Joe Wilkinson

Fashion Brands Primed for Private Equity Deals: Who’s Next? Private equity firms have invested heavily in fashion/retail companies — and some of these brands are likely to return to the market soon, setting the stage for a new wave of high-stakes dealmaking. Stuck or Surging? Investors Caught Between Unmovable Brands and the Next Big Opportunity. Some investors find themselves locked into fashion bets they can’t cash out, while others are boldly pushing forward, eager to capture the next big trend. The list highlights key #fashion brands and #retail holdings, but the real excitement is in the off-the-radar names that could soon be up for grabs.

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Pharrell Williams and Bob Borowicz bet on Redress. ReDress, the Miami-based clothing exchange platform co-founded by Venezuelan entrepreneur Rossana Ceccato and Chilean attorney Matías Hercovich, has garnered significant attention, including an investment from Happy singer and Louis Vuitton creative director, Pharrell Williams, and Chilean businessman Bob Borowicz. This innovative platform made waves when it competed for a $1 million grand prize, ultimately securing funding from Pharrell’s Black Ambition Opportunity Fund. "It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life," Ceccato recalls. Out of 20,000 applications, ReDress advanced through multiple stages, from 250 semifinalists to a final round of eight contenders. “Being the only Latina to pitch at this level was a true honor,” she adds. ReDress, which first appeared in DF MAS in April 2023, has attracted attention not only for its sustainable approach to fashion but also for its unique backstory. The final competition took place at New York's Spring Studios before an audience of 1,000, with a star-studded panel of judges including Sean Combs’ fund manager, Pharrell Williams, and LVMH’s CEO for the Americas, Lanessa Elrod. Though ReDress didn’t take home the top prize, it secured a substantial, undisclosed investment from Pharrell’s fund, in addition to a finalist award. In the U.S., venture capital and angel investment rarely flow toward Latino or African American entrepreneurs, and less than 10% go to women," explains Hercovich. This is why the recognition from Williams holds such weight. Adding to this achievement was an investment from Chilean entrepreneur Bob Borowicz, known for bringing Toyotomi heaters to Chile. Hercovich met Borowicz at a rooftop event in Miami, and they clicked immediately. Borowicz’s partner, Chilean designer Paulita Errázuriz, was equally taken with the ReDress concept. “She was blown away by the business model,” Hercovich notes. With backing from these angel investors, ReDress upgraded its customer journey by integrating artificial intelligence into its virtual fitting room. Hercovich explains that the AI learns from each user’s preferences and activity on the platform, enhancing the accuracy of sizing simulations. On average, each item of clothing returns to the platform for five to eight swaps, a testament to its circular model. Currently, ReDress operates a physical store near Miami’s Dolphin Mall and has plans to expand to Mexico, Colombia, and Chile. For now, it’s focusing on its U.S. audience, which consists largely of executives, TV hosts, real estate agents, influencers, and active social media users—women who prefer not to repeat outfits. "Having a wardrobe that allows you to dress differently every day is expensive and unsustainable. For them, ReDress offers a solution," Hercovich concludes. https://lnkd.in/eDsurA8s

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𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: 𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 As we close out 2024, it’s clear that this year brought both challenges and opportunities for the fashion world. Here are some key trends that shaped the industry: 🌱 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: The shift toward eco-friendly practices and transparent supply chains gained unstoppable momentum. 💡 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝: AI design, automation, and virtual experiences became essential tools for staying competitive. 📈 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Rising production costs forced us all to rethink processes and find smarter, more efficient solutions. 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 The year ahead holds great potential for deeper sustainability, stronger collaborations, and even more digital innovation. The future of fashion is about adaptability and working together to create lasting impact. Here’s to a brighter, more innovative 2025 for all of us! 🌟 #2024Review #FashionIndustry #Sustainability #Innovation #FutureOfFashion #Leadership

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Stocks: The Fashion Trend That Keeps Coming Back Stocks, like fashion, follow a cyclical pattern where what’s considered “out of style” often makes a surprising return. Just as trends from past decades resurface on the runway, industries or companies once deemed irrelevant can regain momentum in the market. Think about how tech stocks like Amazon and Apple once faced skepticism, only to become dominant forces today. Or how sectors like electric vehicles and green energy are emerging stronger than ever after initial doubts. The key to successful investing, much like fashion, is recognizing when a comeback is imminent. Some stocks may fall out of favor temporarily, but with new innovations, economic shifts, or changing consumer needs, they can rise again. Savvy investors know that patience and understanding market cycles can yield significant returns, much like embracing a forgotten style that suddenly becomes trendy once more. #StockTrends #MarketComebacks #InvestmentCycles #Fashion

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True Religion Finds New Owners in Early 2025: A Bold Move Within The Denim Industry. In a striking start to 2025, True Religion has been acquired by private equity powerhouse ACON Investments, L.L.C., and SB360 Capital Partners, a retail investment fund linked to American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and chaired by its CEO, Jay Schottenstein. The denim brand, which reported a remarkable 20% sales growth to $280 million in 2023 and achieved $80 million in EBITDA (2024 figures might be available within Q12025) under the dynamic-creative leadership of Michael Buckley and his team, now stands poised for unprecedented growth. This acquisition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for True Religion, with untapped potential to scale new heights in the global denim market. The turnaround and reinvention of True Religion, serve as a standout example for other denim brands, showcasing the power of identifying and maximizing a clear path and niche… #denim #acquisitions #smartbusiness #investments #vision #turnaround

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Hey #footwear industry friends and supporters... 🔥 The Q4 Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) Shoe Executive Business Outlook Survey results are in, and shoe industry leaders are concerned about costs. Why it matters: This quarterly industry check-in provides critical insights either to confirm or challenge the anecdotal information I receive from you all on a daily basis. Not a surprise: Half of the survey’s respondents expect their operating costs to rise over the next half year, the highest share in 8 quarters. Expectations of higher costs are due to anticipated higher landed costs, as the share expecting these costs to rise doubled from last quarter to 82%, the most in 2.5 years. 🚨 Spoiler alert: Surging in step with the growing anxiety about higher landed costs, the share of respondents pointing to the government as their company’s biggest issue over the next 6 months tripled from last quarter to a record. In fact, about 3 in 5 respondents see anticipated higher tariffs raising both landed costs and retail prices in 2025. Read the entire survey results here - https://lnkd.in/epYSUhXG

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Could consumer demand help drive down the cost of producing goods in America? The cooperation between American Giant and Walmart at pricing levels preferred by shoppers reflects the need to provide consumer preference driven products that meet real demand. #Overproduction and hyper #discounting are not healthy long-term strategies, as expertly covered by Rana Foroohar in the recent article in Financial Times. Our team's solution is helping brands coordinate the preferences and needs of shoppers with desirable production volumes, prices and designs. Our #ImpactShopping platform improves our partners margins and brand value by reducing waste and promoting limited edition demand aggregation based offers. The best way to compete with SHEIN is not by tirelessly beating and shaming those who buy their products but rather by working with your #consumers and providing them with options they think are attractive. #innovation #fashiontech #walmart #demand https://lnkd.in/gQmgWTmq

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Texworld New York City has announced the launch of its Industry Insight Series at Winter 2025 edition. The one-day paid event will feature a keynote by The Business of Fashion president Nick Blunden on the State of Fashion 2025 report by McKinsey & Company. Highlights include a sustainability panel by Brittany Sierra, networking lunch, and actionable insights for professionals shaping fashion's future. #Fibre2Fashion #f2f #apparel #textile #fashion #textileindustry #f2fnews Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gsZZvQW8

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#YouAreFired Another casualty to technology. For almost two decades, Tukatech, Inc. has strived to help apparel companies eliminate physical samples from the product development process with their industry-leading #3D sample making software, #TUKA3D. Their new partnership with EcoShot by Tronog allows current and future TUKA3D users to showcase true-to-life 3D virtual garments on photorealistic digital models, revolutionizing the industry. Tukatech has been the only 3D fashion technology company proven to reduce fit and look samples. With TUKA3D’s integrations with EcoShot, the last hurdle of using physical samples for sales and ecommerce photography has been overcome. The results achieved closely mimic the quality of costly traditional photoshoots. Watch the transformative collaboration in action: https://lnkd.in/gvxz9Mxd

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Fashion shoppers are overwhelmed with choice, which negatively impacts their engagement and conversion rates with brands. However, a new era of brand and product discovery is on the horizon, underpinned by AI-powered curation across content and search.

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Exciting news! ThredX and ThredX Labs are sponsoring a spot for one talented designer to showcase their collection on the runway this fall for FREE! If you know a designer that you think could be a good fit, tag them in the comments! #FashionWeekOpportunity #EmergingDesigners #FashionWeek

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💡 Understanding the positioning and price tiers of different brands is crucial when shopping for sunglasses. This chart not only helps you make informed choices but also offers an interesting perspective on the diversity and complexity of the eyewear industry. #Sunglasses #Fashion #Luxury #Brands #Eyewear #strategy

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"Recovery was certainly in the air at the September Interfiliere fair in Paris, a sentiment that gained even more momentum at the Shanghai fair. We’re witnessing not just a gradual recovery in the lingerie market, but the emergence of a truly new lingerie landscape. Innovation at every level is essential to building the sustainable 24-hour wardrobe, where lingerie becomes a seamless blend of artisanal decoration and advanced technology. This interview captures my optimism and my formula for transformation: a mix of change, energy, and pure pleasure."

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Empowering Brands. Transforming Futures. At LEAD ASSOCIATES LTD., we specialize in crafting bold, strategic solutions that drive growth and innovation for fashion, retail, and lifestyle businesses. From startups to global powerhouses, our mission is to guide brands and businesses through the complexities of today’s marketplace, unlocking their full potential. 🌟 Why LEAD Associates? ✅ Over 80 years of cumulative industry expertise. ✅ Proven track record with global and emerging brands. ✅ Led by Asil Attar, award-winning CEO & global influencer. We’re more than consultants; we’re your strategic partners in building lasting success. We are committed to promoting responsible practices that create value for our clients while contributing positively to society and the environment. Let’s shape the future of fashion and retail—together. LEAD where others follow. 📩 Connect with us at [email protected] to explore how we can help your business thrive, and get your complementary 30 minute meeting with a leading team. Tavis Stewart MHs.M Sharan Devendra Donthi #FashionConsultancy #RetailConsultancy #BusinessConsultancy #RetailStrategy #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #BrandLeadership #BusinessTransformation #BusinessStrategy

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Consumer insight and data is crucial for all of us as it helps us understand which brands mean the most (or least) to the consumer and how your brand stacks up with the competition. Anyone who is curious about which athletic, outdoor, casual and dress footwear brands are resonating with the consumer, read on...

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Not even mighty Nike can run alone. PUMA Group, adidas, and JD Sports Fashion shares fell 2.6%, 0.7%, and 5.4% respectively, on Friday after Nike warned that sales for fiscal 2025 are expected to fall, lagging the industry. Nike shares were down 20%, which was the worst day for Nike on record. The dramatic fall dragged down the Dow and S&P and caused collateral damage to the sector. Nike said it expects revenue to be down in the mid-single digits for the year ending May 2025, blaming uneven consumer trends in the European, Middle East and Africa region, and planned declines of classic footwear franchises given fourth-quarter trends. The gloomy outlook follows a guidance miss for the fiscal fourth quarter. The group saw sales of its lifestyle products—goods perceived by consumers as an expression of style, way of life, and social status—decline amid a subdued economic environment and weakness in China. Nike executives acknowledge they lost ground in the critical running category and say they are doubling efforts to regain a stronger grasp of the market. They are betting that a new line of shoes will boost it during the Paris Olympics this summer and recapture sales from On and HOKA. After pivoting toward reducing wholesale sales in favor of direct-to-consumer sales through its own stores and websites, Nike CEO John Donahoe said the sportswear brand “is not performing at our potential” and needs to lean back into wholesale and product innovation. Nike announced a $2 billion cost-savings plan in December. CFO Matt Friend said the consumer direct strategy had added “complexity and inefficiency” to the retailer’s operations. The brand has also steadily returned to wholesale partners it previously retracted from over the past year or so. Friend added, “The consumer is still clearly shopping in multibrand retail and we need to elevate our brand and our positioning to be able to serve the consumer and to have the maximum impact from the new innovations that we’re bringing to market.” Nike started 2024 by laying off more than 1,600 employees in an effort to right-size the organization and began streamlining support and operating functions, reducing management layers, and shifting resources to other areas. Specifically, Nike is investing more in departments like design, product creation, and merchandising to speed up innovation. #retailing #brands #missteps #strategy #businessmodels The Wall Street Journal , Retail Dive

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Download License Global 's first ever "Deep Dive Into Fashion". It was great to share some thoughts on the future of Print on Demand in licensing. “The print quality with the newest machinery is equivalent, if not a better hand-feel than screen printing,” says Trevor George, chief executive officer, Trevco. “The print speed is picking up, allowing print-on-demand T-shirts to inch closer to screen print retail price points. Eventually, one day, printon-demand will be so fast that a print-on-demand licensed T-shirt could be sold online for nearly the same price as brick-and-mortar."

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Why Some Fashion Brands Never Reach $500M. While Others Soar Past $1B? In the fashion industry, crossing the $500M and $1B sales thresholds represents two critical turning points. But not every brand makes it to these milestones (I witnessed how some brands struggle to even maintain sales levels), and the challenges differ for each group: 📈CHALLENGES FOR FASHION BRANDS BELOW $500M: 1️⃣LACK OF BRAND LOYALTY: Without a loyal customer base, companies struggle to maintain consistent sales. Consumers are bombarded with options and need more than a trendy product—they seek an emotional connection. 2️⃣OPERATIONAL INEFFICIENCIES: Scaling from a niche player to a mid-sized brand requires fine-tuned operations—especially when it comes to supply chain management, production quality, and distribution. 3️⃣UNDERINVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY: The digital revolution is transforming fashion, from e-commerce to data analytics. Many smaller brands lack the capital to invest in the right tech to fuel sustainable growth. 4️⃣MARKETING LIMITATIONS: Getting noticed in the fashion world is expensive. Brands under $500M often lack the budget for effective digital campaigns, influencer partnerships, and far more important efficient global reach (one of the most common problems). 📉WHAT DRIVES SUCCESS PAST $1B: 1️⃣GLOBAL MARKET EXPANSION: Brands that cross $1B leverage international markets, tailoring their approach to local cultures and preferences. 2️⃣STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: Collaborating with other brands, tech firms, or even influencers at this level can drive brand visibility and customer acquisition, opening up new revenue streams. 3️⃣INNOVATION AS A CORE VALUE: From sustainability initiatives to embracing AI and virtual fashion, billion-dollar brands prioritize innovation. They lead trends, rather than follow them. 4️⃣OMNICHANNEL MASTERY: Companies that dominate both online and offline channels create seamless customer experiences, leading to higher conversions and customer retention. For those stuck under $500M, the pathway to higher revenue lies in building a scalable global, tech-savvy business model that speaks to today’s consumer demands. For those surpassing $1B, the challenge is staying agile and relevant in a fast-changing industry. #fashion #smartbusiness #growth #innovation #globalvision #management

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