Loose Threads — Inside the new consumer economy: Recent Episodes
Loose Threads
The Loose Threads Podcast explores the new consumer economy. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics, lasting about an hour. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the consumer, retail and commerce industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice: iTunes, Soundcloud, Overcast, Google Play. If you'd like to recommend a guest (including yourself!), don't hesitate to get in touch: hello@loosethreads.com. http://LooseThreads.com
154. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Ryan Babenzien, CEO of GREATS, which makes timeless sneakers for men and women. We discussed how the brand is doubling down on digital at the expense of wholesale and retail and where it goes from here in this new world.
153. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Lindsey Andrews, co-founder of Minibar, a marketplace for wine, liquor and beer. We discussed the rapid growth of at-home beverage consumption over the last three months and how the company shifted into customer service mode to manage the crisis so far.
152. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Eliza Blank, the founder of The Sill, a modern plant company. We discussed how the brand is approaching advertising, customer communication, and what changes will remain once life is back to normal.
151. In our third episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Julia Hunter, the CEO of the lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne. We discussed her views on a rebalanced retail strategy and how the crisis has pushed her to realize how much of a business’s trajectory is outside of human control.
150. In our second episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Abe Burmeister, the co-founder of Outlier, a menswear brand pushing the limits of materials and performance. We discussed how the brand has handled supply chain woes, invested more in social media and struck a balance between customer communication about when to spend money on clothing and when to save it.
149. In our first episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Sarah Paiji Yoo, the co-founder of Blueland, a brand reimagining cleaning products to eliminate single-use plastic packaging. Blueland has seen a huge spike in demand in the last two months but it comes with all of the challenges every brand is facing deciding when to cut back and when to invest.
148. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Loop, a reusable packaging consortium’s decision to move into retail and whether or not the complex model will appeal to the masses.
147. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Elite Model Management’s decision to launch its own apparel brand and whether or not the modeling agency can run a fashion label.
146. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss KIND Snacks’ expansion into four new product categories and if the brand can be more than just a snack bar company.
145. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Atari’s decision to open a handful of hotels across the U.S. and whether or not this move into experiences makes sense for the OG gaming company.
144. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Simon and Brookfield’s decision to buy Forever 21 out of bankruptcy and whether or not the brand is worth reviving.
143. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Shake Shack and Taco Bell’s approach to employee retention and whether or not these new initiatives will make a difference.
142. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss the rise of second hand beauty platforms and the host of complications that could keep this market from taking off.
141. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Goop’s expansion into Sephora and whether or not the brand’s products will stand out beyond the Goop universe.
140. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss SmileDirectClub's retail and product extension into Walmart and how both moves push the company further into oral care.
139. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy. This week we discuss Helen of Troy’s recent acquisition of Drybar’s product business and what drove the brand towards a sale.
138. Jenni Kayne is a well-known California lifestyle brand. We talk with CEO Julia Hunter about her journey plotting the brand’s next chapter after a decade of existence and how her back to basics strategy fueled the company’s growth. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
137. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we dissect two different business strategies from the past two weeks, putting them under the microscope to see if they hold up or fall apart. In our third episode, we discuss legacy department store’s holiday pop-up shops in New York City hotels and Airbnb’s new program, Cooking Experiences.
136. Richer Poorer is a men’s and women’s elevated basics brand. We talk with co-founder Iva Pawling about her journey selling her company, buying it back and taking control of the brand’s future. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
135. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we analyze important developments in the consumer economy. In our second episode, we discuss Birchbox’s 500 store partnership with Walgreens and Ferrari’s quest to pull back on licensing and shore up its luxury brand.
134. STATE Bags is a mission-driven accessories brand for men, women and children. We talk with co-founders Scot and Jacq Tatelman about how they balance building a thriving business while still giving everything they can to others. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
133. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we analyze important developments in the consumer economy. In our first episode we discuss how Rebag’s new pricing index tool relates to what fractional ownership means today and Brooklinen’s new multi-brand platform that presents an updated but twisted take on modern wholesale.
132. Clare is a direct-to-consumer brand reimagining the experience around painting one’s home. We talk with founder Nicole Gibbons about how she relied on her background in interior design and customer feedback to simplify the painting process. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
131. Health-Ade is one of the fastest-growing and earliest small-batch kombucha brands. We talk with co-founder Vanessa Dew about how she grew the brand from one farmers’ market to over 25,000 doors nationwide. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
130. Cha Cha Matcha is a beverage brand with five retail locations and a recently-released line of canned drinks. We talk with founders Matthew Morton and Conrad Sandelman about how they played a role in popularizing matcha. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
129. Michel et Augustin is a French confectionary brand that entered the U.S. market in 2016. We talk with Evan Holod, the CEO of U.S. operations, about the challenges of making a popular French cookie resonate with Americans. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
128. Recess is a CBD-infused beverage company. We talk with founder and CEO Ben Witte about how he set out to dominate the CBD category through a superior product offering and distinct marketing approach. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.
127. Zeus is a platform reimagining the corporate housing market. We talk with the founder and CEO Kulveer Taggar about how Zeus fills the gap between Airbnb and legacy players within the space. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
126. O2 is an oxygenated recovery drink for athletes. We talk with founder and CEO Dave Colina about being the first to scale and commercialize an oxygenated recovery beverage. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
125. New Stand merges your favorite blog and favorite bodega in a convenience store pop-up. We talk with co-founder and CEO Andrew Deitchman about the challenges and triumphs of merging physical products and space with digital content and experiences. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
124. Made In is a direct-to-consumer cookware brand. We talk with co-founder and CEO Chip Malt about how he set out to create a curated and intentional set of products that satisfied everyday kitchen needs while chipping away at entrenched brands like All-Clad.
123. Derris is a communications and brand consultancy that has been at the forefront of the direct-to-consumer revolution. We talk with founder and CEO Jesse Derris about how the fashion and tech press has changed the ways in which people discover and shop brands across the consumer landscape. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and how both journalists and PR professionals define their relationship with brands throughout the process.
122. Rhone engineers performance lifestyle products for men. We talk with co-founder and CEO Nate Checketts about Rhone balanced its ecommerce and wholesale channels early on how it has evolved the business from activewear to broader performance products for men. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
121. Glossy tracks and analyzes the intersection of fashion, beauty, digital and tech. We talk with editor-in-chief Jill Manoff about Glossy’s evolution and the changing tides of the press more broadly. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and how both journalists and PR professionals define their relationship with brands throughout the process.
120. Dame’s products aim to close the pleasure gap for women. We talk with co-founder Alexandra Fine about how Dame is overcoming the challenges of marketing its products and how big the opportunity is ahead. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
119. west~borune is a restaurant group focused on neighborhood hospitality. We talk with founder Camilla Marcus about the process of building a restaurant group from scratch and how she built a workforce where everyone can do every job. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
118. Rally Road democratizes investments in collector cars, turning them into stocks that anyone can purchase through an app. We talk with co-founder Rob Petrozzo about how he’s merging the worlds of finance, consumer goods and pop culture to create returns for a new generation of investors. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
117. DRY Soda makes alcohol-free sparkling beverages. We talk with founder Sharelle Klaus about her path climbing the ladder of national food and beverage distribution and how she survived the 2008 recession's impact on her business and the landscape more broadly. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
116. Huckberry is an outdoor apparel brand made for men in the city who love spending time in nature. We talk with co-founder Richard Greiner about evolving from a digital retailer stocking once-unknown brands to one selling a growing roster of its own creations. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
115. Dada Daily adds surrealism and fun to healthy snacking. We talk with founder Claire Olshan about merging high-end design, forward-thinking recipes and accessible pricing to make a snack brand that breaks common perception. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
114. Broden Communications coaches figures ranging from C-suite executives and athletes to celebrities and job applicants on persuasive communication and media skills. We talk with founder Dan Broden about his work training executives on how to best navigate the press. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and how both journalists and PR professionals define their relationship with brands throughout the process.
113. Pressed Juicery is a California-based juice brand. We talk with founder Hayden Slater about how the company attacked offline retail from day one, when Pressed Juicery’s store consisted of a single refrigerator, and how the company grew to the more than 100 stores its operates today. Retail is Alive talks with the founders, executives, designers and builders illuminating the spaces and experiences defining modern retail.
112. Supergoop is an SPF-first skincare brand. We talk with founder Holly Thaggard about how she decided to raise awareness in a highly misunderstood category while innovating products that put health and sun protection at the forefront. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
111. CDLP keeps it brief with minimalist men’s underwear. We talk with co-founders Andreas Palm and Christian Larson about how their background and passions in film, music and live experiences, as well as heritage and direct-to-consumer brands, combined to build a company of their own. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
110. Outlier is a men's techwear brand. We talk with co-founder Abe Burmeister about how the company is using Reddit, Instagram Live and Depop to drive conversation and sales. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.
109. Lively makes lingerie, swim and activewear for those who wear them—not their significant other. We talk with founder Michelle Cordeiro Grant about how her vast retail experience at Federated, VF Corp, Victoria’s Secret and Thrillist Media Group informed her digitally-native brand. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
108. Naadam democratizes Mongolia-sourced cashmere. We talk with co-founder Matthew Scanlan about how the digitally-native brand began moving offline in 2016 after seeking the legitimacy that comes with going offline, which led it to open its first permanent store in 2018. Retail is Alive, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the founders, executives, designers and builders illuminating the spaces and experiences defining modern retail.
107. Rebag wants to resell your baggage—just not the emotional kind. We talk with co-founder Charles Gorra about establishing a marketplace for secondhand, designer handbags, entering offline retail and launching a new type of loyalty subscription. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
106. True Botanicals is a direct-to-consumer, all-natural skincare brand that puts clinical trials at the forefront of its marketing. We talk with Hillary Peterson, who founded the company to create the cleanest skincare products possible after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
105. Inside the marketing journey of Parachute, which makes goods for the home. We talk with CMO Luke Droulez who joined the company as its first hire to discuss scaling with constraints and experimenting with a variety of channels and markets. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.
104. M.Gemi connects Italian craftsmanship with direct-to-consumer footwear. We talk with co-founder Cheryl Kaplan about M.Gemi’s drop model and emphasis on customer feedback in building an accessible luxury shoe brand. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
103. Primary builds basics for kids. We talk with co-founders Christina Carbonell and Galyn Bernard about how they applied their experience from Diapers.com to fuel a direct-to-consumer brand that makes simple and affordable children's apparel. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
102. Oars + Alps is a natural men’s skincare brand founded by women. We talk with co-founder Mia Duchnowski about launching a multi-channel brand from the ground up with a fresh perspective. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
101. Soko Glam is an online Korean skincare marketplace for education, discovery and connection. We talk with co-founders Charlotte and Dave Cho about building a curated ecommerce platform that brings K-beauty to American audiences. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
The Loose Threads Podcast will be back soon with a whole new slate of episodes and shows. Thanks for tuning in to our first 100 episodes featuring in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
100. Joya Studio creates candles, perfumes and soaps with design at the forefront. We talk with founder Frederick Bouchardy about his path to building a design manufacturing company that’s collaborated with everyone from A24 to Katz’s Deli. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
99. Proven Beauty customizes skincare by uniting customer reviews with machine learning. We talk with co-founder Ming Zhao about building a comprehensive database of clinical ingredients that ultimately grew into a vertically integrated company producing unique skincare regimens. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy. — Show Notes — Proven Beauty https://www.provenskincare.com/ Edited by George Drake, Jr. Music by Lucas Brahme — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom Full Transcript: http://LooseThreads.com/Podcast The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
98. BILLY Footwear exchanges laces for zippers. We talk with co-founder Billy Price about how the adaptive shoe brand spiraled out of a personal need, only to grow into a solution for a wide swathe of customers in search of both convenience and design. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
97. Care+Wear creates apparel and accessories for medical patients and providers by merging function with style. We talk with co-founder Chat Razdan about how the company was founded to give clinicians and patients a better experience, working alongside them to solve real problems during some of life’s most challenging moments. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
96. Dirty Lemon quenches thirst with direct-to-consumer beverages. We talk with co-founder Zak Normandin about how the company uprooted the antiquated beverage industry to rapidly develop products and communicate with customers via text message. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
95. Uprise Art revolutionizes art collecting and discovery for the digital age. We talk with founder Tze Chun about how she built an online-first gallery that connects emerging artists with collectors. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
94. Moroccanoil took a single product and gave it a global footprint. We talk with co-founder Carmen Tal about how she popularized oil-based hair care through traditional distribution methods after making a discovery of her own. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
93. Tecovas is taking Westerns online with direct-to-consumer cowboy boots. We talk with founder Paul Hedrick about the innovations and challenges behind crafting and selling high-quality, timeless and affordable leather goods in the digital age. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
92. Tommy John doesn’t take underwear too seriously, as long as it moves with you. We talk with co-founder Tom Patterson about starting a wholesale-driven men’s basic brand and later maneuvering into direct-to-consumer and physical retail—all without raising much venture capital. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
91. Big Lives brings together emerging designers and showcases them in unique and ephemeral retail experiences. We talk with co-founder Sam Alston about applying the best lessons of customer relations to harness the power of high-touch and narrative-driven offline spaces. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
90. Material designs modern kitchen tools for the modern cook. We talk with co-founder Eunice Byun about Material’s quest to become the go-to, trusted brand in the kitchen, selling curated fundamentals to cooks of all calibers. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
89. MNDFL's studios make meditation accessible. We talk with co-founder Ellie Burrows about why she gave the mindfulness practice a physical footprint and how the company differs from the fitness and yoga business. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
88. Love Stories TV broadcasts wedding videos and the filmmakers, venues and vendors that make them possible. We talk with founder Rachel Silver about how the company identified a missed opportunity in wedding videos, rather than photography, and how it grew into a platform that both empowers talent and publishes original content. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
87. The Sill reimagines how younger generations can interact with plants, buy plants and keep plants alive. We talk with founder Eliza Blank about growing a modern-day gardening center both online and offline. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
86. Dripkit makes artisan drip coffee accessible both at home and on the go. We talk with co-founder Kara Cohen about how her company is filling the void between instant coffee and retail coffee without sacrificing quality for convenience. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
85. Soapwalla is raising the bar on clean skincare. We talk with founder Rachel Winard about staying true to her origins and growing her business organically, but not recklessly. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
84. AUrate is creating a new gold standard for accessible and direct-to-consumer fine jewelry. We talk with co-founder Bouchra Ezzahraoui about building an international supply chain that aims to change the way and frequency that women buy accessories. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
83. Bluemercury took cosmetics out of department stores, pioneering small-format beauty retail. We talk with co-founder Barry Beck about starting the company with his wife Marla and navigating through various retail cycles to grow their business to more than 200 storefronts in 20 years—all the while remaining true to their playbook. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
82. Kidbox personalizes shopping for kids. We talk with CEO Miki Berardelli about how the company is improving kids’ and parents’ lives with its try-before-you-buy model, evolving offerings and social mission. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
81. Dagne Dover creates bags and accessories that stand the test of morning commutes, happy hours and overseas flights. We talk with co-founder and CEO Melissa Mash about building a brand—and a mentality—that doesn't compromise on performance or design. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
80. SHHHOWERCAP is not your grandma’s shower cap. We talk with founder and CEO Jackie De Jesu about reinventing an antiquated product for use both in and out of the shower—a cross between fashion-forward headwear and waterproof functionality. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
79. HATCH is a maternity brand that serves women before, during and after pregnancy. We talk with founder Ariane Goldman about creating apparel that celebrates fashion and comfort equally and how HATCH is forging a community for women in its retail spaces. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
78. PLANT Apothecary is a fully organic skincare brand that has a big focus on environmental friendliness and bold design. We talk with co-founder Holly McWhorter about her research-minded process and how she’s scaling a company that nurtures her customers as much as her planet. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
77. Morrow Soft Goods makes luxury textiles and soft products for the home. We talk with co-founders Michelle Toney and Stephanie Cleary about building a brand that marries high-end materials with design that has a soul. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
76. Lunya makes luxury sleepwear that puts equal emphasis on function and aesthetics. We talk with founder Ashley Merrill about how her business is breathing new life into a frequently forgotten, but everyday apparel category. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
75. The Renewal Workshop partners with apparel brands to recycle and resell surplus inventory and damaged products. We talk with co-founder Jeff Denby about building a circular business model, as well as the factory and the technology necessary to breathe new life into apparel headed for the landfill. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
74. Ollie delivers human-grade pet food straight to the dog bowl. We talk with co-founder Gabby Slome about how she and her team created a nutritious alternative to the dog food already on the market and how the company is expanding to serve a growing population of canines. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
73. Winky Lux is a quickly growing beauty brand built around accessible and fun products. We talk with co-founder Natalie Mackey, who started the company after realizing the mass market opportunity around drugstore-priced cosmetics that embody playfulness and delight. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
72. Argent makes smart workwear for women. We talk with co-founder Eleanor Turner about creating function-driven and aesthetically-minded womenswear—which have been priorities in menswear for decades—and creating a community that empowers women. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
71. King & Partners is a creative and technology agency that works with leading brands. We talk with founder Tony King about his long career in helping brands embrace ecommerce and what it’s like working with a new crop of brands while maintaining integrity and control. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
70. TomboyX makes underwear and other essential products for everyone, regardless of gender, size, geography or economic status. We talk with Fran Dunaway, who founded the company with her partner Naomi after struggling to find a brand that spoke to their aesthetic and values. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
69. Rockets of Awesome creates modern children’s clothes, conveniently delivered to busy parents. We talk with Founder and CEO Rachel Blumenthal, who started the company after running a previous business that made mothers’ lives easier, and has gone on to build a service that both mothers and kids love—a particular challenge as the buyer and the user are two different people. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
68. Ply-Knits is a knitwear label that marries a modern, direct-to-consumer approach with a high level of technical development and refined aesthetics. We talk with Ply-Knit’s Creative Director Carolyn Yim about the lessons she has learned from her family’s three generations of knitwear manufacturing expertise, what it’s like operating a consumer-facing business while also providing Original Equipment Manufacturing to brands, and how to approach customers as human beings in the age of data and analytics. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
67. Kintu is an internationally inspired and produced handbag brand that works with artisans in Uganda and Kenya. We talk with Founder Sarah Nakintu about her impulse to create high-quality but aspirationally priced bags with a global image—a brand with a unique aesthetic that also creates jobs in the economy Sarah grew up in. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
66. SelfMade provides Instagram-in-a-box for entrepreneurs, giving small businesses the tools and services they need to succeed on social media as conducting business online moves from websites to Instagram accounts. We talk with co-founder Brian Schechter about the company, where social media is headed, and what it’s like building on a closed and constantly evolving platform. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
65. Rep the Squad lets passionate sports fans rent any jersey they want, giving them access to an infinitely-expanding collection. We talk with co-founder and CEO Brian Watkins about how Rep the Squad is joining the rental economy in a path pioneered by Rent the Runway, democratizing the pride and notoriety that comes from sporting your favorite teams’ colors. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
64. Bonobos was a healthy product-driven company, built on a strong vision and a small, but loyal audience. But since 2016, and Bonobos' Walmart acquisition, co-president Micky Onvural has helped steer the company into a resonating brand. We had a great talk with Micky about what it's like to take the reins at someone else's company, go through an acquisition and turn a company's core DNA into a long-lasting brand. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
63. Rowing Blazers brings all the quirks of a blazer to life, quickly growing into a Supreme-meets-Brooks Brothers lifestyle brand. We talk with Founder Jack Carlson, about how the company sprung out of his rowing career and his years-long quest to understand the origins of the blazer, and how Rowing Blazers is evolving the meaning and purpose of heritage for the modern world. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
62. Taste Beauty is a manufacturing company working at the forefront of the quickly evolving beauty industry. We talk with Co-Founder Alex Fogelson about how his company is bringing trend-driven products to more than 50,000 beauty retailers worldwide, including Walmart and Sephora, in addition to powering the product licenses for major food and entertainment companies. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
61. BuzzFeed Commerce, the media company’s commerce and product arm, has proved in only a short span of time that it might be the most agile and prolific team in consumer products. We talk with its director, Ben Kaufman, who joined the company with his team in the fall of 2016 after realizing that BuzzFeed thinks about social content in the same way he thought about social products—in the last year and a half, Ben and his team have produce a litany of products that span audiences, categories and materials, some going viral. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
60. Heyday unbundles the facial from the spa, opening it up to a whole new audience. We talk with Co-Founder Michael Pollak, about the company’s origins, the excitement of being a retail-first business, and how highly-trained and qualified employees take the experience to the next level, both online and offline. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
59. Resonance is a venture-operating company that is helping designers scale their brands at record speeds. We talk with its co-founder, Joe Ferrara, who started the company with Lawrence Lenihan after spending close to a decade investing in consumer brands and realizing the importance of flexible supply chains and modest capital raising. Resonance is the pair’s most ambitious project yet, as they seek to redefine the skillset, infrastructure and capital needed to succeed today while Amazon and Zara continue expanding. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
58. Saint James is the French heritage brand known for its sweaters and stripes—and, the oldest brand we've had on the podcast. We talk with President Luc Lesénécal about the power of heritage brands, the opportunities and challenges of evolving them to compete in modern times, and the benefits of domestic production and retaining this expertise in house. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
57. Eloquii is turning into the destination for on-trend plus-size fashion. We talk with CEO Mariah Chase, who has led Eloquii along with members of its original team since The Limited shut it down. Together, they have revitalized the company as it pushes the boundaries of true fashion for plus-size women, who have often been the last to receive attention—if they did at all. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
56. GREATS is the first digitally-native footwear brand that is hyper-focused on bringing extreme value to the sneaker market. We talk with founder Ryan Babenzien about how GREATS has prioritized quality and simplicity and flourished into a booming online and now offline sneaker business that he is now seeking to extend to new categories and branch out internationally. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
55. Oui Shave is a direct-to-consumer shaving brand for women. We talk with Founder Karen Young who started the company after she grew tired of using products built for men. Notably, Karen started with the product, working to bring the best possible razor to market and engineering the shaving experience for women from the ground up. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
54. Racked covers shopping with a unique lens, taking a consumer perspective on the industry rather than solely focusing on the business side. We talk with Eliza Brooke, a senior writer at Racked, about her career, her favorite and most interesting stories, and where the industry is headed as complexity lingers from every angle. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
53. Mott and Bow injects much-needed value into the denim market. We talk with founder Alejandro Chahin about how he built a direct-to-consumer brand that undercuts traditional wholesale brands on price while delivering better quality. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
52. Peter Manning is a menswear brand for not-so-tall guys. We talk with co-founder Jeff Hansen about building a brand for a specific demographic and long-ignored market. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
51. Strike Gently Co. started with pins and patches and expanded into a growing assortment of soft and hard goods. We talk with founder Charlie Ambler, our very first Loose Threads Podcast guest, about how his company has evolved since 2016. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
50. For the 50th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, Richie Siegel talks with Charlie Giannetti, his former partner at their menswear line, Gioventu, which led to the creation of Loose Threads. Charlie and Richie talk about Gioventu's beginnings, the lessons learned in building the brand, how the original incarnation of Loose Threads sprung out of their work, and what Charlie is working now. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy. Thanks to everyone for listening to the Podcast for the last 50 episodes, and here’s to another 50.
49. Shoes of Prey sends women their custom designed shoes in two weeks. We talk with co-founder Jodie Fox about how she built a supply chain that customizes shoes at scale—in a world where people don't always know what they want. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
48. MeUndies injects direct-to-consumer fun into a traditional boring category. We talk with founder Jonathan Shokrian about building a subscription company for underwear. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
47. Vrai & Oro pioneers the use of sustainably grown diamonds. We talk with founder Vanessa Stofenmacher about growing a direct-to-consumer brand after seeking out more affordable and ethically transparent fine jewelry. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
46. Parachute brings a new lifestyle to the home. We talk with founder Ariel Kaye about her quest to forge a brand that owns bedding products and the home more broadly. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
45. David Kind focuses on high-quality specs at an honest price. We talk with founder David Barton about narrowing in on a hole in the market for high-end, but still affordable direct-to-consumer glasses, and the limitations of an online-only brand. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
44. Bolt Threads engineers spider silk and other fully-sustainable materials. We talk with co-founder Dan Widmaier about building a biotech company and its potential impact on the apparel industry. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
43. Affirm redefines consumer lending. We talk with co-founder Max Levchin about bringing much-needed transparency to a space that is usually riddled with predatory lenders. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
42. Chubbies brought back short shorts and is now trying to own the weekend. We talk with co-founder Kyle Hency about spiraling a well-known brand from a single product to a newsletter and ever-expanding product assortment built for guys who want to have fun. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
41. Snowe reinvents home essentials at a more affordable price. We talk with co-founder Andres Modak about bringing more simplicity to setting up a home from scratch. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
40. Swimsuits for All is the first company to focus on swimwear for women of all different sizes. We talk with founder Moshe Laniado about entering a market most companies have ignored, how the internet has affected seasonal businesses and what it’s like to go through an acquisition. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
On the 39th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Jeff Johnson, a co-founder of The Arrivals, an outerwear-focused brand inspired by the form and function of architecture. Jeff founded the brand along with Kal Vepuri, who was an early investor in a range of direct to consumer brands. The Arrivals aesthetic takes strong cues from Jeff’s architecture background, which comes to fruition in the brand’s product, overall aesthetic, and most recently, its retail footprint. We had a great talk about the brand’s founding story, it’s deliberate approach, and where it’s headed as it tackles the offline world. I really enjoyed talking with Jeff about what it’s like building a brand with a specific point of view while balancing accessibility and versatility. People often talk about the power of being specific, but it can also cause harm if it goes too far. The Arrivals’ aesthetic is recognizable—you know their leather jackets when you see them—but also open-ended enough to morph with the company as it grows. — Show Notes — The Arrivals http://thearrivals.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 38th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Eric Varady, the founder of Topology Eyewear. Eric founded the company after struggling to find a pair of glasses that worked for him, realizing that stock eyewear no longer cut it. He set out to reinvent the entire manufacturing process in order to make entirely custom eyewear a reality. I was lucky enough to visit their office and factory when I was out in San Francisco and the sophistication and end product was really exciting to see. I find supply chains and manufacturing processes really fascinating, especially when it comes to custom, which has often been little more than a dream for most categories. But Eric and the Topology team meticulously rebuilt the entire experience, which makes custom eyewear a reality. They have a great app where you can try on sizes and colors and shapes, and then order them in two weeks. I would definitely check it out. — Show Notes — Topology Eyewear https://www.topologyeyewear.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 37th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Melissa Duren Conner, a partner at JBC, a PR and communications firm helping modern brands tell their stories. Melissa started the firm along with Jennifer Bett, after realizing that a new generation of brands needed a new type of communications approach. JBC works with a diverse slate of companies, some of which have been on the podcast previously, as they figure out how to cultivate influence in a rapidly shifting landscape. It was fun talking with Melissa about the shifting PR landscape and how brands need to navigate it in a time of maximum competition. Standing out is increasingly challenging, but those can that do it have more staying power relative to the old days. This is definitely something to keep an eye on. — Show Notes — JBC http://www.jenniferbett.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 36th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Alexa Buckley, a co-founder of Margaux, a brand making modern shoes for modern women. Margaux is home to a really interesting made to measure business, as Alexa and her team found that many people were wearing the wrong size shoe. But with made to measure, Margaux is helping women find their right size and then ensuring they can stick with it across all of their styles. Alexa and I had a great talk about the brand’s founding story, how it balances a domestic and international supply chain, and how moving into pop ups has created a whole new channel to the brand to reach customers. I really enjoyed talking with Alexa about Margaux’s approach, which takes the digital DNA of the brand and applies it both online and offline. The move towards specific sizing and customization is also interesting, as this has always been a dream for the industry that is increasingly accessible. — Show Notes — Margaux https://margauxny.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 35th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Brian Berger, a co-founder of Mack Weldon, a company reinventing men's basics with a modern shopping experience and technical fabrics. Although there is a lot of activity in the basics space right now, most of it is incremental. Mack Weldon wanted to rebuild the entire shopping experience, as well as the materials that men rely on every day. Brian and I had a great talk about the founding story, how it’s incentivizing men to buy more from the brand, and how the brand landscape is rapidly shifting. I enjoyed talking with Brian about his time building Mack Weldon and how sometimes building things the hard way is the right way. His pragmatism about the potential of brands like Mack Weldon was also refreshing, and it seems that he’s architected the company to take advantage of that potential while also managing expectations. — Show Notes — Mack Weldon https://www.mackweldon.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 34th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with James Ingram, the CEO of Splashlight, a company at the forefront of ecommerce photography and video. Every time someone goes shopping, they’re looking at dozens of images. Some have models in them, some are just product shots, and others are from people in the wild all over social media. Someone has to produce these images, and given the increasing speed of the industry, companies need more images than ever before. That’s where Splashlight comes in, acting as a near-vertically integrated company that provides the infrastructure, resources and expertise needed to photograph at scale. This is an industry that is invisibly yet highly visible, since people see their work every day but don’t know it. I find companies like Splashlight, which are doing crucial work that most outside the industry don’t know about, incredibly interesting. This is how real businesses get built. the plan to spin out the core technology behind Splashlight, which James talked about at the end, will be fascinating to watch. — Show Notes — Splashlight http://splashlight.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 33rd episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Nik Bando, a co-founder of Bogeybox Golf Club, a company that helps golfers modernize their style. For many, golf apparel is one of the sleepiest verticals in the industry, known for the baggiest clothing and the blandest aesthetics. But there is a new crop of golfers coming up that want to maintain their style to seamlessly both on and off the green. This is where Bogeybox comes in, acting as a vertical specific version Stitch Fix. I really enjoyed talking with Nik about everything from the company’s inception up to how virtual reality might fundamentally change the sport. It’s interested to see more companies go after very specific audiences. I won’t use the word niche because tens of millions of people is not a niche, but the focus brands like that can instill is powerful. This was the first episode exploring the intersection of consumer goods and sports, but it won’t be the last. It was great to branch out and see how these seemingly separate industries are deeply connected. — Show Notes — Bogeybox https://www.bogeyboxgolfclub.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 32nd episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Nadia Boujarwah, a co-founder of Dia&Co, a company built with an exacting focus on serving the plus size market, which remains one of the largest growth opportunities in apparel today. Nadia founded the company as plus-size shopper herself, as few players were taking the category seriously and delivering the experience that its shoppers wanted and deserved. Dia&Co has made significant progress in the last few years, rebuilding the shopping experience from the ground up, launching labels in house, and working with a new crop of influencers that are highly relevant to the market. As I’m sure you can tell, Dia & Co is a very rare company in that its authenticity is on par with the size of the market. Also, persistence matters. I’m really excited to see where this company goes as it brings a new approach to a market desperately in need of it. — Show Notes — Dia&Co http://dia.com Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 31st episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Evan Fript, a co-founder of Paul Evans, a brand bringing the best luxury Italian footwear for men to the states at a contemporary price point. Evan founded the company after questioning why luxury footwear was so expensive. This sent him down a rabbit hole as he tried to reverse engineer high quality footwear at a more affordable price. Evan and I had a good talk about the journey of building the brand, the early results from the brand’s first retail store, and where Paul Evans fits into a booming market of direct to consumer brands. I really enjoyed talking with Evan about his time building the brand and all of the ups and downs it took to get it to this point. The discussion about working capital is especially pertinent, as it’s one of the biggest struggles for physical goods brands today, which leads brands to use mechanisms such as pre orders to fuel growth. Even so, it seems that Evan continues to navigate the waters with a solid dose of pragmatism. — Show Notes — Paul Evans https://www.paulevansny.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 30th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Lona Alia, the founder of Style Lend, a company pioneering peer to peer fashion rentals. Many people know of Rent The Runway, the industry’s biggest rental company, which allows shoppers to rent clothing instead of buying it. Style Lend is a more decentralized version, where the company holds no inventory and takes advantage of the clothing people have in their closets. Think of it as Airbnb for clothing. On a macro level, the internet is starting to move towards more decentralization and renting, and Style Lend fits right into this evolution. I really enjoyed talking with Lona about her journey and how Style Lend is building out its platform to support its mission. The idea of cost per wear is alluring and it will have important effects for the industry, especially around sustainability. I’m excited to watch the company grow. — Show Notes — Style Lend https://www.stylelend.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 29th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Jannett Martinez, the CEO of Loomia, a company building the components and experience to make our clothing smart. Most clothing today is dumb, meaning it’s nothing more than fabric on our bodies. But Loomia is inventing a litany of technologies, conductive inks, and sensors that bring heating, lighting and touch to everyday apparel. There’s a lot of noise in the wearable space right now, but Loomia is building foundational technology that could usher in a new era for clothing that does more than nothing. I really enjoyed talking with Janett about Loomia’s journey and how the company is balancing innovation and ease of installation to bring a product to market that actually makes a difference. Most fashion/tech falls shorts here, and it’s great to see Loomia’s pragmatism, especially around what are the best applications for its technology. — Show Notes — Loomia http://Loomia.co Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 28th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Dave Kahng, the founder of Davek, a luxury utility brand focused on making the best umbrellas in the world. Dave had been mesmerized by the mechanics of umbrellas almost a decade before starting Davek, as he designed, built and rebuilt them in every conceivable way. Dave and I had a great talk about the founding story behind Davek, the emergence of luxury utility companies across the consumer goods space, and how Dave pivoted from a business driven by wholesale to driven by ecommerce. I really enjoyed talking with Dave about his journey as an umbrella maker and how he has evolved his business as the fundamental dynamics of the marketplace continue to shift. It’s always fun to talk to people who are obsessed with that they do and Dave definitely fits that description. — Show Notes — Davek https://davekny.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 27th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Carrie Hammer, the founder of her namesake brand and the movement Role Models Not Runway Models. Carrie has been working to create clothes for women in the workplace, while changing the expectations and dynamics of fashion runway shows and women’s beauty more broadly. Carrie and I had a great talk about the founding story behind both her brand and runway movement, how she’s challenging the embedded biases of the fashion and beauty industry, and how her movement has grown globally. It’s a bold task but given the tools available today, one person has never had a better chance at making a massive, global impact. — Show Notes — Carrie Hammer http://rolemodelsnotrunwaymodels.com Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.
On the 26th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Alana Branston, a co-founder of Bulletin, a company known as the WeWork for retail that gives brands flexible options for showcasing their products. As legacy retail continues to struggle in the U.S., Bulletin is taking this space and repurposing it. Alana and her team believe that retail is far from dead, but it's fundamentally changing, and everyone from brand to landlords to technology companies need to rethink the experience from the ground up. Alana and I had a great talk about the non linear founding story behind Bulletin, the benefits of going through two different Y Combinator programs, how retail is turning into a marketing, not just a sales game, and where the company is headed after raising its first big round of funding. There are endless opportunities in the offline world for brands of all sizes. People often forget that retail sales still make up over 90% of all commerce sales, so there is plenty to work with and improve on in this space. Bulletin is still young but they will be fun to watch. — Show Notes — Bulletin https://bulletin.co/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 25th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Yehua Yang, a co-founder of Pivotte, a brand creating performance apparel that women can wear in everyday life. Yehua started the brand after wanting the benefits of athletic fabrics found in yoga pants but in clothing that was more professional and work-ready. At the same time, brands were dabbling in this space by taking their men's clothes and making them in women's sizes, which created mediocre results. Yehua knew that the only way to make clothing women wanted to buy was to start designing specifically for them, which is why she started Pivotte. It was great talking with Yehua about the founding story behind Pivotte and how she is bootstrapping the brand as it continues to grow. Limited capital is often a blessing, and it sounds like they are making the most of everything they have to grow the brand the right way. This is the second edition of our Spotlight Series, which profiles emerging brands and companies in a slightly shorter interview. This is new we’re looking forward to your feedback on it. — Show Notes — Pivotte https://www.pivottestudio.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 24th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Olivia Wright, the founder of Rallier, a brand inspired by modern uniform dressing with a social mission that aims to decrease gender inequality in schools. Olivia founded the brand after hearing about how the presence of school uniforms dramatically increased the chances girls would attend school. She went to business school and then launched the brand, starting with the social mission and then working backwards. We had a great talk about the the brand’s launch; how it approach design and manufacturing; how it has explored different distribution channels, especially in person events; the power of word of mouth; and where the brand is headed. I’ve known Olivia since before she started the brand, and it’s been really exciting watch her build it over the last year. She’s taking a very sustainable and methodical approach to growing the company, which is paying dividends as she continues to expand. The brand’s laudable social mission and goal to elevate it to a contemporary level is pushing the brand into promising territory. This is the first edition of our Spotlight Series, which profiles emerging brands and companies in a slightly shorter interview. This is new we’re looking forward to your feedback on it. — Show Notes — Rallier https://Rallier.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 23rd episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Kevin Lavelle, the founder of Mizzen + Main, a company bringing performance fabrics to the workplace. Kevin founded Mizzen + Main after growing tired of the perils of cotton dress shirts. As he saw performance fabrics take off in the athletic space, he figured they could also take hold in the workplace and launched the company to fill this void. Kevin and I had a great talk about the founding story behind Mizzen + Main, why the company is focusing on all of America, not just the coasts, the benefits of manufacturing domestically, and the company’s growth trajectory going forward. I really enjoyed talking with Kevin, especially around how and where the company is looking to grow. We often pay the most attention to products that are growing in our own communities, which are often on the coasts of the country. But Mizzen + Main is building the company from the middle of America, and capturing all of the opportunities that come with it. — Show Notes — Mizzen + Main https://mizzenandmain.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 22nd episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Josh Udashkin, the founder of Raden, an emerging smart luggage company that marries the best of luggage, hardware and software into the ultimate toolkit for travel. Josh founded the company after he realized that there were few new and dominant entrants into the luggage space in almost 50 years, and bringing a younger and more modern perspective to the entrenched industry might be a crucial differentiator. We had a great talk about the challenges of integrating hardware and software; how Josh architected Raden is a true product company; how he decided on the right distribution strategy and moved far beyond a strictly direct to consumer business model; and how he’s planning to build the company for the long term. Josh was great to talk to because of his pragmatic and non idealistic approach to every part of Raden’s business. This was especially true about the company’s distribution strategy, where it took steps that were logical and didn’t worry about prevailing trends. As a result, Raden seems poised to grow over the long term rather than being yet another company that quickly rises and then quickly falls. We need more companies like that in this industry. — Show Notes — Raden https://raden.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 21st episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Matt Scanlan, the founder of Naadam, a direct to consumer brand that is reinventing the cashmere supply chain. Matt started Naadam on a chance encounter in Mongolia, which led him down a rabbit hole of launching an NGO, then a cashmere yarn company, and finally the digitally-native business that Naadam is known for today. Naadam is one of the most vertically integrated direct to consumer brands today. We talked about why this integration was necessary for Naadam to exist; how the company is approaching retail and fundraising; and how running multiple businesses under the same roof allows the company’s greater mission to come to fruition. It’s pretty cool to see all that Naadam has accomplished given the company is less than three years old. The company is yet another brand that is looking a different channels with a nuanced perspective, further proof that retail is far from dead. — Show Notes — Naadam https://naadamcashmere.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 20th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Giancarlo Paternoster, the founder of Giancarlo Studio Furniture, a workshop that is pushing wood to the absolute limit. Studio Furniture, like Couture in the fashion world, is the highest possible form of art. Pieces are made in small, if not entirely unique, quantities, and are comprised of the best materials. Giancarlo and I grew up together and he’s ascended to the top of his craft in a rapidly short amount of time. He’s driven to excel past any inherent limits to produce work that few others would dare to see through. This is the first furniture designer I’ve interviewed on the podcast, but there are striking similarities to the fashion and apparel space when it comes to talking about craft, process and form. Giancarlo and I talked about his journey to the top of his field, driven by curiosity and a lack of interest in conventional wisdom. Craftsmen who are pushing the limits are always inspiring to talk to, and it will be great to watch Giancarlo tackle new products and materials as his business grows. His work is exquisite and I highly recommend checking it out, especially if you can in person. He will be at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair May 21st to 24th at the Javits Center in New York City. — Show Notes — Giancarlo Studio Furniture https://giancarlopaternoster.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 19th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Rachel Shechtman, the founder of Story, a company that has the point of view of a magazine, that changes like a gallery and sells things like a store. Story is headquartered in a 2000 sqft store in Chelsea, Manhattan, and runs themed installations that change every few months. These installations feature everything from experiences to products to talks and events, acting as a lab that is merging the best of offline retail with the benefits of online media and commerce. Rachel has one of the more forward looking and open-minded perspectives on physical retail that I have encountered, and it was great talking with her about how Story is carving its own path in the dynamic retail landscape. We talked about the evolution of Story over the years and how it's used the limits of a 2000 sq ft space to make a massive, far reaching impact with brands and shoppers alike. Retail is not dead, it’s just evolving, and examples like Story are important proof that bringing new thinking to old industries is powerful and profitable, rather than sulking about the demise of how everything once was. The next Story is now open in Chelsea and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in New York, and even with a trip if you’re not. — Show Notes — Story http://thisisstory.com 144 10th Ave. at 19th Street Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 18th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Andrew Lipovsky, the founder of Eponym, a company that designs, manufactures and sells eyewear for a range of fashion and apparel brands. Luxottica is the omnipresent name in the eyewear space, which many know from the now infamous 60 Minutes special on the company’s dominance. But Eponym set out to build a vertical eyewear license focused on brands that the big guy ignored. It’s a really interesting story about new players entering an age-old space, and how the internet has opened up the surface area for competition no matter how big a company’s monopoly seems to be. It was great talking with Andrew about the evolution of Eponym into a vertical licenser, and how such a move made perfect sense for the eyewear market. Focus is one of the most underrated aspects of business. it’s important that the industry has companies like Eponym that are specialized and lend that expertise to brands who can benefit but shouldn’t go it alone. — Show Notes — Eponym https://www.eponymous.co/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 17th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Amanda Curtis, a co-founder of Nineteenth Amendment. Her company is leveling the playing field for independent designers by streamlining everything from production to infrastructure. Emerging designers are often at a disadvantage when it comes to funding their business, securing competitive pricing for production, and integrating technology to help scale. Luckily, this is Nineteenth Amendment’s focus and the company has helped hundreds of designers grow. Nineteenth Amendment is focused on the long tail, a concept that explains how smaller brands are able to succeed on the internet because of the ability to find and serve niches that desire specific products. The company’s vertical integration is impressive, as is the persistence that has gotten them to realize their vision and now focus on scaling it. I definitely recommend checking on the designers on Nineteenth Amendment and reading more about all they are doing for independents. The more small businesses that are independent and thriving, the better, and Nineteenth Amendment is helping make this a reality. — Show Notes — Nineteenth Amendment https://www.nineteenthamendment.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 16th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, the founder of Fitz, a company that starts by helping people organize their closets. From there, it recommends new products and services and helps people donate and resell old clothing all while learning more and more about its customers. It became clear early on in our discussion that Fitz is one of the most direct to consumer companies ever. The the relationship it has with its customers is incredibly intense and intimate. At the same time, the service is agnostic to shifts in trend and brands, acting as a service layer on top of all of the noise. My head was kind of spinning after this interview because Fitz seems to nail everything that is relevant in the fashion and consumer space today while also having the flexibility to evolve with time. Even though the company only officially launched a few months ago, I would definitely keep an eye on what they’re working on. Once the technology becomes visible to customers, what seems like an already great service only gets better. This was one definitely of the most fascinating discussions I’ve had in a while. — Show Notes — Fitz http://yourfitz.com — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 15th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Matt Orley, a co-founder of Orley, a knitwear brand based in New York City that Matt runs along with his wife Sam and his brother Alex. It’s less common for brands to start with knitwear, since it’s much harder to produce and often has a steeper learning curve than cut and sew garments. But Orley intentionally started this way, primarily because it allowed them to realize the brand with a limited number of pieces, and then grow from there. We had a great talk about the founding story of the brand, how it's grown and evolved over the last five years, and how the internet and the direct to consumer market is changing everything. — Show Notes — Orley http://orley.us — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 14th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Seph Skerritt, the founder of Proper Cloth, a company using tons of data and technology to make customized men's apparel affordable and accessible. Proper Cloth is one of those companies that has both the technical and creative chops needed to thrive today. My talk with Seph focused on the attention to data and detail that makes Proper Cloth what it is and the journey from what some considered a stupid idea to the ever expanding company that exists today. It was really cool to hear about the persistence across all aspects of the business that got Proper Cloth to its current state, and Seph’s determination to power through every new obstacle, be it technical, logistical or creative. — Show Notes — Proper Cloth http://propercloth.com — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, an entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 13th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce, I talk with Stephan Ango, a co-founder of Lumi. Stephan’s company is simplifying the process of designing and producing all sorts of packaging, with a focus on digitally native brands. Packaging is what I would consider a visible yet invisible industry. It something people see everywhere but often know very little about. Stephan and I had an awesome talk about everything from the founding story behind Lumi to the company’s quest to be a packaging company that eventually sells less packaging. And it was great to dive into how Stephan's design background informed Lumi as it exists today and how some parts of the industry that people find boring are sometimes the most interesting. — Show Notes — Lumi http://Lumi.com — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, a fashion and tech entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics, lasting about an hour. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.com
On the 12th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Steven Alan, the founder of his eponymous brand that started as a retail store in 1994 and grew into the international empire it is today. We had an awesome talk about how Steven got started; how he grew the brand over the last two decades, adding stores, a showroom and many different verticals along the way; how the his customers have evolved over time; how direct to consumer brands are changing the landscape; what is was like selling on Amazon in the early days of its fashion play; why the brand entered into the optical market; and how 2017 is the year of reinvention. — Show Notes — Steven Alan stevenalan.com — About Loose Threads — Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, a fashion and tech entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics, lasting about an hour. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.xyz
On the 11th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Vishaal Melwani, CEO and co-founder of Combatant Gentlemen, about the brand's founding; how the team decided to build a suiting essentials brand meant to scale; how they incorporated technology into the company from the ground up; why they decided to vertically integrate to an extreme degree; how the brand approaches its own retail and relevant partnerships; how its products are priced affordably while still being produced ethnically; what opportunities are on the horizon for the brand; and what have been some of the most exciting parts of the journey to build a global apparel brand. — Show Notes — Combatant Gentlemen https://combatgent.com/ — About Loose Threads — Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, a fashion and tech entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics, lasting about an hour. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.xyz
On the 10th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Garrett Leight, the founder of his eponymous optical brand. We had an awesome talk about the founding story of Garrett Leight; the path towards building a wholesale-first brand in a direct-to-consumer world; the process behind designing eye-ware; how the optical market has evolved; how the brand approached its initial distribution strategy; how the brand has stayed in tact as its scaled; the role retail plays for a wholesale-first brand; and Garret's predictions on the potential of Snap Spectacles. — Show Notes — Garrett Leight http://garrettleight.com — About Loose Threads — Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, a fashion and tech entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics, lasting about an hour. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.xyz
On the 9th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Marc Bain, the fashion reporter at Quartz, about his path to covering the fashion industry, which included working for a fashion brand in New York; how he found his reporting beats and how the storylines often intersect; the similarities and differences between food and fashion; how the blockchain might impact the fashion industry; the current state of affairs in the fashion industry; how luxury brands will continue to scale globally; how luxury brands are approaching Amazon; how brands are handling sizing online; how Digitally Native Vertical Brands (DNVBs) are approaching retail; and how malls are being revitalized. — Show Notes — Marc Bain — Quartz http://qz.com/author/marcqz/ The rise of yoga pants has brought on an existential crisis for old-fashioned blue jeans http://qz.com/769320/levis-stretch-501s-are-here-athleisure-and-denim-jeans-are-vying-for-their-place-in-the-american-wardrobe/ Your next item of clothing should be so expensive it hurts http://qz.com/507904/your-next-item-of-clothing-should-be-so-expensive-it-hurts/ Provenance https://www.provenance.org/ Post Imperial http://post-imperial.com/ — About Loose Threads — Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, a fashion and tech entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics, lasting about an hour. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.xyz
On the 8th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Tull Price, the founder of FEIT. The episode covers the evolution of Tull's career that led him to start FEIT; why Tull is mostly interested in making the best products from the best materials over making money, bucking many trends that ushered in mass production and globalization; the process for building FEIT products and how it differs from a traditional footwear design process; why FEIT sells mostly direct to customers and the importance of retail stores; how FEIT has built immensely strong relationships with the craftsmen who make its products and why this is crucial for the brand's success; and where the name FEIT comes from. — Show Notes — http://feitdirect.com — About Loose Threads — The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of fashion, technology and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, a fashion and tech entrepreneur and writer, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics, lasting about an hour. The guests range from being fashion-focused to technology-focused to somewhere in between, but the unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on http://LooseThreads.xyz Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz
On the seventh episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Abe Burmeister, one of the founders of Outlier, a New York label that set out to build the future of clothing. What started as a brand aimed as casual urbanists who used bicycles as their primary method of transportation has morphed into a highly experimental, technical and refined menswear label. We had a great talk about the founding story of Outlier; how the brand planted the seed selling online and grew the business from there; the challenges of scaling a bootstrapped business; why they decided to start producing products in Portugal, in addition to the greater New York Area; how the brand dabbled in wholesale, but ultimately retreated, which ended up fueling the next phase of growth for the company; and the perils of managing a season-less brand without much time for vacation. Abe is an incredibly intelligent guy and it was a pleasure talking with him. We packed a lot into this episode and I hope you enjoy. Also, Outlier's clothes are immensely comfortable, just saying. — Show Notes — http://outlier.nyc — About Loose Threads — Exploring the future of fashion, technology and commerce, by Richie Siegel. http://loosethreads.xyz Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz
On the sixth episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Chris Morton, the founder of Lyst, the fashion platform that acts as a shopping street on the internet. We talked about Chris' previous career as an investor; how Lyst was started and how it turned into the platform it is today; where the fashion industry is going; the underutilized value of returns and how brands can use them to incite more customer loyalty; where Amazon is taking over and brands should stay away; why he started Lyst in London and not in San Francisco or New York; the powers and pitfalls of fulfilling orders from stores and the real estate implications of doing so; the opportunities for mixing data and human-driven curation to provide the best experience; and what luxury brands need to do to build digital cultures to survive in this endlessly dynamic age. — Show Notes — Lyst.com The Facebook of Ecommerce http://ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2016/7/6/the-facebook-of-ecommerce — About Loose Threads — Inside the fashion industry and what's next for ecommerce, by Richie Siegel. loosethreads.xyz Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz
On the 5th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Ben Alun-Jones, CEO and co-founder of UNMADE, a fascinating fashion tech company based in London. UNMADE is building a platform that brings legacy knitwear machines into the 21st century, and reimagining the supply chain along the way. Ben and I talked about how UNMADE got started; why they launched a direct to consumer brand to showcase their technology; how they approached personalization and supply chain as the same problem; the difference between proactive and reactive supply chains; how they built early version of the platform; the power of software to abstract away complex problems; how UNMADE seeks to maintain a relationship with the consumer while still being an enterprise company; how they explained a technology in the early days that didn't yet exist; how can fashion tech can be more than marketing; and how UNMADE is working to only produce products that have a buyer. This might be my favorite episode so far because it touches on everything that makes Loose Threads what it is: exploring the intersection of fashion, technology and manufacturing in the same conversation, and using this mindset to reimagine traditional problems that have plagued the fashion industry for decades. — Show Notes — UNMADE http://unmade.com — About Loose Threads — Inside the fashion industry and what's next for ecommerce, by Richie Siegel. loosethreads.xyz Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz
On the fourth episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, I talk with Doug Hand of HBA, LLP about navigating the complexities of the fashion industry. We discussed Doug's journey to become a leading fashion lawyer; the reactivity of the law; how IP protection operates in the fashion industry and where to pick your IP battles; the balance between speaking legalese and speaking creatively; the funny occurrence of designers losing the rights to their own name when they depart a namesake brand; private equity's role in fashion; and the looming environmental issues the fashion industry is slowly coping with. — Show Notes — HBA, LLP http://hballp.com — About Loose Threads — Inside the fashion industry and what's next for ecommerce, by Richie Siegel. loosethreads.xyz Newsletter: eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz
On the third episode of Loose Threads, I talk with Jon Schwartz, co-founder of Voodoo Manufacturing, about the recent advances in 3D printing; how 3D printing has evolved since his last startup; the growth of bridge manufacturing; Voodoo's work with Chromat during fashion week; the growth of 3D printed shoes; using recent manufacturing advances to customize fit, not just aesthetics; and building design software that lowers the barrier of entry for 3D design. — Show Notes — Voodoo Manufacturing http://voodoomfg.com Chromat 3D printed dress http://chromat.co/pages/lab Unmade http://www.unmade.com — About Loose Threads — Inside the fashion industry and what's next for ecommerce, by Richie Siegel. http://loosethreads.xyz Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz
On the second episode of Loose Threads, I talk with the always astute and articulate Adam Wray of fashionREDEF about the CFDA Report, the under appreciated aspects of Zara, the pioneering release of Kanye West's The Life of Pablo, innovating our way out of fashion's ethical problems, the benefits of athleisure, Brotailers, reimagining the fashion show, and Adam's journey to appreciate Vetements. Subscribe to fashionREDEF, you won't regret it. redef.com/new-subscription — Show Notes — CFDA Report: http://cfda.com/blog/the-results-are-in-examining-the-future-of-new-york-fashion-week Brotailers: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-17/brotailers-are-redefining-how-guys-buy-clothes — About Loose Threads — Inside the fashion industry and what's next for ecommerce, by Richie Siegel. http://loosethreads.xyz Newsletter: eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz
On the inaugural episode of Loose Threads, I talk with the founder of Strike Gently, Charlie Ambler, about why he started a pin company and where it fits within the fashion world. — Show Notes — http://www.strikegently.co — About Loose Threads — Inside the fashion industry and what's next for ecommerce, by Richie Siegel. http://loosethreads.xyz Newsletter: eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: twitter.com/loosethreadsxyz