Your Wardrobe Doesn’t Fit With Your Lifestyle This mistake is related to the first error of sticking to too many rules. You’ve put together a capsule wardrobe, but now you’re finding that you don’t have the clothes you need for your lifestyle. It makes things more difficult for you, and getting

dressed can actually be more stressful. Stress is the opposite of what a capsule wardrobe should be making you feel, so how do you fix this mistake? “The key to creating a good capsule wardrobe is thinking about what you need in it,” said fashion blogger Andrea Howell, who has written for Paper Fellows and UK Top Writers. “You want to pare the wardrobe down to the pieces you’ll wear daily.” As you populate your closet with your capsule wardrobe, consider what kind of clothes would work best for you and your lifestyle. 6. Too Focused On Trends It’s so easy to go all-in on the latest trends and use them in your wardrobe, but that’s not something that will work well in a capsule wardrobe. In this case, the clothes need to stand the test of time and typically trends won’t be able to do that. As such, you’ll feel that your capsule isn’t working when that trend goes out of style. There’s nothing wrong with including a couple of trend-led pieces, but if you want to make your capsule wardrobe work, you’ll need to go with mostly classic pieces that will continnue to work for you from season to season. This way, you’ll also save money on replacing the trend pieces when the next season comes around. These are some of the most common mistakes that so many people make when it comes to their capsule wardrobes. If you are aware of these pitfalls, then you’ll be able to avoid them when creating your own wardrobe, and instead make something that works for you season after season, every year.

Sara Sparrow is a fashion writer with UK Writings and Academized, where she covers fashion tips and advice on creating the perfect wardrobe. She’s also a regular contributor to OX Essays.

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Scott Galin, Principal/CEO sgalin@handler-re.com

The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed reliable. While we do not doubt its accuracy, we make no guarantee, warranty or representation about it. The prospective tenant should carefully verify each item, and all other information herein.

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DEB’S RETAIL DISH AND DEALS: TOGETHER AGAIN By Debra Hazel, president of Debra Hazel Communications foot retail lease for the ground floor at 875 Washington St. in New York City’s Meatpacking District. The new Breitling Boutiques outpost, on the corner unit at 14th and Washington Streets, includes 1,738 square feet of ground floor space and 2,069 square feet of lower-level space.

s we all prepare to return to the first fullblown ICSC Las Vegas conference in three years (look for me there!), the news is looking good. National names are opening flagships, international brands are making major commitments to New York City streets and fitness facilities are on the comeback. It looks to be a positive vibe at the Las Vegas Convention Center! All About Apparel Sustainable apparel and footwear store Allbirds officially opened its U.S. flagship store at 120 Fifth Ave. At 8,000 square feet, the store is the chain’s largest unit to date. Stella Dallas NYC, a vintage fashion shop selling vintage jackets, shirts, jeans, shoes, bags and more, has extended its 4,500-square-foot lease at 285 North Sixth St. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for an additional five years. Stella Dallas NYC comprises two stores in one: 10 Ft. Single by Stella Dallas and Stella Dallas Living. Down the street, Canadian apparel company Frank and Oak will make its Brooklyn debut shortly at 106. Vuori will bring its activewear from California to the East Coast at 106 Spring St. Look for vintage finds at the recently opened Thrift NYC at 305 East 84th St. Adorn Yourself Leasing and advisory firm Retail by Mona announced that the Swiss luxury watch maker Breitling has signed a long-term, 3,807-square-

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Swarovski is taking a two-level flagship space at 680 Fifth Ave. Peak Design, which offers carry solutions for creatives, commuters and adventurers, has signed a lease for its first dedicated East Coast retail store at 241 Lafayette St. in Nolita. The 3,550-square-foot space (2,050 square feet on the ground with an additional 1,500 square feet in the basement) is slated to open in the third quarter of this year. Food, Glorious Food Samanea New York, the new retail, entertainment and dining destination located at 1500 Old Country Rd. in Westbury, New York welcomed 99 Ranch Market on April 9. An Asian grocery store chain based in Buena Park, California, 99 Ranch has 56 stores across the U.S., with the Westbury location its first on Long Island and in New York State. The 45,602-square-foot space includes over 10,000 unique items from around the world, including unique Asian dry groceries, produce, premium meats and poultry, seafood, deli items and baked goods. The owners of the H&H Bagels on West 85th Street have relaunched the eatery with a redesign that it says will serve as a flagship for possible national franchise expansion. Home Sweet Home Patio/outdoor furniture and accessories retailer Fortunoff Backyard Store is continuing its regional expansion with a new location at Somerset Shopping Center in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Venus Over Manhattan will open its second art gallery in the city at 55 Great Jones St. Blu Dot, which designs and sells furniture, will open

a three-level store (and a rooftop showroom) at 715 Lexington Ave. The company already has a location at 79 Madison Ave. Wining and Dining Look for a luxury Italian steakhouse from Maribella Hospitality Group to land in the former New York Yankees Steakhouse space at 7 West 51st St. 29Market Inc., the restaurant group that owns the Two Bros Pizza chain, has signed a 10-year lease for an approximately 1,700-square-foot restaurant space, with a 1,200-square-foot, below-grade working and storage area, at 45 West 46th St. The new space is being completely rebuilt with a new kitchen. When completed, the restaurant will feature fast casual American cuisine. Want Mediterranean instead? Mezeh is opening its second location in the city at 230 Park Ave. Bar Veloce continues to expand, with a plan to occupy 245 Bowery.

To Your Health CM Orangetheory Fitness has opened a two-story flagship studio at 715 Lexington Ave. (Manhattan MY Plaza). The space is about twice the size of a CY typical facility, and features a street-level store CMY selling co-branded apparel. Trinity Boxing Club is K creating a flagship location at 20 Vesey St. Dream a Little Dream Or maybe not so little. At press time, the American Dream retail/entertainment complex in New Jersey was to launch its “Dream Wheel,” a 300-foot-tall Ferris wheel on April 13. The ride, reminiscent of the London Eye, features 27 glass-enclosed gondolas, allowing year-round operation, that complete a rotation in 30 minutes and hold up to 16 people each.

Debra Hazel Debra Hazel Communications North Las Vegas, NV (201)618-5247

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SHINOLA’S PASSION FOR A BETTER FUTURE

By Bella Sabatini, LIM College junior (visual studies major, sustainability minor)

responsible in terms of its environmental impact, and wants to do his part in contributing a change for the better through his platform.

am 20 years old and at the age where I want to make a difference in the world. I find that the frustration of not knowing where or how to make a difference in the world is one of my main drives in life — and what keeps my drive active is never forgetting my love of fashion. My passion for the fashion industry is something I have identified with through my entire life. I remember being very young and sneaking into my mother’s closet to get to her clothes … only to cut them up to make outfits for my dolls. What was going through my head was, “I don’t like the clothes on my dolls, so can I change them?” That statement is one that I still identify with today — I am not satisfied with the way that the fashion industry is, so how can I change it? Because change is something the industry desperately needs now. One company that has recognized that need for change is Shinola, a Detroit-based luxury leather goods company. Shinola’s design director, Greg Verras, is aware that the industry is not the most

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In 2021, Shinola launched an unconventional watch collection called “Sea Creatures,” a collaboration between the company and Tide Ocean Material, that features the first upcycled ocean-bound plastic watch. The watchband is composed of these recycled, saved waste plastics — but thanks to Verras’ stellar design work, wearers don’t see a difference between the band and one made from traditional materials. This innovative collection is the first of many at Shinola thanks to Verras’ creativity. When talking about the future of the company’s visions, Verras described plans to reuse industrial materials of all sorts in designs — including products made from discarded industrial items from automobiles and other metals found in the brand’s Motor City home base. Verras shared that the ideas are still in the early stages, but will be powerful in giving Shinola yet another road to pave sustainability into the future of fashion. Shinola’s steps into the sustainable fashion industry is a leap in the right direction, as this move brings to light the waste issues in oceans. For example, there is currently an island of plastic and non-biodegradable waste floating between California and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean — an accumulation that is about the size of Texas. We as a society have produced a surplus of waste for far too long, and the problem is something that should not have gone this far. We need

to love what we already have produced while also getting into the habit of reusing. The Sea Creatures collection has opened the door for using and repurposing what we would consider waste. It may sound easy, but it is difficult, as we are years deep into the cycle of creating new and throwing away. In my 20 years on this earth, my love of fashion has grown each year, from that little girl cutting clothes in her mother’s closet to a student enrolled at LIM College. Fashion is more than a hobby for me; it is my career path, and on that path, I want to be a change-maker. I experienced my wake-up call when I enrolled in my first sustainability class at LIM College, where I was educated on the concept of fast fashion and its danger to the environment and the concept of prioritizing quantity and not quality. As the years have progressed, fashion has gotten cheaper and the trends have multiplied. The fact that Shinola is doing the opposite of fast fashion — and creating timeless, classic, unisex pieces made from longlasting materials — can save the planet. Hearing Verras’ ideas to spark change in an industry that is so stuck in a wasteful cycle is incredibly motivating. By espousing companies like Shinola Tide Ocean Material, I am optimistic that the industry will follow in a positive domino effect of change. I am hoping that this little girl going into her mom’s closet to cut up her clothes can, like Verras and Shinola, help turn the tide in the fashion industry to be more sustainable.

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OBSERVATIONS FORGORDON 2022 TO SPACE X TRAVEL: FROM FLASH By Leslie Gallin, former president, footwear, Informa Markets By Leslie Gallin

O A

ver the past two years, our lack of travel

hasinto made nowwe a are goodstill time to reflthat ect, s we head 2022, finding embrace and contemplate the nature COVID-19 is a constant headline. Upon writof traveling, and create plans to travel again. ing, we learn that we may be facing a new Borrowing the words of Shakespeare, to travel and perhaps more—virulent of the virus, or not to travel that is thestrain question! newly-named Omicron. The health precautions The COVID-19 many of implemented almost pandemic two yearshas agokept — masking, us grounded. Now, as spring arrives the social distancing and, most importantly, and getting threat of severe COVID cases hopefully wanes, vaccinated — are not only still with us but will we find ourselves dreaming, planning and, in seemingly here tocoming stay fortosome timethe to stickercome. some be instances, terms with Protecting our families, societymany and shock ourselves, of travel. While we were our grounded, hoteliers took the opportunity revamp and our businesses has become an eventomore importremodel. Many emboldened entrepreneurs have ant component to our way of life. also given birth to unique new hotel destinations and experiences.

Our retail businesses find themselves specifically in theIndead centertraveling of the creates bullseyetheofsingle disruption my opinion, largest making lasting memories. Be these on sovehicle many for fronts. Supply chain bottlenecks, intripsconsumer taken for work or pleasure, there is always creased demand and renewed cona takeaway to be found, such as a new amenity, cerns about inflationary trends — the likes of technology, food experience or activity — and whichthese we last saw in theare late so 1970s and early experiences exciting, that 1980s upon — arereturning rearing their home ugly we heads. cannot wait to share them with our loved ones. We can certainly use the stories ofBrick-and-mortar travel as a diversion from the news and Increasing Storefronts our daily lives.

Perhaps we need to ask ourselves, “Is this a natural course in the evolution retail selling?” First, We also crave travel in of order to make plans to we had general store, as which gave way tonew deseethe family and friends, well as to explore horizons. I can as aourselves child, waiting partment stores, andremember, now we find with for the of mail to arrive with our AAA map,the which the advent a new shopping emporium: inwould outline our summer family road trip route. ternet. The silver lining is coming, as was outlined Our trips would include visiting county fairs, in a recent front-page headline Wall Street amusement parks and lakes of forthe swimming and Journal, in an article titled “E-commerce Needs BBQing; it showed us that even on a budget, one could still travel. Real Store Locations Now More Than Ever.” The article said that for the first time since 2017, we are seeing a shift in shop openings that will exceed closures. Brick-and-mortar stores are becoming integral to fulfilling e-commerce orders and are serving as hubs for pick-ups and online returns. 90 | FM JUNE Attracting New 2022 Generations of Consumers The cost of acquiring customers online has sky-

how they want to shop and what they want at a the building manager becomes the lead stor a result, speedinto like account never before. Consumers be on all Taking all of the upgrades, want new toexperiences of news movingchannels. from pointAnd, A toaspoint B. many loca health care policy provisionsauthentic and the rise in fuel Growingrestaurants up, we watched Trek and marveled dropStar DoorDash as a delivery option. immersed in a brand’s story and wish costs, these effects are quite evident for anyone at the ultimate gadget of communication: the flip to fully understand a company’s values, ethics who has booked travel recently. Costs are higher phone. Did we ever really believe that we would and sustainability, alongside its artistic roots and What can we learn from this story? Your custom than ever and automation is being implemented have had compact, thin mobile telephones in our er service team is your front-line contact with th craftsmanship. It is no longer enough to produce everywhere. daily lives — and that by the year 2022, the flip consumer! We all know the general public is no products that are quality-driven or value engiphone would be outdated? The Past, & Future of Travel neered —Present companies now need to tell the stories easy to navigate — and today, businesses also As kids, Flash Gordon and the Jetsons planted We alsoneed watched as the Jetsons used what electric, to investigate not only the complaint i of their brands. the travel seed in our minds. We dreamt of self-driving cars to quickly fl y around town but also who the complainant is. By—using the elec visiting distant lands that would open up and and those are here now, too. From the first To achieve this fully-immersed experience, re- tronic tools at our disposal, we can quickly see broaden our horizons as we learned more about manned space rocket trip around Earth by John other cultures, art and food — the ingredients tailers must utilize marketing via all channels. For the consumer reaching out to us has an influentia Glenn to today’s Space X and Virgin Galactic that enrichyears, life. the word “curation” buzzed around internet presence. The very last thing a compan several journeys, real opportunities are being created for needs is for a consumer to go viral by defamin how and why retailers brought products to store any person to experience space travel. Pre-COVID, I would say that I was on an airplane shelves. Curation works when one has a true point your brand. at least twice a week. I had a travel routine and Theis COVID-19 pandemic has fast tracked the of view and can authentically explain which looked forward to seeing the familiar facesit, of need forI updating as it Irelates to had the op workers at the consumers Delta priority counters, be it to at LAX will leaveinfrastructure you with hope. recently why more are looking purchase travel, and has also shined a light on the lesseroritems JFK. from Now, company-owned, many of those familiar faces are mono-brand stores. portunity to pitch a business idea to graduat gone, and the lines at the airports have doubled travelled parts of the United States — all in the students at the University of Southern Californi They can see the full product range and be hope ser- and search for better quality of life. We (if not tripled). School Business viced by employees who have been trained inhumans the Graduate are adventurers by of nature. If we(USC) learn in a creativ class. world During the itinitial pitch, the clas brand’s history. could and — should a wonderanythingmarketing from our recent issues should Our beloved — orIt bemoaned LAX isbeonce again under Trustretailers me whentoI shine, tell youandbe withengaged kindnessbut andsaid appreciate the What gifts they did sa very little. ful time forrenovation. independent theto actwas toability “eat to your Wheaties” venturing to or proper that traveling has to offer. was that this pitch was the first time they were be offer services,before such as alterations, from LAX during these renovations — and make ing asked to solve real-world issues and not jus fitting and customer service, will rule the day. sure to bring along a healthy dose of patience, As president of footwear for Informa Markets, learning theory. A few weeks later, I returned to as way-finding signage and open spaces are at Leslie Gallin developed the FN Platform, the the class to hear and see their presentations, and we cultivate and drive thegreat, next generation aHow bare do minimum. A monorail sounds and footwear shows at Magic. Gallin scouts the I to hope it streamlines yers into and I was in designers awe. Theand thing thatproviding got me most was th ourthat products? Videogetting game fladvertising (which is best world’s new trends, out of the airport and“intrinsic providesadvertising a station platstudents’ ability to explain their for th a simplistic wayquickly of saying unparalleled business insights and access reasoning into stop for Uber/Lyft as well as car park locations. of footwear and beyond. Gallin approach they each tookis to solve th form”) is just one way. I won’t bore you with the sta-worldcreative Progress and automation … Hmmm. a boardquestion memberatof Footwear Distributors/ hand. Those of us with historic know tistics, and rather just say, what child do you know Representatives of America, American Apparel edge can be of real value to companies with ou today that doesn’t play videoone’s games? Let’s conThe energizing feeling of planting bare feet and Footwear Associate, Two Ten-Footwear into theprinted warm sand and surfHaving of the online Caribbean sider magazines. portals for ability to guide new teams forward based upon Charity and From Fashion with Love.org, among isengaging an experience that hasisbeen sorely missed. strong new readers key, but how do youothers, get and hasfoundation. held positions at World Shoe During these fleeting moments of rediscovery, we the young reader to your platform? Today, there Association, Geoffrey Benne, Escada, Louis find ourselves relishing, lingering and logging Feraud Happy and Pauline Tigere.holidays She has been and healthy to all, and here’s to are our companies who can support your efforts with into minds these newly-minted memories. featured in Footwear Plus, Footwear News, O brand-new year! game producers to interweave your products into Hopefully, we have learned to be grateful that The Oprah Magazine, Vegas, Fox’s Good Day we have made it through the pandemic. their video games! LA, Extra TV and more. As president of footwear for Informa Markets On the beach with a piña colada firmly in hand, Customer Service in the Digital Age Leslie Gallin developed the FN Platform, the foot Leslie Gallin one begins to wonder how far we have come A DoorDash driver makes a food delivery to an shows at Magic. Gallin scouts the world’ Meridianwear Group regarding automation technologies in travel apartment building and decides to relieve thembest new designers and trends, providing unpar missfashion@cs.com that have been developed to “streamline” our self in the lobby — which is caught on camera. alleled business insights and access into the world The building manager writes and calls DoorDash of footwear and beyond. Gallin is a board mem to share the incident and ask that DoorDash be ber of Footwear Distributors/Representatives o responsible for the cost of the cleanup. DoorDash America; American Apparel and Footwear Assoc responds by saying that the company would be ate; Two Ten-Footwear Charity and From Fashion more than happy to remove the charge for the with Love.org, among others, and has held pos mannpublications.com delivery and offer a coupon for a future order. tions at World Shoe Association, Geoffrey Benne After many attempts to reach a senior executive Escada, Louis Feraud and Pauline Tigere. She ha

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THE NEW LUXURY CUSTOMER

GOLF CLASSIC By Anne Marie Soto, Retail Marketing Society

“E:” Exquisite Quality & Craftsmanship While this may appear obvious, the quality of luxury products has decreased in the past 10 to 15 years. Conversely, the pool of potential luxury customers has grown, from around half a million with liquid portfolios of a million dollars or more 30 years ago to somewhere around six million today. By definition, luxury products are to be handcrafted to certain specifications by artisans from factories that are seven or eight generations — but it is impossible to produce any significantly larger quantity of these luxury products under these requirements. Brands have turned to outsourcing and manufacturing by machine rather than by hand.

look the best you’ve ever looked, or putting on that watch and suddenly feeling like you’re successful or getting in that car and feeling like you could be driving on the F1 and racing.” Olshan continued, “It could even be something as

OIVD-19 was the tipping point that dramatically changed how individuals and companies view every aspect of their lives and businesses. For luxury marketers, this will mean many changes, including a total redefinition of “luxury,” the need to better understand a radically altered, more-virtual marketplace and a zero-based rethink of marketing strategies. Critically important to all this is an understanding of the new luxury customer.

MONDAY, MAY 4

2020

as being on a private jet and seeing your BENEFITING NATIONAL JEWISH easy HEALTH kids, grandkids, spouse or pets all on the plane with you and not feeling like a prisoner, masked up and hoping the plane’s not going to have an emergency landing because some drunk idiot ru-

EL CABALLERO ins your flight.” COUNTRY CLUB Service Tarzana,“S:” California “Service should be automatic,” said Olshan, “but

But, reports Olshan, customers are starting to say, “If I’m going to invest the extra cost, the product better stand the test of time.” He continues, “It’s supposed to be the one-time opulent purchase that lasts forever and ever and ever, amen. If it doesn’t, the luxury brand’s not honoring its promise of being something special, something exclusive, something that’s better than mass.”

it never is. The reason is because brands don’t

look at the SERVICES customer as an individual. They look at LOS ANGELES REAL ESTATE AND FINANCIAL

2020 COMMITTEE

the customer as a broad audience and say, this is what a luxury customer wants across every level.”

At a recent Retail Marketing Society webinar, Christopher Olshan, CEO, The Luxury Marketing Some enjoy the in-store experience of refreshAnthony Behrstock David Sonnenblick Council, shared insights into this new luxury cusments, product viewing and making an entire day Commonwealth Land and Title Sonnenblick-Eichner Company tomer, one that includes Boomers, Gen X, Milof shopping. Others want to get in and out of the Co-Chair Co-Chair lennials and Gen Z. This is a group that is more “E:” Experience store as quickly as possible, assuming they even in control and hyper-critical and aggressively de- Experience has been a buzz word for at least the Zach Brandler Charles Eberly Fred Lionetti want to be Michael in a store Rosenblum in the first place. The Luxumanding with a very different mindset, aspirations last seven or eight years, but the pandemic has Douglas Elliman Real Estate The Eberly Company Business Broker and Consultant Rosenblum Law Office ry Marketing Council reports that it’s an almost and needs. They expect luxury brands to know, eliminated a lot of that experience. For the “SEE50/50 split. Luxury brands need to get to know respect and engage levels MEs,” the experience is about using the product Jonathan Canterthem at unprecedented Ronald Friedman Jeff Mann Todd Sherman their customer and what that customer wants in ofJPawareness and intimacy. afterwards and request Morgan Securities Marcum LLPor service, the follow up Mann Publications First Pacific Financial for frank feedback. No matter what the product terms of service. The LuxuryCohen Marketing Council has dubbed — be it a “simple” purchase or a well-planned Steven CarriethisJenkins Deborah MedwayitinPaul Stern group the “SEE-MEs.” erary — it requires the same intimate, meticulous Real Estate Investment and Triumph Business Capital Commonwealth Land TitleIn summation, Guggenheim Commercial said Olshan, “The new Real luxury cusOperational Exec and Principal attention to detail. Estate Finance, LLC tomers are demanding to be met on their own “S:” Social Consciousness William Levinson Eric Nelson terms as individuals. Brands need to realize that Not to be confused with social responsibility “M:” Memories Carlton Fields Rimrock Real Estate Ventures (meaning giving to a few worthy causes), social Memories held close to the heart are more im- every customer is looking for something different, consciousness means that a brand has the ability portant than anything money can buy. The richest personalize it and do it in a way that it builds a connection with the brand above and beyond to act on important emerging social and environ- customers are buying experiences and products mental issues. that resonate in the albums of their minds. Brands ‘what am I just writing a check for?’ The brands that don’t cater to this simple but powerful desire that do that well are going to be successful for Olshan cited Wolford, a luxury underwear and are out of touch with their customers. the next decade. The brands that aren’t, God rest hosiery brand, as a brilliant example. “They’re the them, are going to wind up like Brooks Brothers.” “E:” Emotional Enrichment first company to design a luxury product that from “There has to be a positive emotional cord struck start to finish, that goes from raw material back to raw material, without any impact on the environ- with every purchase,” observed Olshan. “There Retail Marketing Society (201)692-8087 has to be something that pulls at the heart strings ment,” said Olshan. “They do a very, very good www.retailmarketingsociety.org job of sourcing everything as recycled material, and makes you feel something positive, whether

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COLUMNS

FIVE THINGS NEW ONLINE RETAILERS NEED TO KNOW — IN 2022 AND BEYOND By Kwesi Edwards, founder, Fintnewyork.com

Your brand should provide a necessary service to fill a void within a customer’s shopping experience, and your consumers should be able to have an experience that is both meaningful and active within the current trends of technology.

ince the pandemic, the online shopping world has grown in ways that no one could have imagined, both for the retailer and consumer. This growth also means that if you have aspirations to enter into the online retail sales industry, you must be on the same level as your customer base; a caring attitude and dynamic and mobile-ready website are crucial for success. While the bells and whistles of an online storefront will add nicely to the overall shopping experience, it is the fundamentals of the e-commerce shopping experience that new retailers cannot forget. What are those fundamentals? 1. Create Your Purpose Jumping headfirst into the online retail world is a sure way to get your feelings hurt and go bankrupt almost immediately. The fashion industry, especially how it relates to trends and popular styles, is fickle and can change before you know it. Entering into the online retail world is a journey, and the journey needs to be authentic and honest. You want others to appreciate and enjoy what you offer to your customers — and this will bring satisfaction to you as well. My own beginnings in the fashion world stem from my grandmother and mother’s passion for sewing and the creation of fine clothes. From these experiences I adopted the saying, “To find our what your strong points are, go back to your childhood and see in what direction your tastes lay.” In other words, pound the pavement — but know your purpose before you get going. 2. Build What is Beneficial Creation starts where information and expeience meet. Knowing the fashion industry inside and out in advance of the launch of your business is not only important, but necessary to the growth of your retail brand. Trade shows like Magic Las Vegas help you to gain connections with vendors and industry professionals, and also offer educational workshops.

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To achieve this, you must be aware of not only what is popular, but also of what is around the corner that might be good for your business. In the realm of e-commerce, this means having a platform with which you can start your online store and facilitate payments, security, shipping and SEO that is mobile-ready and user-friendly. To do so, you will need to build a team. Not everyone can do everything necessary when it comes to building a business, so varied team members that bring expertise will build the necessary synergy for team morale and productivity. 3. Do Good by Being Humane Your good works speak louder than any services you provide. Display your values at the forefront of your brand’s mission and communicate them directly to your team as well. Be it in your relationships with your customer, team, partners and associates, always have a natural tendency to do good and appreciate all they do, as appreciation translates into retention for both customers and team members. Doing good also means having a working enviornment that centers equality and positive compaby culture. As you do business, remind yourself that you can have the integrity to do the right thing even when it’s hard. This includes implementing kindness, trustworthiness and respectability. It is necessary for your business to be helpful and personalized, and also provide a positive, complete shopping environment. 4. Stay Knowledgable of the Industry The world of online fashion retail is more than photos of clothes on a website or platform —to have a successful business, you must be truly in tune with the services offered by your site. As you expand your business, use your knowledge and understanding to completely follow through with your creativity to build your new ideas from conception to successful execution. For example, fintnewyork.com, an online clothing destination for men’s and women’s clothing and

accessories, creates and builds on the purpose and belief of positioning itself as a resource to offer knowledge to retailers and customers. We do so using a mindset of thorough action as well as offering a sociable surrounding for brands’ online and in-person experience. It is also wise to develop any relationships you can within the clothing sphere and gain any hands on experience that you can. Seek opportunities that align with your interests in the fashion industry and find a mentor therein who you can ask for career advice. The same can be done for shipping — apply for programs and skill-building opportunities at shipping companies for handson chances to learn the field in a practical way. Those fashion houses will have departments from which you can garner information from as well, including management, marketing, Internet technology and order fulfillment. The practical work of gaining knowledge for your goals is what will ultimately bring you success. Stay on the cusp of what your demographics are looking for and be ready to adjust to the newest technology that keeps businesses strong. 5. Care for the Greater Good There is an expression that says, “Charity begins at home.” Where does charity start within your business? In terms of our charitable endeavors, fintnewyork.com focuses on higher education and social responsibility. We developed Collision U.S.A.: Higher Education, Higher Fashion, a charity to connect university students with clothing brands and companies in a fashionable way. The organization offers opportunities for university students who are interested in a career in fashion, technology, entrepreneurship, entertainment and the arts. Students can develop their leadership potential via theory and practical activities with the goal of community outreach and corporate social responsibility. Good corporate social responsibility is good for companies in many different ways. As a fashion business, focusing on a mission to offer support to a cause in need or to give back can be a deeply beneficial experience for your company at large.

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CULTURE CANOPY: THE HUMAN-CENTRIC HUMAN RESOURCES COMPANY By Mia Patten, LIM College fashion scholar senior (fashion merchandising major, sustainability minor) worked toward that mission as he led human resources teams at Kering and Stella McCartney through his 12-plus years in the fashion industry. The fact that Barrett has been working for social responsibility at such mission-driven companies is exciting to me, as I admire brands and designers who put people and the planet at the forefront of their business.

or as long as I can remember, I’ve loved all things fashion — it’s the only business that I’ve ever wanted to pursue a career in, because it gives me a space to be expressive and reflect who I am. I also have always a strong love for the environment, and connecting my love for fashion and sustainability is where my passion lies. Because of these two passions, I was so excited to sit down and chat with Jay Barrett, founder of people-centric human resources company Culture Canopy, about our shared values and what drives him each day. Barrett shared that he learned about the unethical processes of the meat industry years ago and became a vegan — a process I also went through when I started educating myself about the impacts of the food and meat industry in my high school’s vegetarian club. Barrett’s change to more environmentally-conscious food was the start of his purpose-driven journey to work towards a more ethical and sustainable future for people and the planet. The values of ethics and sustainability that Barnett built through his personal life transitioned naturally into what Barrett believed is important in business as well: equity for all people. He

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Barrett’s work at successful female-led and environmentally- and socially-driven brands inspired him to drive more change across more companies. In 2021, Barrett decided to create a business of his own in order to broaden his impact with the purpose to continue his peoplefocused work with businesses that stand for something good and that empower women in the workplace. Barrett’s new company, Culture Canopy, represents his drive and all that he has urgently worked for before the company’s founding. With Culture Canopy, Barrett implements belonging, purpose and sustainability by educating and guiding his brand clients on ethical recruitment, transparency strategies and people analytics. Culture Canopy demonstrates how to present genuine transparency of work and gives aid in recruiting people that come from diverse backgrounds in order to join together for an innovation-driven work environment. Barrett emphasized the importance of the recruiting aspect of his position, and its ability to find a range of candidates with different backgrounds and experiences — which drives businesses to become more human-centric. Barrett, who was born and raised in Europe,

is hyper-aware of the social and environmental crisis that is climate change, as environmental news is at the forefront of European news outlets. I took this to heart, as I’ve spent so much time in nature growing up; nature has played a special role in my life and driven my passion for environmentalism. Barrett’s important work attempts to lessen the social crises of climate change and build up people so they can be mindful of the planet and people. Culture Canopy is setting a foundation for mindful business practices through policies, certifications and people-first guidelines — so much of climate change’s effects start within the business models of companies all around the world. The way that Barrett speaks about his work, his passion and what drives him to make positive changes with all of the companies and people that he works with gives me great hope for the future. The way that ethical businesses — which have such a large impact on people and the planet — address brand values through transparency and communication also gives me hope for a brighter future. To me, a better world is a world in which people and businesses come together to make positive changes — whether in business or life — in regard to environmentalism and ethics. A better world includes great drivers of change, like Culture Canopy, and is a world that includes every company committing to act gently and lovingly to all people and the planet. I have hope in that better world because of positive change-makers like Barrett, and my goal is to follow similar footsteps with an intersection of fashion and environmentalism.

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TRADE SHOWS

uniperMarket, the multi-line businessto-business e-commerce marketplace provided by Juniper, is making strides in its commitment to increase access to women-owned businesses with nearly 150 brands from the recently acquired Dough Collective confirmed to start selling on the newly launched B2B digital marketplace powered by International Market Centers (IMC). “JuniperMarket is moving rapidly from womenowned content to women-owned commerce,” said Vanessa Bruce, IMC vice president of Social Impact. “We already have converted 15% of Dough’s 1,000 women-owned sellers to JuniperMarket and are in discussion with hundreds more.” At press time, 34 Dough brands are live on

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JuniperMarket with more onboarding daily. These sellers feature a range of products including accessories, candles, housewares, gourmet food, personal care and stationery. Currently shoppable brands are: 11:11 Candle Co. (candles, skincare, crystals and more); A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (ethically-made vegan skincare); Amy Zhang (ethically-made greetings and gifts); ANACT (sustainable bath towels); ANOVÉ (vegan and cruelty-free skincare); Becalia Botanicals (Mexican-inspired and cruelty-free skincare); Coco’s Musings (one-of-a-kind crueltyfree jewelry); Conscient Kind (vegan, eco-friendly and plastic-free health and household items); Due Best (reusable cutlery and kitchenware); East 29th (vegan, cruelty-free skincare ethically made in Canada); Evolve Botanica (specialty soaps and skincare); FATCO (skincare made from tallow and other natural ingredients); Feather & Bone

(skincare inspired by ancient Indian Ayurvedic traditions); FioriBelle (handmade paper goods and botanicals) and Gleam Eyewear (blue light blocking glasses). Current brands also include: Golden Flourish (handcrafted herbal teas); JJ Paperie and Company (eco-friendly stationery and home products with hand-drawn designs); Kazmaleje (tools for curly, coily and kinky hair); Kola Goodies (ethically made superfood teas and drink mixes); Masami (vegan, cruelty-free luxury hair care); Modern Theory (eco-friendly, ethically handmade candles); NaturalAnnie Essentials (eco-friendly, ethically handmade vegan candles); Revive Jewelry (handmade jewelry based on the cellular image of diseases to honor loved ones and empower survivors); Salut (handmade vegan botanical drink

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TRADE SHOWS

JUNIPERMARKET EXPANDS WOMEN-OWNED RESOURCES WITH ONBOARDING OF DOUGH BRANDS Photo courtesy of Juniper

infusions); Shayde Beauty (skincare created to prioritize the needs of melanin-rich skin); The Sexiest Beauty (eco-friendly cruelty-free lipstick, lip gloss, lip care and skincare); Sister Bees (cruelty-free skincare, candles, soaps, honey and more); Skin Flo (eco-friendly, crueltyfree skincare); Soothi (ethically handmade ecofriendly journals); Talisa Almonte (original art); Tonic (personal care, food and pet items infused with CBD); Us Two Tea (handpicked tea from Taiwan) and Violet Botanical Skincare (ecofriendly, cruelty-free skincare guided by timehonored African formulations). Longtime Dough brands are embracing the transition to JuniperMarket because of their confidence in the platform and Bruce’s advocacy for values-based commerce, said JuniperMarket. Kalyn Johnson Chandler of

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Effie’s Paper, a Dough brand confirmed and onboarding to JuniperMarket, said, “When I saw the announcement in January, that not only Dough was acquired but also that Vanessa was joining the team to advocate for women-owned businesses, I signed right away. I told my team, ‘This is a platform we need to be on.’ That’s the trust I have in Dough.” To expedite the transition of Dough sellers to JuniperMarket, IMC is investing in both staffing and technology resources. New staff, dedicated to the onboarding of Dough brands, are smoothing the onboarding process and technological enhancements are speeding data transfers. Additionally, while more robust valuesbased filtering is in development, Bruce and her team are actively identifying and vetting existing women-owned businesses currently live within

IMC’s digital and physical marketplaces. “Juniper is committed to combining customer service and technology to get values-based brands in front of the right buyers,” said Bill Furlong, Juniper CEO. “As mission-driven products grow in importance to consumers, we are taking steps to provide our buyers and sellers with tools that facilitate connections and commerce.” The onboarding of the Dough brands is just one step in IMC’s plans to highlight womenowned brands: IMC also will introduce the first of many values-based product showcases at its coming physical markets. This summer, pop-up exhibits featuring select women-owned brands and their principals will be showcased within the temporary exhibits at IMC’s Atlanta Market (July 12-18) and Las Vegas Market (July 24-28).

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TRADE SHOWS

IN-PERSON EVENTS RETURN WITH INFORMA MARKETS SINGAPORE

ow Bridal & Formal closed its first 2022 Atlanta edition with strongestever exhibitor participation and pre-COVID-19 buyer attendance, welcoming retailers across all bridal and social occasion categories, April 12 to April 14 at AmericasMart Atlanta, said International Market Centers (IMC). “Social events are back and Vow Bridal & Formal experienced one of its best-ever markets as a result. People are eager to celebrate and retailers need to restock to address pentup consumer demand. From weddings to homecomings, pageants and everything in between, Atlanta is a primary destination for the bridal and social occasion industries,” said Caron Stover, IMC senior vice president, apparel leasing The April edition of Vow Bridal & Formal, which ran concurrently with Atlanta Apparel’s April market, welcomed attendees from 47 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico, as well as 11 countries. The April 2022 edition of Vow recorded year-over-year growth in two particular retailer categories: prom with 60% growth and bridal nearly 30%, said IMC.

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Exhibitor Julie DuRocher, design director of Jovani Fashion, said, “People are tired of being in the house. They’re ready to attend proms and go to weddings; they want to wear pretty things again.” Vow Bridal & Formal Expands Category Offerings Alongside Atlanta Apparel Vow Bridal & Formal Atlanta provided attendees access to over 50 brands in showrooms and an additional 25-plus temporary exhibitors, with orders written up to the minute the three-day market closed. Exhibitor Sunny Rawal, owner of Primavera Couture which showcases eveningwear, had an especially busy April market and benefitted from cross-market synergies between Vow and Atlanta Apparel. “Market has been really great, and our buyers have been flowing in and out consistently throughout the whole market. I am very pleased,” said Rawal. “I signed a handful of new accounts, and I even opened a few with apparel stores who wanted to sell special occasion and

came to buy our line.” Exhibitor Bill Stryker, southeastern sales representative of Casablanca Bridal, also noted an incredible April market that connected him with new business. “About 10% of our business this market was new, and about a half dozen of those accounts are brand new and haven’t opened their stores yet,” said Stryker. “The best part of coming to Atlanta is meeting those new buyers, especially those who are ready to jump to bridal from ready-to-wear. When buyers in Atlanta find us, they usually end up writing orders.” Retailer Mallory Seale of Twenty Twelve

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TRADE SHOWS

Formal Wear in Homewood, Alabama, easily navigated the market as a first time buyer and was able to discover brands new to her. “We felt so comfortable in a rather nerve-wracking environment as first time buyers,” said Seale. “Colors was the first line we picked up and we also wrote with Alyce Paris. We are super excited to work with both of them in the future, and we can’t wait to come back to Atlanta for Vow in August.”

new designers. They just want opportunity and are hungry for business,” said Marinelli. “I even met my number one brand in Atlanta.”

Long-time market attendee, retailer DJ Marinelli of The Exquisite Bride in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, comes to Atlanta to find the newest, up-and-coming bridal designers for his boutique. “I love coming to Atlanta to find the

“Our Live Model Presentation enabled retailers to socialize and reconnect while previewing trends in bridal, mother-of-the-bride, flower girl and men’s formal. We are excited to continue education on trends in a way that allows our

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Hallmark Vow Bridal & Formal Trend Events Return Vow Bridal & Formal buyers eager to source for the next season filled the fashion theater on Wednesday evening for the first-ever Vow Live Model Presentation showcasing trends.

attendees a chance to network while learning, especially as the social occasion industry makes its incredible comeback,” said Morgan Ramage, Atlanta Apparel’s fashion and events director. Vow Bridal & Formal presents its collection of bridal, prom, quinceañera, mother-of-thebride, accessories, homecoming and special occasion lines three times annually. Vow Bridal & Formal Atlanta runs August 1 to August 6 at AmericasMart Atlanta concurrently with World of Prom & Social occasion, and Vow Bridal & Formal Las Vegas runs August 15 to August 17 at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. More information is available at atlantaapparel.com/markets/vow-bridal-and-formal.

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A FASHIONISTA’S FIELD PUZZLE BY MYLES MELLOR

Across 1. Fashionista’s field 5. Footwear brand that debuted at Kornit Fashion Week in Tel Aviv 9. VIP at a fashion show 10. Event to get a new business underway 11. Word said with a salute 12. More sexy 13. Bond’s title to his foes 15. Term of endearment for a boyfriend or girlfriend 16. Stimulates the appetite, say 17. Acronym for the target customers for fashion marketing 19. Long lasting 21. “Making It” judge and fashion icon, ____ Doonan 22. People who are very intelligent, clever or successful at an early age, two words 24. NYC time 25. Raise 26. Largest population cohort

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Down 1. Salon equipment 2. Lingerie 3. Inspires 4. New collection from Hanky Panky, two words 6. Eager 7. Pull hard on 8. Covers with rubies and emeralds, for example 13. When moms are honored 14. Have an emotional impact 15. Dandy who said, “To be truly elegant, one should not be noticed.” Beau ____ 16. Women’s Wear Daily’s acronym 18. Create wardrobes 20. Gemstone mounting 22. Steno’s stat, abbr. 23. Conquer a mogul, say

FOR ANSWERS, PLEASE VISIT

MANNPUBLICATIONS.COM/FASHIONMANNUSCRIPT/ CROSSWORD-ANSWERS-JUNE-JULY-ISSUE-2022/

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Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear By Claire Wilcox, Rosalind McKever and Marta Franceschini (June 7) Combining fashion trends with broader cultural histories and references, this book explores the designers, artists and brands that constructed masculine style from the Renaissance era to today — featuring such iconic touchstones as Virgil Abloh, Yves Saint Laurent and even Superman. The Fashion Yearbook 2022: Best of Campaigns, Editorials and Covers By Julia Zirpel and Fiona Hayes (June 25) Chosen by an international jury of fashion professionals and experts including Donald Schnider and Masha Fedorova, this best-of-the-best collection highlights the most exciting moments of fashion photography in 2021. Frida: Style Icon — A Celebration of the Remarkable Style of Frida Kahlo By Charlie Collins (July 5) From embroidered blouses to Tehuana dresses and jewelry handmade by Kahlo herself, Collins utilizes vivid illustrations to explore the personal and political expressions made through Kahlo’s iconic clothing and accessories.

The Lady Di Look Book: What The Little Book of Hermès: The Story Diana Was Trying to Tell Us Through of the Iconic Fashion House Her Clothes By Karen Homer (July 12) By Eloise Moran (July 19) Karen Homer, a London-based fashion Featuring Princess Diana’s most iconic, journalist who has contributed to Elle, sought-after and debated outfits, Eloise Vogue, The Telegraph and more, details Moran studied thousands of photos to the evolution of the House of Hermès in uncover what Lady Di might have been this must-have fashion collectible. conveying with her clothing choices.

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in the

Gemini Tarot Card The Lovers is the ruling Tarot card for Gemini. On the surface, The Lovers card symbolizes love, soulmates, romance and desire — but when the card is interpreted in terms of personality, it reflects many of Gemini’s perks, quirks and contradictions.

aries

taurus

For Taurus placements, June is a positive and productive month — it will be a great time for hard work, but be aware that there are challenges ahead as well. The month will be a rollercoaster of emotions, but it will end on a good note, leading to a happy July with stability in finances and no outstanding health concerns.

June will offer happiness and excitement, and may also bring about good news. Luck will favor you through this month, so try to seize the opportunities that come your way. July brings great financial fortune, and your relationships will feel peaceful. Through this time, you will feel confirmed that you are on the right path career-wise.

gemini

cancer

In July, Geminis can expect success in some areas of life, while facing challenges in others. Due to the conjunction of Jupiter and Mars in the 10th house, you will get favorable results in terms of your career goals. During July, you will prioritize time with loved ones. Be mindful of your health and set up a checkup with the doctor.

Before June, Cancers have probably experiences an overloaded work schedule. You are used to the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but June gives you a moment to rest. Take this down time to relax and recharge with loved ones. In July, Cancers should not let people speak negatively about their goals. Continue working and trusting in yourself.

leo

virgo

Romantic relationships can feel challenging through June for those with Leo placements. Jupiter’s placement in the eight house and its conjunction with Mars can escalate preexisting conflicts among partners, so try to practice patience and understanding. July sparks creativity and motivation toward the goals you are trying to conquer. Use this time to manifest the success that you want in your career and professional life.

Look forward to positivity and excitement in June, as things will seem to go just your way. In July, try to prioritize spending time with the people that are held closest to your heart. In your relationships with others and yourself, you will face misunderstandings that call for immediate attention and reflection. society6.com

Big Gemini Energy Zodiac Necklace $34; dearava.com

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stars...

Cancer Tarot Card As the sign that is the most centered around the home, the family and deep connections, it might come as a surprise to learn that the Tarot card associated with emotional Cancer is The Chariot, which embodies freedom.

libra

scorpio

During June, life will ultimately remain balanced despite any domestic conflicts or chaos you may face. If you wish to travel abroad, there may be some good news and in this respect by late June. Ensure that you continue to work toward your goals during July — you must go after what you want to make the real difference you seek.

June will bring success in many area, thanks to the sun’s movement into the ninth house. However, this month will be difficult for students. Due to Saturn’s retrograde in the fifth house, the mind may wander from studies. Libras must be open to constructive criticism during July. Hear what your loved ones are telling you and absorb their perspectives, as it is crucial for your growth.

capricorn

sagittarius

Capricorns may face some difficult times during June, including unexpected ups and downs at work. However, your romantic relationships are looking good, and thanks to Mercury’s conjunction with the Sun, you will be able to make important decisions about the future with clarity. July brings challenges that weigh heavily on your mental state — try to be strong through these trials and don’t give up.

While June offers positive personal developments, you will find that your areas of struggle will increase in difficulty. Due to Mercury’s placement in the sixth house, you will find your confidence increasing. Your relationships are looking slightly rocky, but July will bring about new opportunities for connection. Your hard work will manifest into great advancements in your career.

aquarius

pisces

Aquarius placements can expect to have a prosperous month this June — a path to a promotion in the workplace will reveal itself and your hard work will be recognized. While the Sun and Mercury’s movement into the 10th house will be beneficial to your self-confidence, July may be problematic if you don’t have control of your ego.

For those with Pieces placements, your enthusiasm and verve for life will be rekindled during June. You will find career success and feel your confidence increase in an unexpected way. In July, an opportunity to seek guidance toward a new career will present itself. Run head-first into major change during this time —you will be rewarded. society6.com

Celestial Cancer Zodiac Necklace $34; dearava.com

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BY THE NUMBERS

THE FASHION INDUSTRY AROUND THE GLOBE

In honor of this issue’s theme of travel to both international and local destinations, this month’s By The Numbers takes a look at the global fashion industry — as well as into the future of the retail market. All over the world, customers’ interests in style, trends, fast fashion and secondhand shopping is what keeps the fashion industry growing more and more through each passing year. At the halfway mark between 2022 and 2023, the retail market shows no sign of slowing down. Here is a look at what we can expect to see from the clothing and accessories markets (and from those who power it) through the rest of 2022 and beyond — by the numbers.

38.9%

$38.2 BILLION

The percentage of total United States apparel sales that will come from online purchases in 2022 (Digital Commerce 360, Statistia)

Projected growth of the global fast fashion industry by 2023 (Research and Markets)

$6.8 BILLION

The estimated worth of the United States women’s plus-size market (PipeCandy)

47% Percentage of women in the U.K. who say they buy from sustainable brands, along with 53% of men (Statistia)

$480.5 BILLION

Expected net worth of the global jewelry market by 2025 (Matter of Form, Grand View Research)

$339.4 BILLION

Retail value of the luxury goods market (Fashion United)

$492 BILLION

The valuation of the social commerce industry in 2022 (Accenture 2022)

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3,384.1 MILLION The labor force of the global fashion industry, the value of which is equivalent to $3 trillion (Fashion United)

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SOCIAL SOIREE

The

Amanpuri in Thailand World’s Most Glamorous Hotel BY R. COURI HAY

Aman Junkies Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Bill Gates and Harrison Ford are among the rich and richer who have made the 20-hour trip from NYC to Phuket, Thailand. It’s a long flight (even on a private jet) but once you touch down, the magic carpet rolls out. We were met by a white-uniformed greeter from the Amanpuri, who escorted us to a chauffeured BMW that whisked us down the palm-lined drive to the resort’s enchanted garden. With teak wood buildings with traditional Thai style peaked-winged roofs, the architecture echoes the Royal Palace compound in Bangkok where King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara live. At the hotel, you will find a collection of the world’s savvy cognoscenti who are called “Aman Junkies,” due to their loyalty to the brand. Pansea Beach The Amanpuri was built by legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha in 1988. It was the first in the Aman Group of hotels and resorts that span the world from Turks & Caicos and Bali to Sri Lanka and Tibet. I wandered down hand-hewn stone steps to a tiny rock peninsula on the property. Overlooking Pansea Beach, the soundtrack of this idyllic spot was provided by the white-capped waves rolling against the boulders that make up the stone jetty. For our meal, we were led to the beach’s outermost table — one of only four — perched eight feet above the sand and sea. The menu was something you

SOCIAL SOIREE would expect at Sant Ambroeus, not on a rock in Thailand. The chef proves masterful and the cuisine an unexpected delight; healthy, sophisticated and scrumptious. With a majestic palm tree acting as our umbrella, the table symbolized the exquisite experience that is the Amanpuri. Celebrity Haven Every detail at this flagship hotel is elegantly curated, from the fragrant cool towels and the refreshing hibiscus teas that await you at every stop to the refined taste exercised in the execution of the pavilions and reception areas. The most extravagant way to stay at the Amanpuri is in one of the 30 private villas that spread out over the hills looking down at the ocean. These range from a two-bedroom compound with a private pool and separate pavilions for dining and lounging for (depending on the season and inflation) $4,700 a day to a grand eight-bedroom house with a live-in housekeeper and chef for $10,500 a night. When one of these villas goes on the market, they fetch $10 to $35 million and up. Seaside Pavilions For a romantic rendezvous, I’d suggest staying in one of the hotel’s 40 glamorous stand-alone pavilions that face the sea and are near the beach, bar, pool and restaurants. These rooms are spacious and well thought out; they also boast their outdoor dining and lounging pagoda. The bedroom is a sleek, dark wood cocoon with sliding teak doors and windows that open to the views of the sea and the tropical gardens that surround you. The twin bath and dressing rooms make it easy for a couple to get ready simultaneously. Every day offers a surprise: the Buddah in your bedroom is draped with a frangipani lei, orchids fill your candle-lined bathtub, a silk scarf is left on your pillow and fresh fruit and cookies are always provided. Service is silent and timed so that guests do not see it happen. Teahouse Ritual Between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., there is a notto-be-missed ritual in the teahouse overlooking the pool. A group of women make traditional Thai pancakes over a charcoal stove while a musician softly plays an indigenous instrument. These tiny treats are beyond yummy; try the banana, mango and chocolate, or go rogue and have one made with sweet onions. They melt in your mouth, so you have to be careful not to eat too many. Afterward, we went swimming at sunset; the water was warm and the sun’s last rays reflected off the ocean. Later, the lapping waves lulled us to sleep in our beds. Amanpuri is truly the stuff dreams are made of. Please check the websites for COVID-19 regulations and restrictions. aman.com (66)76-324-333 © Photos courtesy of AMAN

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National Jewish Health

Breath of Life New York Golf Tournament Honorary Chairs Robert E. Helpern* Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP Stephen B. Siegel* CBRE, Inc.

Chair Emeritus Samuel B. Lewis* SBL Property Consultants, LLC *National Jewish Health Trustee

MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2022 Brae Burn Country Club

39 Brae Burn Drive | Purchase, NY Register Today Mattie L. Shepheard | 212.297.0857 | ShepheardM@njhealth.org

njhealth.org/NYgolf All funds raised will help support groundbreaking medical research and treatment for patients with lung, heart, immune and related conditions, including asthma and COVID-19.

BENEFITING

SOCIAL SOIREE

“Right Here, Right Now” LongHouse Reserve, the 16-acre nature reserve and sculpture garden in East Hampton, New York, opened its 2022 season with hundreds of visitors and nearly a million blooming daffodils. New works on display included a commissioned installation by William and Steven Ladd and sculptures by Moko Fukuyama and Alexander Polzin, joining permanent installations by Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono and Willem de Kooning.

ion, friends of LongHouse gathered around Steven and William Ladd’s “Right Here, Right Now” — a large-scale installation constructed from disks of cedar branches — for an artists talk. “The opportunity to install our work in such a prestigious and immaculate environment gave us a high bar to aspire to,” said Steven Ladd. “The connection with nature, craftsmanship and community at LongHouse is exceptional.”

Following drinks and hors d’oeuvres served in The Pavil-

For a look at the guests, see below.

BY MICHELE GERBER KLEIN

Photos courtesy of Richard Lewin

Dianne Benson

Jonathan McCann, Anthony Coron

Marion Waxman, Samuel Waxman

Carrie Barratt, Steven Ladd, William Ladd

El Colegio del Cuerpo Dancers Remi Thorez, Rafaela Rossato

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Michele Gerber Klein, Beverly Schreiber Jacoby

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A Closer Look

Swimwear Trends for Summer 2022 This summer, trending swimwear pieces are all about texture and details — think crochet, pops of metal, mesh and glitter. For even more glamour, coordinate jewelry and skirts to match with your swimsuit. More is more this season, and we’re here for it! In the name of keeping fashion sustainable and ethical, we have included our favorite pieces from hidden gem brands that should be added to your list — and will quickly become your favorite bathing suit. Let’s take A Closer Look!

Flora Bikini, $59; Laila Skirt, $45 Custom made to order on Au Paradi Instagram (@auparadi)

Aria Crop Top, $40; Doris Skirt, $62; Bree Choker, $15 Au Paradi Instagram (@auparadi)

Aliani Bikini Set in Teal, $55; Mia Belly Chain, $22; Bree Choker $15 Au Paradi Instagram (@auparadi)

Au Paradi

A Closer Look

Hamptons Teal Swimsuit, $158 (vetchy.com)

Cabo Bikini Silver Set, $158 (vetchy.com)

Laguna Bikini Gold Set, $148 (vetchy.com)

Vetchy Carnation Ruched One Piece, $215 (peony.com)

Clover Ruched Holiday Balconette, $110 (peony.com)

Clover Ruched Hi Waist Pant, $105 (peony.com)

Peony Ponza Bucket Hat, $75 (peony.com)

MIA SHOES: STYLE, COMFORT AND 1970’S INFLUENCES BY LAUREN D’ERRICO Photo courtesy of MIA Shoes

LAST LOOK

ince 1976, MIA Shoes has been providing its customers with footwear that combines style and comfort to create the ultimate accessory for women of all ages and for any occasion. MIA Shoes, which offers flats, heels, boots, sneakers and white-bottomed sandals for women and kids, is based in Miami with a showroom located in New York City. The brand also produces authentic Swedish clogs, which are handmade in Sweden from Italian leather and Swedish wood. Additionally, a large percentage of the brand’s shoes are made with vegan materials in environmentally friendly facilities. As well as on the brand’s website, MIA Shoes are available for purchase at retailers including Nordstrom, DSW, Roolee, Lulus, Free People, Zappos and more.

we want to do and work with the designers. Working with my dad has been great, but we also butt heads a lot. I don’t know if I’d say it’s been the best thing for our relationship, but I think it’s something that had to happen. Anyone who works with their parents probably has some similar stories. My sister works with my mother — they have a successful clothing line called Just Bee Queen — and I think that they get along a bit better than [my dad and I] do. At the end of the day, we’re very much a small family, the four of us, and everything we do is together. That idea of family, carrying a legacy, not failing and making [MIA Shoes] into something much bigger than it was is my goal — to take something that was given to me in a good position and take it to the next level.

Founded by Richard Strauss and now with his son, Michael, in the vice president role, MIA Shoes is a company that keeps family at the center of its mission and operations. In the same vein, the brand prioritizes fostering and maintaining relationships with its customers, both long-time fans of the brand and new shoppers.

What is the philosophy behind MIA Shoes? The number one thing a woman will come up to me and say about our shoes is, “These are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.” That’s the biggest compliment anyone can give us. We try to incorporate all of these comfort features into our shoes and offer value to our customers. I would refer to us as a “value-based” brand — what you pay for is what you’re going to get. We operate in a way where we don’t need to charge double what we charge for our shoes to cover certain things. We’re a family-owned business, so we don’t have other outstanding, outside factors that we need to worry about. I think we have found our niche in the market as a value brand. We’re not cheap and we’re not expensive, but you’re getting what you pay for — and you like it, so you’re coming back.

Below, Michael Strauss shares how the brand’s family-oriented roots translate into its corporate inner-workings, what he hopes to accomplish as the brand continues to grow and why generations of customers have loved MIA Shoes. Tell me about your career background that led you to MIA Shoes. I was a football player my entire life. Growing up, I played football collegiately at University of Virginia and University of Richmond, and had a full scholarship to play at both schools. I also organically grew up in the shoe business, being around it my entire life. MIA Shoes is a family business, and it felt like every month, all of the sales people and the designers from MIA would be coming over and staying at our home. For my whole life, I was engulfed in the shoe world — as a kid, I would go to shows with my sister and my parents. It was always in my head that once I finished my athletic career, working at MIA Shoes was what I wanted to do. I love shoes, but I value the family business more so than anything. What is it like to work so closely with your family? I very much enjoy working with my dad. His role has very much changed over the years now that he’s 76 years old. He’s still very involved, with his focus now shifted more toward the operations. He’s given the reins to myself and the president to run the business, sales team and marketing, put together the strategies of what

What sets MIA Shoes apart from other footwear brands? Fashion with comfort. We also have the best technicians in the world. The beauty of the products is in our construction and in our bottoms. We have ways of making shoes to make them more comfortable that no one even thinks about. A lot of [companies] don’t take this kind of approach, and it’s because they don’t know how to [do so]. The other main thing that sets us apart is the family business aspect of MIA Shoes. When I go to meetings with the biggest retailers in the country, they’re working with me. The owner is coming [to these meetings], and I’m working with them. I have a big team that works with me, including sales teams that work with some of these accounts, but odds are, I’m almost always going to be present. Whereas with these public companies, you may not even know who owns them. I like to think of us as a

“small big guy,” because we do a lot of business, but we’re not public. The personable side of our relationships really sets us apart. Can you share more on MIA Shoes’ commitment to producing vegan products? From a vegan standpoint, we make about 99% of our production in vegan materials. Not only that, but for the men’s line, Strauss + Ram, our footbeds, which are our main comfort feature, are made with coconut shavings — being from Miami, we took that idea and incorporated it into our story. There is only one classification for which [we don’t use vegan materials]: we just started making Swedish clogs. Swedish clogs are how my father started the company, and those are leather and made in Sweden with certified wood. Aside from that, our entire production is 99% vegan. Who is the MIA Shoes customer? That’s the best question, because the MIA Shoes customer has been with us since the ‘70s and we get new customers every day. I can explain it best through the stores that we deal with, from stores [for younger customers] like Francesca’s and Journeys to stores for much more mature customers like Von Maur. We make a product for everybody — that’s the beauty of our brand. We’ve evolved. We’ve added a new category called “Mia Amour,” which is more tailored to our older customers, but the core of our business is that teenager to that 40 year old. The best story I can tell you is at a trade show, you’ll see a daughter, mother and grandmother all wearing the white-bottomed sandals from MIA Shoes. It’s such a cool thing to see because it’s a universal, all-age type thing. We have very young shoes and we have more mature shoes — why limit yourself when you can take care of everyone? That’s our motto. As MIA Shoes celebrates its 46th anniversary, what would you say is the greatest quality that has stuck with the brand since 1976? Our values have stayed the same. We’re very loyal to our people and our people are loyal to us. As you can imagine, turnover hasn’t been very high in our company. After 45 years, a lot of people are retiring and moving on, and we are now adding new people to the team; it’s been exciting to see that whole cycle. I think that’s probably the best thing about us — our familial, close-knit culture. It’s not a corporate setting, so people like that. There’s no micromanaging — you come to work here, and if you don’t do the job, it’ll be apparent. And if you do, we don’t ask what you’re doing; if you do the job, you do the

job. We run much differently than big corporations are [managed]. Are we seeing influences from 1970s fashion on the footwear industry today? The ‘70s were all about bell bottoms, clogs, the wood-bottom shoe trend and platforms — and all of that is stronger than ever, it seems. Every year, it seems like shoes want to get thicker and thicker and thicker. It’s very prevalent now, as our Swedish clog business and overall clog business has been outstanding over the past few years. It’s really cyclical, and when they say that everything comes back around, it really does — people say something is out of fashion, and then two years later it is the hottest thing ever. The ‘70s trend is cool because we can go back into our catalogs from the 1970s and 1980s and see what was successful then, and how we can incorporate that into what we are doing now. It’s been fun to go back to our roots. What’s next for MIA Shoes? We’re growing at a very nice rate, and with growth comes opportunities. We’ve gotten a lot more serious with the white label and the private label side of the business. A lot of companies are investing very much in their own brands. You see articles about brands like DSW who want to put a lot of money into their house brands, and someone has to make those house brands. These stores don’t really make them themselves — they either buy companies to do it for them or they outsource them. I think that’s a big initiative for a lot of these stores, because they get more markup with these types of shoes. So we’re really looking to improve and grow that side of our business. We’re also really looking to grow our boutique presence. It’s doubled and tripled over the last few years. I feel like our mentality has always been that we don’t pump millions of dollars into marketing like some direct-to-consumer-focused brands. Our goal is to put the shoes in as many boutiques as possible so that we can be seen, to have that organic marketing. Design-wise, we want to keep evolving. We had a very big white-bottom sandal for years — it’s still very good, but what’s the next one? We’re always trying to find that next big item. We do well with our collections, but at the end of the day, if you talk to anyone in the shoe business, they’ll always say, “it’s an item.” We’re always trying to find the next thing before the next person does, which, in today’s world, is very tough because everything’s online. I would say we want to keep evolutionizing, not revolutionizing, to keep up our brand identity.

Steer Towards a Bright Financial Future Since 1924, Friedman has guided fashion clients through industry evolutions and economic turbulence. Turn to our expert advisors to navigate today’s shifting tides and propel your success. To learn more, contact: Harriet Greenberg, CPA, Co-Managing Partner hgreenberg@friedmanllp.com Michael Sacco, CPA, Partner msacco@friedmanllp.com

THE SHORTEST ROUTE TO SAVING TIME AND MONEY ON LOGISTICS

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