Retail Revolution

Nichole Simms shares her insight on retail store management, with a focus on employee team building, leadership and customer engagement. She stresses the importance of clear communication around strategy, goals and expected outcomes.

Nichole is the CEO and founder of Creative Visual Solutions, a retail and sales consultant company that helps Boutique and Small Retail Owners grow their businesses through proven Merchandising and Sales strategies. Throughout her career she has had the privilege of driving results and collaborating with some of the country's best retailers such as The Gap, Ann Taylor, Forever 21, Nike, UA and The North Face. She has been featured in top retail publications such as ​Compliant IA​ and ​Independent Retailer​. Now she uses her vast experience to help her clients achieve sales success within their businesses.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Creative Visual Solutions

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Seph Skerritt discusses the entrepreneurial and creative process of building a tech fashion company that provides custom men’s shirts. He shares advice on how to scale a new business by creating tools that automate and refine the user experience over time.

Seph is the founder and CEO of Proper Cloth. Seph founded Proper Cloth in 2008 and has grown the business to be the leading brand for mens custom shirts. In his current role, Seph is closely involved in new technology development, product design, marketing and advertising. 

Prior to Proper Cloth, Seph received an MBA from MIT Sloan and a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at San Diego. Seph currently lives in New York. Learn more:

Learn more: LinkedIn | Proper Cloth

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Joshua Kapelman discusses the intersection of fashion and finance and the shifting landscape of fashion wholesale and retail. He provides tips for young designers and brands seeking to break into the market, with a focus on Direct-to-Consumer and Specialty retail.

Joshua Kapelman is EVP & Managing Director of Hilldun Corporation. Prior to joining, Joshua had extensive experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and sales; having launched two companies in the e-sports market during its infancy. Hilldun, is well known as the company that provides entrepreneurial financing and factoring for many of America's iconic fashion brands.

Joshua has also served as a speaker and judge at a number of conferences, including recently serving as judge at the Fashioning Our Industry pitch competition and speaking at the British Fashion Council’s annual British Fashion Forum. Joshua was raised in New York and earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Tufts University. He remains active with Tufts University's Tufts Entrepreneurship Center where he sits on its Board of Advisors as the chair of its Development and Governance Committee in addition to the Tufts President’s Council. Joshua sits on several for-profit boards as well and is an active angel investor. In his free time Josh enjoys kiteboarding and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Hilldun Corporation

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Luisa Herrera-Garcia shares the importance of developing fashion collections that are creative, “on brand” and commercially viable and profitable. She discusses the need for a more transparent and ethical supply chain, especially with women’s rights in mind.

Luisa Herrera-Garcia has over 25 years of experience working with many of the most important American brands in the menswear industry.

Presently, Luisa oversees a staff of twenty in the production and design departments for John Varvatos Enterprise. Luisa is responsible for setting the global strategy for planning, production and operation processes while securing profitability requirements for the Varvatos wholesale and retail operations.

Her professional expertise includes creating the framework for sustained growth and expansion into new markets and developing strong leaders who possess passion and creativity as well as initiating and negotiating new agent and buying office requirements globally . Known as a fair, open minded and determined leader, Luisa sets high standards for herself and for her team. She is driven by the challenge of mentoring and developing talent to achieve personal and professional success, and recognizes this as one of her highest achievement.

Prior to her affiliation with John Varvatos Enterprise, Luisa spent six years with Calvin Klein, rising to the role of Vice President of Production, where she facilitated the global production and merchandising directives for the Tailored, Sportswear and Furnishings lines. She has held similar roles with Perry Ellis, PVH and Cutlass & Moore earlier in her career.

As an active participant in philanthropic and civic organizations, Luisa spearheaded the “Mini Olympics,” a celebrity/tastemakers day of competition in Central Park to raise money for various community organizations to benefit children. She has also served on the Host Committee for Jazz at Lincoln Center as well as the Alvin Ailey II Gala from 1996 to 1998.

Learn more: LinkedIn | John Varvatos

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Andrew Jassin provides an expansive view of the apparel industry over the past 40 years with a focus on brand development and M&A. He then focuses on current issues, and provides insight on how brands can engage new consumers.

A fashion industry leader, founder and Managing Director of the Jassin Consulting Group, Mr. Jassin is celebrating his 27th year owning and operating management consulting firms providing Licensing consulting services and the associated management of intellectual property (I.P.) for brand expansion for both licensors, licensees and retailers. He has extensive experience working on M & A transactions and the associated creation of strategic alliances, development and implementation of business strategies. He and his colleagues provide council to business leaders around the globe as his consulting group provides services exclusively to the Fashion Industries inclusive of apparel, jewelry, accessory and home furnishings companies and related financial services, logistic and supply chain organizations.

In 1989 along with friends jointly formed the Marketing Management Group, Inc. (“MMG”), and later went on to Form Jassin Consulting Group (“JCG”) providing independent expert counsel to top management on issues related to brand management, licensing, marketing and product evaluation. Mr. Jassin is one few individuals in fashion to work on whole asset securitization of royalties, providing debt financing for companies (licensor) with guaranteed royalty flows; and has worked on securitizations with many leading firms in the fashion industry. Mr. Jassin along with his colleagues distinguish themselves with a hands-on, personal approach, guiding clients through finding opportunities and solutions for issues related to management, merchandising, production and international marketing.

Prior to becoming a consultant Mr. Jassin had a highly successful 20-year career in the apparel industry. As President and Chief Executive Officer of several operating divisions of Jones Apparel Group, then a major fashion conglomerate. Mr. Jassin started Karl Lagerfeld, a division of Bidermann Industries, (U.S./France), pioneering a worldwide licensing/manufacturing organization for this top European designer. Prior to Jones Apparel Group, Mr. Jassin was Principal and President of FU’s USA, an international jeanswear company with a global licensing and retail presence, which was sold to a major U.S. retailer.

Mr. Jassin is a founder and board member of the Fashion Service Network (FSN), American Apparel Manufacturers Association, American Arbitration Association, The Retail Marketing Society, Fashion Group International, New York Fashion Council and Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. Mr. Jassin has also often been a speaker for industry groups discussing licensing and marketing matters. Mr. Jassin is a member of the American Arbitration Association. In addition, Mr. Jassin has often served as an expert in matters of arbitration, and or litigation in both Federal as well as State court.

A major passion of his is education and providing opportunities for future leaders he has worked closely with The Fashion Institute of Technology.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Jassin Consulting Group | Fashion Service Network

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Keanan Duffty explores the intersection between creativity and commerce, and his own connection to punk music and the DYI movement. He shares insights on the fashion industry, and the need for more independent retailers. He also discusses the MPS-Fashion Management graduate program he founded.

Keanan is an award-winning British designer, musician, educator, author of “Rebel Rebel Anti-Style” (Rizzoli/Universe, 2009) and an innovator in contemporary fashion design. Duffty is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a CFDA Education Committee member and was the stylist for the 2016 CFDA Awards tribute to David Bowie, featuring Tilda Swinton and Michael C. Hall with costumes by Kansai Yamamoto and Donatella Versace. 

Duffty graduated from Central Saint Martins with a Bachelor of Arts degree with 1st Class Honors. Before graduation his work was featured extensively in The Face, i-D Magazine and Blitz photographed by Nick Knight, Iain McKell and Marc Lebon. Duffty is the founding Director of the Masters in Fashion Management at Parsons School of Design and is regularly featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Women’s Wear Daily and Business of Fashion.

The Keanan Duffty music-inspired namesake collection was established in 1998 and sold from showrooms in New York and London to 150 international retailers including Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Harvey Nichols, Lane Crawford Hong Kong, Baycrews and Journal Standard in Japan. From 2000-2003 Duffty collaborated with Reebok on a co-branded sneaker collection. In 2006 Duffty entered into an agreement with Li & Fung and Target to launch ‘England’s Dreaming by Keanan Duffty’ at 1200 stores throughout the USA. In 2007 Duffty collaborated with David Bowie to create a limited-edition fashion collection, which sold out at Target within weeks of its debut. Duffty has collaborated with brands including Aveda, Ben Sherman, Dr. Martens, Kid Robot, Medicom, Gola, Reebok and has served as Design Director for Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B, John Varvatos ★USA and Ben Sherman.

Learn more: LinkedIn | Instagram

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this bonus episode, host Christopher Lacy, speaks with producer Joshua Williams, about the past two seasons of the Retail Revolution podcast. They reflect on the common themes of authenticity, values alignment and the role of technology in retail. They also provide a sneak peek into plans for season three. 

Christopher and Joshua are both Assistant Professors in the School of Fashion at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Joshua is the Associate Director of the MPS Fashion Management program, and is responsible for developing an immersive online version of the onsite program which launches Fall 2020.

Christopher is a strategic customer experience, and operations executive who has worked across multiple markets in the US over the last 20 years. Throughout the course of his career he has managed and strategized for businesses such as Armani, Hugo Boss, Donna Karan, Omega, Zilli and Gucci. Most recently, Christopher leveraged his expertise to evolve the business and client engagement at Barneys New York as the Director of Customer Experience, Learning and Strategy. He was a Chairperson for the Barneys New York Foundation with an objective to support key causes in LGBT, education and the arts. Christopher is the founder and owner of Christopher Lacy Consulting, a business committed to assisting companies build and execute training initiatives and client development strategies that improve external and internal customer journeys.

Joshua is an experienced fashion creative director, business executive and educator. He is proud of his ability to equally balance the creative and business needs of a company and believes that developing integrated cross-departmental solutions, systems and teams, are essential to the success of a brand. Joshua served as Director of Corporate Branding and Online Retailing at J.McLaughlin, an American retail brand, and as Vice President of Marketing of Lindsay Phillips, a footwear start-up. Joshua has taught as an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology since 2008. He is the founder and president of Fashion Consort, a consultancy firm that focuses on producing and delivering content that inspires, entertains and educates businesses, students and consumers, with a focus on current issues, innovations and authentic human connections. 

Learn more: Christopher Lacy Consulting | Fashion Consort | MPS Fashion Management Online

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

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Nigel Barker shares his perspective on the need for brands to be thoughtful about what they stand for, who they support, and how they connect with consumers, whether it’s through social media or in a physical environment. Real passion and positive energy is contagious.

Nigel is an internationally renowned photographer who opened his New York studio in 1996. He served 17 seasons as photographer and judge on the hit TV show, America’s Next Top Model, which airs in over 140 countries, and hosted Oxygen Network’s modeling competition series, The Face, starring alongside Naomi Campbell.  Nigel’s latest hit show Top Photographer premiered to rave reviews and a second season is in the works. 

Nigel’s presence in the fashion and entertainment industry has resulted in an array of exciting projects including the creation of his own furniture line the NB1 & NB2 Collections available exclusively at Art Van Furniture.  He is also a Founder and partner in the new NYC gym, The DOGPOUND.  

Nigel has directed and produced films, documentaries and commercials for Hollywood clients to international charitable organizations and was awarded the “Film Heals” Award for Humanitarianism at the 6th Annual Manhattan Film Festival for Dreams Are Not Forgotten. Using the power of photography and motion pictures he has been able to spread his humanitarian message to vast audiences through films, PSA’s and traveling exhibitions.  He has worked with several charitable organizations including The Humane Society of the United States, The Humane Society International, Make A Wish Foundation, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation (of which he is a board member), The Edeyo Foundation (board member) and the USO where he serves as a digital advisory committee member. 

Drawing upon his 20+ years of experience in the fashion and beauty industries, he has two books—The Beauty Equation, published by Abrams, and his latest book, New York Times Best Seller Models of Influence published by Harper Collins. Nigel currently lives in New York with his wife and renown Yogi, Cristen AKA @ChinTwins and their two children Jack and Jasmine.

Learn more: Instagram | NigelBarker.tv

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caitlin Forbes hosts Andrew Forbes as part of our special summer series, “Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z.” Caitlin is currently a MPS Fashion Management graduate student at Parsons School of Design. Andrew is a Business Development Executive at The Forbes Company, specializing in commercial retail.

Learn more about Caitlin: LinkedIn

Learn more about Andrew: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caitlin Forbes hosts Jeff Karly as part of our special summer series, “Independent Thinkers: The Rise of Generation Z.” Caitlin is currently a MPS Fashion Management graduate student at Parsons School of Design. Jeff is also an MPS Fashion Management student and the founder/designer at Unique Expozzure.

Learn more about Caitlin: LinkedIn

Learn more about Jeff: LinkedIn

Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design

Executive Producer: Fashion Consort

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices