Shows
FSW ConversationsSanja Bećirović, Centric Software: Pricing dynamics for luxury brandsIn this episode, Bryce speaks with Sanja Bećirović, Regional Sales Manager EMEA & APAC at Centric Software, a leading market intelligence & pricing firm. Against the backdrop of President Trump’s ’reciprocal’ tariff plan & the threat of an imminent global trade war, pricing dynamics have taken on a renewed importance for consumer & luxury brands. During her conversation with Bryce, Sanja explains the factors influencing luxury pricing across markets, including taxes, import duties, exchange rates, market perception & purchasing power.Sanja also explores how consumer interest in paying a premium for more sustainable products fluctuates & explains why true d...2025-03-2529 minFSW ConversationsChiara Marconi, Former CEO: Balancing creativity with business acumenIn this episode, Bryce speaks with Chiara Marconi, founder of the B Corp-Certified Italian lingerie brand Chitè Milano. Chiara was inspired to co-launch her brand to provide sustainable lingerie to women who had experienced insecurities & help them embrace their bodies. Chiara shares with Bryce how Italy’s enduring reputation for craftsmanship & luxury gave the brand an initial platform to build upon. Chiara also explains the importance of building close relationships with manufacturing partners & demonstrating your sustainability credentials to build trust with customers. To succeed in fashion, Chiara highlights the importance of balanci...2025-03-1134 minFSW ConversationsMichaela Leitz-Aslaksen, Confidence & Style: Fostering size inclusivity in the fashion industryIn this episode, Jessica hears from Michaela Leitz-Aslaksen who founded her consultancy, Confidence & Style, to drive change in the fashion industry by helping brands embrace size inclusivity, authenticity & diversity. Having struggled to find directional, on-trend plus-size clothing, Michaela began documenting her experience on Instagram to highlight the untapped demand for plus-size clothing. Michaela shares with Jessica her insights into how fashion brands can increase the size of their target market & unlock the spending power of plus-sized customers by providing designers with more education on sizing & fitting techniques. Given the importance of reducing overconsumption in...2025-02-2537 minFSW ConversationsTom Marchant, Black Tomato: Using storytelling to sell emotive experiencesIn this episode, Jessica is joined by Tom Marchant, Co-Founder of Black Tomato, a leading luxury travel company creating bespoke experiences for its discerning clients. Influenced by an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, Tom set out with his co-founders to build truly unique travel experiences that deeply inspire & delight travellers across the world. Tom shares with Jessica how Black Tomato leverages storytelling to communicate the emotionally fulfilling & authentic aspects of their experiences & how they contrast with traditional notions of luxury. Tom also shares that while technology is vital in generating efficiencies, it sho...2025-02-1140 minFSW ConversationsHeidi Svane Pederson, Lifestyle & Design Cluster: Reducing environmental harm by leveraging technologyIn this episode, Jessica hears from Heidi Svane Pederson, Head of Digital at Lifestyle & Design Cluster, Denmark’s leading organisation for promoting sustainability & innovation in the fashion, interior & lifestyle sectors. With the global fashion industry responsible for nearly 10% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, it’s clear that innovative solutions are required to reduce this environmental harm. Heidi shares with Jessica how technologies including AI & blockchain can be leveraged to minimise overproduction & waste while also creating circular business models. While Heidi acknowledges small & medium-sized businesses face challenges in transitioning to sustainable practices, she stresses how vital this i...2025-01-2836 minFSW ConversationsMarco Ruffa, Pinko: Leveraging AI & data in luxury fashion marketingIn this episode, Jessica speaks with Marco Ruffa, former Chief Marketing Officer at PINKO, the Italian womenswear brand, who shares his lessons and insights into luxury fashion marketing. With Statista reporting the global value of AI usage in marketing is set to reach $36 billion by the end of 2024, it’s crucial for luxury sector marketers to understand its capabilities and limitations. During his tenure at PINKO, Marco successfully combined the traditional Chief Marketing Officer and Digital Transformation Director roles and transformed the brand’s digital strategy. This included the introduction of NFTs to build an engage...2025-01-1438 minFSW ConversationsPhilipp Labkovskiy, ECCO, Preparing for an omnichannel e-commerce futureIn this episode, Jessica hears from Philipp Labkovskiy, Global E-Commerce Director at ECCO, the Danish footwear & accessories brand. With responsibility for the omnichannel transformation of ECCO customer journeys, Philipp has a wealth of fashion e-commerce knowledge to share. Since the pandemic, customers have come to expect more from e-commerce businesses and are demanding higher standards across product choice, payment and delivery. Philipp also shares his insights into building a vertically integrated e-commerce business and offers advice on making data-driven decisions, using AI to personalise customer experiences and addressing cultural nuances in e-commerce. Central to...2025-01-1440 minFSW ConversationsMichael Spicher, PhD, Aesthetics Research Lab: How aesthetics can shape luxury brand storytellingIn this episode, Jessica speaks with Michael Spicher, PhD, an independent consultant & speaker who co-founded Aesthetics Research Lab in 2016 to explore the impact of aesthetics. Michael’s work explores how aesthetics influence our everyday lives & how moments of beauty impact identity & societal well-being. Michael shares with Jessica his insights into how luxury brands can leverage aesthetics in brand identity, storytelling & product design to create memorable experiences & build emotional connections with clients. Given the important role aesthetics plays in building compelling luxury brands, Michael highlights how luxury brands should build aesthetics into their offering right...2025-01-1449 minFSW ConversationsFSW Conversations season two trailerHello, and welcome to FSW Conversations, brought to you by Fashion Strategy Weekly, hosted by me, Jessica Quillin. And me, Bryce Quillin, co founders of FSW, as well as It's a Working Title, the luxury strategy agency. FSW Conversations brings together fashion and luxury leaders, creatives, and bankers to discuss practical, strategic, and research based insights to help you, our listeners, keep on top of our fast moving sector. We'd love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us via the show notes. Plus, click follow in your podcast app to be the first to hear our...2024-11-2500 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 11: Richard Kuchinsky of The Directive CollectiveIn this edition of FSW Conversations, we chat with Richard Kuchinsky, Principal and Owner of The Directive Collective, a full-service design footwear design consultancy. With over 20 years of experience in the footwear industry, he has driven the creative design and development process for a range of clients focused on design DNA and strategy. Richard is a Boston Qualifying marathoner and is very active within the running community. In this episode, Richard dives into the art and science of footwear design and why “super shoes” may be worth the hype. He also discusses how his experiences creat...2024-05-0618 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 11: Richard Kuchinsky of The Directive CollectiveIn this edition of FSW Conversations, we chat with Richard Kuchinsky, Principal and Owner of The Directive Collective, a full-service design footwear design consultancy. With over 20 years of experience in the footwear industry, he has driven the creative design and development process for a range of clients focused on design DNA and strategy. Richard is a Boston Qualifying marathoner and is very active within the running community. In this episode, Richard dives into the art and science of footwear design and why “super shoes” may be worth the hype. He also discusses how his experiences creat...2024-05-0618 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 10: Caroline Priebe of Driftless GoodsIn this edition of FSW Conversations, our co-publisher Jessica Quillin speaks with Caroline Priebe, founder of Driftless Goods and the Center for the Advancement of Garment Making. A longtime sustainability advisor, consultant, and designer with deep experience in the fashion industry, Caroline has spent her career using systems thinking to design pioneering apparel, supply chains, and business models. She founded her outdoor-wear brand Driftless Goods in early 2023, as an online store, gallery and brand for “people who like exceptionally nice things and would prefer not to wrap themselves in plastic.”Thanks for reading FSW. Subs...2024-04-1226 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 10: Caroline Priebe of Driftless GoodsIn this edition of FSW Conversations, our co-publisher Jessica Quillin speaks with Caroline Priebe, founder of Driftless Goods and the Center for the Advancement of Garment Making. A longtime sustainability advisor, consultant, and designer with deep experience in the fashion industry, Caroline has spent her career using systems thinking to design pioneering apparel, supply chains, and business models. She founded her outdoor-wear brand Driftless Goods in early 2023, as an online store, gallery and brand for “people who like exceptionally nice things and would prefer not to wrap themselves in plastic.”Thanks for reading FSW...2024-04-1226 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 9: Kate Pankoke of Elaya VaughnIn Episode 9 of FSW Conversations, Jessica Quillin speaks with Kate Pankoke, the designer and owner of luxury bridal, evening wear, and accessories line Elaya Vaughn. A Project Runway All-Star and award-winning designer, Kate’s designs for Elaya Vaughn are frequently worn by major celebrities and featured at red-carpet events and galas, including the Oscars. A Florida native, Kate currently resides in Buenos Aires with her husband and two young daughters.In this episode, Kate discusses her career in fashion and how her life has changed since appearing on Project Runway. She explains how she got sta...2024-03-2928 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 9: Kate Pankoke of Elaya VaughnIn Episode 9 of FSW Conversations, Jessica Quillin speaks with Kate Pankoke, the designer and owner of luxury bridal, evening wear, and accessories line Elaya Vaughn. A Project Runway All-Star and award-winning designer, Kate’s designs for Elaya Vaughn are frequently worn by major celebrities and featured at red-carpet events and galas, including the Oscars. A Florida native, Kate currently resides in Buenos Aires with her husband and two young daughters.In this episode, Kate discusses her career in fashion and how her life has changed since appearing on Project Runway. She explains how she got sta...2024-03-2928 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 8: Vera Giusti of AGLIn this eighth installment of FSW Conversations, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin speaks with Vera Giusti, who is co-creative director of Italian heritage shoe brand Attilio Giusti Leombruni, better known as AGL, along with her sisters Sara and Marianna. Founded in 1958 by Vera’s grandfather, Piero Giusti, AGL is part of a small coterie of Italian-native luxury shoe brands that have been creating beautiful shoes for generations. Since taking charge of AGL, Vera and her sisters have reinvented their grandfather’s brand with a core focus on female-focused creativity and quality craftsmanship.In this interview, Vera refle...2024-03-2219 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 8: Vera Giusti of AGLIn this eighth installment of FSW Conversations, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin speaks with Vera Giusti, who is co-creative director of Italian heritage shoe brand Attilio Giusti Leombruni, better known as AGL, along with her sisters Sara and Marianna. Founded in 1958 by Vera’s grandfather, Piero Giusti, AGL is part of a small coterie of Italian-native luxury shoe brands that have been creating beautiful shoes for generations. Since taking charge of AGL, Vera and her sisters have reinvented their grandfather’s brand with a core focus on female-focused creativity and quality craftsmanship.In this interview, Vera refle...2024-03-2219 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 7: Gill Linton of ByronesqueIn this seventh installment of FSW Conversations, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin talks with Gill Linton, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Byronesque, an editorial-based e-commerce brand that specializes in contemporary-vintage clothes and subculture.Originally from London, Gill divides her time between Paris and New York, collaborating with brands, designers, consultants, editors, and stylists, and also reissues vintage brands, preserving and modernizing creative brand histories.During this conversation, Gill discusses the value of original fashion stories and the challenges of curating vintage fashion for a modern consumer. She contextualizes her vision in forming Byronesque as in essence a “mi...2024-03-0838 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 7: Gill Linton of ByronesqueIn this seventh installment of FSW Conversations, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin talks with Gill Linton, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Byronesque, an editorial-based e-commerce brand that specializes in contemporary-vintage clothes and subculture.Originally from London, Gill divides her time between Paris and New York, collaborating with brands, designers, consultants, editors, and stylists, and also reissues vintage brands, preserving and modernizing creative brand histories.During this conversation, Gill discusses the value of original fashion stories and the challenges of curating vintage fashion for a modern consumer. She contextualizes her vision in forming Byronesque as in essence a “mi...2024-03-0838 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 6: Kate Sheldon of The Fashioneering LabThis sixth episode of FSW conversations features fashion guru Kate Sheldon, CEO of The Fashioneering Lab, in conversation with FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin. Kate is a luxury fashion industry veteran with a career spanning over three decades. She has influenced an array of iconic brands, including Chanel, Dior, Prada, Moschino, La Perla, and many others, and is regularly featured in prestigious publications like Women’s Wear Daily.In this episode, Kate talks about her formative background at Neiman Marcus and what inspired her to create her company. She also dives into the complex web of problems happening wi...2024-03-0115 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 6: Kate Sheldon of The Fashioneering LabThis sixth episode of FSW conversations features fashion guru Kate Sheldon, CEO of The Fashioneering Lab, in conversation with FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin. Kate is a luxury fashion industry veteran with a career spanning over three decades. She has influenced an array of iconic brands, including Chanel, Dior, Prada, Moschino, La Perla, and many others, and is regularly featured in prestigious publications like Women’s Wear Daily.In this episode, Kate talks about her formative background at Neiman Marcus and what inspired her to create her company. She also dives into the complex web of problems happening wi...2024-03-0115 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 5: Sasha Charnin MorrisonIn this fifth installment of FSW Conversations, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin chats with Sasha Charnin Morrison, former Style Director of CBS Style Watch Magazine and author of "Secrets of Stylists: An Insider’s Guide to Styling the Stars." During the episode, Sasha reflects on her long career and talks candidly about how fashion editorial has changed over the years. She also divulges what it was like to style J. Lo, why everyone should own a Norma Kamali coat, and why brands should be keeping an eye on auction platform What Not. Ultimately, Sasha brings insider insights into wh...2024-02-2436 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 5: Sasha Charnin MorrisonIn this fifth installment of FSW Conversations, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin chats with Sasha Charnin Morrison, former Style Director of CBS Style Watch Magazine and author of "Secrets of Stylists: An Insider’s Guide to Styling the Stars." During the episode, Sasha reflects on her long career and talks candidly about how fashion editorial has changed over the years. She also divulges what it was like to style J. Lo, why everyone should own a Norma Kamali coat, and why brands should be keeping an eye on auction platform What Not. Ultimately, Sasha brings insider insights into wh...2024-02-2436 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 4: Alison Lowe, MBEIn this episode, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin talks with fashion PR and branding guru, Alison Lowe, MBE. As a serial entrepreneur and business mentor, she is well known as the founder of Felicities, a fashion branding and PR agency that supports, educates, and nurtures young creative talent. Alison is the author of the book “How to Start Your Own Fashion Label - the Definitive Guide,” which became an Amazon No.1 bestseller. She has acted as a marketing consultant to brands across the globe and is the Director of Careers and Enterprise for the School of Arts and Crea...2024-02-1621 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 4: Alison Lowe, MBEIn this episode, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin talks with fashion PR and branding guru, Alison Lowe, MBE. As a serial entrepreneur and business mentor, she is well known as the founder of Felicities, a fashion branding and PR agency that supports, educates, and nurtures young creative talent. Alison is the author of the book “How to Start Your Own Fashion Label - the Definitive Guide,” which became an Amazon No.1 bestseller. She has acted as a marketing consultant to brands across the globe and is the Director of Careers and Enterprise for the School of Arts and Crea...2024-02-1621 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 3: Aliza Licht of Leave Your MarkIn this episode, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin sits down with Aliza Licht, award-winning marketer, two-time author, personal branding expert, podcaster, and founder of Leave Your Mark. She was the original social media influencer as DKNY PR Girl.Throughout the conversation, Aliza speaks about how her experiences in fashion and luxury marketing shaped her future work as a brand strategy and marketing expert and mentor. She also dives deep into why it is important to control your own narrative and other practical tips on personal branding from her second book “On Brand.”Thanks for read...2024-02-0926 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 3: Aliza Licht of Leave Your MarkIn this episode, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin sits down with Aliza Licht, award-winning marketer, two-time author, personal branding expert, podcaster, and founder of Leave Your Mark. She was the original social media influencer as DKNY PR Girl.Throughout the conversation, Aliza speaks about how her experiences in fashion and luxury marketing shaped her future work as a brand strategy and marketing expert and mentor. She also dives deep into why it is important to control your own narrative and other practical tips on personal branding from her second book “On Brand.”Thanks for reading FSW...2024-02-0926 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 2: Clare Tattersall of Digital Fashion WeekIn this episode, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin talks with Clare Tattersall, the founder of Digital Fashion Week, about the future of fashion and technology. The conversation covers all the events happening at the upcoming Digital Fashion Week events in New York, Paris, and Milan in February. Clare also dives deep into the value of digital fashion and the possibilities it offers to bring about a better, cleaner future for fashion and the planet.Thanks for reading FSW. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public...2024-02-0221 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 2: Clare Tattersall of Digital Fashion WeekIn this episode, FSW co-publisher Jessica Quillin talks with Clare Tattersall, the founder of Digital Fashion Week, about the future of fashion and technology. The conversation covers all the events happening at the upcoming Digital Fashion Week events in New York, Paris, and Milan in February. Clare also dives deep into the value of digital fashion and the possibilities it offers to bring about a better, cleaner future for fashion and the planet.Thanks for reading FSW. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public...2024-02-0221 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 1: Mira Musank of Fafafoom StudioWe are proud to announce the launch of the new Fashion Strategy Weekly podcast, “FSW: Conversations.” In this podcast, members of the FSW team chat with decision-makers, makers, doers, and thinkers about on how strategy, economics, tech, and sustainability impact fashion, luxury, and the experience economy.Our inaugural episode, which was recorded in October 2023, features textile artist and sustainable designer Mira Musank of Fafafoom Studio. In this conversation, FSW publisher Jessica Quillin and Mira talk about everything from the vision behind Fafafoom Studio and her design work to innovative fashion tech tools like AR and VR to soci...2024-01-2925 min
FSW ConversationsFSW Conversations 1: Mira Musank of Fafafoom StudioWe are proud to announce the launch of the new Fashion Strategy Weekly podcast, “FSW: Conversations.” In this podcast, members of the FSW team chat with decision-makers, makers, doers, and thinkers about on how strategy, economics, tech, and sustainability impact fashion, luxury, and the experience economy.Our inaugural episode, which was recorded in October 2023, features textile artist and sustainable designer Mira Musank of Fafafoom Studio. In this conversation, FSW publisher Jessica Quillin and Mira talk about everything from the vision behind Fafafoom Studio and her design work to innovative fashion tech tools like AR and VR to soci...2024-01-2925 min