Lori Hirshleifer, owner and womenswear buyer of Hirshleifers, shares her journey in the family business known for its maximalist flair. She discusses her iconic jewelry collection, including her impressive Birkin bag count and unique Chrome Hearts pieces. Lori reflects on the evolution of retail, family dynamics in business, and her personal style philosophy. With insights into navigating social media and forging connections in the fashion world, she reveals how she became an unwitting style icon while maintaining her authenticity.
Lori Hirshleifer emphasizes the significance of personal style, advocating that it should reflect individuality rather than mere trends in fashion.
The Hirshlifers department store thrives by adapting its offerings to include a broader range of luxury items and embracing inclusivity.
Family dynamics play a pivotal role in the operations at Hirshlifers, fostering collaboration and resilience among sisters amid business challenges.
Deep dives
The Journey of Hirschlifers
Hirschlifers has a long and storied history, dating back to its founding in Brooklyn in 1905. Over the years, the store has evolved, moving to Forest Hills in Queens and finally settling in Manhasset, where it has thrived for the past 60 years. The longevity of the family-owned business is attributed to the hard work and dedication of Lori Herschleifer and her family, who are deeply involved in every aspect of the store's operations. This family legacy has allowed Hirschlifers to stand out in the competitive retail landscape, transforming from a ready-to-wear store to a full-fledged department store offering a wide range of luxury items.
Fashion Philosophy and Personal Style
Lori Herschleifer emphasizes the importance of personal style, which she believes should not be confined to trends but should rather reflect one's individual taste. She expresses that good taste comes naturally and cannot be taught, suggesting that those with an eye for style can learn over time, often influenced by their upbringing and environment. Herschleifer's own style is a blend of elegance and maximalism, evolving over the years into a unique aesthetic statement that showcases bold jewelry and chic attire. The notion of dressing cohesively is vital to her, as she aims to ensure that every piece in her wardrobe complements one another, allowing for versatile styling.
Maintaining a Competitive Edge
Despite the challenges of retail, particularly in recent times, Hirschlifers manages to stay ahead by consistently adapting to market trends and customer needs. Lori highlights the necessity of evolving the brand's offerings, transitioning to include shoes and broader selections beyond formal wear, which was previously the store's main focus. The store's approach embraces inclusivity, ensuring that a variety of price points are represented to cater to a wider clientele. By being responsive to shifts in consumer behavior, Hirschlifers has cultivated a loyal customer base and positioned itself as a destination for high-end fashion.
The Impact of Social Media
Lori has recognized the profound impact of social media on retail, as it serves as both a platform for marketing and a way to connect with clientele. She is actively engaged in this digital landscape, utilizing her presence to promote Hirschlifers while showcasing her personal style. Initially hesitant about her social media role, Lori now embraces it, finding joy in engaging with customers who admire her sense of fashion. Through social media, the store has become more accessible, with many customers visiting in hopes of meeting Lori or experiencing the unique shopping atmosphere she has cultivated.
The Importance of Family in Business
Family dynamics play a crucial role in the management of Hirschlifers, with Lori working alongside her sisters and other family members. Each member brings unique strengths to different areas of the business, allowing for a collaborative and efficient operation. Lori recalls moments of challenges in the early days of taking over the business following her father's passing, where the pressure to succeed was immense. However, instead of dividing the family, these experiences strengthened their bond and commitment to ensuring the business's success for future generations.
To Adapt and Thrive
The retail industry is constantly changing, and during periods of economic fluctuation, Hirschlifers has learned to adapt its strategies to meet evolving consumer demands. Lori outlines how the store operated during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting a growth in personal shopping experiences with VIP clients despite physical store closures. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining customer relationships, Lori ensures that Hirschlifers offers a personalized shopping experience, creating a loyal clientele that favors shopping in-store. This commitment to customer service, combined with strategic inventory changes, has allowed the business to flourish in uncertain times.
Our interview with Lori Hirshleifer is family business. Lori—owner and womenswear buyer of Hirshleifers—was kind enough to grant us an audience at her family’s namesake store on Long Island for a regal chat on her iconic jewelry game, a bond with the Starks that’s stronger than Chrome, if she had second thoughts about getting fitted for the pod, the definitive take on men’s bling, her actual day-to-day job and what kind of saleswoman she is, what sets Hirshleifers apart from the pack and above the fray as the last great department store, inheriting and adapting the family business with her sisters, the trust of working with family and necessary time apart, how many Birkins she owns, the one grail she’s still tracking down, her most insane Chrome Hearts accessories, navigating social media and unwittingly becoming a style icon, shopping as a skill, VIP clientele and going fit for fit with any rapper in the world, cherished memories of her relationship with Virgil Abloh, how she gets dressed, her personal style icons, collecting art, avoiding trends completely, her husband and son running the men’s business and much more on Lori Hirshleifer’s interview with The Only Podcast That Matters™.
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