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Fashion People

TikTok, Trump, and the Inauguration’s Fashion Stars

Jan 21, 2025
Sapna Maheshwari, a New York Times reporter specializing in TikTok and retail, dives into the chaotic intersection of politics and fashion. She shares insights on TikTok's potential legal issues and its impact on brand strategies. The conversation shifts to the fashionable moments at the inauguration, highlighting how designers navigate ties with political figures like Trump. They also discuss Vuori's business prospects in activewear and analyze changes at notable brands like Chanel, underlining the industry's evolving landscape.
32:31

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The potential sale or ban of TikTok poses significant challenges for fashion brands that have leveraged its vast user base for marketing.
  • Fashion choices at the inauguration reflect the political climate, with a noticeable shift toward custom-made pieces and political messaging.

Deep dives

The Uncertain Future of TikTok

The recent Supreme Court ruling has created significant uncertainty for TikTok, as it dictates that the app must either be sold or banned. This decision triggered immediate chaos, culminating in the app temporarily going dark, which left many users bewildered. Although TikTok resumed operations after communicating with officials, the recurring question remains about its future amid fears of being owned by a Chinese company. Observers anticipate potential changes, either through a sale that alters the app's nature or an event where it might become unavailable again, impacting its vast user base.

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