Simone S. Oliver

By empowering brands to create inclusive environments and advocating for diverse talent to not only access the fashion industry, but thrive in it, my goal is to be a catalyst for true progress. Read more from my feature in Vogue Business as one of this years’ 100 Innovators. DPK Inclusion Consulting & Coaching #VB100 #VogueBusiness #Fashion #Luxury #DEI #DEIConsultant #Coach

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Today over on my Substack, I’m exploring the intersection of cultural cachet—the intangible prestige and social relevance a brand holds within society—Gen Z’s evolving luxury preferences, and why so many sustainable brands are missing the mark. 👀 I dive into why consumers are choosing brands like Revolve and Skims over sustainable options and how sustainability-focused brands can break into the mainstream by tapping into the same emotional and social drivers while staying true to their core values of environmental responsibility and ethical production. I also discuss Everlane’s new CEO, Alfred Chang, formerly of Fear of God. While both brands focus on minimalist basics, Fear of God has built incredible cultural cachet and exclusivity, making it highly desirable. Chang’s experience in creating that cultural relevance could position Everlane to reach a new level of influence and desirability. Will Everlane evolve toward a more fashion-forward, culturally relevant vision, or stick to its minimalist, basics-driven ethos? I’m definitely watching to see if they can break through! Plus, I touch on how early consumer habits complicate the shift toward sustainability later in life. With new legislation in the U.S. and abroad restricting children's access to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, industry experts expect brands to shift toward more traditional marketing methods or explore platforms like Twitch and Roblox to reach younger audiences... but should they? Oh, and I throw a little shade at a New York Times article on individual vs. corporate action… but just a little. 😏 Come hang out and join the conversation! 🤓🧠: https://lnkd.in/g8MEQxh7

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Today over on my Substack, I’m exploring the intersection of cultural cachet—the intangible prestige and social relevance a brand holds within society—Gen Z’s evolving luxury preferences, and why so many sustainable brands are missing the mark. 👀 I dive into why consumers are choosing brands like Revolve and Skims over sustainable options and how sustainability-focused brands can break into the mainstream by tapping into the same emotional and social drivers while staying true to their core values of environmental responsibility and ethical production. I also discuss Everlane’s new CEO, Alfred Chang, formerly of Fear of God. While both brands focus on minimalist basics, Fear of God has built incredible cultural cachet and exclusivity, making it highly desirable. Chang’s experience in creating that cultural relevance could position Everlane to reach a new level of influence and desirability. Will Everlane evolve toward a more fashion-forward, culturally relevant vision, or stick to its minimalist, basics-driven ethos? I’m definitely watching to see if they can break through! Plus, I touch on how early consumer habits complicate the shift toward sustainability later in life. With new legislation in the U.S. and abroad restricting children's access to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, industry experts expect brands to shift toward more traditional marketing methods or explore platforms like Twitch and Roblox to reach younger audiences... but should they? Oh, and I throw a little shade at a New York Times article on individual vs. corporate action… but just a little. 😏 Come hang out and join the conversation! 🤓🧠: https://lnkd.in/g8MEQxh7 (Yes, I posted this already. Yes, this is a test to see what image performs better. Yes, I'll write about this at some point. 😅 Yes, I love my community!)

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“If you look at consumer purchasing decisions, people choose the lowest price for the best perceived quality and style,” said Elena Bridgers, who launched her slow fashion line Hera California. “That’s rational. It’s a really small segment of people who live their values when it comes to sustainable fashion.” Is there room in the market for brands that put sustainability first? Is there a market space for truly sustainable fashion or is it just a dream of a few? Who can change this industry to be more sustainable for all the consumers? Will only the rules imposed by legislators be able to do it? What will be the role of the DPP in the evolution of a more sustainable fashion industry? #Sustainablefashion #sustainability #traceability #circularity Arcangelo D'Onofrio Natasha Franck Laure Betsch Martina Schiuma Romain Carrere Francesco Pieri Guido Mengoni Alois Bertona Gianpaolo Azzini Veronica Monni Amit Gautam Matthieu Hug Shameek Ghosh Jason McIntosh Piero Puttini Carlo Giardinetti, MBA giorgio macor

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My favorite ads are often ones that take the emotion of a product and manifest it as an alternate reality. In that sense, good ads serve as the Freudian dream version of what they are selling, the manifestation of pure desire without the laws of physics. For these SSENSE FW24 videos, I tried to manifest the feeling that shopping online gives me (and I imagine others): e-commerce as an arcade machine where you win your future self.

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As the excitement of #LondonFashionWeek builds, I reflect on what I truly want from one of fashion’s most iconic events. It’s not just the glamour or the allure of seeing the latest collections. No, this year, more than ever, I hope to see fashion move beyond style and embrace substance. I imagine a runway filled with beautiful garments and designs actively solving fashion’s environmental challenges. Collections that showcase cutting-edge sustainable materials like bamboo, mushroom leather, or recycled fabrics. Consider designers presenting innovative, zero-waste techniques or committing to carbon-neutral production processes. That’s my dream for London Fashion Week 2024. As the founder of #StolesbyBella, a niche brand dedicated to #eco-friendly luxury, I’ve witnessed firsthand how sustainability is not just a buzzword but a potential future of fashion. We focus on producing handcrafted stoles and scarves made from 100% bamboo yarn. For us, fashion isn’t just about looking good; it’s about making a positive impact. And that’s where London Fashion Week has a crucial role to play. Beyond showcasing the latest styles, it could become a true catalyst for change. This year, I would love to see designers, influencers, and brands alike not just talk about sustainability but present real, innovative solutions to the industry’s environmental impact. A Movement, Not a Trend. Eco-fashion has been steadily rising, growing at 8% annually. What excites me most is how sustainability carves out space for innovation and #entrepreneurship in fashion. Brands like #StellaMcCartney and #MotherofPearl lead this charge, setting high standards for sustainable luxury. These pioneers are pushing the boundaries from #biodegradable fabrics to #regenerative farming. A Platform for Progress: I hope to see the event go beyond the runway this year. It could spotlight brands committed to #zero-waste production, transparent supply chains, and eco-friendly #textiles. Fashion as an Economic Engine for Sustainability One of the most compelling aspects of eco-fashion is its potential to drive economic growth. The global fashion industry generates over $2.5 trillion annually, with the UK alone contributing £35 billion and supporting nearly 900,000 jobs. The rise of sustainable fashion opens up new career paths in fields like #biodegradable fabrics, #circularfashion design, and #sustainableagriculture. But change doesn’t happen overnight—it takes collective action. That’s where you come in. Join the Conversation Share your thoughts! What eco-friendly brands inspire you? How do you incorporate sustainability into your wardrobe? Let’s use London Fashion Week to inspire a greener, more ethical fashion future. Share your favourite #EcoFashion brands in the comments, and let’s continue this conversation. Connect, Lean In and Share Until next week, #Britishfashioncouncil #Womeninfashion #EcoFashion #WomenInBusiness #EthicalFashion #GreenFashion #femaleentreprenuers

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Interesting read from Erica La Sala from Beauty Independent related to the Saks and Nieman merger. The question asked: What do you make of the Saks Fifth Avenue/Neiman Marcus deal? How will it impact the luxury beauty market? Will it strengthen the declining department store sector?  According to Cristina Nuñez, "... the department store channel is a challenging one. Historically, it has been the main retail channel for luxury beauty brands given it is more suited for a higher price point. But with continued declines in traffic at department stores, the channel has proven to be a difficult place for luxury brands to rely upon for growth. Instead, growth is being driven at specialty retailers such as SEPHORA and Ulta Beauty, whose dominance has largely been at the expense of department stores". "At the end of the day, consumers will continue to shop for beauty at retailers offering best-in-class in-store experiences optimized for brand discovery. Brands should seek out these partners offering the best brand building support and a path to achieving scale. Perhaps the combination of Saks and Neiman Marcus will allow for a more enhanced retail experience overall that is even better suited for luxury beauty. Time will tell." True Beauty Ventures

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BeyoncéxLevi’s: Ceci n’est pas une collab! At the launch of Beyoncé's new album, one of the tracks was entitled "Levii's Jeans". Michelle Gass, CEO of Levi's® Footwear & Accessories, assured that the mention of the name was "completely spontaneous" and that the company "had nothing to do with it" in an interview with Bloomberg. But at the close of trading on Friday, the company's shares had already gained 31% since the start of the year, outperforming the S&P 500 index. Analysing our powerful data at Livetrend.co, we can see how #denim is always a must have for September drops. Representing 8% of global product range for men and 7% of women assortment. In the clip, #Beyoncé is wearing the iconic straight-leg jeans and we can see how the e-com assortment is mirroring her choice: For women, straight leg represent 18% of the range, followed by slim 17% and then skinny jeans at 15% and wide leg at 12%… Do you want to know more how to capitalise on denim for your collections? Ask for a demo via the link in the first comment! https://lnkd.in/eSQN7MUE

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Fashion News Roundup: Highlights from Last Week 📰 The fashion world was bustling with activity this past week, featuring new campaigns and leadership changes. Here's the latest: Gucci's ‘We Will Always Have London’ Campaign 🌆 Gucci is honoring its historic ties to the UK in its new campaign. "We Will Always Have London" showcases the brand's deep connection with the city through intimate, nostalgic portraits. India: The Watch Industry's Next Big Market ⏱️ With rising wealth and potential customs duty cuts, experts predict India will soon become a key market for luxury watches, attracting brands eyeing new export opportunities. Tod’s Welcomes New Leadership 👥 Italian brand Tod’s undergoes a leadership shift as CEO Diego Della Valle steps down, handing the role to Chanel's COO, Mr. Galantic, signaling a new direction for the company. Moncler’s ‘LoveFrom’ Collection 🧥 Moncler introduces its 'LoveFrom' collection, celebrating creativity with a fresh approach to outerwear. The brand continues to innovate with bold designs. Moncler CEO Tightens Control with LVMH Deal 🤝 Remo Ruffini, Moncler’s CEO, strengthens his control through a new deal with LVMH, which now holds a stake in the investment vehicle owning Moncler’s largest share. Casablanca Paris to Open First Boutique 🛍️ Casablanca Paris will open its first store on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, marking a major step for the brand as sales near $50 million. Moschino’s New Vision Under Adrian Appiolaza ✨ Moschino is balancing its surrealist style with a more grounded silhouette under the new creative direction of Adrian Appiolaza, merging reality with theatricality. Moncler and Jony Ive’s Outerwear Collaboration 🧥 Moncler collaborates with Jony Ive, promising a collection that fuses the brand’s heritage with Ive's innovative design approach. Burberry’s Britpop Revival 🎸 Burberry hints at a strategy to leverage Britpop’s resurgence. With rumors of an Oasis reunion and the rise of #Britishcore on TikTok, the brand is set to tap into this cultural trend. Hermès Eyes Haute Couture Expansion 🧵 Hermès remains optimistic amidst luxury market challenges, focusing on haute couture and expansion in China under CEO Axel Dumas's vision. Trump's $100,000 Watch Line 💎 Donald J. Trump introduces a line of luxury watches, including the $100,000 Victory Tourbillon. While the watches boast opulence, experts question their quality. *sources: Luxury Daily, Business of Fashion, The New York Times, Financial Times #fashion #ecommerce #fashionnews #luxurymarket #marketnews #retail #ecommerceupdate #fashionupdate

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Accessible Luxury: Let's talk about a trending retail term, thanks to Tapestry Capri Holdings Limited merger and rising luxury prices. 🛍️Accessible Luxury: The Tantalizing Yet Risky Middle Ground 👀 I've been closely watching the rise of "accessible luxury" - that lucrative sweet spot price range of $200-$800 where brands can offer quality and style without astronomical luxury price tags. With recent acquisitions like Tapestry's pursuit of Capri putting this category under scrutiny, it's clear accessible luxury is where brands want to play. However, there are valid concerns about getting stuck in this middle ground. ⚠️ The tricky positioning: While accessible luxury fills the gap between fast fashion and true luxury, it's also a precarious place to be. In tough economic times, consumers on a budget may trade down to fast fashion, while the highest luxury spenders rarely change habits. Those stretching to buy accessible luxury risk being the ones most impacted by financial constraints. 👛 Feeling the Pricing Pinch: Brands operating in this middle tier also have less flexibility on pricing often because the quality is still very high. 💡 Curation is Key: Brands can't just haphazardly release pricier items and expect them to work. Curating an intentional collection with a true luxury aesthetic is essential. Brands like STAUD have found success through dedicated bridal lines capturing the upscale audience. There are also a number of handbag lines doing really well in the accessible luxury space: Mansur Gavriel LITTLE LIFFNER and Cuyana are a few examples. 🚀 The middle ground is always risky, but the rewards of hitting that accessible luxury sweet spot could be massive for brands that navigate it successfully. While economic conditions will continually pressure this segment, its growth potential remains stellar for those making the right investments and tradeoffs. ❓What's your perspective on the accessible luxury opportunity and challenges? I'm always eager to discuss this fascinating space. Let me know your thoughts! This article by Madeleine Schulz for Vogue Business is a great read on the Accessible Luxury space.

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You’ve likely faced the pressure of leading teams and delivering big results… …like creating multi-million dollar product lines and managing top creative talent while hitting crazy fashion industry deadlines. And you’ve likely succeeded. But I know these successes often come with their own struggles. Including a big dose of self-doubt, creative blocks, burnout, and managing deep levels of chronic deadline-driven stress. Through my own journey, I’ve learned how to work with these pressures instead of resisting them. We can all learn these skills: ⌛ Taking control of your time and how to spend it on meaningful work (while still getting things done). 🧳 Unpacking the self-doubt and reframing the accompanying negative internal 💩-talking about yourself. 💫 Working with the creative block instead of starting a fight with it. 🫶 Building deeper connections with the talent you lead. This is the work that leaders do that matters the most. How do you become the leader that you want to follow? Reach out in the comments below with your thoughts. Or let's set up a virtual coffee and chat about it.

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Thrilled to have taken the main stage at Grow NY last week alongside Adrial Jaan Bhatia, President of Primitive Apparel, to wrap up the event. Thanks Ryan Criswell for hosting the panel. At Hodinkee, we hold two core principles dear: Community and Credibility. Here’s a bit on why they matter to us. Credibility at Hodinkee is about trust and reliability. We achieve this through: --> Accuracy: Precision in our reporting. --> Authority: Recognized expertise, often cited by reputable sources. --> Consistency: Continual delivery of high-quality content. --> Engagement: Building respectful and responsive relationships with our audience. --> Objectivity: Presenting multiple perspectives fairly. --> Transparency: Clearly identify sources and disclose any conflicts of interest. Beyond credibility, the power of community distinguishes us significantly from just having an audience. Hodinkee grew into an eight-figure business with virtually zero traditional marketing spend, propelled by a robust community. This illustrates not just audience reach, but deep engagement—where members actively contribute, share, and champion our brand. The distinction? An audience watches, but a community participates. And that participation has been a cornerstone of our success.

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🌎 Living in a Next-Gen Material World is about envisioning radical futures and solving systemic issues in the Fashion Industry. 🔬 In my latest TOMORROW column (issue #28) for Spur magazine, we focused on the Bio-Industrial Revolution and how forward-thinking leaders are reshaping industries with groundbreaking solutions. ⏩ There's a momentum I’ve witnessed grow in over a decade of covering fashion futures and bio-materials. 💚 A moral imperative drives this bio-industrial revolution, transforming how we produce fashion goods to create a new normal. 🛰️ The future is about reimagining what's possible. 📰 Read the insights here (in English) https://lnkd.in/gf9e_f7W Featuring: Sway GANNI BioFluff Kuori Natural Fiber Weldings Living Ink Modern Synthesis Rubi Laboratories Qorium & More!

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Fashion week (as we know it) shouldn't exist in 2025. Back in 2020, the systemic flaws laid bare by Covid-19 and technology unlocking new worlds, provided an opportunity to radically reimagine show schedules. Four years on and I stand by my piece for 1 GRANARY. BUT this industry, despite being the purporter of newness, is so reluctant to evolve. "Forget the format of fashion week, the future need not be contained to a date. Forget the calendar, the future will see product drop throughout the year, as and when they are ready. While there are question marks around the different models and myriad possibilities, there’s no doubt that the technology that will underpin it all is coming. Fashion, tomorrow’s world is almost here and it’s time to wake up."

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🗣 The industry has been buzzing since EXPRESS filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced the closure of at least 100 store locations. In addition to the retailer’s namesake chain, the bankruptcy applies to other brands in its portfolio: Bonobos and UpWest Express. 📉 Managing director and retail analyst at GlobalData Plc Neil Saunders told Inside Retail US Retail that Express has struggled to gain traction with consumers and “it has been obvious for quite some time that bankruptcy was the inevitable destination for Express”. 🔎 Find out more information on Express' current situation via the link below! #insideretail #retail #retailnews #express #bankruptcy #brickandmortar #ecommerce #webcontent #linkedin #editorial

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Tons of opportunities in the below post

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When people see themselves in the fashion industry, it can help them feel more confident and like they belong. Diversity in the fashion industry should include more than just catwalk representation. It should also extend to boardrooms and workplaces, and include underrepresented groups like LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse people, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds Authentic representation in fashion is crucial because it reflects society's diversity and promotes acceptance and understanding. fashion industry has made strides towards inclusion on the catwalk in recent seasons, but some say that representation has faded and is not leading the industry:

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HENRY ZANKOV, the designer and founder of ZANKOV, joined WWD Style Director Alex Badia at the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit to discuss his perspective on the future of American fashion, along with fellow designers Rachel Scott of DIOTIMA and Jackson Wiederhoeft of Wiederhoeft. Read the full article below to learn more about what ZANKOV had to say: https://lnkd.in/gZbTDane

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