Michelle Taite

I have suggestions to help fashion ecommerce: The demand for functional fashion is on the rise, and pockets are leading the charge. The Wall Street Journal's article, "Women’s Clothes Finally Have Pockets. What Took So Long," highlights the evolution of women's garments, now featuring pockets that offer both utility and style. This shift reflects broader societal changes, promoting equality and recognizing women's active roles in public and professional spheres. As an avid supporter of pockets, I appreciate how they can be designed to either stand out with a cargo style or blend seamlessly into the garment's design. For e-commerce retailers, this trend presents a significant opportunity to enhance the online shopping experience. Here are some actionable insights: 1. Add a "Pockets" Filter: Introduce a filter option specifically for pockets, allowing customers to easily find clothing items that meet their functional needs would improve navigation and discoverability. 2. Detailed Product Descriptions: Clearly indicate the presence and type of pockets in product descriptions. Don't rely solely on images; specify the functionality and design of the pockets. Added benefit of improving SEO. 3. Highlight Functional Fashion: In your marketing and product listings, emphasize the practical benefits of pockets, supporting the growing trend towards functional equality in fashion. By integrating these features, retailers can cater to the increasing demand for practical and stylish clothing, ensuring a better shopping experience for their customers. If you make these updates please let me know any data insights.

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And here we go again, another #retailer announces the opening of its marketplace. I do not have access to this #WWD article, but from what I heard, they are taking it slow and onboard a small number of sellers. The platform they use is most likely Mirakl, and I could not find any signup form to join if you are planning to. I am not sure we need yet another marketplace. 😑 Also framing it as Spotify for #Fashion (is it Nordstrom or WWD way to put it?), what does that really mean? Spotify primarily makes money through subscriptions. So, can I subscribe to #nordstrom for monthly payments and get any clothing I want? That would be actually cool, but this model was already kind of explored by companies like Stitch Fix. #nordstrom #marketplace #ecommerce #Mirakl

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“It’s really hard… to develop a disruptive shoe on Zoom.” Said Nike’s CEO, who blames remote work for lackluster business growth. The thing is, Zoom is not where the actual work gets done. Much of the work involved in designing footwear (CAD, graphics, simulation, research, etc.) is done on computers. Nike spends billions of dollars a year on marketing. Meanwhile, their shoes are overpriced and fall apart after minimal wear. They need to revisit where they are falling short of delivering customer value. Innovation does not come from a specific location. It comes from engaged employees who feel appreciated enough to push their creativity to another level. Adidas & Under Armor seem to be fine remotely, according to the stock market 🤷‍♀️ #futureofwork #nike #remotework

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Anne Klein Official's AI Fashion Revolution Anne Klein is making waves in the fashion industry with a bold leap into AI-generated images. Partnering with AI Fashion, they're redefining fashion modeling by seamlessly blending human essence with AI efficiency. Douglas Weiss, SVP of Digital at WHP Global, emphasizes the quest for personalized experiences and optimized resources. This collaboration sparks intriguing discussions about the future of traditional modeling amidst AI-driven solutions. As industries adapt to hashtag #AI's transformative potential, Anne Klein's move signals a future where creativity and technology converge seamlessly. For a deeper dive into AI's impact across industries, check out Isabelle Bousquette's insightful piece in The Wall Street Journal. From focus groups to clinical trials, AI's transformative power is reshaping industries and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. #fashionforward #fashiontech #digitalmodeling #AIrevolution #allinfluence

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I've noticed a recurring trend in the fashion industry: a shift towards business models focused on thrifting, pre-owned, or recycled goods, and it’s bigger than we think. Year over year, the U.S. secondhand market grew 11% in 2023, seven times faster than the broader U.S. clothing market. Major online marketplaces are recognising the huge potential of pre-owned fashion. eBay recently removed all selling fees for used clothing items, making reselling more accessible. They also hosted a live shopping event where comedian Katherine Ryan sold pieces from her personal wardrobe with proceeds going to charity. Brands are also exploring more sustainable options. Urban Outfitters launched a clothing rental subscription service. Everlane introduced an in-store drop-off program for used clothing credits. Even brands like Patagonia, Levi's and Nike now offer national buyback programs, offering store credit in exchange for pre-owned clothes. TikTok Shop UK has launched a preowned luxury fashion category where shoppers can browse through big brands added to the platform.  Is this shift towards pre-owned fashion a viable business vertical for brands, or are they primarily adopting it to cultivate an image of promoting conscious consumerism, which may ultimately lead to consumers trusting the brand more? Picture - Statista #ecommerce #thrifting #retail #fashion #ecommerceusa

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Check out my latest blog post on The Digital Hive: "Burberry's Renaissance: Navigating Change with Daniel Lee" - a deep dive into the brand's new creative director, financial challenges and strategic shifts. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gkxe3edX

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In sustainable fashion circles - especially on here where it's more brand/ startup/ conference focused - we so often talk about the new tech solutions, the apps, and the hot new materials and inventions that are supposedly going to supercharge the circular fashion economy. But I put it to you that a lot of the solutions are actually the old ones - buy less, make it better quality and repair it often. Not sexy enough? Maybe this colourful interview with my local cobbler can help with that! https://lnkd.in/gJVnfb5U

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Is the climate-conscious shopper the new norm? 🌍 Sustainability and the fashion/retail industry haven't always been the best bedfellows, but younger shoppers (hello Gen-Z) seem to be shifting the attitudes of the big retailers. Bracket-buying, long supply-chains and excessive sales - they're all at odds with sustainable fashion. But what about the studio? I'm increasingly seeing brands favouring local to fly-in models, to be more sustainable. And what about multiple sample sets? Are you actively doing anything in your studios to decrease the impact of content production on the climate? #Sustainability #FashionIndustry #SustainableContentProduction

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American brands are struggling to join the $11.1 TRILLION social commerce market by 2030 Because of top down, silo’d, long leadtime, analog processes And prioritizing one off campaigns vs UGC at scale Our 28% decline in apparel imports LY should be the final notice Tech supported creator-to-manufacturer brands is what we need to compete The market is transforming into community-driven experiences, where social connections fuel participation But American brands will struggle to participate b/c they don’t control the entire value chain It all starts with a tech stack that discovers, tracks, & automates an alert when a trend, product, or conversation starts to gain traction in those communities To react in real time because the market moves fast If you are a second late, the algorithm will no longer serve Plus supply chains based on lowest cost highest volume sourcing can’t participate, it’s the antithesis of the mass model The current industry tools just don’t cut it any longer… Trendalytics forecasted a 28% increase to LY for “polka dot dress” yesterday An increase in search? UGC? On what platform? For which communities? Price? Fabric? Color? Style? Aesthetic? Polka dot dress is in fact down 3% on Google search YOY Although last month for 72 hours it had a 1000% increase b/c of the viral Princess Polly dress #iykyk It sold out immediately btw But that's in the past... the zeitgeist has moved on UGC videos are down 89% for polka dot dresses w/just 7 created this month I would deeply interrogate the data you pay enterprise $$$ for... In the arms race to ai – we need better data that solves problems, automates the work along the value chain, & accelerates technology’s integration into every single sector The adoption of AI should prove more momentous than the introduction of the internet & potentially create 10s of trillion dollars of value according to Arkinvest AI will democratize content creation to Hollywood level quality w/new tools like Odyssey FOR INDIVIDUALS If we didn’t organize around individuals creating a single TikTok per day How will we manage when those same people scale themselves & create hundreds? Arkinvest also said the annualized equity return associated w/disruptive innovation could exceed 40% during the next seven years, increasing its market capitalization from ~$19 trillion today to roughly $220 trillion by 2030.... Yet western fashion is experiencing historic losses Giants are crumbling.... From FARFETCH to EXPRESS's bankruptcies to lululemon as the worst performing stock on the S&P 500 + Nike losing $28B overnight in market share The time for incremental change has passed To regain competitiveness, American brands must embrace a holistic approach that integrates real-time trend detection anywhere online w/transparency, agile supply chains, & direct connections with engaged communities #thegreatfashionreset #creatortomanufacturer #communitycommerce #contentistheproduct #tiktokisthestore

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This episode we are joined by Kate Berski, Co-Founder of CURLSMITH, a high performance, inclusive haircare brand which she started with her husband in 2018. It soon became one of the fastest growing textured hair brands and would go on to retail at Ulta Beauty, Target, Boots and many more. The idea for Curlsmith was formed out of a family struggle to find suitable haircare products for Kate’s nieces’ curly hair. Kate and her husband Michal soon realised that there was a gap in the market with lots of people unable to find appropriate products for their hair. Using her experience in advertising and brand consulting, combined with Michal’s experience working for some major beauty companies, they soon developed a community around an Instagram page that they launched, which shared advice, recipes and tips for people with curly hair, before they began the process of making their own product. In this episode, we discuss 🤩: - The haircare industry and how Curlsmith was brought to life - The journey (and cost) of developing a product - The pros and cons of staying lean as long as possible - Digital vs retail channels - Going down the VC route and how that helped grow the business - The toll a startup has on your mental health - Having a kid whilst running a business, and realising there’s more to life than work - What it’s like to sell your company  - How entrepreneurship compares to becoming an author And much much more… #Entrepreneurship #StartupMentalHealth #BalancingWorkAndFamily #EntrepreneurshipVsAuthorship #NotMyFirstGuess

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Around 2017, Nike publicly announced a big direct-to-consumer push, which meant that a lot of retailers (big and small) would not longer be allowed to stock Nike product. Today is a different story - Nike has been battered in the press, gone through a set of big layoffs, is losing ground to competitors, and is in a generally more difficult situation vs. seven years ago. In 2017, pivoting to DTC made sense - why not have better control over your distribution channels like SNKRS and Nike.com? Nike physical stores were elevated to become a better shopping experience and Nike could ensure high quality retail experiences for their customers. And of course, this increased Nike's margin by cutting out a certain number of wholesale distributor and retailer middle men. Last week, Nike CEO John Donahoe acknowledged that the company had moved too far away from their wholesaler partners like Macy's and DSW. As part of this, Nike has publicly announced reinvesting and reinvigorating their relationships with retailers. It took several years, but retailers and wholesalers ended up having more leverage than Nike realized. If the hot New Balances or ASICS are selling better than some Jordan retros, why not showcase these newer brands instead of Nike? There are many other complications and nuances but Nike's back and forth on retail partners indicates the vicissitudes of the sneaker industry. https://lnkd.in/e5QSrZUi #nike #footwear #sneakers #retail #fashion #dtc #shoes

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The moment everyone has been waiting for is here…. Well maybe not everyone, but I do look forward to the annual ThredUp resale report, which just got released 🤩 Some stats I founded particularly interesting related to the rapidly growing resale space: The headline stat: 🌍 The global secondhand fashion market will reach £280+ billion within 4 years, growing 3X faster than overall global fashion market 📈 Resale grew 15X faster than the broader retail clothing sector last year. 🤯 An incredible 2 in 5 fashion items bought in the last 12-months were secondhand. 💸 Consumers spent nearly half of their fashion budget on secondhand in the last 12-months. 📱 Online resale is driving growth, growing 23% last year and will account for half of all secondhand spend by next year. See the report here: https://lnkd.in/eqrYtYuY Tomorrow I’ll share some stats on the growth of branded resale. Try to contain your excitement and sit tight!

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How J.Crew failed to keep up with Modern-Day Fashion Retail In the fast-paced world of fashion retail, J.Crew stood as a beacon of classic American style for decades. While J.Crew's offerings remained synonymous with timeless elegance, their revenue growth failed to mirror this enduring appeal. The crux of J.Crew's revenue stagnation lies in its struggle to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics. ⭐️ Stagnant Product Innovation: J.Crew stuck to the same old styles, falling behind brands that tried new things. 💻 Weak Online Presence: While online shopping grew, J.Crew failed to focus on the massive opportunity online retail had. They joined late and didn't pay much attention to their site and social media. 🎯 Missed Trends: 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 has been a big trend in fashion and has exploded in popularity over the last 5 years. Popular brands like 𝗟𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝗼 have taken over this space however modern streetwear brands like Fashion Nova have hopped on this trend to increase the popularity of the brand. J.Crew was late to the party dropping a women's active line which primarily focuses on tennis. 📣 Boring ads: J.Crew's ads didn't speak to different kinds of shoppers. Basic generic "newspaper ads" H𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 🟢 Try on Haul  🟢 What's in my closet  🟢 Get ready with me  🟢 I'm bringing back J.Crew / J.Crew has made a comeback 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗝.𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱: 🔵 Revamp Products: Updating styles and materials to match trends could attract more customers. (still staying on brand) 🟠 Online Boost: Improving their website and app would've boosted online sales, reaching more shoppers. Customer Journey is key Also having that organic appeal on social media with customers talking about your product. 🟡 Adding in a true athleisure line. This would've widened their appeal, attracting new customers. J.Crew's story teaches us that in fashion, you need to keep changing and trying new things to stay successful. Want to save yourself from falling into this growth loophole? Well, you're in luck! 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬% 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝟯𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 My team and I have crafted a comprehensive growth strategy guide. Simply comment "strategy" and I'll roll it out to you at no cost. Let's elevate your business together! #dtcbrands #marketing #growthmarketing

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Nike's recent stock plunge really caught my attention, and it's a clear sign of the shifting consumer market. Economic pressures mean that disposable income is tighter, making consumers more price-sensitive. Plus, we're seeing younger generations, especially Gen-Z, showing less brand loyalty and gravitating towards brands that genuinely speak to their needs and values. I think Nike has a real opportunity to leverage digital strategies to win back its audience. They need to lean into creative storytelling and target niche consumer segments to rebuild those emotional connections and loyalty. With new, affordable sneakers on the horizon, it's crucial for Nike to focus on authentic, targeted narratives that resonate with today's consumers. This approach can drive growth and help Nike secure its position in an increasingly competitive market. https://lnkd.in/e765mNSi

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What if you could get 400 regular buyers to weigh in on best practices for direct-to-consumer (DTC) subscription? Subscription products are the holy grail for consumer and DTC brands, but what do we actually do and want as buyers? As someone who runs and works with consumer brands, I wanted to get some real insights here, so I ran a survey with SurveyMonkey. Here’s what I found from 400+ responses: Finding 1: 80% of respondents subscribe to less than 3 products. Insight for brands: It’s unlikely your new brand is going to find a ton of subscription traction, so don’t build the model and assumptions around that. Finding 2: Pet food has the highest likelihood for subscription, while beauty, skincare, health and wellness supplements aren’t as high as you would think. Finding 3: Two major concerns people have when subscribing is not knowing how long a product will last them, as well as the cancellation process and terms. Insight for brands: at the point of subscription, give insight around product usage, typical duration, as well as crystal clear information on ease of cancellation. We as buyers have all experienced subscription experiences that are impossible to cancel, and that’s a hesitation we bring when evaluating any new subscription. Finding 4: 82% of buyers have subscribed, knowing full well they’ll cancel, just to get the discount. Insight for brands: heavily discounting to incentivize subscriptions may be hurting you. This data not only helps me as I build my own brands but working with teams, we now don’t have to debate how to structure these kinds of user experiences — sometimes all you have to do is ask! Success isn’t just about finding answers; it’s about being caring enough, and daring enough, to ask the right questions #DareToAsk. A ton more insights here. Check out the full survey, and let me know in the comments what questions you want to see data and findings on: https://lnkd.in/egGvRJse  #surveymonkey #ad #daretoask

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For some of our brands, over 40% of their customers have Treet accounts (i.e. nearly half of their community is participating in their resale program) 🤯 This bodes really well for the case toward circular business models. Brands that fully embrace resale and see this type of adoption have the best chance at reducing their footprint – they can depend more on resale revenue and less on new product production for growth. If brands can get resale-attributed revenue to 20% or more, suddenly the concept of degrowth becomes a lot more feasible.

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Somehow I missed this Roblox report on the state of digital fashion, but one finding really stood out to me. For someone like me who believes very strongly in the necessity of blockchain for ownership in the "metaverse," it's quite eye-opening to think about GenZ's perspective on digital ownership and how it's likely to be a driving force in digital fashion moving forward. From the report - "The launch of Limiteds this year highlighted Roblox users’ demand for exclusive and rare items, as evidenced by most Limiteds reselling for more than their original cost." The report highlighted some specific examples, like the Monstercat and WhoseTrade six single-edition necklaces. Each selling within minutes, including the Ruby Pendant, acquired for 1,000,001 Robux (approximately $10,000), the highest initial Limited sale to date. So, do you think this is Roblox specific or representative of a wider trend, where people are willing to buy limited editions without the underpinning of blockchain? https://lnkd.in/gWXq24Ju #web3fashion #metaversemarketing #retailmarketing

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When it comes to product discovery, the fundamentals remain the same—get in front of your shopper's line of sight, whether that's a billboard on a highway, posters on the wall along the subway's escalators, or highlighted posts in the endless scrolling on social media. Per the study by Forbes Advisor, if #GenZ searches TikTok for gift ideas, hair and makeup, and wellbeing & fitness, then that's where you need to show your products. If GenZ searches Google for electronics, restaurants & bars, and local services for repairs/cleaners, then that's where you need to be seen. #ecommerce #customerjourney #productdiscovery

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Fully integrated resale channels drive more value. It's a fact. This might be our best case study yet on the benefits of a fully integrated (same URL, same shopping cart, same checkout) resale experience. Coyuchi has been running a resale subsite for years with other partners, but we rebuilt and fully integrated their site with this relaunch. And sure enough, more than half of buyers are purchasing used and new in the same cart. Previously, each of those customers would have had to visit two sites, build two carts, and complete two orders. How many would have done that? How much money would have been left on the table?! The answer is becoming more and more clear...a lot!

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