Fashion Mannuscript June/July 2023

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EDITORIAL Editor

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PRESIDENT/CEO

Jeff Mann

ART

Art Director

Krystal Peguero

Graphic Designer

Priyanshi Pareek

Associate Designer

Ran Jing

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Angelo Sgambati

CONTRIBUTORS

Ronald Friedman

Frank DeLucia

R. Couri Hay

Leslie Gallin

Madalene Hartl

Anne Marie Soto

Annabelle Kazbaf

Kimberly Goodnight

Samantha Grossman

Debra Hazel

Michele Gerber Klein

Donna Johnson-Klonsky

Laurie Melchionne

Krystal Peguero

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ONE MANN’S OPINION

Summer at Mann Publications is as busy as ever. However, there’s always a certain buzz in the air as the warm weather draws the apparel industry outdoors. From Miami Swim Week to outdoor resort wear shows, this season is one of the best times to flaunt the latest trends not just in Palm Beach, but coast to coast from New York to Los Angeles.

Speaking of Los Angeles, I recently returned from La-La Land where I attended the Marcum Consumer Products & Retail Symposium. As a sponsor of the event, I had my dear friend Marshal Cohen come with me, who delivered the Symposium’s keynote speech as Circana’s (formerly the NPD Group) chief industry advisor, retail. An expert in the field, Cohen’s legendary status made him the perfect face for both the Symposium and Fashion Mannuscript (you may remember him from the cover of January’s issue).

Summer is also the culmination of the Mann Charitable Foundation’s Golf Outing, and its constant work in donating to charity. The team and I hope to see you all there as we celebrate the charitable work done to fight against geriatric diseases like Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, Crohn’s colitis and more.

We always like to align our charitable work with the magazine’s content; this issue’s cover features Chalonne, a luxury Apple Watch brand that not only designs chic techwear, but also donates profits to breast cancer research and cultivates an environment of empowering women. Combining the best in the industry with worthy causes will always catch my eye, and I hope all of you enjoy the story as much as I did.

Throughout the summer, we will continue to deliver the season’s best trends and events. Stay on the lookout, as there’s always something new happening here at Mann Publications.

“Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determinations.”

-John Seaman Garns

We can all finally breathe a sigh of relief: summer is officially in full swing. Maybe it’s because it feels like the shortest season on fashion’s calendar. Sure, Christmas and winter fashions flaunt cozy coats and sexy thigh-high boot staples, but there’s something so un-serious, fun and laid-back about summer fashion. And after the hectic year (and past several!) it seems we’ve all had, it’s time to embrace flouncy skirts, bright and swirly florals and comfortable-yet-sexy swimwear. What’s also exciting about summer is that it’s kicked off in late spring with bridal shows. THEIA Bridal and Style Esteem are just some of the latest brands we’ve covered in our expanding Bridal section, something I can’t wait to share with brides-to-be who may be browsing ideas for their August weddings.

We’re also expanding our techwear category. This is showcased front and center with this issue’s cover story. Founded by Carlye Morgan, Chalonne has been featured in Forbes magazine and has been named as one of the most inspiring brands of our generation by Nasdaq. Chalonne not only provides luxury Apple Watch bands designed in Bel-Air and made in France, but the brand empowers its female-led employee community by donating profits to breast cancer research. Morgan has made it clear that her business goes beyond increasing profits and staying competitive with the latest trends in the Apple Watch industry; a people-first community is what sets Chalonne apart in the tech accessories world.

Swimwear is also making a splash this summer, with trade show staples like Curve hitting Miami for shows and more for this July’s swimshow season. I can’t wait to share with all of you the latest swimshow trends…stay tuned for what August at Mann Publications has in store!

-Laurie Melchionne

Photo by Ben Rosser, BFA

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Photography by Haifa Wohlers Olson

H&M and Mugler Celebrate Collaboration with Multi-Faceted Show

Lourdes Leon, Moses Sumney, Charli XCX, Chloë Sevigny, Pamela Anderson, Casey Cadwallader, Ann-Sofie Johansson.

Photo by Ben Rosser, BFA

Raya Martigny, Dominique Jackson.

Photo by Ben Rosser, BFA

Photo by Matteo Prandoni, BFA

Molly Chiang. Photo by Ben Rosser, BFA

H&M and Mugler celebrated the forthcoming launch of their much-anticipated collection with an immersive experience encompassing entertainment, music, performance and fashion. The event was attended by friends of the Mugler and H&M community – including Pamela Anderson, Charli XCX, Chloë Sevigny, Lourdes Leon and Dominique Jackson –who all wore pieces from the Mugler H&M collection.

The event featured a group concert by musicians Shygirl, Amaarae and Eartheater, all of whom starred in the Mugler H&M music video and were dressed in exclusive looks from the new collection. Each artist performed a series of their own hits before uniting to perform a new version of the 90s club classic “Music Sounds Better With You,” a track

specially commissioned in celebration of the Mugler H&M collection.

The performances were punctuated by a runway show, alongside dance performances and DJ sets by Bobby Beethoven, Goth Jafar and Asmara at a subsequent after-party. The event was curated as a special hybrid, bringing together sound, style, live performance, club culture and dance, all while nodding to the theatricality and flamboyance that has been a signature of the house from its inception under Thierry Mugler through to its current incarnation under the direction of Casey Cadwallader. With over 800 guests in attendance, the event encapsulated the sense of diversity and inclusivity that is central to Mugler and that underpins the democratic ethos of the H&M designer collaborations.

Notable attendees included Casey Cadwallader, Ann-Sofie Johansson, Amaarae, Eartheater, Shygirl, Pamela Anderson, Charli XCX, Chloe Sevigny, Lourdes Leon, Moses Sumney, Ajani Russell, Albert Ayal, Alexander Roth, Amanda Lepore, Aquaria, Chloe Wise, Connie Fleming, Davis Burleson, Devon Lee Carlson, Dominique Jackson, Dorothy Wang, Dylana Suarez, Ethan James Green, Eva Herzigová, Gabrielle Richardson, Irina Shayk, Jake Dupont, Josie Dupont, Jill Kortleve, Karen Blanchard, Linux, Luar, Marcel Floruss, Matthew Mazur, Matthew Yokobosky, Natalie Lim Suarez, Paloma Elsesser, Parker Kit Hill, Precious Lee, Ruby Lyn, Sami Miro, Serena Kerrigan, Susanne Bartsch, Tanner Reese, Toni Garrn, Tina Leung, Tyler Mazaheri, Wisdom Kaye, Young Emperors and more.

Casey Cadwallader, Pamela Anderson © Ben Rosser, BFA

© BFA

Eva Herzigova, H&M, Mugler.

Photo by Matteo Prandoni, BFA.

POSITIVE LUXURY BESTOWS

MCM, a German luxury lifestyle and fashion brand founded in 1976, recently earned Positive Luxury’s Butterfly Mark. MCM’s integration into the Positive Luxury family was celebrated with an evening of socializing and networking at the MCM flagship at 100 Greene St. in SoHo, New York City.

Positive Luxury certifies luxury brands with the Butterfly Mark to showcase to the world that luxury and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. With a dedication to reducing its carbon emissions and taking climate action through Science-Based Target Initiatives (SBTi), MCM has become a sustainable luxury brand across the chain of production, from sourcing materials to shipment and packaging.

“Prioritizing sustainability is no longer just nice to have for luxury brands,” said Susan McPherson of McPherson Strategies. “Doing so is now a must for any company that wants to attract and retain not only customers but employees, suppliers and funders. Greeting so many guests who were looking to learn more about sustainable brands at last evening’s celebration at MCN flagship store was exciting and an exceptional sign for the future.”

MCM is using the power of the brand to educate, inform and change the narrative around sustainability to a more positive inclusive and educational outlook.

Ryan Shearman & Dan Wojno of Aether Diamonds

BUTTERFLY MARK CERTIFICATE TO MCM

Susan McPherson, founder of McPherson Strategy

Tina Bhojwani, founder of AERA NY

Diana Verde Nieto (left), founder of Positive Luxury

Photos courtesy of Positive Luxury

Goodwill NYNJ Honors BNY Mellon with Sustainable Fashion Fundraising Event

Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ (Goodwill NYNJ) honored longtime workforce partner BNY Mellon during Evening of Treasures, its annual sustainable fashion and power of work fundraising event with celebrity host Jenna Lyons and Designers Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria and Rinat Brodach, who presented their upcycled creations using Goodwill merchandise to support the nonprofit’s human services mission and celebrate Goodwill’s impact in reuse.

At the event, Tommy Hilfiger also donated a Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive look. Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive is part of Tommy Hilfiger’s commitment to create zero-waste fashion that welcomes all, driving forward the company’s mission to be a brand that works for every Tommy fan.

Goodwill NYNJ also honored BNY Mellon for their longstanding support of the 2023 Evening of Treasures’ mission. Jolen Anderson, global head of human resources, corporate responsibility and philanthropy at BNY

Mellon, accepted the Corporate Leadership Award at the event. BNY Mellon supports organizations like Goodwill to make a positive impact in the communities where they live and work. BNY Mellon’s philanthropy grants to Goodwill have helped launch new and innovative programs that remove barriers to employment for women, people of color, the unemployed and others often left on the sidelines of the workplace.

“BNY Mellon is proud to dedicate resources and share the talents of our employees to empower the workforce of tomorrow,” said Jolen Anderson, head of human resources at BNY Mellon. “We look forward to continuing our work with Goodwill NYNJ to break down barriers and create more diverse workplaces.”

Goodwill’s Evening of Treasures red carpet attendees included Dapper Dan, Yeohlee Teng, Shawn Pean, June79, Casandra Diggs, CFDA, Fern Mallis, Aube Jolicoeur, Felita Harris, Josh Peskowitz, Gigi Burris, Roopal Patel, Saks Fifth Ave, David Duplantis, Boy Smells and Lauren Singer, environmental activist, entrepreneur and blogger, among others.

Event host Jenna Lyons and Byshawn Davis wearing upcycled look by Todd Snyder.

Chaci Martinez, wearing upcycled outfit designed by Willy Chavarria, right.

Goodwill NYNJ Board Vice Chair Douglas Hand, Yeohlee Teng and CaSandra Diggs.

Todd Snyder and Fern Mallis.

Evening of Treasures host Jenna Lyons

Goodwill NYNJ President & CEO Katy Gaul-Stigge and Jolen Anderson, accepting the Corporate Leadership Award on behalf of BNY Mellon.

Left to Right, Sydney Mesher, Rinat Brodach, Gloria Jin, Willy Chavarria, Chaci Martinez, Todd Snyder, Byshawn Davis and Jenna Lyons.

Musa Jackson, Dapper Dan and Goodwill NYNJ Board Vice Chair Douglas Hand.

Todd Snyder with model Byshawn Davis wearing an outfit designed and created by Todd Snyder from items found at Goodwill.

COHEN OFFERS RETAIL INSIGHTS AT THE MARCUM CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL SYMPOSIUM

Debra Hazel, Debra Hazel Communications, Hunter Gambino

Manufacturers, sponsors and other industry decision-makers listen to Cohen’s keynote

Left to Right: Chris Howard (Planful), Ryan Kropf (Planful)

Marshal Cohen concludes his keynote speech

Left to right: Marshal Cohen, Amy Valencia, Robert Krieger

Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor of retail at Circana (formerly The NPD Group), was the guest speaker at the Marcum Consumer Products and Retail Symposium at the E-Central Downtown Los Angeles Hotel. Known nationwide for his 30-plus years of expertise in retail analysis, Cohen led a discussion on the future of the retail industry and what retailers, manufacturers and brands can expect in the consumer products field. Prior to Cohen’s keynote, Dave Mustin, vice president, strategic consulting at Marcum Technology offered thoughts on retail tech trends.

From e-commerce and electronics to food and beverage, Cohen shared the latest data-driven analysis on what the future holds. The event was sponsored by key industry decision-makers who were also in attendance. Sponsors included CIT Bank, Hub International, White Oak Commercial Finance, Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Mann Publications and more.

Jeff Mann, Mann Publications, Marshal Cohen, The NPD Group

Vartan Arslanian, Rachel Minugh and Erica Cisneros all from NATco

Left to Right: Ronald Friedman, Elisa Trevizo (White Oak Commercial Finance), Gino Clark, Teresa Huang (CIT, a Subsidiary of First Citizens Bank), Danilo Chang (Webster Financial Corporation)

Photos courtesy of Darren Friedman

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TODAY’S MARKETS MOVE MORE QUICKLY THAN EVER.

HANNA ANDERSSON APPOINTS DAVIDA LINDSAY-BELL AS HEAD OF PEOPLE & INCLUSION

Leading sustainable children’s apparel brand, Hanna Andersson, announced that Davida Lindsay-Bell has joined the company as head of people & inclusion. Lindsay-Bell brings over 20 years of People Strategy experience to lead the organization as it continues building a culture that supports the brand’s mission for years to come. Reporting to CEO Aimée Lapic, Lindsay-Bell will focus on culture development, internal communications, DEI strategy, organizational effectiveness, talent management and more. She will develop the strategy around people and culture that allows the brand to attract, develop and retain a highperforming and results-oriented team.

“Having a deep affinity for adventure, family and fun, there is tremendous promise in creating joy through playful sustainability and the art of expression, which is why I’m thrilled to be joining Hanna Andersson,” said Lindsay-Bell. “Hanna is at a unique inflection point and I look forward to working closely with the entire organization to help the brand further lean into its mission to champion childhood.”

Most recently serving as the chief people & inclusion officer for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Lindsay-Bell led its Board and employees to jointly create a five-year DEI strategic plan. This effort increased employee engagement, retention and satisfaction by establishing a positive work environment focused on values activation, inclusive behaviors and placing people at the center.

JCPENNEY APPOINTS NEW CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER

JCPenney announced the appointment of Katie Mullen as chief customer officer. Previously serving as JCPenney’s chief digital officer, Mullen will continue to oversee e-commerce strategy and omnichannel development, with an added emphasis on customer marketing, engagement, analytics and more. Mullen will lead the company’s efforts to deliver an end-to-end integrated shopping experience that is relevant for today’s customers. A key focus of this new role is driving innovation in digital, data and analytics to transform how customers experience JCPenney. To deepen loyalty with existing and new customers, the company will continue to invest in customer experiences, powered by technology.

While at JCPenney and throughout her career, Mullen has leaned into the application of customer data analysis to support brand strategy. In her most recent role as chief digital officer for JCPenney, Mullen played a vital role in supporting the company’s transformation journey, focused on the digital enablement of the organization. “I’m looking forward to continuing to improve how JCPenney reaches and serves America’s diverse working families,” said Mullen. “In our efforts to restore relevance with customers, we’ve sought to better meet their style, product and shopping preferences while also making our stores more reflective of the communities around us.”

BUYER NICK SHAH TRANSITIONS TO STONE MOUNTAIN, USA

Stone Mountain, a New York Fashion District-based, family-owned company and long-time recognized brand in affordable men’s and ladies accessories, has appointed Nicholas Shah, 34, of Hudson, Massachusetts as their new chief merchandising officer/vice president of licensing for their Mens Division. Charles Atanasio, Jr., Stone Mountain CFO/COO said, “Nick’s new role is our latest growth progression as we have been steadily increasing our products and market share in this channel. We believe that Nick has the depth to engage the potential in our wallet, belt, slippers and cold weather categories (beanies, gloves and scarves).”

Prior to Stone Mountain, Nick Shah has spent twelve years moving up the career path chain at TJX where his most recent role was Buyer II. He is a graduate of Bryant University with a BA in Marketing.

When asked about his motivation to move to Stone Mountain, Mr. Shah said: “I want to deploy my buyer knowledge base with an organization which has demonstrated prospective expansion. In the case study of TJX, I watched over five years how Stone Mountain’s buys went from about 5,000 pieces to over 50,000 pieces per month. And there is so much more for Stone Mountain to do with existing accounts, besides many new opportunities.”

Mr. Shah believes the inflation spiral has actually benefited Stone Mountain. “We are different from some of the national brands out there,” Shah explained. “Inflation has made many consumers price sensitive, and Stone Mountain is well-known for its excellent quality and value with affordable pricing.”

Photo courtesy of Hanna Andersson

Photo courtesy of JCPenny

Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain

THE ATHLETE’S FOOT LAUNCHED NEW NEIGHBORHOOD CONCEPT STORE IN MIDTOWN ATLANTA

The specialty footwear and lifestyle chain, The Athlete’s Foot (TAF), launched its most anticipated project of 2023, the introduction of their “neighborhood” concept store, with several community-focused events located at Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta, GA. The Athlete’s Foot is focused on elevating the consumer experience while continuing to drive hyper-localized product assortment and community engagement efforts.

The grand opening events included several community-focused activations, including a WOOD U sneaker customization class, developed with Adidas footwear designer Aric Armon and Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, founder of Pensole, live performances by Baby Tate and Kxngpxn skating alliance, custom art pieces and murals were unveiled by artists Lisette Correa and TYP, and local Atlanta VIPS including State Representative Mesha Mainor, participated in the official ribboncutting ceremony. The Athlete’s Foot partnered

with Adidas to provide swag bags filled with shoes and clothing to the local Boys & Girls Club.

Matt Lafone, president and general manager of Americas, shared, “We are thrilled to open our first neighborhood store in our hometown of Atlanta, GA, the heart of the south’s streetwear and sneaker culture. Our new store concept will pay tribute to the city’s character and our deep southern roots while showcasing local brands and designers and will serve as a hub for community-based events and philanthropic initiatives.

DOJA CAT BATTLES DOJA CAT IN FIRST SKECHERS CAMPAIGN

Global superstar and style icon Doja Cat stepped into her recently announced role as the first-ever Skechers Artist-in-Residence with a fiercely energetic Skechers Uno campaign. The creative concept draws inspiration from Y2K, cyberpunk and anime aesthetics as two opposing personalities of the artist battle each other in the signature Skechers style.

“Building out this campaign and a new world for the Uno with my creative director Brett Alan Nelson and Skechers has been amazing,” said Doja Cat, Skechers Artist-in-Residence. “This is just the start. I look forward to sharing more of what we’ve been creating soon.”

Famed for its signature air-infused wedge outsole, modernized silhouette and vibrant colorways, the Skechers Uno collection has captivated shoppers everywhere through its ever-evolving range—seen on catwalks around the world as a coveted fashion sneaker. The complete range of Skechers footwear is available in Skechers retail stores as well as at skechers.com/doja-cat, plus department stores and footwear retailers around the globe.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock for The Athlete’s Foot

Photo courtesy of Skechers

SKINCEUTICALS ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF A.G.E. INTERRUPTER ADVANCED

SkinCeuticals, the #1 Medical Skincare Brand, announced the launch of A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced, a breakthrough corrective cream that helps reverse visible signs of aging impacted by glycation and collagen decline. The brand has been pioneering anti-glycation skincare since 2008 and expands its portfolio with the introduction of groundbreaking technology to address the unavoidable factor of the natural aging process. Glycation is a natural, multiphase process in which excess sugars in the body bind to structural proteins, like collagen, and form damaging byproducts known as advanced glycation end-products (A.G.E.s).

A.G.E.s cause collagen to become weak and brittle, accelerating visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, laxity, crepiness and dullness. A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced goes beyond traditional anti-aging products to address all phases of the glycation process, helping correct existing signs of aging and defend against new and recurring damage caused by A.G.E. formation.

This power-packed formula includes 18% Concentrated Proxylane™, 4.25% Wild Fruit Flavonoids and 0.1% Glycyrrhetinic Acid to assist smoothing visible lines and deep wrinkles in five facial zones including forehead wrinkles, nasolabial folds, marionette wrinkles, glabellar wrinkles and crow’s feet.

BEAUTY CHANGES LIVES PARTNERS WITH CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLIST KEN PAVES

Celebrity Hairstylist Ken Paves has partnered with non-profit Beauty Changes Lives to launch Know Beauty Secrets, a campaign dedicated to bringing more awareness to the rewarding careers that are part of the $49 billion dollar beauty industry.

“There is a bit of a stigma surrounding work in the beauty industry. Often times people look down upon those who have chosen a path in the beauty field or see it as a ‘backup’ to jobs that require a college education,” commented Lynelle Lynch, founder of Beauty Changes Lives. “That’s why we launched this campaign, to help shift the narrative and perception around working in the beauty world.”

Beauty Changes Lives’ mission is to make the beauty and wellness profession a first-choice career. To date it has helped over 1000 people join the beauty world through the support of scholarships and mentorships.

The Know Beauty Secrets campaign is a collaborative effort between some of the world’s leading beauty companies working to bring together and organize the thousands of companies and millions of employees in the salon and spa world by making it easy for them to support this campaign. Beauty Changes Lives will be providing guidelines, promotional materials and social media tools to allow these companies and salon and spa pros to effectively and consistently share their stories and support campaign activities.

Photo courtesy of PRNewswire

Photo courtesy of SkinCeuticals

BREITLING INTRODUCES THE ENDURANCE PRO UNIVERSITY EDITIONS IN COLLABORATION WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The all-new Breitling Endurance Pro University Editions collection is the ultimate athleisure watch for collegiate fans around the world. Show your school spirit on your wrist with special editions in honor of Princeton University, The United States Naval Academy, The University of Alabama and University of Michigan. Designed both as a lightweight watch for athletes and a casual, everyday sports chronograph, it is the perfect lightweight and light-hearted luxury sports watch combining high precision, innovative technology and vibrant, colorful design in honor of these iconic institutions.

Each of the University Edition watches feature the school’s distinctive colors and signature emblems on the dials and casebacks. The Breitling Endurance Pro (Princeton University edition) features an orange inner bezel, matching orange strap, Princeton Shield on the dial and caseback. The Breitling Endurance Pro United States Naval Academy edition has a blue inner bezel, coordinating blue strap, Navy Midshipmen logo on the dial and the United States Naval Academy Anchor engraving on the caseback. The Breitling Endurance Pro The University of Alabama edition has a red inner bezel and strap, Alabama Crimson Tide athletic department logo on the dial and a Where Legends Are Made campaign engraving on the caseback. The Breitling Endurance Pro University of Michigan edition features a blue inner bezel and matching strap, signature maize Block M on the dial and Michigan Lamp of Knowledge Seal engraved on the caseback.

DILLARD’S LAUNCHES THE NAT NOTE FOR ANTONIO MELANI

Dillard’s, Inc. launched The Nat Note for Antonio Melani in all Dillard’s locations and online at dillards.com. This limited-edition collaboration was developed in partnership with Natalie Steen, a creative consultant and the creator of The Nat Note, a fashion newsletter delivering curated shopping suggestions for women, children and the home in Natalie’s signature collages - the “Notes.”

The Nat Note for Antonio Melani is a celebration of Natalie’s signature vibrant and punchy style. With a nod to her Cuban roots, the resort wear capsule is spiced with details like tassels, feathers and fringe commingled with hints of nostalgia to deliver tropical glamor ready for all summer getaways and celebrations. At once feminine and fun, the silhouettes are intended to be mixed and matched and capture the buzzy spirit of the season.

Dillard’s Corporate Merchandise Manager Erin Frazier Burnes said, “Natalie’s vivacious personality is contagious from the moment you meet her, and this collection encompasses that spirit.”

Natalie Steen named the clothing pieces of The Nat Note for Antonio Melani in honor of her daughter, nieces and goddaughters noting her support of them in reaching their dreams and in gratefulness of her own experience. The collection is available for a limited time and features Natalie’s signature pieces in apparel, swim, footwear and jewelry. Follow Natalie Steen on Instagram @thenatnote.

Source: Breitling

Photo courtesy of Dillard’s Inc.

AUGUST 16 - 20, 2023

AUGUST 16 - 20, 2023

5-star hotel stay 5-star hotel stay

Small group setting & on-site hosts

Small group setting & on-site hosts

Art historian led museum visits

Art historian led museum visits

Private aperitif canal cruise

Private aperitif canal cruise

Artisanal Dutch cheese tasting

Artisanal Dutch cheese tasting

Unique culinary experiences

Unique culinary experiences

Private visits to seaside villages & windmills

Private visits to seaside villages & windmills

Robert Grbic and the Power of “Fallen Angels” at White Oak Commercial Finance

BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE

President and CEO of White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC, Robert Grbic has been with the company for almost 20 years. White Oak provides companies with direct lending strategies that integrate themselves into the very heart of the business; from immersing itself into the company’s business model, to walking the floors of their storefronts, merchandise sections in malls and the layout and environment of their offices, no stone is left unturned when it comes to boosting a brand’s entrepreneurial dreams.

In today’s competitive market, when many start-ups and veteran corporations alike took a major hit from the aftermath of a COVID-19 economy, “fallen angels” are the type of businesses that Grbic and White Oak value the most. According to Grbic, anyone has the potential to skyrocket success and breathe life into a business that has been stumbling.

Mr. Grbic, who is also one of this year’s honorees at the Mann Charitable Foundation Annual Golf Outing, sat with Fashion Mannuscript and explained just what makes “fallen angels” so special.

What is White Oak known for? What can brands learn from its services?

We’re different than most lenders. We go to great lengths to understand a client’s business model to provide the financing model that accomodates the borrower’s needs. At the end of the day, a good loan comes with a good business model and a strong management team. You have to know about the industry to gauge what’s a good model. Too many lenders in the marketplace rely on collateral and ration analysis, which are important, but you also have to understand a company from the very heart of the business and up. That comes with really analyzing what their business model is. That way, you can learn why a company had bumps in the road, what kind of business formula they use or why you may have to go higher on advanced rates when someone builds inventory. This all starts with the business model.

Understanding management abilities is also key. We want to understand how someone operates a company and what their strengths and weaknesses are. We can summarize that pretty quickly by looking at a company’s dashboard, and then we can tell them what they are doing right or wrong and what needs to be addressed.

What is a “fallen angel” and why does White Oak target them?

“Fallen angels” are companies that stubbed their toes from a financial perspective, and are not “bankable” by traditional measures. We like them because they generally have strong business models and management teams and have been impacted by temporary, micro-economic challenges. We’ll look at someone and tell them why and how they have to up their momentum. There are other companies that just can’t get the appropriate financing. Working with these “fallen angels” from the ground up often fosters growth opportunities, both for White Oak and the borrower’s entrepreneurial goals.

What relationship does White Oak have with the apparel industry?

We mostly finance apparel importers, which most apparel companies are today. We really understand the industry’s cycle of operations. Right now, most apparel companies are placing orders for fall collections. You have to understand the dynamic that when companies place orders, a lot is going on. They may need deposits and they may need to adapt to changing fashion trends and supplier demands. A lot of brands are still recovering from the supply chain issues experienced during the pandemic. Because of these problems, goods were late for deliveries. Financing fashion is vastly different from financing, for example, a steel mill. We tackle investment from different angles. We ask questions like, “What’s your philosophy on ordering inventory?” or “What’s your philosophy on disposal of excess inventories?” Those are some of the traits that good apparel operators have, which can give them a

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

sense of the pulse of the fashion market.

What kind of services and lending strategies does White Oak provide companies in the apparel industry?

One of the best things you can do as a lender to the apparel industry is walk the floors of retailers. You’ll learn a lot just from visiting a physical location. You can see what items attract a lot of attention, or what sections have people putting things back on the racks. You can also talk to the retailer and just ask them what’s going on, and from there they can show you a glimpse into their world. If racks are empty or crowded too close and there is no room to walk, you get a sense of how well retail will attract returning customers who are eager to spend their money on a product. We also do extensive analysis on collateral performance, so you can tell how well clients are generally performing, what their returns are and what the dilution is. But it all circles back to understanding a company’s business model and why you’re lending to them. It helps you step outside of the box and understand the heart of what a business struggles with.

Why do CEOs need to pay attention to direct lending now more than ever?

CEOs need to have a lender that they can count on for flexible solutions for unexpected liquidity issues or opportunities. Today, thanks to supply chain excess inventories, a lot of companies have uneven consumer demand for products. Many consumers are spending more on travel and experiences instead of purchasing retail items. Again, you want a lender that understands your business model. Today’s market is disruptive, especially with what’s been going on in the U.S. with the Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank failures. One of the most important things borrowers need to recognize is that lenders don’t like surprises. Dealing with challenges is often easier the earlier they are communicated. Borrowers need to be transparent with their lender.

Why White Oak?

We take great pride in the fact that we finance companies that were once “fallen angels,” but now are with us and are successful performers. We also finance companies in growth mode who may not fit a bank’s leverage requirements. We help them get where they are. So I think we have shown that we know how to do this. We have also been in business for a long time. The roots of this company go back to around 1985, before it was acquired by institutional clients of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC. Establishing relationships through actually caring about the success and work environment of a company is what sets White Oak apart from lenders that have been around longer. Being an affiliate of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC is also a boon, as it means we have the support of a leading alternative debt manager that specializes in providing financial solutions over the long term for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Any advice for new brands just entering the industry?

While we don’t run companies, we see a lot. Keep in mind that when you run into problems in the marketplace, difficult times can cultivate opportunities for people to make even more money than before. For example, it could be an acquisition of a company you’ve been following because they are struggling and need help. Our experience base can help companies avoid costly mistakes. Being a nonregulated lender like White Oak gives you more advantages because quite frankly, banks are becoming more conservative. We have the ability to take advantage of market disruptions since we are not boxed into any restrictive banking regulations. A good loan is not made by regulations alone.

Photo courtesy of White Oak Commercial Finance

Flashback Part 3: 20th Century Fashion History – Los Angeles

By Ronald S. Friedman, CPA

Hello again! The June theme is “The Summer Issue,” and I would like to take you back to the 1990s, what was happening in Los Angeles and the U.S. then, and what is happening now. Promoted in my last column, the Marcum Consumer Products Retail Symposium fi nally took place and was a smashing success with two outstanding speakers. Our fi rst speaker was David Mustin from Marcum Technology, and our second speaker was Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor of retail at Circana (formerly the NPD Group, Inc.).

Mustin brought us up to speed on the current state of technology, but before I discuss his conversation, I want to take you back to the late 20th century. When I started in public accounting in 1971, there was very little technology in the apparel industry. Oh sure, we had some adding machines and typewriters to help with our client’s accounting needs, but there was very little support for client technology needs. The books were all kept by handwritten general ledgers. Billing machines were being developed to allow our clients to invoice their customers, but everything was very manual and slow. I remember walking into the computer office of Teddi of California in the 1970s. The air-conditioned room was about 600 square feet, with one computer covering every wall. The computer operators would take punch cards and run them through the computer from one end of the room to the other, and this was just to sort the orders so the goods could be picked up from the warehouse. Once the goods were gone, the punch cards would come back to the computer room, where they would be run through the computer again to create the sales invoice. As a side note, my iPhone has more power than that computer that fi lled up an entire room.

In the early 1980s, Apple started with its fi rst computer. My fi rm purchased our fi rst

computer to see what we could use it for, as we had no idea what to do with it. There was a software program called Lotus 123, the fi rst spreadsheet program on the market. My partner, Larry Jacobs, took the spreadsheet and developed a projection module for our clients to forecast their business fi nancial statements for the coming years. It took months to develop, but his persistence paid off and became the standard for all our clients.

The mid-1990s was a real wake-up for the computer world as Y2K was just around the corner. When computers were fi rst coming into common use by every business during the 1970s and 1980s, nobody realized that computers did not provide enough digits to accommodate the year 2000. The world was in a panic that on January 1, 2000, all computers would stop working properly, and the data would be corrupted. Airplanes would not be able to fly as the traffic controllers would not be able to manage the planes in the air. Not just the planes, but everything we do would have come to a stop. Programmers went to work correcting the software to accommodate a four-digit date, and on January 1, 2000, nothing crashed, and the world continued. What a relief!

Now, back to David Mustin’s comments about the world of technology today. Computers have improved inefficiency, and everything we do depends on the use of technology, but with the good comes some bad. Who would have thought that we would have to protect our companies from ransomware? We are seeing businesses pay fees to these hackers to unlock their computers. These fees have ranged from $25,000 to millions of dollars. Spear phishing and phishing are new terms that are redefi ning our cybersecurity systems. At Marcum, we have a cybersecurity team that works directly with our fi rm and clients to protect organizations against these attacks. If you have not been hacked, then you have just been lucky. I highly recommend

that you work with your professionals to ensure your companies have the best practice methods in place and properly protect your computer systems.

Let’s return to the Marcum Retail Symposium on May 4, 2023. Our keynote speaker, Marshal Cohen, is a nationallyknown expert on consumer behavior and the retail industry. He dazzled us with charts that highlighted the retail industry trends over the past fi fteen weeks. We are seeing a decline in units and dollars for apparel, footwear, accessories, housewares, toys and other consumer products. The unit sales are averaging a decline from seven to ten percent, and the dollar decline is averaging from five to nine percent. The industries that are doing well are Prestige Beauty and Retail Food & Beverage. There were many more insightful charts, and I highly recommend you take the opportunity this fall to hear Cohen speak at our fi rst Marcum Retail Symposium in New York.

I want to thank all of our sponsors that supported the Marcum Retail Symposium. The sponsors are CIT, Planful, Sage, Hub, Merchant Financial Group, Rosenthal and Rosenthal, CTBC Bank, White Oak Commercial Finance, California Apparel News, Hilldun Factors, Krieger Worldwide, Mahl & Associates, Retail Smart Guys and of course, Jeff Mann and Fashion Mannuscript. Jeff has been my partner and dear friend in organizing these Marcum Retail Symposiums. Thank you, Jeff !

Until next time, remember what I always conclude with: if you are not having fun, then do something else!

Ronald S. Friedman, CPA, is an advisory and assurance partner in the Los Angeles office of Marcum LLP and a retail practice leader in the Firm’s Consumer & Industrial Products group. Contact him at ronald. friedman@marcumllp.com.

Photo courtesy of Darren Friedman

IMPACT SPEAKERS:

JILL BERAUD

Independent Director, LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND Chair, FASHION FOR GOOD

THERESA STRICKLAND

GISEL RUIZ

Former EVP Chief Operating O cer, SAM’S CLUB AND Independent Director, ULTA BEAUTY

MODERATOR:

LISA KAPLOWITZ

Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Women in Business, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER:

LIZANNE KINDLER

Executive Chair & CEO, TALBOTS, ANN TAYLOR, LOFT

Executive Chair, LANE BRYANT

KEYNOTE:

LAUREN GIBBS

2018 Olympic Medalist, 2020 World Champion

CO-CHAIRS

CAROLE POSTAL

AMBER MUNDINGER

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit : DELIVERING-GOOD.ORG

Photos courtesy of Geoffrey Good

Menage a Trois Ring

Craftsman and Designer Geoffrey Good created Galaxy, a new collection celebrating the dynamism of all that surrounds our

When something is described as “out of this world,” it is defined as being ethereal, otherworldly, alien, extremely good, heavenly or impressive. It implies a vastness that is incomprehensible yet maintains beauty and goodness. The origin is a homage to the universe, filled with galaxies, stars, stellar remnants, contrast and mystery. The wonder and awe of what is outside of this world is the inspiration for Geoffrey Good’s newest collection, Galaxy.

“We tend to think of the heavens as fixed above us, but (like us) the sky is always changing, and celestial bodies are always in motion. I wanted to capture that feel of sparkling stars and fleeting comets using the finest natural diamonds, in a collection that would be timeless and minimalist but undeniably luxe,” said Geoffrey Good.

In the Galaxy Collection, the brightness of a comet’s nucleus and coma are represented by a single, sparkling diamond. Blinding in its beauty through the sky, Good sought to recreate a comet’s wonder on a wearable scale, with the Galaxy comet earrings. Elegantly finished on both sides, the 18K gold earrings feature a trail of glittering diamonds through the drop, encircling an oval cut diamond, while the back echoes the detailed oval halo; Good is an artist of meticulous detail.

Geoffrey Good’s Ménage à Trois and Toi et Moi rings are also reminiscent of comets, with the diamond nucleus followed by a golden dust tail, wrapped around one’s finger. Formed over billions of years on earth, the diamond is present throughout the galaxy in surprising ways— there is a diamond planet and diamond rain. Like the galaxy, the universe and its diamonds, these rings are a symbol of longevity and strength that knows no bounds. “Whether worn to symbolize a union with others or as a talisman of one’s own evolving energy, the Galaxy rings evoke a language of commitment that is unusual and refined. Unusually fine, one might say,” added Good.

The constellations contain stars easy to see in the sky, so those viewed from Earth are within the Milky Way galaxy. The Galaxy Diamond Cuff Bracelet connects 18K gold with diamonds, not unlike the imaginary lines between the beloved constellations of human ingenuity. Galaxy stacking rings echo the cuff’s curves and can be worn solo, or in a statement stack. To complement, the Galaxy Hoop earrings or the Galaxy Chandelier earrings offer a sweeping elegance to the ears— impeccable style from day to night. Good continued, “Jewelry has to work on the wearer, meaning it has to be functional and make you feel good. All of the Galaxy pieces put comfort and wearability first. They’ll play well with your existing jewelry, but these are the pieces you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.”

To learn more about Geoffrey Good, visit geoffreygood.com.

Galaxy Comet Chandelier

Galaxy Comet Round Drops

Galaxy Stacking Rings

Menage à Trois Ring

Neiman Marcus and Brunello Cucinelli Celebrate the Debut of the Exclusive Icon Collection

Neiman Marcus launches the exclusive Brunello Cucinelli Icon Collection featuring 50 styles across all categories including women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, handbags and shoes. The unique collection pays tribute to the long-standing partnership between the luxury retailer and the brand’s Founder, Executive Chairman and Creative Director Brunello Cucinelli, who was recently bestowed the Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion.

The Icon Collection is designed by Cucinelli in collaboration with his daughters Carolina and Camilla. It is composed of timeless yet modern styles that exemplify traditional Italian craftsmanship. Each piece demonstrates the versatile yet elevated Brunello Cucinelli spirit, with soft neutral colors, lightweight natural fabrics and intricate textures created by open-weave knits and embroidery.

Neiman Marcus customers collect Brunello Cucinelli designs like they are works of art, a testament to the superior design, quality, craftsmanship and allure of his brand. For the first time in the history of this partnership, each style in the collection is labeled “Exclusively Designed for Neiman Marcus,” and select pieces are uniquely numbered in celebration of the collector-focused customers. The collection has already seen great demand with some customers purchasing each piece in the assortment.

To celebrate the launch of the exclusive collection, Cucinelli made a special visit to Dallas, Texas and hosted top customers and friends at a private dinner at the historic Hall of State in Fair Park. To amplify the city’s excitement for his arrival, a billboard near the retailer’s NorthPark store welcomed Cucinelli with a picture of him with his award. Guests were treated to an intimate evening with the Italian designer and humanitarian as he inspired them with his philosophical beliefs and celebrated his 20-year relationship with Neiman Marcus. Attendees enjoyed music by the Dallas String Quartet and a three-course Italian meal. The event culminated with fireworks and a second musical performance.

“It was a source of great joy for me to enjoy this magnificent evening in the company of my esteemed friends from Neiman Marcus, in a setting as beautiful and special as the Dallas Hall of State,” said Cucinelli. “Right here, in the great state of Texas, in this land so close to that ‘state of nature’ that the great Rousseau liked so much, and yet at the same time so comfortable and welcoming, I felt as at home as in my own little, beloved hamlet of Solomeo. Indeed, the friendly Texan people, whose affection I fully felt, reminded me of the Umbrian region I come from, because of its industriousness and strong ties to the land and its roots. It is a land that can be very generous, shaped by the skillful work of man and full of authentic people, outspoken and generous in their turn. It is said that everything is bigger in Texas, and I can confirm that the spirit, kindness and generosity with which I have been welcomed are truly enormous.”

“Brunello Cucinelli has made a significant impact on the luxury fashion industry, making him the clear choice for this year’s Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion,” said Lana Todorovich, chief merchandising officer, Neiman Marcus. “We are honored that Brunello chose to create a unique expression of his brand exclusively for our customers. His elevated designs resonate with their desire for impeccably crafted pieces that are true works of art.”

Neiman Marcus invites customers to shop the Icon Collection online and in select stores, including Dallas NorthPark, Houston Galleria, Northbrook, Beverly Hills, Fashion Island, San Francisco, San Diego, Michigan Avenue, Tysons Galleria and

Scottsdale.

Photos courtesy of Brunello Cucinelli

ROBERN UPDATES MAIN LINE COLLECTION WITH MODERN FUNCTIONALITY

Photos courtesy of Robern

Acornerstone in the Robern product portfolio is the Main Line Collection, a series of medicine cabinets and mirrors that are as beautiful as they are functional, and a showpiece of Robern expertise and engineering. Built to impress, the Main Line Collection updates three medicine cabinets and offers new mirror framing profiles in six versatile metal finishes. Blending the warmth and familiarity of traditional design elements with state-of-the-art features, the Robern Main Line Collection was designed with personal touches and practical cabinet storage options to elevate and personalize everyday routines.

Traditional design elements with forward-thinking functionality are part and parcel of the new Main Line designs thoughtfully executed in a perfect balance of past and present. The cabinets have a 4” depth and can be wall-mounted or recessed. Clients can choose from three framing profiles in 30” or 40” heights and 16”, 20”or 24” widths and six metal finishes – Chrome, Polished Nickel, Nickel, Vintage Brass, Brushed Bronze and Brushed Black – to beautifully coordinate with surrounding décor:

Bryn Mawr: Timeless and elegant, Byrn Mawr is available with a 1-3/4” bevel reminiscent of a classic gallery frame.

Merion: A wide 2-9/16” frame and stepped edges, Merion pays homage to the sleek sophistication of 1930s design.

Rosemont: Featuring a slim 13/16” profile and multi-layered bevel detail, Rosemont adds a clean, classic sensibility to any space.

Behind the traditional details and state-of-the-art sophistication, the Main Line Collection visually imparts Robern ingenuity and its commitment to quality and materials. The mirrors and cabinets are constructed at the Robern Bristol, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility, expertly executed from anodized aluminum and glass construction to resist the rigors of high-moisture bathroom environments. The medicine cabinets also boast a three-mirror design for a 360-degree styling experience and equipped with slowclose Blum hinges to ensure years of reliable, consistent performance.

The Main Line medicine cabinets are fitted with adjustable, cantilever shelving that can be smoothly and easily adjusted by small increments to accommodate any size incidental and personalize storage space. To

keep essentials charged and coordinated, Robern offers its optional Electric Upgrade Package that features a range of products in one comprehensive bundle. The package includes the USB Charging Ports/Electric Outlet, the Magnetic Strip, Phone Holder, Adjustable Magnification Mirror and the award-winning IQ Digital Lock Box, which is battery-operated and provides smart, safe and protected storage within the medicine cabinets along with peace of mind within the home. The owner can access the lock box by the digital touch keypad, by using the IQ smart phone application – compatible with iOS or Android – or by using the back-up key.

The collection also includes glass bins that are versatile, reusable frosted glass bins available in small, medium and large sizes. The bins are also non-toxic, 100% recyclable and perfectly scaled to fit the interior cabinet shelves for a clean and uncluttered environment. While Robern has cultivated specialized interior pieces for over 50 years, their latest venture into technology-driven items has revolutionized the approach to transforming a bathroom space from a room of convenience into an in-home sanctuary.

Apple Watches have become a must-have accessory, but for Carlye Morgan, it became the ultimate inspiration for her brand, Chalonne, a line of luxury leatherbased smartwatch bands designed in BelAir and made in France.

Launched only four years ago, Chalonne was a finalist in the 2020 and 2022 Accessories Council’s Design Excellence Awards. Hollywood celebrities such as Kristen Bell, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Deja Cruz and Nickelodeon’s Ben Giroux have been spotted with their Chalonne watch bands.

Morgan has been noted as one of the most impressive entrepreneurs in the Apple Watch industry by Nasdaq and today, she is unveiling a few of her secret tips to lead a successful brand, from producing her

Apple Watch bands in France to catering them to Hollywood’s A-List.

Wearable Luxury: The “Gold” Market

While shopping for the perfect stylish and comfortable Apple Watch band, Carlye Morgan had an idea: what if she launched the first ever luxury and sustainable Apple Watch band? “I did some research and couldn’t find any high-quality Apple Watch bands out there,” Morgan explained in a recent interview with Nasdaq. “I didn’t want to sacrifice my personal style to sport the latest techwear, and I knew other fashion-forward women must have felt the same way.”

Fashion tech is the most promising market in the accessories business today. While most people became more techsavvy during the pandemic, the trend seems to be increasing. Recent studies from organizations such as Precedence Research have shown that the wearable market will almost triple in the next decade, skyrocketing from $140 billion to

$400 billion by 2030.

Chalonne’s luxury Apple Watch bands focus on that specific niche market. From precious stones to quality leathers, all the designs are handmade with love and care in Pelousey, France by Jean Rousseau, which also manufactures bands for some of the most well-known luxury watch brands including Omega and Vacheron Constantin.

With gold, premium leather, embroideries and bejeweled bands, Morgan focuses on the luxury market within the accessories niche, one of the fastest growing industries in fashion. According to a report published by Bain & Co, the personal luxury goods market is forecasted to climb to around $570 to $615 billion by 2030.

An Entrepreneur Empowering Women

While the fashion industry might put female models on the forefront of billboards, the power ropes are usually pulled by men. This is something that Chalonne’s founder changed with the brand.

Chalonne by Carlye Morgan: Bel-Air Watches Meet French Heritage

BY ANNABELLE KAJBAF, FASHION JOURNALIST

Product images courtesy of Elio Tolot Model images courtesy of Angelo Sgambati

“Our company culture [...] helps foster an environment in which our team can thrive.”

-Carlye Morgan, founder of Chalonne

Photos courtesy of Cannici Photography

Chalonne’s mission is about being beautiful inside and out. Combining exquisite accessories for your wrist and brightening your everyday life with simple luxury can be blended with a good cause.

“Since day one, Chalonne has donated four percent of the purchase price for every band sold online to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” confirms the website. Not only does Chalonne provide luxury to a practical gadget like an Apple Watch, but it also supports women and cultivates a strong community around Chalonne’s employees and its clientele.

Nasdaq highlighted Morgan as one of the most inspiring female founders in her generation. “I believe that our company culture—based on giving back and empowering women—helps foster an environment in which our team can thrive. It’s a win-win for employees as well as customers to know that we have goals beyond the success of our immediate business,” she explained.

A Story Inspiring Hollywood’s A-List

With a solid foundation and strong storytelling, Chalonne has been under the spotlight thanks to many Hollywood celebrities. Actors Kirsten Bell, Jemie Lynn-Sigler, Ben Giroux and Deja Monique Cruz are just some of the few A-listers in Chalonne’s clientele. Chalonne has also been featured in Forbes, Hollywood Reporter, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, KTLA, WWD, Marie Claire and more.

The secret? Eye-catching designs with bright colors that reach a wide audience, from young entrepreneurs to established women executives. Some watch bands include solid 14k gold, unique gemstones and the finest quality leathers.

The inspiration behind each band stems from art historical notions, travels with colorful experiences and life in Bel-Air. Inspired by the ocean and the elements, colors vary from a Sienna Brown and a luscious fuschia, to a liquid black and a festive red “Confetto” studded with 14k yellow gold and 14k white gold “Confetto” bar studs.

“We offer a collection of bands made with rare hides, such as genuine Galuchat stingray, alligator and lizard, as well as premium calfskin leathers like Nappa. And of course, all Chalonne bands are lined with soft goatskin, in signature purple, which is super supple and comfortable,” added Morgan.

Being an ethical fashion designer, Chalonne works with manufacturing partner Jean Rousseau, who ensures that Chalonne bands comply with CITES and the U.S. Lacey Act, which regulates the international trade of flora and fauna species.

Living Like A Leader, One Step at a Time Four years after launching Chalonne, Morgan reflected on her entrepreneurial journey, which is everything but restful. Finding a balance

between her personal life and her professional life has been tricky, but thanks to her corporate background, Morgan has achieved success in forging a community of empowered women both behind-the-scenes and at the drawing board.

Coming up next, Chalonne is working on developing brand awareness, creating new designs and elevating new collections.

Chalonne also has strong plans to settle in Asia, which offers a market heavily influenced by global trends and catered for the world of wearable luxury fashion goods. In this growing market, the brand seeks to invest and develop a strong presence in Asian countries to start selling abroad.

“We will release more watch band designs and continue to innovate and extend our product offering to other tech accessories,” Morgan concluded.

Chalonne truly embodies a success story worth keeping an eye on!

Shop Chalonne at chalonne.com and follow them on Instagram @chalonne.la.

For more by Annabelle Kajbaf, follow her on Instagram @annabellekajbaf.

INTRODUCING BUCKLEY CLOTHING: A FASHION-FORWARD BRAND ROOTED IN WEARABLE STYLE

Photos courtesy of Matt Fryer

Fresh from across the pond, the inception of Buckley Clothing goes back to the spring of 2021, when a group of collaborative branding creatives and fashion designers came together to ask one question. Where will our industry be after all the turmoil of 2020?

No one had a crystal ball for that answer, but it did lead to one important conclusion. Now more than ever, the industry needs a noborders, fashion-forward trend-led brand that is inspired by high fashion but can be worn every day…not just on a catwalk!

By working with global trend agencies for beautiful seasonal color pallets and taking inspiration from classic styles through the last century, Buckley’s initial concept was born.

“Our design creatives take daily inspiration from all walks of life, fashion and culture to create stunning capsule collections throughout the seasons. The brand will flow with popular fashion trends, but our team will always use tried and trusted styles to express their creativity, and always push forward our ethos: ‘to be worn,’” said Head of Strategy Alexander Newman.

“Fabric and finish are at the forefront of our creative decisions, and all products are designed for comfort and fit,” added Creative Director Jessica Hill. “We want our clothing to be able to be worn to meet friends for brunch, to the office or even more formal events; it’s all in how you style the clothing. The product comes first, but we hope our fashion-forward spin makes it stand out from the crowd. Buckley is a concept; the brand will grow and change with the seasons but always have its roots in wearable fashion.”

In 2022, after concepts were drawn up, the brand took on a head of digital with the goal of developing a brand-new bespoke website and creating beautiful content through all social channels. The team got straight to work on spreading the word about what was coming.

Buckley launched its web and social channels in February 2023. With simple branding, classic styling and an easily navigable format, the world got a glimpse of the brand for the first time.

Head of Digital Matt Fryer explained, “We have big plans for our online channels. It’s early, but our first capsule is showing strong sales and great promise. Since launch, we have taken on a plethora of micro and mid-sized influencers across the globe with fantastic initial engagement. With lots more projects in the pipeline to spread our message, including working with PR companies in the U.S. and EU, we are really excited to see what the future holds.”

At its heart, Buckley is a brand for everyone, and with many hours of design time put into all fabrics, it should be touched as well as seen. It was with this idea that the company welcomed Global Sales Director Richard Bouch in 2022. With years of experience with much larger brands, Bouch set about designing a global sales strategy with Newman. Since the first collection was designed in the summer of 2022, Buckley has taken on distributors and sales agencies in the U.K., EU (12 Countries), U.S. and Canada. The brand is available in 78 stores so far as well as online on Debenhams.com and Macy.com.

“My team and I have been working night and day since the wholesale launch of Buckley last July to select the best retail partners for the brand. We have had a great response so far and are really excited to welcome our new sales partners in the U.S., EU and U.K. along for the journey,” said Bouch. “We have big plans for Buckley across the world with new stores coming on board daily. We are launching a new collection and have sales teams in 17 countries. We are very proud at this early stage to have such good coverage. The brand is changing and developing every season and we can’t wait for everyone to see what our design team has created for Spring 24.”

Buckley Clothing is a brand to watch for the future. Launching in a very crowded market, fashion has been shouting out for something new for everyone, no matter where you are from. With simple styling and beautiful fabrics, this is wearable fashion.

Buckley Clothing’s official website can be found at buckleyclothing.co.uk. They are on Instagram at @buckleyclothing.

GALERIA PRESENTS COCCINELLE: THE ULTIMATE ITALIAN LUXURY HANDBAG

Galeria, the flagship footwear retailer from the Novus Inc. portfolio, welcomed the arrival of a new addition to its handbag collection: Coccinelle, a premium Italian fashion leather handbag brand for women. Galeria, which houses a variety of other premium fashion brands including Furla, Schutz, Jeffrey Campbell, United Nude and Paloma Barceló, will be the exclusive retailer for Coccinelle in Puerto Rico.

In 1978, Coccinelle was founded in the sunny plains of Parma, Italy, and has since been dedicated to creating meticulously-crafted everyday accessories for women. The brand’s focus on craftsmanship is evident in their use of the highest quality Italian leathers and their commitment to artisanal production. They combine this traditional approach with a contemporary style and an eye for current trends. Skilled artisans devote hours of quality expertise at the atelier located in Parma, and hone in on fierce attention to detail. Each Coccinelle handbag is designed to make a statement, with a unique blend of elegance and sophistication that is sure to turn heads.

“We are excited to add Coccinelle to our premium collection of handbag brands at Galeria,” said Carlos Castellón Fernández, purchasing director of Novus Inc. “The brand’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship aligns perfectly with our style at Galeria. Coccinelle is a fantastic addition to our portfolio.”

Coccinelle’s arrival at Galeria further strengthens the retailer’s position as Puerto Rico’s premier fashion destination. With a wide range of premium fashion brands available at Galeria, shoppers can find everything from the latest trends to timeless classics, all in one place.

Experience the luxury and sophistication of Coccinelle handbags at Galeria, located on the first floor of Plaza Las Americas. Visit galeriashoes.com to explore the exclusive collection and shop the premium Italian brand.

Fresh, modern and fashion-forward, the THEIA Bridal Spring 2024 Collection flirts with dramatic proportions and thoughtful attention to detail. Set against an abstract backdrop of an ever-changing moon, the celestial and ethereal mood of the collection is meant to inspire. Twists on classic silhouettes, tactile fabrics and embroideries mimicking constellations evoke a vibe of tomorrow’s bride. The exaggerated proportions of the Aurora ball gown collide with an edgy, striated ottoman organza fabrication. Strategically placed cutouts, largescale floral embroideries and sensuous ruching showcase the wearers’ figure. An emphasis on transformative styling incorporates detachable lace sleeves, satin cowls, Watteau trains in luxurious mikado and a whimsically embroidered tulle cloak. The provocative Stella mini dress with cutwork floral applique festively celebrates the occasion and, when paired with a golden embroidered cathedral veil, teases her guests in jest with a nod to the untraditional. For our THEIA bride, style is universal.

“If kisses were stars, I would give you the sky”

Photography by Haifa Wohlers Olson

StyleEsteem

BY SONYA KESHWANI

Photography by Elvia Gobbo Photography

Few fashion items can be said to hold the interest of the consumer for longer than a season or two at the most. Certain iconic styles have grown to be considered “classics” in fashionable closets, but even those have a history of only a few decades, or at most a hundred years. Designer Sonya Keshwani, however, showed her collection during New York Bridal Week that dates back over four millennia. Yes, that’s 4,000 years.

Turbans have been celebrated across the globe by men and women alike, to honor culture, faith and fashion for over 4,000 years. Keshwani created her collection, not out of desire, but out of personal need. At 29 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her hair was majorly affected by her treatment regimen, and she was faced with having to figure out a way to present herself in a manner that made her feel confident and empowered while celebrating her own personal beauty and style. Her solution was a turban. Being of Indian descent, the style was an integral part of her culture.

A few years later, on the cusp of being a bride

as well as a five-year cancer survivor, Keshwani created a turban for her wedding in India that reflected not only her heritage, but made her feel beautiful on her special day. Like the turban created for her wedding, Keshwani said, “Every turban is personal because it celebrates the history of the wearer.”

This experience inspired Keshwani to launch the StyleEsteem Wardrobe as a way of celebrating the culture, style and strength of not only herself, but of every woman who wanted to wear a turban, regardless of the occasion or purpose. Some needed them as part of their hair journey as Keshwani once did. Some wanted turbans to celebrate their heritage, while others bought them to honor their faith. Keshwani took each of her client’s interests one step further and created a collection under the label “StyleEsteem.”

StyleEsteem embodies the time-honored tradition of turbans with fashionable styles for every season and occasion. The collection has grown to not only include a range of turbans that address a wide range of occasions from ceremonial to the everyday, but also head bands, fascinators and veils, many of which are commissions or made from vintage fabrics in a

manner that can only be called couture.

For New York Bridal Week, StyleEsteem by Sonya Keshwani featured 16 styles that had a definitively bridal slant — not in the traditional white and ivory that western cultures count as synonymous with the genre. Keshwani’s talent, combined with her global perspective, created a range that had far more context than one would expect from such a well-focused range of styles. Hand embroidered fabrics — some vintage, and others newly created — such as tapestry, brocade, hand-beaded edging, lace, sequins and lurex shimmer all came together to masterful results in a palette that began with ivory and included light blue, gold, silver, maroon and peach, before ending on a strikingly rich jewel toned cobalt blue.

Keshwani worked with show producer Myrdith Leon-McCormack who partnered with the iconic InterContinental New York Barclay to secure their luxurious Presidential Penthouse suite for the presentation, as well as noted stylist Mimi Lombardo to pull the full looks together. Lombardo collaborated luxury designers like Swiss watchmaker Piaget, vegan shoes by Pifieri and dresses by Bibhu Mohapatra.

THE FASHION MANNUSCRIPT PRESENTS: TECHWEAR

Bringing you the latest breakthroughs in software, I.T. and fashion technology. From creative solutions to insights from experts, we are the source for all things fashion tech.

BOSS BEAUTIES AND BARBIE LAUNCH VIRTUAL COLLECTIBLES

Matel Inc.’s Barbie and Boss Beauties, a top women-led web3 brand, are debuting their Boss Beauties x Barbie virtual collectibles, featured on MattelCreations.com. Designed to celebrate the 250 careers represented in the Barbie line, the collection features the familiar signature style of Boss Beauties with an iconic Barbiecore™ look. Career traits featured in the first drop of the collection include artists, astronauts, CEOs, doctors, pet vets, pilots and more, reminding fans that they can be anything.

Priced at $25 per pack, the virtual collectibles are meant to be easy to purchase and at an accessible price point, lowering barriers of entry into web3 for all. Each pack will include four Boss Beauties x Barbie collectibles of different rarities, selected at random.

This collaboration with Barbie propels Boss Beauties, the first womenled web3 company who has been featured in the halls of both the New York Stock Exchange and the United Nations, one step closer to achieving its mission of onboarding the next one million women and girls into a web3 world. To further support their shared mission of elevating women, Barbie and Boss Beauties previously announced a collective $250,000 donation benefitting both the Barbie Dream Gap Project and the Boss Beauties Foundation.

CLO VIRTUAL FASHION AND EPIC GAMES INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL FASHION

CLO Virtual Fashion, a global leader in digital garment solutions and the developer of CLO and Marvelous Designer, and Epic Games, the developer of Unreal Engine, announced that the companies have purchased shares in each other.

“We strongly believe that digital garments will play a significant role in the future of digital entertainment and metaverse platforms,” said Simon Kim, CEO of CLO Virtual Fashion. “We are building toward a future where we imagine the digitization of everything, the convergence of fashion with entertainment and the metaverse.”

CLO Virtual Fashion is a leader in the digital fashion industry, boasting a comprehensive ecosystem of products including 3D garment design software, a digital CMS and collaboration platform and an open marketplace and community where thousands

of true-to-life garment designs are bought, sold and showcased.

CLO Virtual Fashion aims to make integrated workflows more easily accessible to 3D

designers, character artists, animators and fashion professionals alike—resulting in games and metaverse platforms that feature true-tolife clothing options and maximize the value of digital garments in the industry.

Photo courtesy of Business Wire

Photo courtesy of PRNewswire

PERFECT CORP.’S GLOBAL BEAUTY & FASHION TECH FORUM RETURNS TO NYC

Perfect Corp., the leading artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) beauty and fashion tech solutions provider, announced the return of the annual franchise industry event, The Global Beauty and Fashion Tech Forum, on Monday, June 26, 2023 in New York City. The event will be held at The Convene event space, and will feature comprehensive programming with key opinion leaders across beauty, fashion, technology, retail and media. This year’s theme, “The Future of AI and AR Innovation,” will showcase the latest cutting-edge fashion and beauty technology and feature industry experts through dynamic presentations and panel discussions that speak to the impact of innovative AI and AR technologies and how they are transforming

the consumer shopping experience.

The forum will spotlight a new frontier in AI and AR technology and its impact across the consumer shopping experience. Presentations and panels will feature speakers across multiple industries from leading brands like Amazon Brand Innovation Lab, The Estée Lauder Companies, Colgate-Palmolive, COTY, Elemis, Airem, Glossy, WWD, BeautyMatter, Wake Forest University, Teads, iSpa, SoPost, Beaute in Tech, and more, showcasing the versatility of AI and AR beauty and fashion tech solutions and the impactful results that come from adopting innovative technology strategies for their businesses.

EIKONIKOS TO SHOWCASE HIGH FASHION NFT COLLECTION FOR THE METAVERSE

Metaverse company, Eikonikos announced the upcoming release of their AVRA Collection The AVRA Collection is a wearable NFT collection of 3,248 unique pieces of clothing that can be worn by any Eikonikos Metaverse Avatar NFT holder. In the beginning of 2023, the Eikonikos team unveiled the Sokinoki App, the gateway to their metaverse. More recently, they launched the beta version of their virtual planet, which includes three different areas of the world map: the Grand Frontier, the Eikodium and the Iris Sleeping Pod.

Following the beta release, the team introduced the AVRA Collection, an

innovative addition to their ecosystem, packed with IRL and ingame utilities.

The AVRA Collection is the brainchild of renowned fashionista and well-being coach, Aiisha Ramadan. It features exclusive, limited-edition clothing inspired by various aspects of life, including chakras, Yin Yang, Kundalini, the Sun and the Moon. This latest development further establishes Eikonikos as a trailblazer in the Cardano NFT and Metaverse space.

Photo courtesy of Perfect Corp.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

Photos courtesy of Moon Oral Beauty

TECHWEAR FINDS JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER

BY MERILEE KERN, MBA

Beauty, wellness and convenience on-the-go are essential life categories all year round, but there’s something special about treating yourself during the summer. With warmer weather, brighter days and endless fun-in-thesun activities to fill your weekends, summer is the perfect time to browse the best products in tech-centered lifestyle shopping.

Advanced Hair-Styling Curling Iron by The Beachwaver Co.

Create glamorous, bombshell waves with just a touch of a button using the Beachwaver Pro 1 Dual Voltage Rotating Curling Iron. This patented, professional hair tool is an innovative, rotating curling iron invented by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa. It rotates in both directions to achieve perfect beach waves. The one-inch Beachwaver Pro 1 barrel features a protective ceramic rod, a beveled patented design, a customized clamp to reduce kinks and a “go” button to automatically rotate the curling iron from left to right depending on the side you’re curling. Other device highlights include customized, full-length internal heaters, a 360-degree swivel cord and a nine-foot heavy-duty cord, an LED digital temperature screen and an ergonomic handle.

Silk’n’s Titan AllWays Wrinkle Reduction and Skin Tightening Device

This anti-aging tool reduces wrinkles and crow’s feet, restores collagen and elastin fiber and lifts the facial contours without surgery— all while building volume, tightening skin and improving skin structure and elasticity. The result is younger-looking, glowing skin. Thanks to its wireless operation, you can use the Titan AllWays whenever and wherever you want to blur superficial sun and age spots.

Silk’n utilizes Home Tightening technology, which combines three energy sources for more efficiency: bipolar radiofrequency energy, LED light energy and infrared heat energy. This combination ensures that the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin contract and are reconstructed, so it can repair itself from the inside out. In a blind, independent review, before and one month after 20

fortnightly sessions, the results reportedly showed that 96 percent of participants had visibly fewer wrinkles with no adverse side effects.

Manta Sleep Mask SOUND

The Manta Sleep Mask SOUND gives you complete control over the two senses that have the biggest impact on your sleep: sight and sound. Designed for side-sleep comfort, the razor-thin Bluetooth headphones are nestled within a ventilated strap, while the C-shaped eye cups ensure zero eye or ear pressure and a perfect blackout seal without the bulk. The result? Unmatched comfort as you or your loved one listen to the most soothing sounds. Manta Sleep’s mission is empowering light sleepers to catch better Zs so they can do more—creating what the company’s dubbed “the most comfortable Bluetooth sleep mask in existence.” This product is optimized for an uninterrupted and immersive audio experience that promotes deep sleep with 20-plus hour battery life— perfect for music, meditation or any sound you find relaxing.

The xSuit 4.0

Who says keeping it classy has to mean discomfort for men? The xSuit 4.0 is the newest version of the brand’s highly popular xSuit—the suit known for extreme comfort, stretch and convenience. This recently released iteration is the most comfortable and stylish version yet, taking into account years of research and customer feedback. Among expanded stretch and other upgrades, the updates feature additional sizes and colors, including brand-new light blue and light gray versions. Utilizing advanced R&D and technology, the xSuit 4.0 is wrinkle-, stain- and odor-resistant—optimizing the convenience for wearers. It’s also fully machine washable, which eliminates the need for frequent dry cleaning and ironing. Due to its top-quality construction, the garment is highly durable and lasts five times longer than average. Even more, the men’s clothing brand’s versatile designs enable easy mixing and matching to give you a wide range of

choices in outfits and styles. The xSuit works with some of the world’s top manufacturing experts in fashion technology in order to make the most comfortable clothing that keeps customers looking their best all day long.

The ULTI Messenger Bag by CONMIGO

No matter if you’re traveling around the block or around the world for business or pleasure, travel should always be a fabulous experience—never a hassle. The main culprit for travel angst? Having the wrong gear. One great resolution is the ULTI Messenger Bag by CONMIGO, which provides the luxury of being comfortable, the joy of being organized and the peace of mind of being safe—all in one bag. Plus, this functional travel and laptop bag features an abundance of secured pockets and compartments to help keep you organized and on point wherever you may be journeying to. Other ULTI bag highlights include a TSA-compliant, detachable portfolio for electronics, seat cushion and enhanced safety features. CONMIGO designers also crafted the gear with water-resistant, ballistic nylon and ensured its ability to comfortably fit under the seat when traveling in an aircraft.

LED Teeth Whitening Kit from MOON Oral Beauty

Elevate your oral care routine with MOON Oral Beauty’s LED Teeth Whitening Kit. Equipped with the brand’s best-sellers, this set includes its LED Teeth Whitening Device, Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen and Dissolving Whitening Strips to help keep customers’ smiles healthy and bright. In fact, the LED device is reported to rapidly whiten teeth up to 12 shades in just two weeks or less, with just five minutes per use. Its lightweight, wireless design pairs with the Dissolving Whitening Strips to remove tough stains on the teeth’s surface for a no-mess application, with no rinsing required. The device already comes with a two-week supply of Whitening Strips, a travel-friendly case and a charging base. MOON’s Dissolving Strips are unique, as they whiten teeth up to seven shades lighter and dissolve completely in your mouth within 15 minutes.

Celebrity endorsers and influencers have become increasingly important to retail and consumer brands that use them extensively in advertising and social media to drive sales and gain new customers. But if all doesn’t go well with these endorsers and influencers, what started out as a wonderful asset can quickly become a liability. A recent Retail Marketing Society webinar explored the benefits and risks of utilizing celebrities and influencers to represent a brand. Panelists included Christiane Schuman Campbell, partner, Duane Morris LLP, Leanne Perice, founder, Made by All, and Bruce Ross, president and CEO, Celebrity Fashion Group (CFG). The moderator was Richard Baum of Consumer Growth Partners..

Celebrity Endorser Versus Influencer

While it was generally agreed that the line between celebrity endorsers and influencers is often blurred, there are some differences. In terms of defining expectations, a celebrity often has a team that is a bit more sophisticated to deal with. Influencers, particularly if they are not as well known, may be more flexible. Content is also a consideration.

“Anyone can be an influencer, but not everyone can be a content creator,” said Leanne Perice. “When you’re working with a celebrity, most of the time they don’t know how to create content and that’s when a brand will need to hire a production company to schedule a shoot day to get the assets they need for the campaign. But with a content creator, which is most of the clients that I represent, the brands come

CELEBRITY ENDORSERS AND INFLUENCERS: ARE THEY RIGHT FOR YOUR BRAND?

By Anne Marie Soto, Retail Marketing Society

to us because they know that they’re going to get quality content from my content creators because they’re experts.”

Perice continued, “If you’re looking for someone to get behind the camera and be like, ‘I like this product, and this is why I use it,’ you’re going to want to go with an influencer. But if you’re looking for a big cultural moment that has a lot of press and a lot of density off the jump, I think a celebrity will get that initial traction.”

Another consideration is the amount of capital available for the campaign. Although it’s not necessarily true that a celebrity is going to be more expensive than an influencer, it is a good generalization. A third factor is the message that the brand wants to convey. Christi Campbell counsels her clients to really think about their brand and its message.

She urges them “to go with somebody who is aligned with that message or at least appears to be aligned with that message. It can be challenging for a brand to go after whoever is the ‘it’ influencer and the ‘it’ celebrity of the moment, because that person might be endorsing a number of different brands. You want to make sure that they’re aligned in their messaging and also, that they’re not doing anything conflicting.”

Protecting a Brand from Unintended Consequences

“It’s important to talk to the talent or celebrity before you finalize the deal,” said Perice. “You don’t always have that luxury, but if you can speak to the manager and ask specific questions and get a feel for what they are like to work with . . . it’s super helpful.”

“Exclusivity is important,” added Campbell. “For example, if I’m having an influencer or a celebrity represent my athletic apparel brand that stands for fitness and wellness, I don’t want them promoting an alcohol brand. I’m not

saying there’s anything wrong with alcohol, but the two could be perceived as in conflict with one another.”

How to Measure Success

“When I speak to a brand,” said Perice, “I will say, what is the goal? Do you want sales? Do you want brand recognition? Do you want brand credibility? Do you want brand awareness? Sometimes a client will want a particular person. I’ll explain that she has a beautiful aesthetic but she doesn’t sell much so if you want to generate sales, put paid media behind her content so you can measure success.”

“From the brand side, it’s always about ROI,” confirmed Campbell. “If you see an uptick in revenue, popularity and impressions, it might be directly attributable to the celebrity or influencer you are using. But if that increase in recognition doesn’t translate to an increase in sales and a benefit to their bottom line, then they need to be thinking about, is this worth it? Are we getting the return financially that we want? Or is our goal just to get our name out there and get more followers, get more traction or more publicity?”

“We work with a lot of retailers, a lot of celebrities and brands,” said Bruce Ross. “For them, it’s all about sales, that’s their measurement. Is it moving the needle? Are they driving sales? Are they bringing customers online? Are they bringing them in-store? And you know, that’s what success is for them. The retailers that we work with on our deals are not interested in click-throughs or anything other than what are the sales, what’s it doing to our bottom line?”

LEADERS - LEAD CONSCIENTIOUSLY

LEADERS: WHAT WILL YOU HAVE TO MASTER?

by Donna Johnson-Klonsky, MBA

By Donna Johnson-Klonsky, president of DJ Consulting Services Inc.

Why Must You “Lead Conscientiously?”

Instead of being deflated by the outcome, you look to grow from the experience. Others are drawn to your willingness to “fail forward” toward future success.

environments present obstacles to upholding your beliefs and values. This information will help you be more alert to future challenges to reclaiming your voice. With the insight gained, you are ready to begin making adjustments.

Realign Strategy

Others’ Relationship With Change

As you climb the ladder to the highest platform, take a moment to listen to your thoughts and feel your emotions. You have victoriously emerged from your change, eager to master your world.

In my last article, “Leaders: What Will You Have to Welcome?” I shared the most significant characteristics of the eighth stage of change, “welcome.” In this article, I introduce the ninth and final stage, “master,” to help you determine if you are on this stage of the change process and what you could do next.

It is easy to get caught up in the pursuit of our ultimate goals. They demand lots of time spent considering which paths to take, what actions would bring about the most significant results, and how to create and nurture beneficial professional relationships. We often reflect on our many sacrifices and choices when we arrive at various milestones. Perhaps, we recognize we are not the same person as when we began, but not in a positive way. It could be because somewhere along the journey, we relinquished part of what would have made us the leader we envisioned. We gave up who we were to obtain what we wanted. The ultimate cost was that we lost ourselves in the process when we surrendered some of our beliefs, values or voice to achieve specific outcomes.

Proficiency & Expansion

For some, it was worth the price. In my opinion, it is never worth the cost. Fortunately, our past decisions do not always dictate our future. Like an airplane that has veered off course, we can navigate back to our true north. How do we find our way back home? This article is the sixteenth and last in the Change Proficiencies series, which introduced different strategies and techniques required to facilitate successful changes. It will present the “Lead Conscientiously” technique to plot a professional destination that compliments who you are at your core.

In the “master” stage, you are proud of who you have become and look forward to further transformation. You are comfortable with disquieting memories that surround your change and share your feelings freely. You are confident that you have the knowledge, expertise and understanding to master other changes, which will ultimately lead to mastery in other areas of your life and strengthen your cherished dynamic energy.

Most recognize that leadership comes with responsibilities beyond meeting deadlines and deliverables. Just as important as achieving business, company or team goals is how we, and those we lead, feel about us after objectives are accomplished. Regrettably, over my long professional career, there were times I made the wrong choice. Being a conscientious leader involves leading in a way that honors whom you want to be and how you want to be known. How can you begin to readjust your course? Modify your thoughts, decisions and actions.

How Can You “Lead Conscientiously?”

Rethink Objective

No matter where we are in our leader’s journey, our pursuit of the next objective leaves little time to contemplate our leadership legacy. Maya Angelo said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” How do you want those who professionally work alongside you to remember you? We cannot change the past, but we can improve and strengthen the future. The most memorable leaders I have encountered were tough yet caring, thoughtful and sincere. Reflect on the type of leadership legacy you want. Then, determine if recent decisions and actions increase or decrease the likelihood of reaching that goal. Next, it is time to review some of your choices and actions.

To master your change, you have had to modify your overall relationship with change. Pay attention to others who are experiencing change. You must take time to analyze and comprehend how those who work closely with you respond to change. Their actions, which originate from their thoughts and emotions, are like road signs that can reveal where they are in the change process. This insight will improve your ability to navigate how their changes may impact your professional or personal goals. Listen intently, and compare their thoughts and actions to the knowledge you have gained from the change process. As a leader, application of this knowledge is vital.

It can be overwhelming to contemplate the many situations where you might have to course correct. Equally unsettling are the managers, colleagues and those under your leadership who might be confused by the change in direction. Awareness that you do not have to confront every possible contradiction at once can ease some anxiety. Still, courage is needed.

and tools to conquer future changes, results in more clarity and focus. Remember: you have mastered a specific change, not your entire life. The more changes we can master, the greater our success. However, it does take time and patience. Many more victories will have to be won before you can experience mastery multiple areas of your life.

If you believe you have reached the “master” stage in your change, congratulations! Now, ponder and choose another experience, and apply what you have learned about change to approach, process and master it. If you haven’t completed the “master” stage, I strongly encourage you to remain dedicated to working through your current change.

There are many different ways to proceed. Select the most realistic and reasonable approach based on your current professional responsibilities. You could slowly incorporate your reclaimed beliefs and values into new decisions or actions. Maybe stand firm on a specific project or situation. Or speak up for those you lead. Some might be curious about the change in direction, which could present an opportunity for a meaningful discussion. I would not recommend tackling every area or group of individuals simultaneously. Over time, stronger relationships and positive results will make it easier for colleagues and managers to embrace your enhanced leadership style.

Reclaim Voice

What Does it Mean to “Lead Conscientiously?”

Release From Fear of Failure

Through my clients, I have often heard that when their teammates’ and colleagues’ words and actions are misaligned, it frequently has to do with the disconnect between where they are in the change process and where their leader wants or needs them to be. You may need your team to evolve or embrace different professional situations or ways of performing their assignments, and they may still be trying to figure out how to stand up to or accept the change. A business coach can help bridge the gap between leaders’ expectations and their team members’ performance.

Becoming or continuing to be a conscientious leader is hard work but well worth the effort. Change is required to boost our self-integrity, make decisions, and take actions that harmonize with our values and beliefs. Rethink your intentions, both results-oriented and leadership legacy. Reclaim your voice in areas where it might have been silenced. Realign strategy to implement solutions that support your overall purpose. When you choose to be a conscientious leader, you gain mental and emotional power, strengthen selfconfidence and reinforce your ability to succeed and remain true to yourself.

As you go forward, remain alert to your thoughts and emotions, and align your actions so your dynamic energy will continue to blossom. From “stand up” to “master,” your journey through the change process has cleared away faulty perceptions for your specific change. As you select the next change, seek insight from those you trust. To upgrade your viewpoint, ask them questions about inconsistencies that may exist between your words and actions.

To “Lead Conscientiously” is to adjust our professional decisions to align our actions with our values and beliefs. Although it can be complicated and complex, it means speaking up, standing firm and not looking the other way. It involves self-integrity.

One of the greatest freedoms is being free from fear of failure. When you reach the “master” stage, you are driven by curiosity of what could happen and are no longer held hostage mentally or emotionally to failure. After exploring the risks and rewards, you pursue goals with expectations of success. Even if you fall short of your objective, you are prepared to extract and apply what you have learned.

Although the upcoming exercise may be challenging, it is necessary. Think about a few incidents where you inwardly felt you should have spoken up for yourself, someone else or against something. Likely some uncomfortable emotions will surface. Those feelings may remind you of how you wanted to respond and what transpired. To move forward, ponder on questions like, who was with you? What was the topic? What were you doing? Where were you? Did the conversation happen on a phone call, virtual meeting or through text or email?

What Mastery Means

The answers to those questions will increase your awareness of which individuals, circumstances or

Donna Johnson-Klonsky, MBA, PCC DJ Consulting Services, Inc. East Fishkill, New York

Mastery is demonstrated in many ways. Exceptional progress will be made because your actions are closely aligned with future goals, and you are committed to continual transformation. Your relative peace of mind amid uncertainty and fear, which stems from the confidence that you possess and the knowledge, insight

djohnson@djcsfirm.com

Tel: (845) 447-1037

12533

This article is the last in a series that highlighted the nine stages of the change process presented in my book, “Aspects of Change.” The next series of articles will highlight the “art of change” and reveal the proficiencies you need to move from one stage of change to the next and create forward movement in any goals. No change can stand in your way when you apply these practices.

Donna Johnson-Klonsky, MBA, PCC DJ Consulting Services, Inc. East Fishkill, New York 12533 djohnson@djcsfirm.com

(845) 447-1037

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

– Nelson Mandela

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes a whole new season of fashion trends to try out. Retro prints are making a comeback in a big way. We’re talking psychedelic swirls, funky florals and bold stripes straight out of the ‘60s and ‘70s. These prints are perfect for making a statement and adding some personality to your wardrobe. Plus, they’re a great conversation starter – you never know who you might meet when you’re wearing a funky floral dress!

Oversized hats are the must-have accessory for summer 2023. Not only do they look chic and stylish, but they also provide much-needed shade on hot summer days. Elevated loungewear is still going strong, but this summer, it’s all about adding some glamor to your cozy clothes. Think soft, comfortable fabrics like jersey and cotton, but with elevated silhouettes like wide-leg pants and flowy maxi dresses. Who says you can’t be comfortable and stylish at the same time? Athleticinspired pieces are perfect for those who want to stay active while still looking fashionable.

Think bike shorts, tank tops and windbreakers –all of which are perfect for outdoor workouts or casual weekend wear. And, if you’re feeling lazy,

SUMMER TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS YEAR

you can always pretend you just came from the gym and no one will be the wiser.

Mini bags are a huge trend for summer 2023. These pint-sized purses come in a range of styles, from crossbody bags to wristlets, and are perfect for carrying just the essentials. They’re so cute that you’ll want to take them everywhere with you. Just be careful not to accidentally leave them behind at the restaurant. So, what do these summer fashion trends mean from a business perspective? For retailers, it’s a chance to capitalize on the latest trends and attract fashion-forward customers. By stocking up on bright colors, retro prints and oversized hats, retailers can attract customers who are looking for something fun and unique.

For fashion designers, it’s a chance to showcase their creativity and stand out from the competition. By incorporating these trends into their designs, designers can attract attention and establish themselves as innovators in the fashion industry. And for consumers, it’s a chance to express their individuality and have fun with their fashion choices. By embracing these trends, consumers can show off their personalities and stand out from the crowd. Besides, who doesn’t love an excuse to go shopping for some new summer clothes?

Overall, summer 2023 is shaping up to be a fun and exciting season for fashion. So, whether you’re looking to embrace bright colors, retro prints or athletic-inspired pieces, there’s a trend out there for everyone. Just don’t forget the shoes!

Shoes are an essential part of any summer outfit, and for summer 2023, there are a few shoe trends that you’ll want to keep an eye on. First up, Festival Fashion has become a cultural phenomenon

showcasing cowboy boots as a hot trend for summer. Chunky platform sandals are back in a big way. These shoes are perfect for adding some height while still being comfortable enough to wear all day long. Another trend to watch out for are square-toe sandals. These sleek and modern sandals are a refreshing departure from traditional round-toe styles and they’re perfect for dressing up or down. Additionally, slip-on sneakers are a versatile option that will take you from the beach to the city streets in style. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to find a shoe trend that works for your personal style and needs.

For men, summer 2023 promises to be an exciting season. One of the biggest trends for men’s shoes is the return of classic loafers. Loafers are versatile shoes that can be dressed up or down. Another trend to watch out for is chunky, statement sneakers. These sneakers come in a variety of colors and designs and are perfect for adding some personality to your outfit. And last but not least, boat shoes are making a comeback this summer. These timeless shoes are perfect for a day out on the boat or for adding a touch of nautical flair to your outfit. With so many exciting shoe trends to choose from, men can step up their footwear game and stay stylish all summer long.

Leslie Gallin is a board member of Footwear Distributors Representatives of America (FDRA), Two Ten Footwear Charity and From Fashion with Love.org among others holding positions at WSA (World Shoe Association), Geoffrey Beene, Escada, Pauline Trigere and was awarded with Pattenmaker Livery acceptance by the City of London. Gallin can be reached at missfashion@ cs.com.

We may be one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., but we never lose sight of the individual. Our Relationship Managers personally get to know your business, taking the time to understand your unique needs before offering their custom solutions. And with over 150 years of industry experience, you won’t just like working with us. You’ll love it.

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FASHION, LABOR, COUNTERFEITS & DANGEROUS CLOTHING

By Benjamin S. Seigel, Esq. of Counsel to G & B Law, LLP

NEW ANGLES ON 2023’S CASUAL SUMMER STYLES

By Benjamin S. Seigel, Esq.

and clothing and may supply American retailers.” Segran’s article continues to say that forced labor is connected to Western supply chains and consumers, as Xinjiang produces over 80% of China’s cotton and that the United States imports more than 30% of its apparel from China. Even if a product isn’t imported into the United States directly from Xinjiang, it may contain fabrics or components made from the forced labor that happens in Xinjiang camps.

activities like elegant cocktail parties or August weddings, you’ll need more than just a linen shirt and a comfortable pair of kicks. Summer suits give you the perfect opportunity to shop laid-back elegance. Bare ankles with lightweight leather loafers is a classic look that can “summer-fy” any suit. Seersucker, linen and even cotton can make for great suit looks, especially when paired with a colorful Polo button-up or a simple linen undershirt.

keep you cool and can also flaunt the luxurious dresses and tops beneath.

Finally, in “The RealReal Sold me a $3,600 Fake: Here’s Why Counterfeits Slip Through Its Authentication Process” from Forbes in October 2019, Richard Kestenbaum wrote, “The thrift store business has gone big-time. What used to be a local, mom-and-pop business has been tech-enabled, allowing what were local inventories of unique items to be available worldwide. Fabricated by venture capital and private equity, the resale business (as it’s now known) has scaled up, handling thousands of items and hundreds of millions of dollars of product.”

DWith summer just around the corner, it’s time to get a head start on the latest styles and trends for this season. According to a Men’s Flair article called “Men’s Summer Fashion Guide: The Key Pieces, Trends & Looks For 2023,” summer is the most important time for the year for men to add trendsetting items to their warm-weather wardrobe.

espite the beautiful department store windows on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and Fifth Avenue in New York, an undercurrent of potential problems is pervading the fashion industry.

In a report that appeared in MR magazine on October 23, 2019, Elizabeth Segran, author of an article originally from Fast Company, stated, “Slavery and indentured labor is widespread in the fashion industry.” She noted that the South China Morning Post reported that China experts have gone to Capitol Hill to explain to lawmakers that American apparel brands may be benefiting directly from coerced labor carried out by Uighurs, members of a Muslim ethnic minority living in the Xinjiang autonomous region of China.

According to the article, one of these important items is the linen Cuban collar shirt. With thin, simple linen, this top can pair perfectly with board shorts, long trousers and even bathing suit bottoms. Paired with leather Birkenstocks slides, this linen shirt can become a staple of any man’s summer closet since these shoes are just as versatile. Perfect to slip on for a day at the pool or a quick run to the store, these sandals allow enough breathability to let the feet tan as well.

Canvas sneakers are also a great footwear goto for summer 2023. Breathable and lightweight items like the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star or the Superga 2750 are affordable and versatile for any summer activity. Since canvas sneakers can be dressed up or down to be worn at any event or fun-in-the-sun activity, they can save you money on purchasing multiple shoes for multiple different outfits.

But if your summer will be riddled with busy

Her article stated, “The New York Times says that more than a million Uighurs have been forcibly held in camps and subject to political indoctrination. A United Nations human rights panel said that Uighurs were being detained in a ‘massive interment camp that is shrouded in secrecy. The Chinese government refers to these camps as ‘vocational training centers.’ New evidence has emerged that some of these Uighurs [are] being coerced to work in factories that make apparel

Similarly, an article by Justin Scheck, Jon Emont and Alexandra Berzon in The Wall Street Journal, updated on October 23, 2019, entitled, “Amazon Sells Clothing From Factories Other Retailers Blacklist” stated that, “After a 2013 factory collapse that killed more than 1,100 people in Bangladesh, most of the biggest U.S. apparel retailers joined safety-monitoring groups that required them to stop selling clothing from factories that violated certain safety standards.” The authors then stated that Amazon didn’t join, and that, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation, the site today offers a steady stream of clothing from dozens of Bangladeshi factories that most leading retailers have said are too dangerous to allow into their supply chains.

Streetwear shouldn’t be forgotten this season, either. According to the Men’s Flair article, labels such as Aime Leon Dore and Noan are influenced by streetwear in most of their collections. This includes layering, and in the summer, layers can be achieved through lightweight staples like a cardigan paired with a simple pair of shorts, or loafers and a pair of capri pants. The article also flaunts Adidas Samba sneakers as one of the top footwear items to step into throughout the summer.

For women, fashion trends can be found in some of the world’s most well-known brands. For example, Bottega Veneta’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection features “plain luxury,” which showcases toned-down elegance as the height of haute couture. This means that the little black dress remains a favorite staple; everyone knows that this item can be paired with just about anything in a woman’s wardrobe. From colorful cardigans for cool summer nights to a classic pair of Christian Louboutins, the slinky black dress will follow trends all summer long.

The Journal also found other apparel on Amazon made in Bangladeshi factories whose owners have refused to fix safety problems identified by two safety-monitoring groups, such as crumbling buildings, broken alarms, missing sprinklers and fire barriers. U.S. retailers such as Walmart, Target and Costco have agreed to honor bans imposed by these two groups, to have their supply chains inspected and to disclose to the groups the factories that supply them.

Sequins are making a come-back, as exemplified at Nensi Dojaka’s Spring/Summer 2023 shows. In the mix are evening wear, from cocktail dresses to blazers perfect to bringing elegance to any event, whether it’s work-related or just a night out with friends.

And let’s not forget the category everyone flocks to at the beginning of the season: swimwear. According to an article called “12 Best 2023 Swimsuit Trends” featured in Seventeen magazine, knit coverups and 90s style, sports-like two-pieces are in for summer 2023. Speaking of the 90s, retro floral prints on one-pieces and high-waisted bikini sets will be seen as well. Also, underwire bikinis is a trend we’ve seen dominate bathing suit styles last year, and is a look that is expected to continue to be seen on beaches and pool clubs.

For the guys, not much needs to be changed when it comes to the staples: board shorts or Speedos. However, a recent GQ article called “The Best Men’s Swim Trunks Look Great Inside, Outside, and Poolside” recommends some great brands with different materials, prints and colors to change up the summer looks this season. An interesting find is that seersucker is not just for lightweight summer suit moments; Saturdays NYC offers a pair of “Timothy” seersucker swim shorts that can be worn both on and off the beach.

Kestenbaum explained that one of the keys to the RealReal’s success as an online resale business is authentication. He advised that there are a lot of in the market, especially if the brands are high-end. Having an intermediary with expertise who vouches for authenticity is an enormous value-add for consumers because it often takes an expert to detect forgeries. At the RealReal, “copywriters” do the authentication. However, in spite of their efforts, fakes still get through.

When Kestenbaum bought a fake Christian Dior bag on the RealReal, it looked like the real thing, but when he consulted with an expert on the herringbone pattern, the fake bag was apparent from the real one. Thus, even the most reliable dealers can often get stuck with fakes.

From Patagonia’s baggie shorts that come in a plethora of colors, to classic nylon board shorts from Birdwell, there is no shortage of options in the men’s summerwear category. Here’s to the upcoming style season and seeing just how many times these trends pop up along the way.

In summing up all of the things that are looming in the background when apparel is purchased, the watchword must be “caution,” but few buyers have the patience and desire to do the thorough research to distinguish real from fake, how a garment is produced or whether it is made of fabric that can be dangerous when worn.

Sheer looks are also great for layering, since it will

The article noted that Amazon has been expanding its efforts to encourage listings directly from suppliers in Bangladesh, some factories said, with company representatives attending seminars to teach factory owners how to sell on a website without middlemen.

Benjamin S. Seigel, Esq. Is an attorney specializing in matters related to the textile, manufacturing, and apparel industries. He is of Counsel to firm G&B Law, LLP. He can be reached at benseigel@msn.com.

Benjamin S. Seigel, Esq. G & B Law, LLP bseigel@gblawllp.com 818-382-6200

As Paris Fashion Week came to a close, something far more troubling began to boil. Day and night, protestors have flooded the streets of the City of Lights, lighting bonfires in the street, smashing shop windows and blocking train tracks. Scenes like this have unfolded all over France in response to the pension reforms that President Emmanuel Macron has pushed past parliament with a particular constitutional power. This allowed him to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a vote, raising a cry from the opposition that the reform is a “denial of democracy.” Macron intended to avoid a deficit by having workers put more money into the system and create a more competitive French economy, as low birthrates have resulted in fewer young workers supporting the pensions for retirees.

Both the Louvre and Eiffel Tower closed due to the workers’ strike. This is the tenth time since January that unions have called for strikes and demonstrators to flood the nation’s streets. Women are on the front lines. According to a 2022 report by the statistics agency Insee, women’s salaries are 22% lower than their male counterparts and they receive pensions that are 40% lower, as their careers are often interrupted by having children.

Christelle Pink, a 38-year-old protester, told The Guardian: “Politicians may want to work until they’re 64 but their jobs are hardly arduous. They keep pushing up the legal retirement age; 60 is already too old for those in tough, underpaid manual jobs. In the end, we’ll be working until we drop.”

Regarding Paris as the fashion capital of the

HOW FRENCH PENSION PROTESTS RELATE TO HAUTE COUTURE

By Madalene Hartl, fashion merchandising major

world, these demonstrations beg the question of how this will impact those who bring life to new designs every season. Parisian ateliers are home to renowned seamstresses, many of which are older women who spend hundreds of hours on each piece, hunched over a tabletop with measuring tapes slung around their necks.

Haute couture is imperative to the mystical essence of fashion. Some brands have allowed the masses to peer into the keyhole of their Parisian ateliers to catch a glimpse of how the magic unfolds. One of them being Chanel, who participated in the Netflix original series “Seven Days Out,” brought audiences into the workshop before their Spring/Summer 2018 haute couture show, and again after Karl Lagerfeld’s passing by inviting Logic Prigent, an acclaimed fashion YouTube channel, for Virginie Viard’s first collection, Fall/Winter 2020. Here, audiences met the women responsible for transforming sketches into fully realized collections within six weeks.

Madame Jacqueline Mercier, age 70, is one of four premieres in the atelier. She has worked at Chanel since 1997 as a tailor. Lagerfeld poached her from Italian designer Angelo Tarlazzi for Chloe in 1992 and plucked her up again when he returned to Chanel. In Logic Prigent’s video, titled, “Chanel: The Head Seamstresses Will Blow Your Mind! (My favorite Video),” Mercier explains how every detail of an item is crafted.

Her hands caress the collar of a circular jacket, made of layered organdy to resemble the pages of a book, as the theme of the show was Gabrielle Chanel’s private library. Mercier notes that the extraordinarily light fabric does not move, thanks to a cleverly placed “picot braid,” just heavy enough to weigh it down to avoid stitching it in place.

The interviewer asks how she feels at the end of a show, and in French she exclaims, “I have tears in my eyes! I am happy. For Karl, for Virginie, for our teams. It’s very moving.”

Madame Cecile Ouvard, age 60, is the premiere of Flou, which deals with lighter fabrics. She has been with Chanel since 2001 and has been working as a seamstress since the age of 17, following the tradition of her mother and grandmother. In Logic Prigent’s video, she is filmed backstage, moments before the show, gazing in at the pocket of a supple velvet dress, which she was forced to stop working on the night before. Ouvard’s kohl-smudged eyes narrow in on a dress’ flaw that she points out to the camera, which is unnoticeable to the untrained eye: a swelling or “gripotting” as she calls it. On the runway, however, the dress appears impossibly smooth.

One rosy woman, who looks about sixty, dons a thimble and blows gently on the rooster feathers she stitches on one by one, four days before the 2018 show, counting down on “7 Days Out.” This profession requires not only an expert hand but also physical strength in the form of endurance, considering that dedication is necessary around the clock. Deadlines must be met, even if that means staying up all night or working 12-hour shifts for weeks on end. It is the graceful precision and work ethic of these older women that propels Paris haute couture to the forefront of the fashion world.

Innumerable French women, pension age and older, work in the same profession with much less prestige and a much smaller paycheck, mending and making garments for the everyday person. Just as haute couture is an art that must be preserved, so is the art of tailoring and bespoke clothing. The preservation of this age demographic, empathy for their situation and respect for their expertise is all-important, and leaves the eyes of the fashion industry on Paris in the coming weeks ahead.

Madalene Hartl Fashion Merchandising Major, LIM College

Summer is nearly upon us, and it’s looking to be a hot and busy season with new dining, boutiques and entertainment in New York, and some major retail expansions around the U.S.

All about Apparel and Accessories

Mure+Grand, a New York-based boutique that offers a selection of jewelry, accessories, clothing, gifts and more plans to open its sixth store at 155 Spring St. in Soho. in early summer. Canada’s Arc’teryx continues to expand in the city, moving its Soho flagship to a space three times larger at 580 Broadway. Designer rental chain Janet Mandell is coming to 24-28 West 25th St.

Just Gems

It’s done and it’s spectacular. After years of renovation, Tiffany & Co. unveiled its reimagined flagship on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, now known as “The Landmark.” Custom artwork, never-before-seen jewels and immersive displays define the new Landmark in what marks the retailer’s first holistic renovation of the store since it first opened its doors in 1940. Paying homage to the building’s iconic original structure, the façade with its Atlas statue and clock above the revolving doors was refurbished to honor its original design, while the interiors have been completely reimagined.

Food, Glorious Food

Lidl is opening a 26,000-square-foot store at 335 Eighth Ave., at the base of an affordable housing complex. It will be the German value grocer’s second unit in Manhattan.

DEB’S RETAIL DISH AND DEALS: IT’S RAINING RETAIL

By Debra Hazel, president and CEO, Debra Hazel Communications

Wining and Dining

Red Horse by David Burke, an American steakhouse with Asian accents, made its debut in downtown White Plains at The Opus, Westchester hotel. The 7,900-square-foot, 200seat restaurant (with another 80 outdoors) is the second steakhouse under the Red Horse banner, signaling Burke’s intention to grow the brand. Looking for a sweet treat before or after a show? NY Bakery and Desserts will open a flagship at 1580 Broadway/2 Times Square. Selene, a Greek fine dining restaurant, debuted at 11 Hanover Square in the heart of the Financial District. Led by renowned Greek chef, Yiannis Chatiris, Selene is named after the ancient Greek goddess of the moon and is set to become a gathering space for those looking to indulge in the festive spirit and generous cuisine of the Greek Islands with a modern twist. Pink Taco’s latest outpost at 7 Times Square, with 10,500 square feet with seating for 300 across two floors.

That’s Entertainment

The pickleball craze continues, with Pickleball America signing for 80,000 square feet at Stamford Town Center in downtown Stamford, Connecticut, for what will be one of the world’s largest indoor venues. Pickleball America is moving into the former two-story Saks Off Fifth retail space, with plans to roll out 28 courts in two phases — Phase 1 will begin immediately with the first floor (43,000 square feet), with the second floor (37,000 square feet) opening in the coming months. In addition to pickleball, the venue will become a multi-use flex space for tournaments, exhibitions, live music and events.

Health and Home

Detour Gallery LLC has opened at 555 West 23rd St. in West Chelsea. The ground-floor retail space is an art gallery and events venue, bringing an extensive selection of carefully curated and handpicked contemporary artwork and exhibitions to the West Side of Manhattan. New England-based climbing and bouldering

gym Rock Spot Climbing has signed for approximately 5,935 square feet in total at 44 Olive St. in New Haven, Connecticut. This newest unit will focus solely on a form of climbing known as “bouldering,” where climbers, using no ropes, scale climbing problems set on 15foot walls protected by a fully padded flooring system. This style of climbing will be featured in the 2024 Olympics in France and will be the company’s third gym that focuses on this style of climbing.

Around the U.S.

Chanel opened its largest store in the United States (30,000 square feet over four floors) at 400 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. In its largest investment in the United States in four decades, Ikea has announced plans to spend more than $2.2 billion in an omnichannel growth strategy over the next three years. Plans include opening eight new stores, nine plan & order points and 900 new pick-up locations where customers can conveniently collect purchases. Wilson Sporting Goods unveiled its first retail store in California (and first on the West Coast), located within the Third Street Promenade shopping district in Santa Monica. The store features an in-store playtest area for consumers to try products, including a basketball hoop, hitting wall and on-site racquet stringing.

The new store also has an Equipment Room where shoppers can rent select products to playtest on their own outside of the store before purchasing. Customers can leverage the program for sporting goods needs across tennis, pickleball, basketball, football, volleyball and more. Padel Nuestro, Spain’s largest supplier of Padel tennis rackets, shoes and accessories, is coming to the United States with a 3,000-square-foot store at 310-318 N.W. 25th St. in Miami.

Debra Hazel

Debra Hazel Communications

North Las Vegas, NV

Tel: (201) 618-5247

From flood waters, property damage, power loss and spoiled food, coping with the aftermath of a powerful storm could be very troublesome for businesses. Therefore, during the Atlantic Hurricane season, which officially began on June 1 and runs through November 30, owners and managers must take a multi-pronged approach to safety. First, crisis communications, business continuity planning and then backup efforts with the proper insurance coverage.

After a 2022 “near normal” Atlantic hurricane season, Colorado State University (CSU) predicts that the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will be “slightly below average” with 13 named storms and major hurricanes making landfall. The university team projected six hurricanes, two of which are predicted to be major hurricanes. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) releases its hurricane predictions in late May. NOAA bases its hurricane season forecast on a 30-year average, from 1992 to 2021, with an update to its prediction model every ten years.

While the official hurricane season is June 1 to November 30, as defined by the NOAA, this period can begin earlier and run later so it’s important to begin preparing well in advance. Generally speaking, the three main goals of any disaster management plan are to manage the business during the crisis, resume normal operations as quickly as possible, and recover losses when it is over. By taking these goals into account when surveying the most critical areas of the business, companies can determine what steps they need to take to be fully prepared for hurricane season and beyond.

It’s important to examine your insurance policies (and any potential gaps in coverage) in advance

PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE 2023 HURRICANE SEASON

By Frank DeLucia, HUB International Northeast

with your professional advisor as there are a variety of policies to help coastal and non-coastal businesses recover from an event – each involving a different aspect of the restoration.

• Business income coverage. Review your business income coverage limits, which include loss of income as a result of an event, to ensure they are sufficient. Extra expense coverage often accompanies business income coverage for necessary costs, such as having to relocate your business operations to a temporary location as a result of storm-related damage. Business Income coverage should be provided for 24 months. If there is a major hurricane claim it would be difficult or impossible to complete repairs and restore full income in 12 months.

• Flood coverage. Many business property policies exclude flood coverage. In addition, some Associations buy minimum flood coverage limits but don’t consider that floods can come from even minor storms or no storm at all.

In April 2022, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) rolled out a new risk methodology for flood insurance pricing called Risk Rating 2.0, resetting flood insurance rates for the first time in decades. This revised rating methodology for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), applies to all policies.

In addition to property characteristics such as elevation, the location of machinery and equipment and the cost to rebuild, the new rating structure accounts for flood frequency, distance from a water source, and the likelihood for multiple flood types such as river overflow, storm surge, coastal erosion, and heavy rainfall.

• Examine deductibles. What type of deductible do you have on property coverage – a percentage or flat deductible? A calendar year or occurrence deductible? Additionally, many policies will have lower deductibles for wind and hail events than for a named storm.

The current insurance market is very volatile with rate increases seen in almost all lines of business. Insurance carriers are underwriting more closely with greater demands on inspections and loss control recommendations and requirements. The following are suggested measures you can take in partnership with your insurance advisor to reduce exposure to claims and to demonstrate to the insurance marketplace why they should underwrite your property:

• Be proactive on safety including organized water mitigation plans and battening down all outside furniture, construction debris and materials on the roof or elevated areas.

• Be proactive on contractual risk transfer. Actively promote the placement of proper Homeowners coverage on the part of all unit owners.

• Address property upgrades where possible, i.e., roof, electrical, plumbing, etc.

• Implement outstanding recommendations from previous insurance carrier inspections.

• Regarding past losses, be prepared to explain corrective actions taken to prevent similar losses in the future.

Hurricanes can pose major challenges but by taking the appropriate steps ahead of time and working with the proper experts, coop and condo boards and managers can help to ensure that their properties and tenants can weather any storm. Review your policy with an experienced insurance advisor now to ensure that you have the coverages and policy limits that you need to be adequately protected before a storm strikes.

Frank DeLucia currently serves as executive vice president of HUB International Northeast, a leading full-service global insurance brokerage. With over three decades of experience, Frank specializes in building insurance and risk management programs for the real estate and apparel industries and is a long-time active member of the Fashion Service Network (FSN). DeLucia can be reached by phone at 212-3382395 or at frank.delucia@hubinternational.com. For more information on HUB, please visit www. hubinternational.com.

The Fabric Shows

Summer Show Schedule

New York Fabric Show

New Yorker Hotel

July 17 & 18, 2023

Monday 10 to 6 / Tuesday 9 to 6

Los Angeles Fabric Show

New Location!

New Mart

July 25 & 26, 2023

Tuesday 10 to 6 / Wednesday 9 to 6

Atlanta . Dallas . Los Angeles . Miami . New York . San Francisco additional locations and dates to be announced

2023 TRADE SHOW & MARKET CALENDER

Curve Makes A Splash at Paraiso Miami Beach

BY LAURIE MELCHIONNE

This summer on June 10, at the height of swimshow season preparations, Curve will head down to Miami Beach for its first-ever swim and lingerie runway show at Paraiso. Paraiso is the world’s premiere platform that blends fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands in a seasondefining swim and resort wear show.

Miami Beach’s sultry backdrop provides Curve the perfect chance to showcase the best in swimwear. A great way to prepare for Miami Swim Week (July 8-11), Curve at Paraiso will be part of more than 45 activations that include both veteran and up-and-coming labels in swimwear, vacation styles, resort wear, lingerie and more.

International buyers, exhibitors and influencers alike will be able to take advantage of 70+ looks from 10 lingerie brands sporting summer styles. With over 6.2 billion impressions on social media and shows hosted in major fashion hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Montreal and Paris, Curve is hitting Miami with a splash.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

Book in Hand, Toes in Sand

Photos courtesy of Amazon Books

Fashion and Feeling: The Affective Politics of Dress (Palgrave Studies in Fashion and the Body) by Roberto Filippello (Editor), Ilya Parkins (Editor)

June 18, 2023

“Fashion and Feeling: The Affective Politics of Dress” explores the complex nexus of fashion and the feeling body from a variety of critical perspectives across fashion studies, anthropology, sociology, design practice and media studies. It asks such questions as: what does fashion look and feel like in an age dominated by amplified anxiety, isolation, depression and uncertainty? In other words, how is fashion engaging with the “bad,” the “good” and the ambivalent feelings associated with our personal and collective histories, with our troubled political present, and with our imagined future?

New Fashion Illustration: Fashion Art by 50 Essential Contemporary Creators Hardcover by Ana de Izaguirre (Author)

July 4, 2023

“New Fashion Illustration” begins with a brief introduction to fashion illustration and its evolution, followed by a series of chapters devoted to the featured artists. The book includes works by major figures in the industry such as Bil Donovan, Aurore de la Morinerie, Piet Paris, Daniel Egnéus, Cecilia Carlstedt and Amelie Hegardt, as well as young talents who have burst onto the scene with great success. Each chapter includes a brief presentation of the artist’s career and style, mentioning the sources of inspiration, techniques, influences and images of their work.

Fix Your Fashion by Laura Strutt (Author)

July 4, 2023

This inspirational guide is your sustainable sourcebook full of activities and practical tips on how you can cut ties with unethical fashion practices and form new fashion habits that work for you, all without compromising your signature style! Laura Strutt covers topics such as motivational mindset changes, trusted brands to try, buying and selling secondhand clothes, inspiration for upcycling, mending techniques and questions to ask companies before you shop. This is the ultimate book for the closet-curious who want to create a wardrobe that doesn’t cost the Earth.

Fashion Aesthetics and Ethics: Past and Present by Louise Wallenberg (Editor), Andrea Kollnitz (Editor)

June 1, 2023

This collection provides critical and philosophical analysis of the interplay of aesthetics and ethics within the global fashion industry. Characterized by an increasingly fast spinning production, the industry is highly exploitative in terms of environment and labor force, underpaid textile workers, retailers working under brutal competition from the mass-merchandise discounters, young designers, seamstresses and curators often working for free and a vast body of aspiring models.

Just in time for summer, these upcoming releases will ll your beach bag with the perfect fashion reads to laze away sunny days with sandy toes, chilled cocktails and some well-earned poolside R&R.

June/July

Horoscope

FOR ANSWERS, PLEASE VISIT MANNPUBLICATIONS.COM/FASHIONMANNUSCRIPT/

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

1. Iconic faux fur company that recently announced its teddy bear faux fur couture coat collection, three

10.Energy Dept., abbr.11. Shady garden alcove

12. Avenue where you can fi nd the Walk of Fame

16. Popular Italian restaurant in the Garment

27. Lab-grown diamond collection from Helzberg

29. Ending for some company names

31. Actress and producer collaborating with Pacsun offering her ArashiBlu Collection, 2 words

35. Global fashion icon working with Victoria’s Secret with Heavenly Eau de Parfum, 2 words

PUZZLE BY MYLES MELLOR

CROSSWORD-ANSWERS-FOR-JUNEJULY-2023

1. Sculpture erected to pay homage to the garment

8. Practice before walking on the runway, say

10. Core qualities of a company, abbr.

15. “Big Momma’s House” actress Long

19. Alien who was too good for earth

21.. Community for the avant-garde

SOCIAL SOIREE BY R. COURI HAY

Kayla Rockefeller

Kimberly and Steven Rockefeller Jr. gave a dinner dance for their 23-year-old daughter Kayla Rockefeller to launch her new jewelry collection, Kayla Jaclyne, at the hot new Mediterranean restaurant White Olive on West 55th Street. Among the one hundred social butterfl ies on the dance floor were Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Baroness Milly De Cabrol, Karen and Peter Goulandris and their sons Constantine and John, Isabelle Bscher, Anne Dexter-Jones, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Eugenia and Janna Bullock, Julia Haart, Martha Cohen Stine, Joanna Bell, Vanessa Noel, Patrick McMullan, Nadja Sayej, Chris Pape, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Christian Rockefeller and Steven Rockefeller III. Kayla, whose great-grandfather was Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, will give a portion of her jewelry sales to Rising Ground NYC, which helps underserved families in the city. kaylajaclyne.com

Shop-for-Hope

Audrey Gruss’ Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) partnered with designers Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard to host their Shop-for-Hope party at the Beard’s Upper East Side store. The evening raised critical funds to promote mental health awareness and research. Renowned psychiatrist and author Dr. Samantha Boardman led an inspiring conversation about childhood depression and steps parents can take to build their child’s mental resilience. Attendees included Jamee Gregory, Monica Elias, Susan Gutfreund, Dori Cooperman, Jennifer Creel, Alison Draper, Melissa Breitbart, Julia Du, Lynne Glaser, Joanna Goldenstein, Jessica Gruss, Amy Heilberg, Kathy Hillelson, Pam Mitchell, Adele Nino, Stacey Pashcow, Debra Peltz, Gayle Perry and Jennifer Gardner Trulson. hopefordepression.org

TriBeCa Ball

Brooke Shields, Naomi Watts and Kate Capshaw were among the creatives at the New York Academy of Art’s TriBeCa Ball. The evening showcased emerging artists from the academy and generated funds to support scholarships. The night’s honoree was Amy Sherald, a leading figure in contemporary American art best known for her portraits of Black America. The most notable of which is the painting of former First Lady Michelle Obama commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery. Guests included Van Cleef & Arpels CEO Helen King, whose company was the night’s major sponsor, William Abadie and PPOW Gallery founders Penny Pilkington & Wendy Olsoff. The Academy was founded by artists, including Andy Warhol, in 1982. This always fun art event was made possible by Van Cleef & Arpels. nyaa.edu

1.R. Couri Hay, Kimberly Rockefeller, Janna Bullock at White Olive. Photo courtesy of PMC.

2.Steven C. Rockefeller Jr. & Kayla Rockefeller at White Olive. Photo courtesy of PMC.

6. Brooke Shields and Greir Henchy at The Tribeca Ball. Photo courtesy of PMC

Anthony Ledru, Peter Marino at The Arts Achievement Awards. Photo courtesy of PMC

Anthony Ledru, Peter Marino at The Arts Achievement Awards. Photo courtesy of PMC

Guild Hall Arts Achievement Awards

Annie Leibovitz, Isaac Mizrahi, Jay McInerney and Jordan Roth were among the inductees at Guild Hall’s 37th Annual Academy of the Arts Achievement Awards Dinner. Known as the “cultural heart of the East End,” Guild Hall recognized creatives for their continuous support and contributions to the art world. The night’s sponsors included Tiffany & Co, whose CEO Anthony Ledru presented interior designer Peter Marino with his award. Other honorees included Tom Roush and LaVon Kellner for leadership and philanthropy. Executive Director Andrea Grover said that “This year’s event raised over $600,000.” In East Hampton, Guild Hall is currently showing works from their permanent collection, featuring Jackson Pollack, Chuck Close and Willem de Kooning. On August 4, they will host a Summer Gala to celebrate the art and artists of the East End. guildhall.org

Glen-Gery Show @ Brick Works

Peter Thomas Roth

Peter Thomas Roth bought an abstract painting, called “Labyrinth,” from Sharon Stone as a present for his mother Carole Roth’s 100th birthday. Martina Navratilova and her wife Julia Lemigova, as well as Adriana de Moura, were among the guests at the extravagant birthday party Roth gave his mom in Miami. Skincare mavens Rochelle and June Jacobs were among the guests singing as a group of topless Chippendale dancers rolled out Carole Roth’s 10-tiered cake. Stone and Roth are both famous for their legs, and Roth uses her son’s Retinol Fusion PM serum by the gallon to keep her gams gorgeous. Carole modeled the product on QVC in a clip that went viral. peterthomasroth.com

“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” stars Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia opened Brickworks Design Studio last year on Fifth Avenue as both a showroom and an event space. During Fashion Week, the studio served as the location for the country’s premier brick and stone manufacturer Glen-Gery’s collaboration with fashion brand HARMONIA NY to launch their new Brick Styles Catalog. “The show is a celebration of upcoming trends, styles and looks that will evolve from the runways to everyday fashion and now architecture and homes around the world,” said Tim Leese, of Glen-Gery. The event seamlessly fused the best of fashion and architecture with 14 high fashion looks, by designers Daniela Peckova Watanabe and Gaby Endo, who were inspired by the company’s new catalog of designer bricks. The futuristic, metallic ensembles stunned the crowd of fashionistas, designers and architects as the models went down the catwalk. The company’s top executives, Mark Ellenor and J.P Blanchard, led the standing ovation. glengery.com

House of Ecologie

Award-winning Architect and Interior Designer Campion Platt has partnered With Bjørnulf Østvik’s Ecogensus, a global waste management technology company, to design a capsule collection of sustainable, luxury and handcrafted pieces for the newly launched House of Ecologie. This is the fi rst furniture and home décor collaboration for Ecogensus and will be produced using Ecogensus’ Rhino Recycler, which converts average U.S. household waste into “wood” boards. The material can then be used with standard woodworking tools and enhanced with copper-toned features and a glossy fi nish. Their fi rst product was conceived by Østvik, the founder and CEO of the Earth friendly corporation, and is called the “Eco-Table.” ecogensus.com

4. Alina Mehrle at White Olive. Photo courtesy of PMC.

Veronica Swanson Beard, Audrey Gruss, Veronica Miele Beard at Veronica Beard. Photo courtesy of PMC.

Mark Ellenor, Daniela Peckova Watanabe, J.P. Blanchard at Brickworks Design Studio. Photo courtesy of PMC

JONAH BOKAER CHOREOGRAPHY HOSTS “SPRING FLING” RECEPTION

By Michèle Gerber Klein

Jonah Bokaer Choreography founded by Tunisian choreographer Jonah Bokaer in 2002 unveiled never-before-seen dances at Florence Gould Hall, followed by a “Spring Fling” Reception in Le Skyroom. Both were attended by a lively mix of patrons, artists, press, philanthropists and designers, who all stood united to support the arts in New York City’s cultural recovery. These included: Arianne Batterberry who danced for George de Cuevas and Leonide Massine, Michelle Mapplethorpe, Sophie Armitage, Addie Gil from the award winning design team Threeasfour who created the costumes, Eric Bucci, Josuah Williams, Marie

Monique Steckel and Michèle Gerber Klein. Take an insider’s look at the event here.

Ruthie Abel, Jessica Mitrani, Joshua Williams at the JBC Annual NYC Season at FIAF by Deonté Lee

Bridget Holyk Casey, Mariah Young-Jones at the JBC Annual NYC Season at FIAF by Deonté Lee

Jonah Bokaer, Carson Wos, Kurt McVey at the JBC Annual NYC Season at FIAF by Deonté Lee

Mary Barone, Ariane Batterberry, Michèle Gerber Klein, Jonah Bokaer, Ja Hyun Shin at the JBC Annual NYC Season at FIAF by Deonté Lee

Dan Scheffey, Fred Bernstein, Jonah Bokaer, Erik Bucci, Chris Coraggio at the JBC Annual NYC Season at FIAF by Deonté Lee

Johnnie Gardner, Adi Gil, Shingo Everard, Sophie Armitage at the JBC Annual NYC Season at FIAF by Deonté Lee

Fred Bernstein, Ghiora aharoni at the JBC Annual NYC Season at FIAF by Deonté Lee

Photos courtesy of BFA

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DISCOVER THE CUTTING EDGE OF FASHION

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Dushyant Asthana, Founder of Dushyant LA, Talks Community, Artisan Craftsmanship and Transparency in the Sustainable Fashion World

By Laurie Melchionne

Photo courtesy of Richie Kulchar

Bohemian relaxation blends the elegance of Indian artisanry with Dushyant LA, the ethically-sourced brand founded by Dushyant Asthana. The brand has been featured on season two of “Making The Cut,” (2021) an Amazon Prime-based reality show that threw L.A. designers in the competition to become the world’s hottest fashion brand. Based in Los Angeles and crafted in Jaipur, India, Dushyant LA handcrafts garments so each item feels custom-tailored to embody the wearer’s love of all things freedom.

Just in time for summer, these style themes call to mind travel, architecture, art and love of color. Dushyant LA’s love for the world lives in every stitch, button and zipper.

Asthana provided Fashion Mannuscript an in-depth look at his sustainability-meetsstyle world.

What made you step into the ethical fashion world?

I have always loved fashion and color. I have always designed my clothes since childhood. Professionally, I launched my first ready-to-wear collection in Summer 2018. Traditionally, there have not been many brands that offer well-made, colorful clothing for men.

And that is where the seeds to create my clothing line were sown. I wanted to work with traditional fabrics to create modern clothing, and I wanted to do it the right way.

What makes your brand “ethical?”

The most important thing for me (even more important than the clothing itself) is that everyone who works with us must be taken care of. We ensure that everyone we work with is paid a fair market wage. All around us, we see large brands take advantage of people (and kids) to offer the cheapest garment on the market. Money is useless if it doesn’t help the ones around you.

How does your community know your brand is sustainable?

A sustainability certificate is an oxymoron. It is a way for big brands to greenwash their image. In my opinion, sustainability is a journey and not a destination. Our brand is an open book. We share pictures and videos of our process on social media. We take our customers through our workshops and show them how we create the garments and where we do the work. An open conversation is way more important than chasing industry certificates.

Other than sustainability, what are some of your clothes’ must-have elements?

Our garments are made using traditional Indian textiles. We work with artisans in the Rajasthan and Kutch regions of India to print our fabrics for us. We use techniques like block-printing, Ajrakh, Batik and local patchwork appliqué to create unique fabrics that we use to tailor our garments.

How did you get involved with “Making The Cut?” What was the experience like, both for you personally and for your brand?

I had the most amazing experience on the show. The show not only allowed me to learn so much from other designers, but it also proved to me that I belong in the world of fashion. My brand has grown exponentially since the show got aired and I am very happy

about it!

What is the best piece of advice or feedback you’ve ever heard in the world of sustainable fashion?

That sustainability is a journey and not a target to meet, and that we should strive to do better than we did yesterday.

In fashion, it’s almost impossible to be 100% sustainable. How do you make up for any materials or practices that can be harmful to the environment?

We make our garments in small batches, thereby avoiding wastage in the form of unsold inventory. Additionally, we repurpose some of the waste fabric in pocket squares and tote bags that we send to our customers for free with their purchases.

Any exciting things coming up for your brand you’d like to promote?

We are working on the SS2024 collection at the moment and we are very, very excited about new prints and new styles that we are creating. You can expect to see more color, more handwork and more traditional fabrics in our SS2024 collections and we are super giddy about it!

Where can shoppers find you?

We are available in independent boutiques around the country, but the best way to find us is online at www.dushyant.la.

Photo courtesy of Surbhi Sharma

Photo courtesy of Surbhi Sharma

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