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On Fridays, we’ll take a breath: See below for some commentary on apparel trends I’m loving or things I’m eyeing, a fun activity to consider, and some food for thought as you enter your weekend 🙂
1/3. Food for Thought
Do people remember the specific things you said, or how you made them feel?
I’ll be the first to admit I am guilty of overthinking the small things at times. I catch myself scrutinizing the words I choose, the clothes I wear, and the way I do my makeup, constantly worrying about the subtle message those things reflect to others. It’s a habit we all fall into at times, worrying about the exact details of our presentation.
But as I was reflecting this week, a different question emerged that offered immediate relief.
The details of a conversation, a perfectly styled outfit, or a flawless presentation can fade quickly. One thing that lingers regardless is the emotional residue of how you make others feel: did they feel heard? Did you provide a sense of ease if the situation called for it? Did you make them feel…warm?
This is a quiet reminder to shift focus. Spend a little less energy trying to curate every minute detail, and a little more energy prioritizing the genuine feeling you bring to the room. The latter is what is guaranteed to stick.
2/3. Fun!
Playlist Refresh
In the next couple of weeks, I will be helping through several Holiday Helper shifts at Levi’s. This is a program where corporate employees get the opportunity to assist in stores leading up to the busiest time in retail: Black Friday and the general holiday season. We have to opportunity to support our retail stores through working four hour shifts helping with unpacking, folding, straightening, and assisting consumers.
This upcoming experience brought up an interesting thought: How can we all get involved in some way, either through the companies we work for or the essential services we interact with during the holidays?
The holidays are a massive undertaking for those who work in retail, logistics, and service roles (to name a few). It’s a perfect moment to practice gratitude by creating moments of appreciation and understanding for the employees who make them happen.
Here are a few ways we can borrow the Holiday Helper Mindset and find some fun in supporting others:
If you frequently visit a specific grocery store, is there an opportunity to volunteer locally to support employees with restocking product or bagging items during their peak hours?
Do you rely on essential services? Perhaps you could spend a day volunteering at a local food bank that has a partnership with the delivery company you use.
These are just some simple ideas, but thinking outside of the traditional volunteering box allows us to truly see and appreciate the work that goes into our everyday convenience. Here is to practicing gratitude through action.
3/3. Fashion / Retail Therapy
Mixing Things Up
Celebrity backed brands are incredibly interesting to me because they are almost "brands of brands." The celebrity is critical to the inception, but the brand's ability to live past the consumer connection to the celebrity and graduate to appreciation for the product is the test of their success.
I want to take a moment to highlight Skims, which was just valued at $5 billion after a recent funding round. Sure, this initially started as a Kim Kardashian project, but it has become a brand whose name doesn't solely rely on her fame. It has gained a true following grounded in product and strategy.
Here are a couple of things that stand out to me as reasons that make it work, creating a blueprint for success for brands founded by a celebrity:
Operational Discipline: Kim co-founded the brand with retail veteran Jens Grede (co-founder of FRAME and still it’s chairman). Grede brought in key industry expertise to build Skims alongside Kim, ensuring the brand was underpinned by operational discipline and strategic hires. This has played a ey role in it’s ability to scale commercially and avoid the pitfalls of being a ventures relying solely on fame.
Digital First Strategy: Skims mastered digital drops, making every launch feel like a big event. This DTC approach creates a consistent brand experience and grows a loyal online community.
Product Innovation Aligned with Mission: While initially focused on shapewear, Skims has expanded into loungewear, bras, basics, and menswear. More important than product expansion is the diversification that stays true to the core mission of offering "solutions for every body."
Skims is one of the celebrity brands that is really writing the playbook on how to build a lasting brand that does not rely solely on its famous founder. There are many other interesting players. Take for example, Goop. Yes, founded by Gwyneth Paltrow, but when you think of Goop you may not think of Paltrow first, but rather how many people love the product—that is a great sign. Another exciting one to watch is Homecourt (Home care by Courtney Cox and beauty industry veteran Sarah Jahnke.)
I'm so grateful you've taken the time to read and engage with the newsletter. To help me make it better, I'd love to hear any thoughts or feedback you have. Feel free to send any requests, ideas, or suggestions to [email protected]!
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