The Business of Fashion Podcast

Rachael Griffiths, a Business of Beauty reporter who tracks 'rage bait' mechanics, and Priya Rao, Executive Editor with industry analysis, dig into why beauty brands stage fake scandals. They examine sensational PR stunts, why outrage outperforms silence online, and which brands can get away with chaotic tactics.

A rapid four-month bankruptcy sprint to restore liquidity and get merchandise flowing again. How a critical vendor program and $1.7 billion in financing revived inventory and supplier trust. Plans to shed costly real estate, right-size stores and streamline distribution. A vision for reimagining department stores around curation, experience and supporting emerging designers.

Mandi Lennard, former Browns buyer and founder of Mandi's Basement, reflects on her decades in London fashion and her close working relationship with Joan Burstein. She recalls learning at Browns, the store’s role launching global designers, Mrs. B’s patient, instinctive buying philosophy, and the high-touch retail and mentorship culture that shaped a creative community.

Haley Crawford, BOF correspondent on marketing and commerce, and Marc Bain, BOF reporter on tech and culture, unpack rising public backlash to AI in fashion. They discuss why visible AI visuals provoke strong reactions. They examine cases like Selkie, how brand identity and marketing amplify outrage, workforce risks for entry-level roles, and why transparency and labeling may become premium signals.

Dries Van Noten, Belgian designer known for four decades of independent, craft-led fashion, shares his Venice reinvention. He discusses leaving the runway calendar for a self-directed rhythm. He describes turning Palazzo Pisani Moretta into a living lab for craftsmanship, curating makers and programs. He frames beauty as a form of protest and a way to preserve and celebrate artisanal skills.

Austin Kim, BoF correspondent who reported this feature, shares firsthand reporting on retailers deliberately shrinking their online presence. He explores neighborhood-focused shops that prioritize in-store intimacy and curated product assortments. The conversation covers why owners reject e-commerce, the economics of in-person shoppers, analogue marketing like print catalogs, and whether locality can scale.

Britt Moran, co-founder of Milan's Dimore Studio and maker of sensory-driven luxury interiors, reflects on his journey from North Carolina to Italian design. He discusses why atmosphere—scent, light, music, feeling—is the real product. He also covers Salone's role as creative freedom, the craft of Italian manufacturing, and concerns about fashion’s surface-level pivot into home.

Robert Williams, BoF luxury editor who decodes conglomerate strategy, and Mimosa Spencer, BoF luxury editor tracking fashion and jewelry trends, discuss why luxury’s creative rebounds have not translated into sales. They focus on slowing Chinese demand, heightened scrutiny on Louis Vuitton versus Dior, and why jewelry and watches are outpacing fashion. The conversation highlights industry-wide growth uncertainty and structural challenges.

Ermenegildo Zegna, fourth-generation leader of Zegna and steward of vertical ‘sheep to shop’ luxury. Patrice Louvet, CEO of Ralph Lauren, focused on clarity, experiential retail and inclusive luxury. Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, expanding global art fairs and immersive experiences. They discuss succession, vertical integration, pricing versus quality, experiential retail, community-driven growth and who luxury customers really are.

Mike Sykes, sportswear journalist behind The Kicks You Wear newsletter, breaks down Nike’s stalled comeback and investor impatience. He discusses flat revenue and cautious guidance. He highlights operational gains like wholesale repair and running category traction. He explores how cultural heat has fragmented across niche rivals and why visible ‘magic’ remains elusive.