Earlier this year, we launched the Industry Insights professional development resource hub as a way to bring you important news, resources, tools, and conversations related to running and operating a fashion business today.
In the wake of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement, industry experts and leading organizations were able to help us navigate some of the most important and complicated topics. Here, we look back at 2020’s top 10 Industry Insights — listed in no particular order — that any designer or brand should consider for their business as they navigate industry changes:
Practical Tools for Short-Term Financial Planning
CBIZ outlined priorities for brands when evaluating the financial health of their businesses which include reallocating resources, strategic planning for PPP loan forgiveness and keeping gross margin in check. Read here.
Why Your Communication Approach Must Change
Ashley Orfus, Founder of Alab Group, offered a guide to shifting your communication strategy during COVID-19 and explains why what worked in the past will not work in the present. Read here.
Optimizing & Adapting Your Online Business
One Rockwell, New York’s leading e-commerce agency, shared what you need to know to optimize your online business while brick and mortar remains closed. Watch here.
Rebuilding A More Sustainable Fashion Industry after COVID-19
Amina Razvi, SAC Executive Director, discussed how the societal and economic challenges that have unfolded demand that companies accelerate their progress on sustainable initiatives in order to be competitive in the market that will emerge after the pandemic. Read here.
Racism, Under-Representation & Lack of Education in the Workplace
Stephanie Horton and Stacie Henderson addressed the issues of racism, under-representation, and lack of education of majority colleagues in the workplace. These outline key issues that must be conversed to achieve tangible, sustainable change. Read here.
Protecting Your Inventory & Getting Paid
Sheppard Mullin offered a guide to protecting your inventory when a retailer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Read here.
Providing Opportunities and Supporting BIPOC Designers
Brandice Daniel, CEO & Founder of Harlem’s Fashion Row, shared how our industry can move the needle on supporting BIPOC designers. Read here.
Keeping Your Customer Engaged
Daria Burke, Chief Marketing Officer of JustFab, shared how the brand has approached customer engagement, diversity, equity and inclusivity over the past few months. Read here.
A Guide to Virtual Selling
NuORDER, a B2B wholesale eCommerce platform for buyers and brands, which offers a seamless and collaborative wholesale experience, shared how its digital services and features can support brands as they consider digitizing their sales channels. Watch here.
Hitting Reset on Retail
Fashion consultant and advisor Kristen Cole forecast opportunity and creativity for the fashion retail revolution. Read here.
How To Engage in the Secondhand Market
Industry experts from Eileen Fisher, Mara Hoffman, Brass Clothing and Recurate led a conversation on how their brands have approached their own resale programs, the challenge and opportunities that present themselves, engaging with their customer and how they’ve navigated resale during COVID-19. Watch here.
Getting Diversity & Inclusivity Right Backstage
Celia Sears and a panel of industry experts discussed the necessary education that is needed to ensure that all makeup artists and hair stylists are trained properly to work with models of color. The experts also brought attention to why this change must come from the top down. Watch here.
