The Glossy Podcast

After 16 years in business, advanced contemporary fashion brand L’Agence is hitting the gas on growth. On top of introducing a Jean Bar retail concept, starting with a new store in L.A., the brand is expanding internationally to Europe and Asia — since early July, it’s opened stores in Paris and Seoul. Category expansion is also a key part of the strategy: In the last three years, L’Agence has launched shoes and swimwear, and it will soon introduce sleepwear, intimate apparel and belts. In addition, building on the success of a recent candle release, the brand will be going deeper into the home category. And a future beauty category, complete with cosmetics and fragrances made in Paris, is in the works.According to L’Agence founder and chairman Jeff Rudes, customer behavior will determine the timing of the home and beauty category launches.“She has to be so brand loyal that she’ll pick up the bottle [of perfume] at Saks and say, ‘I’ve got to try this.’ We’re not there yet,” he said. ”We’re very realistic about how to grow the brand. … She has to trust us and vote for what we’re doing. It’s all about timing. We have to get her to love more of what we’re doing, and then we’ll capture her [as a customer in other categories], for sure.” Also on the podcast, Rudes and L’Agence fashion director Tara Rudes-Dann spoke about their New York Fashion Week plans, the new standards in customer service, and the road to “lifestyle brand.” 

On the latest Glossy Week in Review podcast, managing editor Tatiana Pile joins international fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska to break down some of the most talked-about fashion moments from this week’s Democratic National Convention.The discussion highlights Vice President Kamala Harris's hair and outfit choices, which have sparked conversations about style and representation in politics. It also touches on Michelle Obama's style picks for the DNC and her influence on current trends. Additionally, the hosts call out the buzzy fashion items spotted at the convention, including Tuckernuck's Jackie dress and the union-made Harris-Walz camo hat.

In the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast, international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska sits down with Lucy Aylen, founder of the U.K.-based fashion brand Never Fully Dressed. Known for its bold prints, size-inclusive designs and vibrant community, the 15-year-old brand has seen 42% year-on-year sales growth this year and has expanded its store footprint. Its styles, which include the popular Jaspre skirt, "boob shirt" and reversible wrap dress, have been worn by Lena Dunham and Beyoncé, among other stars.On the podcast, Aylen discusses the brand’s U.S. expansion, including with stores in NYC's Nolita neighborhood and L.A.'s Melrose Place, both of which opened in June. In addition, she offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. For her part, Aylen started her brand with a stall in London's Spitalfields market. Tune in to learn how Aylen is building her brand while prioritizing inclusive fashion and community-building.

On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.This week, they discuss how new signs of an upcoming recession are affecting U.S. spending, whether fashion will get more political as the election approaches, and how the FTC's ban on fake reviews will impact consumer behavior. 

Between creating and running the 11-year-old luxury footwear brand Brother Vellies and the 4-year-old non-profit organization Fifteen Percent Pledge, Aurora James has become a trusted voice in fashion.Her work hasn't stopped there. James has served as the vice chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America since January 2023. The same year, she published her memoir, "Wildflower," which was released via paperback last month. And she also co-manages the Parity Collective, a private equity fund created to invest in founders of color.While James admits that balancing all of her ventures can prove challenging, her goal of changing the narrative around entrepreneurship in fashion is one of her biggest driving forces. "I want to manage expectations for people about what life is supposed to be like when you take on that much work or even what it means to be an entrepreneur," James said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. "It's a lot, and burning out in that situation is normal, and failing sometimes is normal, too."Another of James's goals is to further her advocacy for more diversity in fashion.Also on the podcast, the multi-hyphenate discusses her role in the push for expanding DE&I initiatives in fashion. Plus, she digs into the less glamorous, yet vital, sides of entrepreneurship. 

On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.This week, they recap the Copenhagen Fashion Week highlights, discuss why Ralph Lauren is proving an exception to luxury's slump and break down the brand strategies that won the back-to-school shopping season. 

Fifteen years after starting his fashion brand, Jonathan Simkhai is still growing it — without financial help. “The business is privately held, and we have not taken on any outside investment,” Simkhai said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. “I am open to the idea, but we're also very happy just moving along and growing the business organically.”Coinciding with that growth has been the opening of four Simkhai stores — in Southampton, Beverly Hills, NYC’s SoHo neighborhood and Dallas. There have also been marketing investments via global runway shows. This September, Simkhai will return to the New York Fashion Week runway, largely driven by customer demand. "In our stores, I've heard so many clients say, 'Are you doing a show?' and 'We want to come to your show,'” he said. “In being so focused on the clients and meeting their needs and being there for them, I really want to do a show so I can have them there and give them that experience.”Also on the podcast, Simkhai discussed why he values time in his brand’s stores, why specialty stores have an advantage over department stores and why experimentation is important to a modern fashion business. 

On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.This week, we take a look at the recent earnings reports from brands including Prada, Adidas, Armani and Hugo Boss to break down what’s happening in fashion financially. Some standouts include Miu Miu's amazing growth, inflation's pressure on luxury shoppers and Adidas’s recovery from the Yeezy debacle.

As CMO of San Francisco-based Rothy's, Jamie Gersch is fueling sustainability-focused innovation in fashion. With a rich background in retail, including roles at Old Navy and Gap, Gersch brought a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to Rothy's when she joined in 2022.Following its inception in 2012, Rothy's made its mark by turning plastic waste into stylish, comfortable shoes. And, in recent years, the brand has expanded its product assortment to include bags and other accessories, while maintaining its commitment to sustainability. Rothy's has 3 million customers through 20 retail stores and e-commerce in 19 countries, plus the vertically integrated company operates its own factory in China. In fiscal year 2022, the last year before it went private, Rothy's net revenue was $183 million, with annual revenues consistently over $150 million.Gersch has been instrumental in the brand's growth by focusing on innovative marketing strategies, enhancing the brand's digital presence and expanding its physical retail footprint.Under Gersch's leadership, Rothy's has relaunched its website to better tell its sustainability story. Plus, her approach to tapping into authentic communities and leveraging experiential marketing has driven significant engagement and brand loyalty. Rothy's commitment to sustainability is evident in its production processes. The brand uses a unique 3D knitting technology to create its shoes, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency. This method allows Rothy's to produce shoes that are not only environmentally friendly but also durable and comfortable. The company has recycled millions of plastic bottles to create its signature thread, transforming waste into high-quality, stylish products.The brand's retail strategy includes opening new stores in key markets — it recently opened a location on New York City's Flatiron neighborhood. By providing consumers with the opportunity to experience Rothy's products in person, the brand strengthens its connection with its audience and showcases the tangible benefits of its sustainable practices. It has plans for further expansion. On the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast, Gersch discusses Rothy's current initiatives and future direction, including the launch of its new summer footwear lines, its international expansion, its experiential marketing and its relaunch of rothys.com.

On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.This week, we take a look at the Paris Olympics, which begin Friday night, including some of our favorite (and least favorite) opening ceremony outfits and the many ways brands are getting in on the excitement. Later, we talk about the week's big creative director departures, including Peter Hawkings from Tom Ford, and why creative director tenures are trending shorter.