From building a loyal audience on Substack to hearing Vera Wang reflect on a career that has helped shape American fashion, the CFDA’s Annual Membership Meeting brought members together at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, October 13, for an afternoon of conversation, perspective, and community.

The afternoon opened with membership updates before turning to the ever-growing world of Substack. Moderated by Molly Healy of CFDA’s Membership Team, the conversation brought together Becky Malinsky of 5 Things You Should Buy, Emily Sundberg of Feed Me, and Nan D’Souza Wolfe of Tory Burch’s What Should I Wear? to discuss how they have built their platforms and what it takes to turn a newsletter into something readers return to.

From developing a distinct point of view to building trust with readers, the panel explored the opportunities newsletters offer writers and brands alike. The conversation also touched on brand partnerships, content and commerce, and how designers can use these platforms to share their stories in a more direct way.

The afternoon continued with a conversation between Vera Wang and esteemed fashion journalist and author Bridget Foley, looking back on Wang’s career and discussing the changes she has witnessed throughout the fashion industry. From building her bridal business to navigating the balance between creativity and business, Wang shared lessons from her experience as a designer and entrepreneur.

The meeting wrapped with closing remarks before members headed to the rooftop for cocktails, ending the afternoon with time to catch up with fellow designers and colleagues across the CFDA community.

Special thanks to MERIT Beauty, David Protein, and Moleskine.