Coach’s Post

A Day of Insight and Inspiration with the British Fashion Council Today, I had the brilliant opportunity to participate in a #roundtable hosted by the British Fashion Council British Fashion Council, focusing on Industrial Strategy within the fashion industry. It was an inspiring day, as I joined a diverse group of voices—from designers representing smaller brands like my own, Amschela, to members of globally recognised fashion houses like Chanel. It was absolutely fantastic. Our discussions covered vital topics, especially the need to channel more funding into the creative industries. I felt encouraged by the commitment to listening to the needs and insights from all sides of the industry, and I'm hopeful that our collective ideas will reach the Government and pave the way for meaningful support and change. Reflecting on the day's conversations, I found myself thinking back to my own journey from law to fashion—a path that wasn’t always clear-cut. One of my inspirations during that shift was the late Kate Spade. Her journey into fashion resonated deeply with me, as she, too, came into the industry without prior experience but went on to make such an indelible impact. It’s a reminder of what vision and passion can achieve. Fittingly, as I made my way back to Paddington, I exited the tube station to be met by a Kate Spade store. It was a moment of serendipity, a reminder to keep going. It felt like a little message from Kate herself—a testament to how the paths we forge can be filled with unexpected yet meaningful signs if we’re open to them. #FashionIndustry #CareerJourney #BritishFashionCouncil #CreativeIndustries #Inspiration

Being an informed consumer goes beyond knowing a product's features; it's about understanding the company behind it. When you hand over your hard-earned money, it's worth considering the company's values and practices. Are you shopping out of necessity, desire, or a desire for status? Are you buying into brands for the image they project rather than their actual quality? Do you care about the ethics of where and how products are made, or are you solely focused on snagging a bargain? Also, it's essential to consider who is involved in the decision-making process regarding what you buy. Does the team choosing the products you purchase reflect you? Are the prices you pay fair or inflated, potentially harming your community? The statistics from the NRF are eye-opening. With 52 million people employed in the retail industry in the US, it's crucial to recognize that 60% of these employees are women, yet only 37% hold leadership roles, with women of color occupying a mere 6% of these positions. This disparity highlights the need for awareness and action towards greater inclusion and representation in retail leadership. So, are you curious now? Understanding retail industry dynamics should empower you to make more informed choices that align with your values and contribute to positive social change. #curiosity #informedconsumer #change #wocinretail WOC Retail Alliance Bumbershoot Group

A huge thank you to Jamie Gill, Gemma J. and The Outsiders Perspective (TOP) team for inviting us to their Network Event for their fifth cohort, earlier this week. The Outsiders Perspective (TOP) is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Jamie Gill, that aims to increase diversity in the fashion, beauty and luxury industry. Fashion Business School, London College of Fashion University of the Arts London have been collaborating with them for the past 18 months as their educational and research partner. Edwin Chinzupe Phiri and a team of recently graduated MA Fashion Business School students are currently working with them to produce a white paper that addresses the skills gap in the fashion industry at entry level roles with a view to using the findings to increase diversity in the industry. The Network Event earlier this week was to enable the 30 talented candidates from the TOP autumn accelerator programme to network with TOP’s industry partners: CHANEL, Alexander McQueen, lululemon, ASOS.com, Paul Smith, Burberry and Mulberry England. The TOP accelerator programme is for people of colour, committed to finding employment in operational roles in the fashion, luxury and beauty industries. The programme consists of workshops, panel discussions, guest speaker talks which provide accelerated insights into the fashion and beauty industry with the view to facilitating the candidates move into the industries and in turn increasing diversity across these industries. #dei #equality #fashionindustry #diversitymatters #fashionmeansbusiness #ual #diversityinfashion

Black Designers Speak Out: The Real State of Diversity in Fashion It's Black History Month and I read yet another article about the fashion world talking a big game about diversity, but are Black designers really getting their fair shake? The article digs into that, looking at how far we've come from the days when Naomi Campbell was breaking barriers to Edward Enninful who used to head up British Vogue. It's not all roses though – some Black designers are still hitting walls, feeling like they're either shut out or just there for show. From designers who've felt the sting of being labeled "urban" to those completely ignored by buyers. There's also chat about keeping cultural roots alive in designs and making fashion more earth-friendly too. Bottom line? There's been progress, sure, but the industry's still got work to do to. This is how I do it: ▶️ We leverage the Diversity in Luxury Awards to celebrate inclusive brands and designers. ▶️ We use the Diversity in Luxury Leaders List to spotlight successful minority professionals. ▶️ We are working with partners to implement mentorship programs and educational partnerships. ▶️ We advise inclusive hiring practices and encourage excellence and innovation. ▶️ We promote and encourage transparency through reporting and public goals. Also in my book, The Luxpreneur, I tackle some of these industry challenges head-on. The book equips up-and-coming luxury brand creators with tools to overcome obstacles, craft genuine brands, and help shape a more diverse luxury landscape. It's packed with real-world advice on how to use your cultural background as a strength, sharpen your business skills, and build luxury brands that are both successful and sustainable in today's changing market. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your luxury brand, The Luxpreneur offers a roadmap to navigate the complexities of the industry while staying true to your vision. Your copy awaits you here: tinyurl.com/yeert22u https://lnkd.in/eezPcjJJ #TheLuxpreneur #Luxpreneur #BHM #DiversityinLuxury #DiversityinFashion #

Abercrombie & Fitch reinvented itself by "unbranding" and in the process became the darling of Wall Street. Ultimately, its leaders should be lauded for their courage. And I mean "courage" quite literally, as most would be afraid to take such drastic steps, yet they also did it in a very nuanced manner. Lots of useful lessons in this story. #MarketingLeadership #MarketingEffectiveness #Innovation https://lnkd.in/eTYAh9pz

Just a Fashion Minute • Diversity in Fashion We have been all too aware that Fashion and Luxury has a big problem with Diversity and Inclusion (or many of us have), but it seems that in the past two years that DEI appears to be moving backwards, with many companies, large and small reducing the effort and expenditure on DEI or winding up newly created departments altogether. DEI has been thrown into the charity or HR mix and never considered from a commercial perspective. Big business felt obligated or even shamed into admitting there is a problem and was quick to look like they were taking affirmative action - this has been short-lived. As a recent guest on my podcast suggested that post George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, "it's as if the establishment has said "OK Black and other POC, you've had your moment, and now it's time to move on" - which does seem to sum it up. Many of these mega-corporations, namely fashion have in no uncertain terms has exploited the Black culture through sport, music, media, style, and on the list goes but Diversity has once again been relegated to the bench! Is it just a fluke that Virgil Abloh put Louis Vuitton onto a global stage? What do we have to do to get fashion to sit up and take notice, and realise that it makes commercial sense to have a diverse organisation structure in today's society. David M Watts • Just a Fashion Minute

𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐕𝐌𝐇 Succession planning in family businesses isn't just about titles; it's a balance of 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. Bernard Arnault's success at LVMH highlights the nuanced dynamics of family in business. Arnault's strategy? Cultivate a family of capable successors, well-versed in the art of business from an early age. His children, educated in elite schools, exemplify 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬. Yet, as LVMH approaches a decision on its next CEO, the inherent challenges of family succession plans surface. The tension builds as the patriarch ages, a reminder that even in family-controlled giants like LVMH, 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲. Bernard Arnault's journey illustrates that while a structured succession plan is vital, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝. #familybusiness #succession #successionplanning #nextgeneration

A huge thank you to Jamie Gill, Gemma J. and The Outsiders Perspective (TOP) team for inviting us to their Network Event for their fifth cohort, earlier this week. The Outsiders Perspective (TOP) is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Jamie Gill, that aims to increase diversity in the fashion, beauty and luxury industry. Fashion Business School, London College of Fashion have been collaborating with them for the past 18 months as their educational and research partner. Edwin Chinzupe Phiri and I, in collaboration with recently graduated MA students, are currently working with them to produce a white paper that addresses the skills gap in the fashion industry at entry level roles with a view to using the findings to increase diversity in the industry. The Network Event earlier this week was to enable the 30 talented candidates from the TOP autumn accelerator programme to network with TOP’s industry partners: CHANEL, Alexander McQueen, lululemon, ASOS.com, Paul Smith, Burberry and Mulberry England. The TOP accelerator programme is for people of colour, committed to finding employment in operational roles in the fashion, luxury and beauty industries. The programme consists of workshops, panel discussions, guest speaker talks which provide accelerated insights into the fashion and beauty industry with the view to facilitating the candidates move into the industries and in turn increasing diversity across these industries. #fashionindustry #dei #diversitymatters #equality #diversityinfashion

Be Distinctive Britain. https://lnkd.in/er6KKvxc Following the success of our Be Distinctive Everywhere report; exploring the power of Distinctive Brand Assets, we’ve turned our attention to Brand Britain. We’re past the #britpop days of my youth – and I can’t really see Keir Starmer inviting Noel Gallagher to Downing Street! So in this post-Brexit era, after some turbulent years including the passing of our long-standing brand ambassador (RIP HR Elizabeth II) – we wanted answers to some big questions: - How do people see Britain? - How does Britain see itself? - Which attributes differentiate Britain from other nations? - And how do British brands feed off and feed into Brand Britain? In partnership with Jones Knowles Ritchie and British Chambers of Commerce, our Brand Britain report addresses those questions, and far more. And as you might imagine, we’ve got very clear head-vs-hearts distinction coming out in our results – and an overwhelming sense of potential. Download here https://lnkd.in/er6KKvxc – and please get in touch if you’d like to discuss what it means for you and your brand. #bedistinctive #britain #brandbritain #brand

Meet Dr. Chanel Barnes, she took her dream and turned it into reality 💫 Dr. Chanel Barnes started her practice despite having very little resource, and has been nurturing it ever since. "If you have a goal in mind, just pursue that - it's worth it to try." We're inspired by Dr. Chanel Barnes' story, and the passion she has for her work. Your brand matters, don't let your story get lost in the noise of a marketplace. Invest in you, share your story. Watch Dr. Chanel Barnes full story below. Link in first comment ⬇️ #GYBNM #GrowYourBrand #GrowYourPractice #GrowYourClinic