Retail Revolution

Summer Intern Takeover: Influencers and Authenticity

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 14:09:46 -0000

Maria Soubbotina discusses the foundation for authentic influencer campaigns with Gabrielle Lamy. Maria and Gabrielle are both graduates of the Fashion Management program at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Maria works in publicity at Random House in New York City.Gabrielle did her capstone research on influencer marketing models in the fashion industry and is an Associate Account Manager at Narrative PR in Toronto Canada.

Learn more: Maria Soubbotina LinkedIn | Gabrielle Lamy LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Summer Intern Takeover: Creating Your Fashion Brand

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 20:30:00 -0000

Maggie Kanan gets tips on how to develop a new fashion brand in a saturated market with designer and professor Susanna Moyer. Maggie is a graduate student in the Fashion Management program at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Susanna Moyer is a consultant with Fashion Consort and professor in the Fashion Management program at Parsons. .

Learn more: Maggie Kanan LinkedIn | Susanna Moyer LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Summer Intern Takeover: Experiential Retail Post Covid

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:09:52 -0000

Naomi Kennedy discusses the tenets of experiential retailing with PhD candidate and retail specialist, Kelcie Slaton, and how the pandemic has accelerated its shift. Naomi is a graduate student in the Fashion Management program at Parsons School of Design. Kelcie is completing her PhD from Iowa State University and is a part time professor at Parsons.

Learn more: Naomi Kennedy LinkedIn | Kelcie Slaton LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Summer Intern Takeover: Diversity, Inclusivity and Swimwear

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 14:39:00 -0000

Maggie Kanan discusses the intersection between body diversity and inclusivity in swimwear with Creative and Casting Director Gilleon Smith-Mercado. Maggie is a graduate student in the Fashion Management program at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Gilleon is represented by CAA.

Learn more: Maggie Kanan LinkedIn | Gilleon Smith-Mercado LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Summer Intern Takeover: Women's Leadership in Fashion

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 21:09:00 -0000

Maria Soubbotina discusses the lack of women in leadership positions in the fashion and retail industries with Natalie O'Neal. Both are graduate students in the Fashion Management program at Parsons School of Design in New York City.

Learn more: Maria Soubbotina LinkedIn | Natalie O’Neal LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Camilla Olson, CEO, Savitude

Tue, 04 May 2021 17:09:00 -0000

Born in Alaska, Camilla Olson is an inventor and holds two U.S. patents with three more in process. She is a serial entrepreneur; was a venture capitalist. She founded two big data predictive modeling companies in the pharma industry: one had its IPO the other was acquired for $95M a year after founding. Camilla returned to graduate school to learn design and her first fashion collection was selected to be shown in Lincoln Center as part of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Her designs were seen on the red carpet of the Academy Awards, Met Gala and the White House. In 2011, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Maryland and Honorable Mention as “Best Second Act Reinvention” on the website SecondAct.com. TEDx speaker January 2016.

Camilla's specialties include lateral thinking, business development and strategy, inspiration driven visual research, textile manipulation and creative processes.

Camilla is the CEO of Savitude, a company that focuses on helping fashion designers solve the fit, return and excess inventory problems by providing Enhanced Sketching using AI Design Intelligence. Savitude offers an integrated product design SaaS solution that enables brands/retailers to improve their margins by assuring designs cover the full spectrum of real bodies, optimizing line planning with enhanced sketching and predictive trends, iterative product design for JIT manufacturing, and reducing post-consumer excess & unfinished inventory.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Savitude

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Tricia Carey, Director of Global Business Development, Lenzing Group

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0000

Tricia is a results-focused professional with over 20 years of experience in progressive merchandising and marketing roles within the fashion industry. She is experienced in supporting supply chain related functions, performing market research, developing collaborations, attending trade shows, and managing vendors. She is currently the Director of Global Business Development for the Lenzing Group.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Carved in Blue

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Sass Brown, Author / Educator

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0000

Sass Brown is a writer, journalist, researcher, educator and activist in ethical fashion. She was the former acting dean of the School of Art and Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, and the Founding Dean at Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), a collaboration between Parsons and MIT.

Sass has authored two books, "Eco Fashion" and "ReFashioned," both published by Laurence King in multiple languages. Her now archived website, EcoFashionTalk, was one of the original forums for the fashion industry to share information and feature designers whose focus was different than the traditional fashion system. This led to her participation as a guest expert and speaker at venues worldwide.

Sass received her bachelor's degree in fashion design from Ravensbourne University and her master's degree in Global Fashion Management from FIT. Recently, she completed her PhD thesis entitled, "Global Artisanship Models for the Craft Sector" at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Learn more: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Buxton Midyette, VP Marketing & Promotions, Supima

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0000

Buxton Midyette is an accomplished marketing executive with expertise at identifying key product attributes then translating them into successful marketing campaigns and promotional activities that connect with consumers. His specialities include ingredient branding and licensing. Currently, Buxton is the VP of Marketing and Promotions for Supima.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Supima

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Stephen Richards Jr., Owner, Richards Bespoke

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0000

Stephen Richards Jr. is an entrepreneur and bespoke clothier. He is the owner of Richards Bespoke a custom clothing company that specializes in custom made suits, sport coats, slacks, dress shirts, and accessories.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Richards Bespoke

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Daniel Salcedo, Co-Founder/COO, Shop Your Fit

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0000

Daniel Salcedo is content producer and serial entrepreneur focusing on creating technology products and video content. Over the past 15 years, he has managed and lead video productions for Fortune 500 brands such as Pepsi, Samsung, Toyota, and Delta; cable networks, OTT’S, and studios including HBO, Discovery, Turner, Netflix, and Youtube/Vevo. Daniel has produced Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) products that were featured in the Sundance Film Festival, Art Basel, and New York Fashion Week

As an entrepreneur, Daniel co-founded Muuseme and Trenderscope, a music licensing platform developed for the advertising industry in the USA. He successfully sold that company three years after founding it. His latest venture, ShopYourFIt was born out of two of his biggest passions: video and technology. It is the first discovery platform for the fashion industry that matches users with clothing based on their body type and style.

Learn more: LinkedIn | ShopYourFit

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Steve Dennis, Author, Remarkable Retail

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Steve Dennis is a consultant, keynote speaker and author focused on retail growth and innovation. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor. Steve's best-selling book-- "Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption"--will be released in a completely revised and expanded 2nd edition this Spring. He is also the host of the Remarkable Retail podcast.

During a 30 year career as a senior executive at two Fortune 500 retailers–and more recently as a strategic advisor–Steve has worked with dozens of retail, consumer, luxury and social impact brands to inspire, catalyze and design their journey to remarkable results.

As a sought-out keynote speaker, Steve has delivered talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspective on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of constant change and shifting consumer preferences.

He has contributed commentary to Bloomberg/Business Week, the BBC, CNBC, CNN, the Harvard Business Review and the Wall Street Journal, among many others.

Steve is currently the President of SageBerry Consulting. Prior to founding SageBerry, he was the chief strategy officer and SVP, multichannel marketing for the Neiman Marcus Group.

Steve received his MBA from Harvard and a BA from Tufts University.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Steve P Dennis

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Jacqueline Shaw, Founder, Africa Fashion Guide

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0000

With 16 years experience in the global fashion industry living and working in 4 countries (Turkey, China, Germany and England UK) over 4 continents (USA/Europe/Asia and Africa) for international brands and retailers including Puma, C&A, Animal, Russell Athletic, WIlson and Fila, Professional Fashion Designer Jacqueline Shaw birthed Africa Fashion Guide, the only sourcing consultancy and information based platform for African fashion. Africa Fashion Guide has become a key tool that educates, informs and retunes the perceptions of Africa's fashion and textile industry – an industry Jacqueline sees as a vehicle for trade and development.

Now as an Author of the acclaimed coffee table book Fashion Africa, an International Public Speaker, a University lecturer, an African Fashion Business Coach, a Consultant and an industry researcher, Jacqueline, who owns a Bachelors degree in Fashion (2001), a Masters degree in Ethical Fashion (2011) and a Masters in Social Research (2018) is known for being an expert and most proudly an ambassador in the Ethical African fashion landscape.

Having spoken at elite venues such as House of Lords London, London Eye, European Commission Brussels, Fashion Institute Technology NYC, Who's Next Paris to name a few, she actively campaigns for a more responsible way of doing fashion business and doing it well in Africa. Jacqueline has built up her name and is recognised internationally as a public speaker.

As an African Fashion Business Coach with past clients that includes Lineapelle, Miroglio, Brighton Museum (for their Fashion Cities Africa exhibition), Prospero World (World for their African Fashion Award) and British Council (for their Enterprise Africa Summit), she uses her expertise to bring to life African fashion led projects. Jacqueline, with her unique tools and strategies, specialises in creating sustainable solutions that help new and existing fashion businesses successfully navigate the sourcing and manufacturing landscape of Africa's fashion and textile industry.

Jacqueline believes Africa is Fashion's Future and has used her African fashion tee shirt campaign using Fairtrade, organic African cotton tees made in Africa by Africans to spread this message on the catwalks of London Fashion Week to Ghana to Los Angeles. Jacqueline is unapologetically a champion for fashion in Africa and her work and reputation not only proceeds her, but represents her enthusiasm and high belief in this. Due to this she aims to equip as much people as possible in setting up businesses in Africa to build trade, contribute to Africa's GDP, and impact thousands of African lives using the vehicle of Fashion.

Jacqueline through Africa Fashion Guide Ltd has an array of events and programs including Fashion Africa Conference, Fashion Africa Voices, Fashion Africa Business Academy, Fashion Africa Trade Expo and Fashion Africa Sourcing Trips.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Wax and Wraps

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Paul Akrofie, CEO, Real Peoples Company

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Paul Kweku Akrofie is the founder and CEO of Real Peoples Company (RPC) Ltd., a Ghanaian design and manufacturing brand that currently produces quality bags and accessories in Accra. With a passionate belief that quality comes from Africa, Paul uses a creative mix of locally sourced materials to create forward-looking designs that are locally inspired, globally oriented. The company also works on design and manufacturing contracts for multinational brands like the Vlisco Group (Woodin) and Nestlé. Through his leadership and enthusiasm to create dignified and meaningful jobs for Africa’s youth, Paul serves as a business training coach in partnership with the Impact HUB Accra and is providing local tailors with skill sets and jobs through his contracts which would have been outsourced internationally. He is also a member and alumni of the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum and currently heads the Ghana committee for sustainable fashion organized yearly in partnership with Fashion Revolution in Accra.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Real Peoples Company Ltd.

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Sydney Price, Founder, The Knew Purpose

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Sydney Price is an award-winning executive and the Founder and CEO at The Knew Purpose, a conscious leadership company with the vision to advance sustainability, social impact, and innovation in business. She is a dynamic force at designing, developing, and implementing sustainability and social impact programs while creating new revenue channels and profitability for companies.

Sydney is recognized as a catalyst in business transformation for her abilities to intertwine purpose, business, and social impact and, as a result, has been awarded “Most Influential Women” by CEO Connection, 2015. As an ICF certified coach and inspirational facilitator, Sydney continues to take her experiences to the next level by empowering other leaders, businesses, universities, non-profits, and social entrepreneurs.

Previously, as SVP of Social Impact at Kate Spade & Company (KSC), Sydney strategically developed, implemented, and led a new, profitable commercial channel within KSC value chain and built a women-focused international Social Enterprise Supplier Model in Rwanda. Sydney’s innovative model was awarded “Best Economic Empowerment Program” from the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2015 and was studied and endorsed by Georgetown University in 2017. Prior to this role, she was SVP of Direct to Consumer and Global Merchandising at KSC and held multiple leadership positions at Neiman Marcus Group.

Through The Knew Purpose, Sydney works with leaders, companies and communities to create a better world.

Learn more: LinkedIn | The Knew Purpose

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Andrew Rotondi, COO/CIO, Dynamic Worldwide

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Andrew Rotondi is a corporate leader with over 40 years experience in developing and deploying multi-client distribution and logistics systems for fashion and consumer product vendors, retailers and e-tailers in North America and Asia. Andrew is the Chief Operating/Information Officer at Dynamic Worldwide, an asset based logistics provider of fulfillment, value-added services, transportation and information technology provider to omni-channel vendors, retailers and e-tailers.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Dynamic Worldwide | Fashion Service Network

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with AJ Lacouette, Creative Strategist

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0000

AJ Lacouette discusses major fashion retail trends and the overall effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on retailing. She shares insights on the importance of customer focused strategies, moving away from a brand centric model.

AJ is a creative strategist and trend forecaster specializing in the fashion and lifestyle sectors. Her 13+ year career — spanning editorial, strategy, and creative development — has been spent at some of the world's most notable companies including LVMH and Condé Nast, and WGSN.

AJ is focused on connecting the dots between culture, brands, products, and consumers in dynamic ways by producing innovative solutions mapping the cultural landscape, forecasting consumer behaviors, and identifying emerging trends.

Learn more: LinkedIn | AJ Lacouette | Trend Report

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Season 4: A New Year, A New Perspective

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Host, Christopher Lacy is joined by producer, Joshua Williams, for a look back on Season 3, part of a tumultuous year in fashion retail. They also discuss what's coming in Season 4 and how listeners can engage with the podcast.

Learn more: Christopher Lacy | Joshua Williams

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Zi Xuan and Yijia Wang, Co-Creators, advene

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 14:14:00 -0000

Zi Xuan and Yijia Wang, founders of Advene, discuss the process of developing a new accessories brand in the middle of the pandemic, with a focus on sustainability and transparency. They discuss the intersection of data and design and the important role it plays in today's retail marketplace.

After graduating from Fashion Institute of Technology, Zi gained multiple years of experience working as a handbag designer for Marc Jacobs and Coach in New York City. She has experience in working with designers and vendors across the globe and an in-depth understanding of North America and Europe fashion trends and markets.

Yijia moved to New York in 2015 and started working as a marketing analytics professional, using data to model and predict consumer behavior. She specialized in developing actionable branding and marketing strategy based on data analytics and marketing mix modeling. Yijia graduated with a BS Quantitative Economics major from Tufts University, and MA Design Studies at Parsons School of Design.

While working in marketing, Yijia was constantly on the lookout for the perfect handbag — one that would suit her multifaceted lifestyle, eco-conscious values, and aesthetic adventurism. She consulted Zi, a longtime friend (and handbag aficionado), and they realized that a fairly priced luxury quality bag for the conscious consumer did not exist yet... So they decided to make it on their own. The result is advene, an accessories brand that merges innovative design principles with conscientious production processes.

advene was created by Zi Xuan and Yijia Wang.

Learn more (Zi Xuan): LinkedIn | Advene

Learn more (Yijia Wang): LinkedIn | Advene

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer:Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Marc Mastronardi, Chief of Stores, Macy's

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0000

Marc Mastronardi shares his extensive experience in developing a curated and localized fashion offering in a large-scale, omni-retail department store setting. He discusses the Macy's organization’s focus on diversity and inclusion, and the collaborative effort it takes to create a meaningful experience for customers through transformative thinking.

Marc has extensive knowledge of the mmni channel retail business with experience in merchandising and planning in both traditional brick and mortar and e-commerce for Men's, Women's Accessories, Shoes, Jewelry, Cosmetics, Intimate Apparel, Ready-to-Wear, Seasonal Men's and Women's businesses. He began his career with the Filene's organization in Boston, before moving to New York City when Macy's purchased the May Company. He has held many important roles at Macy's including Senior Vice President of Customer Experience and Store Operations, Executive Vice President of Business Development Innovation and Executive Vice President of General Merchandise Management, Center Core. Marc's current role is the Chief of Stores for Macy's organization, covering all fashion offerings for Macy's and Bloomingdale's stories.

Learn more: Macy’s

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Paul Magel, President, Business Applications & Technology Outsourcing Division, CGS

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0000

Paul Magel discusses how fashion business can leverage technology to create supply chain visibility and efficiency. He recommends strategies, such as multi-sourcing and shared risked relationships, for brands to be avoid vulnerabilities, especially during times of crisis.

Paul Magel, who joined CGS in 1997, has more than three decades of experience in the information technology space. Leading the Application Solutions division at CGS, Mr. Magel oversees the company’s flagship BlueCherry® Enterprise Suite of solutions for the fashion, apparel and consumer lifestyle products industry as well as the Technology and Infrastructure practice overseeing sales, delivery, support and development. Mr. Magel is also responsible for the CGS Global Software Development Centers in Europe and India and the recent expansion of the BlueCherry solutions business in Europe and Canada.

Learn more: LinkedIn | CGS | BlueCherry

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Carissa Barrett, VP Retail, Byredo

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0000

Carissa Barrett discusses her role as an innovative retail leader in the beauty industry, facilitating success for managers, which in turn creates an optimal experience for customers. She shares insights on how the high-touch, high-emotion beauty industry is adapting due to the pandemic

Carissa Barrett is currently the vice president of retail at BYREDO. Carissa has over eighteen years of progressive management experience, and twenty five years of experience in retail. Carissa is an experienced retail executive with a proven track record for performance & productivity management, achievement of sales goals, client development, team development, event coordination and operational expertise. Participated and oversaw multiple store openings in the United States, London, Paris, Dubai and Korea. Oversaw lease negotiations, the stores build out process, the selling ceremony training and recruitment of the store teams.

Learn more: LinkedIn | BYREDO

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Luca Marchetti, Senior Lecturer, IFM and Sorbonne Nouvelle

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -0000

Luca Marchetti deep dives into current issues in fashion, related to inclusivity, diversity and cultural appropriation. He discusses the complexity of fashion branding and marketing especially on a global scale and to multiple generations, all with fast-shifting, sometimes contrasting, values.

With a degree in Semiotics from the universities of Bologna & Limoges, Luca Marchetti is a senior lecturer at the French Fashion Institute (IFM) in Paris, at the Sorbonne Nouvelle (University of Paris 3), at Parsons Paris at the University of Bologna. An experienced consultant and curator for international luxury brands, he also writes books and articles on fashion, design and branding, i.e. Exhibit! Fashion on Display: Exhibitions and Brand Spaces (2020), and contributes to magazines such as Vogue or Revue (with the regular column “C.Q.F.D.”).

Luca is the co-founder of The Prospectivists, an agency based in Paris, that focuses on “anticipating the future as a commitment to change in the present.”

Learn more: LinkedIn | The Prospectivists

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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新零售革命 Bonus Episode: Fashion Retail in China with Xia Feng 冯霞 (in Mandarin)

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -0000

在这期特别栏目中，特邀主持人Joy Chen 将会对话How Consulting的CEO冯霞女士，分享冯总关于疫情期间中国零售的策略布局变化，中国企业对新变革的积极应对以及对国际市场带来的引导和启发。同时，她也提及了中国新零售即将迎来的新机遇！

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Conversation with Massimo Volpe, CEO, Global Retail Alliance

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -0000

Massimo Volpe has more than a decade of experience in international retail organizations, learning and innovation. As a citizen of the world, for work and passion, Massimo worked with major clients and agencies in Asia, Middle East, Europe and North America. Prior to holding a leadership role in retail education and trends, Massimo served in various management positions in marketing, supporting leadinginternational brands such as Nike. He assumed the role of POPAI Italy General Manager in 2007, and became Director for Europe in 2012, responsible for 12 different country operations.

In 2014, Massimo relocated to Chicago to become VP of Global POPAI, responsible for 16 existing global chapters, and developed new international offices, such as POPAI China. In 2015, he took the role of Chairman of F.I.R.A.(Federation of Retail Associations), a network that brings together 45 retailer associations from 40 different countries.

He carried on his global approach to education and betterment in the international retail industry by serving on different Boards of organizations and international companies. He is often requested as speaker at several international events such as NRF Big Show, World Retail Congress, APAS Brazil and China International Retail Innovation Summit.

He is currently CEO of Global Retail Alliance, an international association serving the retail community around the Globe. In addition, he is a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Open Voice Commerce Commission and lecturer at Mimec Bocconi University.

He is currently based between New York and London but you can easily meet him in airports, on his way to studying and testing the latest Retail technology or trend somewhere around the world.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Global Retail Alliance

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Ron Thurston, Author, "Retail Pride"

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -0000

Ron Thurston is an experienced retail executive with a demonstrated history of delivering exceptional results and building culture. Skilled in trend analysis, retail, client development and growing store fleet count.

Ron is the Vice President of Stores at Intermix, an author and member of the Board of Directors at Goodwill. He is now the author of the bestselling book, "Retail Pride: Your Guide to Celebrating Your Accidental Career."

Ron was featured in the first-ever episode of Retail Revolution and is an ongoing supporter of the work we do.

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We excited to be giving away a signed copy of Ron Thurston’s best-selling new book “Retail Pride: the Guide to Celebrating your Accidental Career.” For a chance to win, you must subscribe to our Newsletter. You can do this by visiting RetailRevolutionPodcast.com and scrolling down to the bottom of the page. To enter more than once, please subscribe to Retail Revolution on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, rate us, and leave a written comment.

This giveaway will end on Tuesday, November 24th at 11:59pm Eastern time. So be sure to enter before then. And good luck!

Learn more: LinkedIn | intermixonline.com | OurRetailStories.com | Retail Pride on Amazon

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Nick McHenry, CEO, OneShop

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 13:00:00 -0000

Nick McHenry shares insights on the shifts in clientelling, drawing from his experience in many fashion retailing environments from mass to luxury. He emphasizes the need to offer a personalized experiences, which he describes as less about technology and more about empathy and understanding.

Nick is the Co-Founder and CEO of OneShop - a clienteling software platform that helps retailers and sales associates connect and build deeper relationships with their customers through personalized communication at scale. Prior to starting OneShop, Nick spent his career building luxury fashion wholesale businesses working for brands such as Giorgio Armani, Philipp Plein, and Boglioli specializing in finding creative opportunities for growth. As an early stage startup founder Nick works with retailers and sales associates on the front lines every day to revolutionize the store experience for the future of brick and mortar retail.

Nick is also the host of the podcast, Retail Coffee Break.

Learn more: LinkedIn | OneShop | Retail Coffee Break

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Barbara Kolsun, Director, The FAME Center

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Barbara Kolsun, director of The FAME Center, is a leading fashion industry attorney, a professor of practice of fashion law at Cardozo Law, and co-editor of the seminal text on the subject, Fashion Law – A Guide for Designers, Fashion Executives and Attorneys (Bloomsbury, 2nd Edition, 2014). She is a consultant to fashion companies and has taught at NYU and Fordham Law Schools. Kolsun started the legal departments and was the first General Counsel of Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman and Seven for All Mankind, and was Assistant General Counsel of Westpoint Stevens and Calvin Klein Jeans. While in private practice, her clients included Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

Kolsun currently consults with fashion companies on various issues, and was honored with lifetime achievement awards in 2015 by both the Luxury Summit in London and the World Trademark Forum at INTA. She has served as Chairman of the Board of the International Anticounterfeiting Coalition and has spoken and been published widely on fashion law around the world. She has been the subject of stories in numerous publications, including the New York Times, and was a consultant in intellectual property to USAID's Start Vietnam program in 2002 and 2004.

Kolsun clerked for the Second Circuit after her graduation from Cardozo in 1982. She received her J.D. from Cardozo Law in 1982 and is a member of the Order of the Coif. She received her B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College in 1971 and her experience as a professional singer and actress continues to motivate her fierce efforts to protect artists' and designers' intellectual property rights.

Learn more: Cardozo Law | The FAME Law Center

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Fanny Damiette, CMO, The Webster

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Fanny Damiette dives into the current thinking and practices related to customer-centric, omni-channel fashion marketing. She discusses the need for a more personalized brand experience, based on integrity.

Fanny spent 15+ years building her international experience in branding, creative and marketing leadership. She has consulted with start-ups and industry-leading companies. She is known for her ability to optimize her right and left brain thinking to successfully lead and manage top-level creatives, strategists, engineers, data scientists and executives in delivering critical projects

Currently, Fanny is the CMO at The Webster, a US-based high luxury retail platform known for its unique identity and very strong brand assortment, where she oversees all creative and digital marketing as well as Brand strategy. Prior to that, Fanny was the VP of Brand and Marketing at NSTO, a New York-based international luxury retailer group known for its distinctive luxury designer brands selection. At NSTO, Fanny was responsible for overseeing both Totokaelo and Need Supply Co. brand experiences and establishing them as major contemporary luxury players on a global scale. Previously, she was Director of Brand and Marketing Strategy at SSENSE, a Canadian-based international luxury retailer known for its distinctive brand identity and unique marketing. At SSENSE, she drove the Brand Strategy and Marketing activities, while also overseeing Customer Insights and Brand Partnerships.

Fanny spent 8 years as a Brand Consultant at renowned global design French firm Saguez & Partners, leading large scale initiatives with industry-leading clients such as BNP Paribas, Vinci, Unibail Rodamco, L’Oreal, Yves Rocher, Carrefour. Her lifelong passion for telling inspiring brand stories led her to the IFM (Institut Francais de la Mode) in Paris, known as the top ranking Global Fashion School for business, where she earned a Masters in Global Fashion Management. As a Branding expert, she has been invited to give talks about branding, and to teach Brand & Marketing to aspiring entrepreneurs at her alma mater. Fanny has been a lecturer and a mentor there since 2015.

Learn more: LinkedIn | The Webster

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Nichole Simms, CEO, Creative Visual Solutions

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Nichole Simms shares her insight on retail store management, with a focus on employee team building, leadership and customer engagement. She stresses the importance of clear communication around strategy, goals and expected outcomes.

Nichole is the CEO and founder of Creative Visual Solutions, a retail and sales consultant company that helps Boutique and Small Retail Owners grow their businesses through proven Merchandising and Sales strategies. Throughout her career she has had the privilege of driving results and collaborating with some of the country's best retailers such as The Gap, Ann Taylor, Forever 21, Nike, UA and The North Face. She has been featured in top retail publications such as Compliant IA and Independent Retailer. Now she uses her vast experience to help her clients achieve sales success within their businesses.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Creative Visual Solutions

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Seph Skerritt, Founder, Proper Cloth

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Seph Skerritt discusses the entrepreneurial and creative process of building a tech fashion company that provides custom men’s shirts. He shares advice on how to scale a new business by creating tools that automate and refine the user experience over time.

Seph is the founder and CEO of Proper Cloth. Seph founded Proper Cloth in 2008 and has grown the business to be the leading brand for mens custom shirts. In his current role, Seph is closely involved in new technology development, product design, marketing and advertising.

Prior to Proper Cloth, Seph received an MBA from MIT Sloan and a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at San Diego. Seph currently lives in New York. Learn more:

Learn more: LinkedIn | Proper Cloth

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Joshua Kapelman, EVP, Hilldun Corporation

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Joshua Kapelman discusses the intersection of fashion and finance and the shifting landscape of fashion wholesale and retail. He provides tips for young designers and brands seeking to break into the market, with a focus on Direct-to-Consumer and Specialty retail.

Joshua Kapelman is EVP & Managing Director of Hilldun Corporation. Prior to joining, Joshua had extensive experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and sales; having launched two companies in the e-sports market during its infancy. Hilldun, is well known as the company that provides entrepreneurial financing and factoring for many of America's iconic fashion brands.

Joshua has also served as a speaker and judge at a number of conferences, including recently serving as judge at the Fashioning Our Industry pitch competition and speaking at the British Fashion Council’s annual British Fashion Forum. Joshua was raised in New York and earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Tufts University. He remains active with Tufts University's Tufts Entrepreneurship Center where he sits on its Board of Advisors as the chair of its Development and Governance Committee in addition to the Tufts President’s Council. Joshua sits on several for-profit boards as well and is an active angel investor. In his free time Josh enjoys kiteboarding and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Hilldun Corporation

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Luisa Herrera-Garcia, SVP of Production, John Varvatos

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Luisa Herrera-Garcia shares the importance of developing fashion collections that are creative, “on brand” and commercially viable and profitable. She discusses the need for a more transparent and ethical supply chain, especially with women’s rights in mind.

Luisa Herrera-Garcia has over 25 years of experience working with many of the most important American brands in the menswear industry.

Presently, Luisa oversees a staff of twenty in the production and design departments for John Varvatos Enterprise. Luisa is responsible for setting the global strategy for planning, production and operation processes while securing profitability requirements for the Varvatos wholesale and retail operations.

Her professional expertise includes creating the framework for sustained growth and expansion into new markets and developing strong leaders who possess passion and creativity as well as initiating and negotiating new agent and buying office requirements globally . Known as a fair, open minded and determined leader, Luisa sets high standards for herself and for her team. She is driven by the challenge of mentoring and developing talent to achieve personal and professional success, and recognizes this as one of her highest achievement.

Prior to her affiliation with John Varvatos Enterprise, Luisa spent six years with Calvin Klein, rising to the role of Vice President of Production, where she facilitated the global production and merchandising directives for the Tailored, Sportswear and Furnishings lines. She has held similar roles with Perry Ellis, PVH and Cutlass & Moore earlier in her career.

As an active participant in philanthropic and civic organizations, Luisa spearheaded the “Mini Olympics,” a celebrity/tastemakers day of competition in Central Park to raise money for various community organizations to benefit children. She has also served on the Host Committee for Jazz at Lincoln Center as well as the Alvin Ailey II Gala from 1996 to 1998.

Learn more: LinkedIn | John Varvatos

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Andrew Jassin, Founder/Manager, Jassin Consulting Group

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Andrew Jassin provides an expansive view of the apparel industry over the past 40 years with a focus on brand development and M&A. He then focuses on current issues, and provides insight on how brands can engage new consumers.

A fashion industry leader, founder and Managing Director of the Jassin Consulting Group, Mr. Jassin is celebrating his 27th year owning and operating management consulting firms providing Licensing consulting services and the associated management of intellectual property (I.P.) for brand expansion for both licensors, licensees and retailers. He has extensive experience working on M & A transactions and the associated creation of strategic alliances, development and implementation of business strategies. He and his colleagues provide council to business leaders around the globe as his consulting group provides services exclusively to the Fashion Industries inclusive of apparel, jewelry, accessory and home furnishings companies and related financial services, logistic and supply chain organizations.

In 1989 along with friends jointly formed the Marketing Management Group, Inc. (“MMG”), and later went on to Form Jassin Consulting Group (“JCG”) providing independent expert counsel to top management on issues related to brand management, licensing, marketing and product evaluation. Mr. Jassin is one few individuals in fashion to work on whole asset securitization of royalties, providing debt financing for companies (licensor) with guaranteed royalty flows; and has worked on securitizations with many leading firms in the fashion industry. Mr. Jassin along with his colleagues distinguish themselves with a hands-on, personal approach, guiding clients through finding opportunities and solutions for issues related to management, merchandising, production and international marketing.

Prior to becoming a consultant Mr. Jassin had a highly successful 20-year career in the apparel industry. As President and Chief Executive Officer of several operating divisions of Jones Apparel Group, then a major fashion conglomerate. Mr. Jassin started Karl Lagerfeld, a division of Bidermann Industries, (U.S./France), pioneering a worldwide licensing/manufacturing organization for this top European designer. Prior to Jones Apparel Group, Mr. Jassin was Principal and President of FU’s USA, an international jeanswear company with a global licensing and retail presence, which was sold to a major U.S. retailer.

Mr. Jassin is a founder and board member of the Fashion Service Network (FSN), American Apparel Manufacturers Association, American Arbitration Association, The Retail Marketing Society, Fashion Group International, New York Fashion Council and Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. Mr. Jassin has also often been a speaker for industry groups discussing licensing and marketing matters. Mr. Jassin is a member of the American Arbitration Association. In addition, Mr. Jassin has often served as an expert in matters of arbitration, and or litigation in both Federal as well as State court.

A major passion of his is education and providing opportunities for future leaders he has worked closely with The Fashion Institute of Technology.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Jassin Consulting Group | Fashion Service Network

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Keanan Duffty, Designer & Director, MPS-FM

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Keanan Duffty explores the intersection between creativity and commerce, and his own connection to punk music and the DYI movement. He shares insights on the fashion industry, and the need for more independent retailers. He also discusses the MPS-Fashion Management graduate program he founded.

Keanan is an award-winning British designer, musician, educator, author of “Rebel Rebel Anti-Style” (Rizzoli/Universe, 2009) and an innovator in contemporary fashion design. Duffty is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a CFDA Education Committee member and was the stylist for the 2016 CFDA Awards tribute to David Bowie, featuring Tilda Swinton and Michael C. Hall with costumes by Kansai Yamamoto and Donatella Versace.

Duffty graduated from Central Saint Martins with a Bachelor of Arts degree with 1st Class Honors. Before graduation his work was featured extensively in The Face, i-D Magazine and Blitz photographed by Nick Knight, Iain McKell and Marc Lebon. Duffty is the founding Director of the Masters in Fashion Management at Parsons School of Design and is regularly featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Women’s Wear Daily and Business of Fashion.

The Keanan Duffty music-inspired namesake collection was established in 1998 and sold from showrooms in New York and London to 150 international retailers including Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Harvey Nichols, Lane Crawford Hong Kong, Baycrews and Journal Standard in Japan. From 2000-2003 Duffty collaborated with Reebok on a co-branded sneaker collection. In 2006 Duffty entered into an agreement with Li & Fung and Target to launch ‘England’s Dreaming by Keanan Duffty’ at 1200 stores throughout the USA. In 2007 Duffty collaborated with David Bowie to create a limited-edition fashion collection, which sold out at Target within weeks of its debut. Duffty has collaborated with brands including Aveda, Ben Sherman, Dr. Martens, Kid Robot, Medicom, Gola, Reebok and has served as Design Director for Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B, John Varvatos ★USA and Ben Sherman.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Instagram

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Bonus: Reflection on the Past & Future

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0000

In this bonus episode, host Christopher Lacy, speaks with producer Joshua Williams, about the past two seasons of the Retail Revolution podcast. They reflect on the common themes of authenticity, values alignment and the role of technology in retail. They also provide a sneak peek into plans for season three.

Christopher and Joshua are both Assistant Professors in the School of Fashion at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Joshua is the Associate Director of the MPS Fashion Management program, and is responsible for developing an immersive online version of the onsite program which launches Fall 2020.

Christopher is a strategic customer experience, and operations executive who has worked across multiple markets in the US over the last 20 years. Throughout the course of his career he has managed and strategized for businesses such as Armani, Hugo Boss, Donna Karan, Omega, Zilli and Gucci. Most recently, Christopher leveraged his expertise to evolve the business and client engagement at Barneys New York as the Director of Customer Experience, Learning and Strategy. He was a Chairperson for the Barneys New York Foundation with an objective to support key causes in LGBT, education and the arts. Christopher is the founder and owner of Christopher Lacy Consulting, a business committed to assisting companies build and execute training initiatives and client development strategies that improve external and internal customer journeys.

Joshua is an experienced fashion creative director, business executive and educator. He is proud of his ability to equally balance the creative and business needs of a company and believes that developing integrated cross-departmental solutions, systems and teams, are essential to the success of a brand. Joshua served as Director of Corporate Branding and Online Retailing at J.McLaughlin, an American retail brand, and as Vice President of Marketing of Lindsay Phillips, a footwear start-up. Joshua has taught as an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology since 2008. He is the founder and president of Fashion Consort, a consultancy firm that focuses on producing and delivering content that inspires, entertains and educates businesses, students and consumers, with a focus on current issues, innovations and authentic human connections.

Learn more: Christopher Lacy Consulting | Fashion Consort | MPS Fashion Management Online

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Nigel Barker, Photographer & Entrepreneur

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Nigel Barker shares his perspective on the need for brands to be thoughtful about what they stand for, who they support, and how they connect with consumers, whether it’s through social media or in a physical environment. Real passion and positive energy is contagious.

Nigel is an internationally renowned photographer who opened his New York studio in 1996. He served 17 seasons as photographer and judge on the hit TV show, America’s Next Top Model, which airs in over 140 countries, and hosted Oxygen Network’s modeling competition series, The Face, starring alongside Naomi Campbell. Nigel’s latest hit show Top Photographer premiered to rave reviews and a second season is in the works.

Nigel’s presence in the fashion and entertainment industry has resulted in an array of exciting projects including the creation of his own furniture line the NB1 & NB2 Collections available exclusively at Art Van Furniture. He is also a Founder and partner in the new NYC gym, The DOGPOUND.

Nigel has directed and produced films, documentaries and commercials for Hollywood clients to international charitable organizations and was awarded the “Film Heals” Award for Humanitarianism at the 6th Annual Manhattan Film Festival for Dreams Are Not Forgotten. Using the power of photography and motion pictures he has been able to spread his humanitarian message to vast audiences through films, PSA’s and traveling exhibitions. He has worked with several charitable organizations including The Humane Society of the United States, The Humane Society International, Make A Wish Foundation, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation (of which he is a board member), The Edeyo Foundation (board member) and the USO where he serves as a digital advisory committee member.

Drawing upon his 20+ years of experience in the fashion and beauty industries, he has two books—The Beauty Equation, published by Abrams, and his latest book, New York Times Best Seller Models of Influence published by Harper Collins. Nigel currently lives in New York with his wife and renown Yogi, Cristen AKA @ChinTwins and their two children Jack and Jasmine.

Learn more: Instagram | NigelBarker.tv

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z - Caitlin hosts Andrew

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Caitlin Forbes hosts Andrew Forbes as part of our special summer series, “Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z.” Caitlin is currently a MPS Fashion Management graduate student at Parsons School of Design. Andrew is a Business Development Executive at The Forbes Company, specializing in commercial retail.

Learn more about Caitlin: LinkedIn

Learn more about Andrew: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z - Caitlin hosts Morgan

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Caitlin Forbes hosts Jeff Karly as part of our special summer series, “Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z.” Caitlin is currently a MPS Fashion Management graduate student at Parsons School of Design. Jeff is also an MPS Fashion Management student and the founder/designer at Unique Expozzure.

Learn more about Caitlin: LinkedIn

Learn more about Jeff: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z - Caitlin hosts Jeff

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Caitlin Forbes hosts Morgan Siskind as part of our special summer series, “Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z.” Caitlin is currently a MPS Fashion Management graduate student at Parsons School of Design. Morgan is an Agent Trainee at United Talent Agency.

Learn more about Caitlin: LinkedIn

Learn more about Morgan: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Natalie Zfat, Social Media Expert

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Natalie Zfat advises fashion brands to be people-first and value-driven, especially on social media. She recommends that brands and influencers create content that is either funny, beautiful or valuable, as a means to authentically engage, rather than focusing too much on the analytics.

According to Mark Cuban, “Natalie Zfat doesn’t mess around.” After landing her dream job writing for Rolling Stone at the age of 21, Natalie recognized the growing demand for digital and started her social media consulting company in 2010, earning the praise of her former boss, Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers. Ten years later, Natalie has been hailed by the New York Times as a "social media expert" and has partnered with some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Samsung, American Express, Lyft and Facebook. Hosting video interviews, emceeing award shows and implementing full-scale social media takeovers, Natalie gains millions of impressions for the brands she advocates for. She loves sharing her thought leadership in her Forbes column, at conferences and universities, and on television, including CNBC, the TODAY Show, Carnegie Mellon, NYU Stern School of Business, SXSW and CES.

Natalie’s personal mantra is that success means never doing the same thing twice, unless it was really fun the first time. Her beloved social media community of 100K+ followers are dreamers, doers and entrepreneurs, from college students to CEOs. When she’s not engaging with them, you can find her and her laptop out and about around New York City, always with a smile and a soy chai latte.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Natalie Zfat

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with John Matthews, CEO, AVRIO Footwear

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 10:47:00 -0000

John Matthews shares his journey in building AVRIO Footwear, a sustainable and transparent footwear brand that uses algae and other organic components. He discusses the need to build business communities that share ideas, technologies and innovations to build a more sustainable future.

John believes the future of sustainable fashion will depend upon cooperation and collaboration. His team created the Avrio brand to showcase the entrepreneurs of our world who have a vision and a passion on how you can Make Tomorrow Beautiful.

If you would like a historical report of work & accomplishments, that’s a conversation you can have with John, but he did tell us this:

After serving in the military and graduating from college, he spent his professional career working within the manufacturing space, establishing factories and offices in the U.S. and around the globe. Each country and culture brought their own challenges and opportunities, and all of them shared a similar desire to improve their operations. What John learned from these experiences is how improving operations could also result in broader positive social and eco-impacts. John developed a passion for sustainability before it was considered cool. He believes that a company can improve its operations while it fulfills its responsibility to improve the workplace, the community and the environment.

After serving for several years in footwear manufacturing, John left his position as the Chief Operating Officer of an international company to start Avrio. The question wasn’t whether the world needed another shoe company. The question was, how could Avrio make an impact and inspire the change we need. In 2018, the concept of Avrio was born and built upon the following pillars: Collaboration, Eco-Innovation & Transparency.

Learn more: LinkedIn | AVRIO Footwear | Kickstarter

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z - Miloni hosts Prachi

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 16:29:00 -0000

Miloni Kothari hosts Prachi Gor as part of our special summer series, “Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z.” Miloni is currently a MPS Fashion Management graduate student at Parsons School of Design. Prachi is also a MPS Fashion Management student and is a designer and social media content creator.

Learn more about Miloni: LinkedIn

Learn more about Prachi: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z - Miloni hosts Megan

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 16:21:00 -0000

Miloni Kothari hosts Megan Picurro as part of our special summer series, “Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z.” Miloni is currently a MPS Fashion Management graduate student at Parsons School of Design. Megan is also a MPS Fashion Management student and is the Product Development Manager for Londontown, Inc. a cosmetics company.

Learn more about Miloni: LinkedIn

Learn more about Megan: LinkedIn | Londontown

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z - Miloni hosts Mrudula

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 16:13:00 -0000

Miloni Kothari hosts Mrudula Joshi as part of our special summer series, “Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z.” Miloni is currently a MPS Fashion Management graduate student at Parsons School of Design. Mrudula is the founder of Ullisu and is focused on living a zero-waste lifestyle.

Learn more about Miloni: LinkedIn

Learn more about Mrudula: LinkedIn | Ullisu

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Cheryl Stallworth, Co-Founder, ShedLight

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Cheryl Stallworth shares her vast experience on developing international brands. She challenges business leaders to “get out of their bubbles,” beyond their own communities, and strive to engage more benevolently and authentically with customers.

Cheryl focuses on strategic planning and market insights for ShedLight, bringing 25 years of global business experience as a co-founder and board member. Prior to ShedLight, she was CEO of Firefly, Kantar Millward Brown's North American qualitative research division for a decade, where she focused on championing innovation that changed the face of marketing research and strategy. This focus resulted in the creation of a culture that fueled collaboration, delivered excellent work to blue chip clients, and increased the value of their brands.

Cheryl’s business expertise, across consumer products, retail, financial services, health care, and technology—and proven ability to grow brands, make her uniquely suited to help companies, brands, and non-profits develop purpose-driven marketing strategies. As a hands-on leader, Cheryl helps ShedLight clients develop programs that drive growth as well as positive social change, and track their successes by measuring what matters.

Earlier in her career, Cheryl was a Managing Director at Firefly and worked for large multinationals. At Colgate-Palmolive, she served as VP, General Manager of Multicultural Marketing, General Manager of the Guatemala subsidiary, and Worldwide Brand Director of Palmolive Skin Cleansing. She also served as Marketing Director for The Coca-Cola Company’s Central America and Caribbean Division as well as the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Division.

Cheryl holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a past Advisory Board member of the Center for Brand & Product Management, Wisconsin School of Business. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

Learn more: LinkedIn | ShedLight

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Valerie Mayén, Founder, YellowcakeShop

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Valerie Mayén discusses her ongoing work to create a more sustainable fashion company that puts her employees, customers and the environment at the forefront of all her business decisions. She also shares her insights as a Latina entrepreneur.

Valerie is the owner and founder of YellowcakeShop Clothing (YC), the signature line of sustainable women’s clothing and accessories. Valerie's childhood passion for recreating her clothing led to success in designing and producing a curated offering of essential and versatile clothing and accessories for the everyday professional woman. Valerie is an alumna of Project Runway. Her garments are handmade in the United States with a keen attention to detail, superior construction, and timeless design. Every purchase made supports Yellowcake's larger mission to alleviate social issues and environmental challenges here and abroad.

Learn more: LinkedIn | FASHINNOVATION | YellowcakeShop

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conversation with Jordana Guimarães, Founder, Fashinnovation

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Jordana Guimarães makes a second appearance on the podcast, this time focusing on the opportunity the fashion and retail industries have to build community. She advocates for cross-discipline collaboration to to find innovative ways to solve current social issues.

Jordana Guimaraes has over fifteen years experience as a Marketing, Sales & Public Relations Director in the lifestyle & fashion industries. Recently, she co-founded FASHINNOVATION, a platform showcasing innovations via technology that shapes the fashion industry. Much of her work includes a strong focus on issues of sustainability, women empowerment and inclusivity. Her most recent focus is on The Nylon Project, bring the fashion and entertainment industries together to give a “face” to homelessness. Her forthcoming book, “It Can Be You” serves as companion guide and resource to this project.

Learn more: LinkedIn | FASHINNOVATION | The Nylon Project

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Milton Springut, Founding Partner, Springut Law PC

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Milton Springut shares his vast knowledge of intellectual property law and its intrinsic relationship with fashion. He provides advice for entrepreneurs to consider as they begin their businesses, and offers perspective on the legal situation, specifically leases, most retailers are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Milton is an intellectual property (what he calls Creativity Law® ) lawyer and founding partner of Springut Law PC. He helps businesses and individuals protect their creativity from the copying and commoditization of their patent, design patent, copyright, trademark, and trade dress rights, and develop strategies to defend these IP rights including through litigation. He was selected as a Super Lawyer in the field of intellectual property litigation and rated by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV Preeminent® lawyer, its highest rating.

More specifically, Milton prosecutes and litigates patents in the scientific disciplines, including electrical and electronic systems, computer hardware and software, and business systems, drawing on his great experience at Bell Telephone Laboratories, where he developed computer hardware and software systems.

During Milton’s professional career, he has been counsel in numerous patent, trade secret, and computer law litigations. His experience encompasses a broad range of technologies including computer processors and related hardware and software, mobile payments, electronic commerce, telephony, security systems, video systems, medical devices, and financial services systems.

In over 25 years of practice, Milton has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most skilled litigators of trademark, counterfeiting, and gray goods cases, representing the world’s top luxury brands and international fashion houses.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Springut Law

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Meghan Houle, Sr. Executive Recruiter, The Bowerman Group

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Meghan Houle shares her insights into the fashion industry recruiting and hiring process, especially within the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic. She provides tips on how to executive a successful job search, including advice on setting up a LinkedIn profile, creating your resume, preparing for an interview and following-up post-interview.

Meghan is a seasoned luxury retailer who turned a passion for people into a full-time recruiting role understanding the unique chemistry that makes a candidate a great fit for a brand. As she states, “I am in the business of building relationships.”

Meghan is the Senior Executive Recruiter at The Bowerman Group and has 20+ years’ experience working with fashion industry leading brands across North America and globally with a focus on Retail, Digital, Marketing, E-Commerce, Human Resources, Finance and Regional Account Sales. Meghan is a proven expert in matching the right candidate to the right company, working directly to influence hiring managers at all levels.

Learn more: LinkedIn | The Bowerman Group

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Timo Rissanen, Associate Professor, UTS

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Timo Rissanen challenges listeners with innovative ways to think more sustainability about the fashion system, including design and retail. He focuses on the role that consumers play in this complex system and discusses the intrinsic connection between sustainability and social justice.

Timo is a newly appointed associate professor in fashion and textiles at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). During his decade at Parsons School of Design, he was associate professor of fashion design and sustainability within the School of Fashion. He also served as the School Associate Dean of the School of Constructed Environments, and he was one of the Associate Directors of the Tishman Environment and Design Center. He was born in Finland and trained as a fashion designer at the UTS in Australia. Rissanen completed a practice-based PhD on zero waste fashion design at UTS in 2013. As an artist he has focused on labour, politics and love through installation, performance and cross-stitched poetry. Rissanen co-curated Fashioning Now with Alison Gwilt in 2009 and Yield with Holly McQuillan in 2011, and he has co-published two books on fashion and sustainability, Shaping Sustainable Fashion with Gwilt in 2011 and Zero Waste Fashion Designwith McQuillan in 2016. Rissanen is a founding member of the Union of Concerned Researchers in Fashion.

Learn more: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Vasumathi Soundararajan, Service & Interaction Designer, Fjord

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Vasumathi Soundararajan describes her role and ethos as a service and interaction designer, focused on how customers experience brands digitally and physically. She shares insight, as an entrepreneur, on growing a customer-centric business.

Vasumathi designs “the world we want to live in – one that propels us forward, one that works with & for us.” She currently workis as a Service and Interaction designer at Fjord, Accenture.

Vasu is a human-interest storyteller and entrepreneur turned Experience Strategist and UX Designer who has successfully built, launched and scaled businesses. She is an Interdisciplinary designer and creative collaborator, adept at developing human-centered solutions. She is an empathetic detail-oriented problem solver, using design as a tool to drive change, growth and positive impact.

With the motto that “Life is too brief to wear boring underwear”, she launched a design-driven startup called Ken Wroy, that offers fun and comfortable underwear for men. Being a champion of sustainability, she passed the BCORP certification – achieving radical transparency in her supply chain.

She successfully led the business to acquisition.

Her design philosophy — Mono no aware (物の哀れ), is a Japanese term for ‘Being Aware of Impermanence,’ motivates her to empathize and experience to the fullest.

Learn more: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Donald Rattner, Architect & Author

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Donald Rattner discusses the science behind space design with a focus on how retailers can connect more organically and successfully with customers. He coins a new term, “retidential” design, a mash-up of retail and residential, to describe a movement towards more intimate, home-like retail spaces.

Donald is an architect who helps individuals and organizations optimize creative performance by applying scientific research to the design of physical space. He is widely published as both author and subject. His most recent book, My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation, 48 Science-based Techniques, received a Gold Award from the Nonfiction Authors Association, a Silver Medal in the Nautilus Book Awards, and a Semi-finalist in the Chanticleer Instruction and Insight Awards. He has also written for numerous print and online channels, including Work Design Magazine, Better Humans, The Writer’s Cooperative, ChildArt Magazine, Residential Architect, and assorted blogs. I have contributed entries to such books as Design Professionals and the Built Environment, and the International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture. His work has been featured on CNN, in such publications as The New York Times, Houzz, Architectural Digest, and Builder. You can also listen to previous podcast interview, including Killer Innovations, Love Your Work, the Small Business Radio Show, the PsychCentral Show, and Creative Warriors.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Donald Rattner | Amazon (book)

My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Dr. Guido Lang, Associate Professor, Quinnipiac University

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 20:05:00 -0000

Dr, Guido Lang shares his insights on developing new ideas and bringing them to the market, especially in the technology space. He reinforces the idea that staying focused on solving one particular problem first, before trying to scale, is key to a successful new business. And he discusses the need for a more inclusive education in digital skills.

Dr. Lang is an Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems at Quinnipiac University, where he founded the university's App Development Lab and served as a founding board member of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Besides teaching in the Computer Information Systems, Business Analytics, and MBA programs, he advises students on how to launch technology startups. He is a serial entrepreneur and most recently the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of CheckSamples, a startup in the healthcare technology space. Dr. Lang has published dozens of articles in the area of computing education research, which have won awards from the Education Special Interest Group of the Association for Information Technology Professionals and appeared in journals such as the Journal of Computer Information Systems, Journal of Information Systems Education, and Journal of Research on Technology in Education. He has been a Visiting Researcher at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, where he conducted research on global digital skills initiatives. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems from Baruch College, City University of New York.

Learn more: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Fashion & Racism, A Conversation with Sabrina Lynch, Integrated Marketing Specialist

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 14:35:00 -0000

Producer Joshua Williams joins host Christopher Lacy to share in a special conversation with Sabrina Lynch, an integrated marketing and communication specialist about the issue of race and fashion, specifically as it relates to black people. This episode includes frank discussion about the systemic racism inherent in fashion, the commoditization of black culture and the lack of black voices in the industry, and concludes with a challenge for fashion brands to listen, reflect and act for equity and inclusion.

Sabrina Lynch is an integrated-marketing communications specialist, providing strategic counsel for blue-chip brands, start-up businesses and philanthropic organizations spanning America, Europe and Australasia. In addition, Sabrina is an Adjunct Professor at Manhattan College teaching Advanced Communications/Strategic Planning and a Facilitator at Fordham University. She is a champion for diversity and inclusion, leading to her being selected by Yahoo Finance! as a 2019 Ethnic Minority Role Model and D&I consultant for Parsons School of Fashion.

Learn more: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Sam Cotton, Creative Director, Raiment

Tue, 19 May 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Sam Cotton shares insight on the fashion design process within the context of the full supply chain, from sourcing materials and production to retailing and end use. He discusses the fashion industry within the wider lens of philosophic and economic models and shares his ideas for a more sustainable future.

Sam is Creative Director and Owner of Raiment a contemporary Menswear brand with a focus on international collaborative British Craft. He draws Inspiration from cultural collaboration in craft such as architecture, furniture, ceramics and contemporary art. Each season Raiment tworks with overseas manufacturing, such as Nepalese Hand Weavers and part of the profits go to Charity. Previously Sam Cotton was the Mens RTW Lead Designer for Valentino. He was also Owner and Creative Director of a multi award winning international menswear brand; Agi & Sam, showing with the British Fashion Council at London Fashion Week. His experience includes working with and consulting for brands such as Alexander McQueen, J.W. Anderson, Pucci, Mont Blanc, LVMH, Richemont, COS, Nike and Karl Lagerfeld.

Awards include: International Woolmark Prize Regional Winner 2016, LVMH Prize Finalist 2015, WGSN Breakthrough Designer of the Year 2015, GQ Men of the Year Award Breakthrough Designer 2014 and a British Fashion Award for Emerging Menswear 2013.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Raiment (coming soon)

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Bonus Conversation: Emily & Jessica

Thu, 14 May 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Global Fashion Management students Emily Wiens and Jessica Tsai share their retail strategies for Net-a-Porter and Muji, as part of their “Retailing and Service Design” final projects. They also provide insight on youth culture, consumer engagement and post-pandemic retailing.

Emily Wiens is a Canadian Fashion Management master’s student, currently researching the future of sustainable fashion systems and effective leadership management. She finds life in balancing her education with travel, and believes her time spent exploring diversity and cultures beyond her home has shaped her passion to empower marginalized communities. With a background in business, politics and technology, she aims to discover new ways where these experiences intersect with the fashion industry.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Email: emilyrwiens @ gmail.edu

Jessica Tsai has spent the past three years in Public Relations. She specializes in fast fashion, influencer marketing and social media content creation, particularly in the Asian market. She received her BA in German and Literature and spent time working as a professional German tour guide. She is a MPS Fashion Management student, graduating in August.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Email: tsaiy240 @ newschool.edu

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Bonus Conversation: Jeanette & Glenda

Thu, 14 May 2020 12:00:00 -0000

MPS Fashion Management students Jeanette Gong and Glenda Widjaja share their retail strategies for Aimé Leon Dore and Urban Outfitters, as part of their “Retailing and Service Design” final projects. They also provide insight on Gen Z customers and how brands can better engage them.

Jeanette Gong is an aspiring brand strategist passionate about fashion and luxury business development. Having worked in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and currently pursuing her MPS degree in Fashion Management in New York, Gong has an extensive understanding of the global markets.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Email: ygong @ new school.edu

Glenda Garcia Widjaja is a designer originally from Jakarta, Indonesia who is now based in New York City. She has a BFA in Fashion Design prior to continuing her education in the Fashion Management MPS program both at Parsons School of Design.

Learn more: Website | Instagram

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Jon Harari, CEO, WindowsWear

Tue, 12 May 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Jon Harari shares his insight about the digitization of fashion and the work WindowsWear is doing to aggregate the creativity of store designers, visual merchandisers and packaging specialists. He equates information as power in a digital economy.

Jon is CEO of WindowsWear.com and serves as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Baruch College. Jon also serves as a board member of Berkeley College’s Fashion Advisory Board, Indiana University’s Apparel Merchandising Advisory Board, and several charitable non-profit organizations in New York City. Jon is also a frequent speaker throughout New York City and around the world at university campuses and industry conferences.

Prior to co-founding WindowsWear, Jon established U.S. market opportunities for top internationally-based designers through retail stores, wholesale, events, PR, and online. Prior to working in fashion, Jon was an investment analyst at Aurelius Capital Management, one of the world’s top activist distressed investment hedge funds, and an investment banker at Lehman Brothers.

Learn more: www.linkedin.com/in/jonharari | WindowsWear | Jon Harrari

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Xia Feng, E-Com Expert & CEO, The How Consulting

Thu, 07 May 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Xia Feng illuminates the major shifts that are happening in the fashion digital space. She discusses how the Chinese market may hold answers for American and European brands and their quest to connect more authentically, and in real time, with consumers online.

Xia is a rare-to-find native-Chinese, a senior executive in the US fashion and retail industry. Xia studied, worked, and lived in the US and Europe for nearly 20 years. With her superior problem-solving and communication skills, Xia quickly rose to the top ranks within the US and European public and private corporations.

Her work at VF Corporation propelled significant growth for The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Lee and Kipling in China and globally. Because of her in-depth cross-cultural perspectives, Xia has been a well sought-after, trusted voice to the C-suite executives on abroad-set of China-related topics. She continually speaks at global conferences about China.

Xia has devoted most of her career in Ecom growth and digital development in the past decade, mostly in Europe and fast-paced China. She built teams to grow eCom in owned.com, pure-players, marketplace, and new innovative retail channels.

Xia founded The How Consulting to help western companies enter and thrive inChina. With the political and economic challenges between China and the rest of the world intensifying, the bar for competing successfully in China keeps rising. It is her passion to use her background and experience to help western companies, big or small, step up to the China opportunity.

Learn more: www.linkedin.com/in/xiafeng/ | The How Consulting

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Brandon Roe, Marketing Expert & Author

Tue, 05 May 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Brandon Roe provides insight on how luxury brands can better engage customers by understanding the unique cohorts that shop for luxury products and services. He also provides clear steps that fashion brands can take to ensure they manage through the Covid-19 crisis—internally and externally—and come out stronger post-pandemic.

More than seven million people have heard Brandon Roe speak about fashion consumer insights and trends, especially as it relates to the role of technology in today’s hyper-connected world. He has been featured in mainstream media outlets, including SiriusXM, the iHeart Radio Network and the Jim Bohannon show, one of the largest such programs in the country.

Together with consumer research pioneer Dr. Michael Solomon, he wrote Why Fashion Brands Die & How to Save Them. Designed for fashion industry marketers, the book shows how struggling brands can recover and already successful brands be made more lucrative, simply by focusing on the consumer and serving them better.

Over two decades in the business, Brandon has worked with clients in eight countries and three languages, giving a very international perspective to his client engagements. He is the founder of The WestEast Group based in Vancouver, Canada.

Learn more: LinkedIn | The Fashion Consumer podcast (host) | Why Brands Die (co-author)

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Meisha Brown, VP Department Stores, Kering Eyewear

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Meisha Brown shares her deep experience and perspective in multi-label luxury merchandising in a time of major retail disruption. She discusses everything from developing brands on the store floor through thoughtful merchandising to dealing with vendor relationships. She also offers advice to future merchandisers, including the need to understand both retail math and fashion trends.

Meisha has over 15 years of merchandising experience in the luxury retail fashion industry. She most recently worked for Barneys New York, and began her career with Saks Fifth Avenue. Her expertise is in the women’s designer leather goods and contemporary RTW market. She is a strategic merchant with business acumen and a creative vision. Meisha holds a Master of Arts in Luxury and Fashion Management with the Savannah College of Art & Design and a B.S. in Business Marketing from California State University, Long Beach.

Meisha is Vice President of Department Stores for the Kering Eyewear in North America, and the former Buying Director of Women’s Designer Leather Goods & Accessories at Barney’s New York.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Kering Eyewear

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

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Conversation with Noam Levavi, CEO, BYOND XR

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Noam Levavi challenges our concepts of what retail might look like in 3 to 5 years, discussing how the shift into the virtual world will be accelerated post Covid-19 pandemic and how adopting new technologies will unveil new opportunities for brands, retailers and designers. He elaborates how the virtual transformation will allow brands to be more innovative, personalized, efficient and sustainable in how they design, showroom and sell their products and services.

Noam is a serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of innovations in user experience technologies, including several patents in the area of personalized interfaces. He was the founder and former CEO of YCD, a company that pioneered the in-store media industry with new marketing strategies and digital experience inventions. YCD became one of the world’s leading provider of customer experiences for top Retailers, reaching more than 100 million consumers monthly with personalized content at thousands of venues worldwide. Leading brands are using YCD's technologies to power their customer experiences in-store, including Chanel, Diesel, Estee Lauder, Microsoft, AT&T, Coca Cola, McDonald's and Burger King. YCD also won top industry awards for special implementations at various Fortune 500 companies.

Noam has been a keynote speaker on topics such as consumer behavior, personalized media, shopper marketing and the evolution of digital experiences for The Economist, DLD, DSE and Digital Signage Investor. He has contributed to USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Frost & Sullivan and Platt Retail Institute.

Noam Levavi is the co-founder and CEO of ByondXR.

Learn more: LinkedIn | ByondXR

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Bonus Episode: Hopes & Fears for Fashion’s Future

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 17:20:00 -0000

In this short, bonus episode, Jordana Guimaraes discusses the hopes and fears that fashion industry professionals are grappling with during the Covid-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding the real issues the pandemic has created, she posits that a time of crisis creates opportunity to design innovative solutions.

Learn more: LinkedIn | FASHINNOVATION

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Kevin Thompson, Chief Brand Strategist

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Kevin Thompson shares his perspective on the changing landscape of retailing, particularly as it relates to brick & mortar operations and design. He also discusses the marketing needs of a fashion brand and how communication is a two-way street, wherein customers must have a voice.

Kevin has executive leadership experience in marketing, management, project development, operations, training, and sales forecasting working in luxury fashion/marketing, real estate, and in several public institutions. He has proven track record in managing complex campaigns guide brand management projects and public relations. His expertise centers around concept development and execution for national/international teams incorporating multiple corporate and brand partnerships/stakeholders.

Kevin was the former Chief Marketing Officer at Sotheby’s, Vice President of Customer Service & Development at Barneys, and Manager of Moncler at Gucci.

Learn more: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conversation with Lauren McGuire, President, Man Made Music

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Lauren McGuire discusses sonic branding and the use of sound overall in retail environments, online and onsite. She focuses on how sound impacts the shopping experience, and shares her insight on how sound might be used after we reach the end of the pandemic.

Lauren is an expert in sonic Branding, music for television and experience sound design. She is a frequent speaker on sonic branding and emotion-based brand strategy and research.

Lauren is the president of the global sonic studio, Man Made Music, creating music and sound to solve business challenges, including The Superbowl on NBC, IMAX, 30 for 30 on ESPN, CBS News, as well as the sounds of AT&T, Citi and AmEx.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Man Made Music

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Claire Mitchell, Design & Innovation Consultant

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Claire Mitchell discusses the evolving role of technology in fashion retailing, sharing her predictions for their term. She also discusses the implications of technology in fashion, everything from how customer's shop to issues of sustainability.

Before beginning her own consultancy practice, Claire was the Director of VaynerMedia’s emerging tech division, VaynerSmart working at the intersection of media and innovation. Previously, she led product design of IoT application development platform Temboo, designed automotive interfaces for the future, and led creative development for a VFX and commercial production company. Claire holds a master’s degree from NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program and a BA in Philosophy from St. Edward’s University. In her free time, she thinks about patterns, bits and beats (textiles, coding and drums, respectively).

Learn more: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conversation with Dr. Niz Safrudin, Design Engagement Lead, SAP

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Dr. Niz Safrudin shares her insight regarding the intersection of physical and digital space and the real challenges of “omni-channel” retailing. She also discusses the potential opportunities brands may have to reset after the pandemic.

Ex-social scientist & global citizen, with the experience of living & working in Australia, Asia, Europe & now in the US. I lead customer engagements with a team of designers – we solve business challenges through a deep understanding of human needs. Our goal: Delivering purpose-driven innovation at scale. Niz specializes in re-imagining new business models and processes through applied research; leveraging emerging technologies, including augmented, mixed & virtual reality with Intelligent Technologies (Internet of Things, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Blockchain); orchestrating design-led innovation & digital transformation; and bridging the experience gap between the physical and digital worlds.

Learn more: LinkedIn | SAP.com | SAP AppHaus

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Stacy Graiko, Managing Director, Qualitative Research, Kantar

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0000

Stacy Graiko shares her perspective on customer shifts and expectations for retailers, from a psychological perspective with a focus on Millenials and GenX, as well as short term considerations related to Covid-19. She also discusses the need for more gender parity and representation of woman in the fashion and retail industries.

Stacy is a GenXer, mom, research geek, believer in positive psychology and brand champion. She is passionate about helping brands create high quality connections with consumers. Her expertise is in brand strategy through qualitative research for CPG, health and beauty, food/beverage, fashion, automotive and service brands. She works collaboratively with Kantar resources to bring best minds thinking to clients.

Stacy is the Managing Director of Qualitative Research at Kantar. She is an advocate for women’s leadership, and author of the best-selling book Your Brand, The Women Entrepreneur’s Guide to Getting Paid to be Bold, Brilliant and Unapologetically You.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Kantar

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Bonus Episode: Communities of Scale

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0000

In this bonus episode, we share our perspectives on the Covid-19 pandemic and how it’s effected our personal and work lives. We discuss the opportunities that may emerge from this crisis, with a hope that businesses will think more humanistically and instead of rushing to build economies of scale, consider creating communities of scale.

Conversation with: Dr. Niz Safrudin, Joshua Williams and Christopher Lacy

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Yasmine Sayed, Senior Consultant, Newmine

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 22:08:00 -0000

Yasmine Sayed discusses the shift in retail towards a more coordinated effort across all channels. She focuses on how e-commerce is driving change, especially as it relates to inventory management and returns.

Yasmine is an experienced Senior Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry. Skilled in Digital Strategy, Retail, Mobile Applications, Marketing, and Email Marketing. Strong consulting professional with a Bachelor of Business Administration focused in Marketing and Advertising from University of Tampa - John H. Sykes College of Business.

Yasmine is a Senior Consultant at Newmine Omni-Channel Retail.

Learn more: LinkedIn | www.newmine.com

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Conversation with Ron Thurston, VP Stores, Intermix

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 18:01:00 -0000

Ron Thurston shares his unique perspective on developing a luxury retail business in the US market, with a focus on analytics, sales planning and empathetic and curious leadership.

Ron is an experienced retail executive with a demonstrated history of delivering exceptional results and building culture. Skilled in trend analysis, retail, client development and growing store fleet count.

Ron is the Vice President of Stores at Intermix, an author and member of the Board of Directors at Goodwill.

Learn more: LinkedIn | intermixonline.com | OurRetailStories.com

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Trailer: An Introduction to Retail Revolution

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 19:00:00 -0000

Host, Christopher Lacy, and producer, Joshua Williams, discuss how the idea for Retail Revolution was born. Both Assistant Professors at Parsons School of Design in New York City, they wanted to create an opportunity for students participating in the course “Retailing and Service Design” to engage digitially with retail experts, as well as create a space for conversation about the challenges of retail in this extraordinary time.

The podcast has been recorded “at home” using the tools available in a time of quarantine. That means the sound quality isn’t always perfect, but listeners will certainly find a myriad of substantive perspectives and insights from a broad range of guests.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @RetailRevolutionPodcast and share your comments.

Fashion Management, MPS, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

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