The Debrief

The Debrief

Author: The Business of Fashion Language: English Episodes: 100
Every week, The Debrief takes the most talked-about articles from BoF Professional and turns them into a deeper conversation. This isn't just about runway shows and red carpets; it's about the money, strategy, and often surprising forces driving the decisions we see. Hosted by seasoned BoF correspondents Sheena Butler-Young and Brian Baskin, the discussions pull back the curtain on a $2.5 trillion global industry, moving from the boardrooms of mega labels to the creative hustle of indie upstarts. You'll hear analysis of the pivotal deals, the disruptive technologies, and the powerful personalities that are constantly redefining what fashion means. The result is a clear-eyed look at the complex ecosystem where art, beauty, and commerce intersect. Tune in to this weekly podcast from The Business of Fashion for a nuanced perspective that goes far beyond the headlines, offering context and clarity on how the business actually works.
Episodes
The Themes That Will Define the 2026 Fashion Agenda [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:23
BoF and McKinsey’s annual State of Fashion report finds the industry entering 2026 with caution: 46 percent of executives expect conditions to worsen, citing geopolitics, macro volatility and the risk of shoppers pulling…
The Sneaker of the Year 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:25
Choosing “sneaker of the year” has rarely been this contentious. In 2025 the debate has splintered opinion between incumbent players like Nike and contenders from Vans, Converse and New Balance as consumers test the fiel…
What Happens When Women Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:49
Collectively, Clare Waight Keller and Maria Cornejo have over two decades of experience in the fashion industry. Waight Keller’s impressive career includes roles at Givenchy, Chloé and Gucci — and today, she serves as cr…
5 Big Questions About Luxury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:46
Luxury’s most eventful year in some time is closing with a bang. From Prada’s Versace acquisition to Matthieu Blazy’s debut Chanel Métiers d’Art collection, seismic industry developments are landing on an almost daily ba…
Is This the Year Discount Mania Finally Ends? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:33
As the holiday shopping season approaches, consumer sentiment is slumping, yet spending is bifurcated – the top end keeps buying while the bottom 80 percent is more cautious. With Black Friday looming, brands are recalib…
Can Fashion Still Meet Its Climate Promises? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:26
As COP30 gets underway in Belém, a port city on the edge of the Brazilian rainforest, the mood is sober. A decade after the Paris Agreement was adopted internationally to limit global warming, many of the world’s largest…
Why Is Everyone Obsessed With Accessories? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:06
Colourful charms, Labubu-laden handbags and a ring on every finger – accessories sales are booming. A surge of necklace stacks, playful rings and quirky charms is being driven by Gen Z’s push for personal style, using ad…
The Human Cost of Trump's Tariffs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:21
In late August, the US doubled duties on Indian goods to 50 percent, in what President Donald Trump described as a punishment for India’s purchases of Russian oil. Brands reacted immediately, postponing or cancelling ord…
Would You Let AI Shop for You? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:27
A new wave of AI shopping agents has emerged as Big Tech and start-ups alike vie for dominance of this new market. OpenAI, Google and Perplexity are experimenting with search-to-checkout, while fashion-specific entrants…
Does Fashion Still Know What Women Want? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:27
This fashion month, models walked the tightrope between fantasy and function. On the runway, spectacle was dialled up to 100: Alaïa’s armless “straitjacket” dress, Margiela’s metal mouthpieces, and Jean Paul Gaultier’s n…