What if the real engine of modern luxury isn’t loud marketing—but meaning delivered consistently across every touchpoint? In this episode, Dr. Jessica Quillin, fashion strategist and PhD in 19th-century poetry, breaks down how elevated storytelling creates brands that feel unified on the site, in the feed, and in the store. She shares her journey from studying the philosophy of beauty to advising global fashion houses, revealing how emotions become experiences—and how experiences become communities that buy, return, and advocate.

Jessica takes us through the post-pandemic clutter of beautiful but disjointed brand moments: e-commerce that doesn’t guide, social feeds that don’t match the retail floor, and campaigns disconnected from values. Her antidote is both strategic and doable—codify your identity, then run small, disciplined pilots. Launch a three-post content series, read the data, refine, and repeat. From nostalgia-powered Gen Z engagement to experiential moments that spark belonging, Jessica shows how consistency across platforms is now one of the strongest moats in fashion and accessories.

💡 Key Takeaways:

1. Meaning Scales Faster Than Noise: Codified identity + emotional storytelling = real brand equity.
   
   
   
2. Pilot, Don’t Spray: Small experiments on single channels will sharpen your narrative—and your ROI.
   
   
   
3. Narrative Systems Win: Reusable “story bricks” keep your website, social, and in-store aligned and unmistakably you.
   
   
   

👤 Our Guest:

Dr. Jessica Quillin is a fashion strategist, brand storyteller, and co-founder of Quillin Consulting. With a PhD in 19th-century poetry, she bridges deep cultural insight with modern marketing strategy, helping luxury and fashion brands build cohesive, emotionally resonant identities across every platform.

Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.

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