Every week on the Glossy Week in Review Podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi is joined by co-hosts editor-in-chief Jill Manoff and international reporter Zofia Zwieglinska to break down the biggest fashion news stories of the week.But on this special Year in Review episode, we talk about some of the biggest news stories of the year, including the rise of generative AI and what it can (and cannot) do for the industry, the reason why luxury brands have struggled so much this year, the effects of the great creative director reshuffling, the rise of TikTok Shop and the flurry of new fashion companies going public.We also go into some of our predictions from last year’s Year in Review episode, which included some that were spot on, like more greenwashing legislation coming into effect, and others that were a little bit off, like Farfetch buying a major fashion brand. And we finish it off with some predictions for the next year, including the legal issues that may arise from the use of generative AI in fashion design and the fact that brands could start investing in selling more experiences over more stuff.Thanks for listening to the Week in Review all year. Please join us next year for more discussions about the biggest news in fashion.

In 2018, after working as an advertising director for companies including Hearst and The Economist, among others, Dan Manioci joined luxury leather goods company MCM as vp of marketing and global performance. According to him, the five years since have served as a master class in luxury marketing.“You have this preconceived notion of what it's like [to work in-house at a luxury brand], but it's so much more work than I could have ever thought,” Manioci said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. “On the publishing side, you have to understand how to manage a budget, so I had that [expertise] coming in. But you also need to understand what makes the consumer engaged, what makes them move and what the trends are. … And you need to understand consumer profiles; how the retail industry works, in fine detail; and who the key players are at the wholesalers. For example: Who are the merchandisers you need to be listening to? It's a true education. And I think that's what has also made me stay [at the brand] for as long as I have. I've been learning from all these amazing people.”At the same time, he’s led key moves that have worked to fuel the brand’s revenue and engagement. Over the last couple of years, those have included building marketing plans around buzzy brand faces including Billie Eilish and Cindy Crawford. And, more recently, he’s elevated MCM’s digital presence as part of a new strategic direction. In 2023, MCM launched a company-wide plan that included updating the creative team and upping the focus on digital channels and young shoppers. Manioci discussed the brand’s new focus, including how it’s resonating in the rapidly evolving luxury climate. He also shared the strategy behind MCM’s recent presence at men’s fashion week and the factors behind its increasing success in the ready-to-wear category.

Mary Ellen Coyne, CEO of J.McLaughlin, discusses the brand's growth through a brand refresh, store openings, and customer acquisition. They highlight the importance of customer relationships, the impact of store closures, and competition in the market. They also explore the hiring of outside help for brand transformation and discuss challenges, hiring, and international expansion.

On the Glossy Week in Review podcast, senior fashion reporter Danny Parisi and international correspondent Zofia Zwieglinska break down some of the biggest fashion news of the week.On this final Week in Review episode of the year, we speak about the news coming out of COP28 in Dubai, including an explicit commitment to move away from fossil fuels by 2050. We also talk about the rise of generative AI in fashion, including which use cases are viable and which are just hype.

Clare Hornby, founder and CEO of Me+Em, talks about the brand's profitable direct-to-consumer strategy and their U.S. expansion plans. They discuss the success of their stores as community spaces, choosing store locations in New York, pricing strategy, customer shopping behavior during the pandemic, and the launch of shoes and accessories. Hornby also shares insights on team building, meeting customer demands, and future expansion goals.

Quaid Walker, co-founder and CEO of Bezel, joins the podcast to talk about the watch industry. They discuss falling luxury watch prices, watch brands embracing brick-and-mortar retail, and the future of the primary and secondary watch markets.

Ten years ago, Grace Na launched her L.A.-based denim brand Pistola after seeing a white space in the market.“At the time, a lot of the premium labels were owned and run by men, and the premium price point was really expensive,” Na said on the latest episode of the Glossy Podcast. “There was a miss for an opening-premium-price-point denim line that was still super high quality, and that had amazing fits and of-the-moment style.”In getting the brand off the ground, it helped that she had great experience in the fashion industry as a buyer and a planner. She also had support from her husband’s family, which had spent 30 years running a denim business.Pistola started as a wholesale-only business, eventually selling through 1,000 retail doors. It also ran a private-label business on the side. But today, it’s focused on ramping up its direct sales, among other growth opportunities. For example, soon, it will launch a mommy-and-me capsule collection. And within the next few years, it will embark on international expansion.Pisola is privately owned and has been profitable since year one, Na said.

This week on the podcast, the hosts discuss rumors of Farfetch going private and the implications for the luxury retail industry. They also explore the challenges faced by luxury companies and the growing labor action in the fashion industry. Additionally, they discuss the impact of constant moving on employees with families and the recent protests at Gucci against the company's decision to move its design headquarters.

Lori Coulter, co-founder of Summersalt, discusses the expansion of the brand beyond swimsuits into other product categories, the role of Instagram in their marketing strategy, and the challenges of finding talent in St. Louis. They also talk about the evolution of their e-commerce platform, the importance of data optimization, and the value of collaborations for their growth. The chapter also highlights the non-stop nature of being founders and the importance of celebrating victories.

This podcast discusses the struggles of luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue to pay its vendors and Gucci's lawsuits against retailers selling counterfeit products. It explores the challenges faced by multi-brand retailers, the importance of technology in inventory management, and the reputational impact of counterfeit products on brands. It also examines the difficulties department and specialty stores face in the luxury industry.