Change happens at the top, and those leading fashion now will be the ones to shape its future. Where do these leaders stand when it comes to the evolution of technology, retail, customer behaviour, experience and sustainability?
At this year’s Vogue Business Executive Summit, we invited CEOs from different pockets of the fashion industry to discuss their perspectives on the state of the industry, what’s at the top of their priority lists and how they plan to overcome hurdles — be it the luxury slowdown or a lag in brand relevance — in the years ahead.
Vogue Business executive Americas editor Hilary Milnes sat down with Gap Inc CEO Richard Dickson to unpack his plans — underway since last year — for the iconic American retail group that owns Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta. “Our mission is to be where our consumers are. The more you can move at the speed of culture, the more the consumer will relate to it,” Dickson said.
In conversation with LVMH North America CEO Anish Melwani, senior innovation editor Maghan McDowell explored how to use technology to appeal to customers, particularly in the time of an industry slowdown. “The US is still underpenetrated when it comes to luxury. Our ability to storytell to them in ways they want to be told to is our biggest opportunity. Our biggest challenge is: do we really understand what the answer to that question is?” he said.
In Milan, senior trends editor Lucy Maguire sat down with Marni CEO and Maison Margiela chairman Stefano Rosso to discuss where the future of luxury lies for brand groups like OTB. “It’s a moment of rationalisation [in luxury]” Rosso said. “If people are going to spend their money, they want to see and understand the value.”
And in London, executive European editor Kirsty McGregor was joined by Erdem CEO Philippa Nixon to hear how her strategy has enabled the independent British brand to survive — and thrive — in uncertain times. “With independence comes choice, we’re able to make decisions that we really believe benefit the brand and we’re able to move very quickly once we’ve made those decisions. It feels very entrepreneurial,” said Nixon.
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