Jim Kuerschner is the President of KULE, an emerging womenswear label by CFDA member Nikki Kule. Today he sits down (virtually) with fellow fashion executive, Blair Lawson of Beautycounter. Prior to KULE, Jim managed retail operations and in-store technology for Inditex, bringing RFID technology to Zara stores across the US and Canada. Kuerschner started his career with Puig, first in PR at Nina Ricci, and later in sales and merchandising at Carolina Herrera. He is a business mentor with the CFDA and a graduate of NYU and Harvard Business School. Listen as he shares his career story and what KULE has in store next.

Today we hear the career story of Marianne Battle, former Omni-Channel Planning Director at Macy’s. Originally from Grand Rapids, MI, Marianne attended Kentucky State University, a historically Black College, where she graduated with a degree in Apparel and Textile Marketing Management (and she was also a cheerleader!). Now residing in Orlando, FL, Marianne is exploring her next career chapter after wrapping up 16 years at Macy's, with interest in areas like digital marketing and financial planning. Listen to Marianne's incredible story and what she has learned during this unprecedented year.

Today we hear from Megan Ryley, an American from the Midwest who came to NYC to go to FIT and start her career in haute couture. Listen to Megan’s journey to India, first working for Indian companies and then eventually starting her own factory, allowing her to work on product for some of the best global brands in the world such as Oscar De La Renta, The Row, Jenny Packham & more. Now back in NYC, Megan heads up production for a luxury fashion start up and has big dreams of seeing companies marry artisan craft with sustainable practices.

This week we have stories of two American professionals who love India so much they decided to live and work in India for both Indian and American brands. Listen to Cynthia Director’s journey from her time at RISD, why she decided to move to India, and how she discovered her love of textiles and the home interiors industry. Looking for her next challenge, hit Cynthia up on LinkedIn to get in touch about upcoming projects.

"I don’t love jewelry. I love people. I love concepts," says Pamela Roskin, owner of Pamela Roskin jewelry and Professor at Parsons School of Design and Berkeley. Upon graduating from Lewis & Clark College with a degree in History and Art History, Pamela began her career as a marketer in the book publishing industry. After ten years in publishing, she decided to get her masters in Fashion & Textile Studies from FIT, focusing on history, theory and museum practice. Pamela worked as an Archivist for Ralph Lauren, and unexpectedly fell into the jewelry business through her contacts at QVC. Listen along as she shares her experience as a professor, owning a jewelry company, and making big pivots in her business. Listeners, she wants your input! 

Sometimes the universe surprises you with a completely new plan (including a new job) amidst a global pandemic. This is true of Ryan Metauro, Director of Sales (Americas) at ORDRE. Originally from New Jersey, Ryan began his career in NYC after graduating with a business degree from Boston University. He has worked for brands like Eugenia Kim and Gitman Bros., and was with Canada Goose during their major growth period. Listen along as he shares his career story, how he found a new job through the co-lab, and the importance of being yourself.