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
Why Can’t Fashion Fix Its Labour Exploitation Problem? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:22
The revelation this year of child labour in India’s cotton fields and modern-day slavery in Taiwanese garment factories is the latest scandal concerning worker treatment in fashion’s supply chain. New abuses keep emergin…
Can Kering Fix Gucci? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
Gucci has long been the shining star of Kering’s luxury portfolio, but the brand's recent struggles have exposed weaknesses in the conglomerate’s position. Gucci’s sales plummeted 24 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024…
Can Estée Lauder Win Over the Modern Beauty Consumer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:39
Estée Lauder was long celebrated as a pioneer in prestige beauty, building a global empire on the strength of family legacy, innovative product lines, smart acquisitions and a high-touch in-store experience. However in r…
Fashion’s M&A Market is Heating Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:13
After a prolonged slowdown, fashion’s M&A market is springing back to life. A combination of falling interest rates, shifting investor sentiment and optimism around economic policy has fuelled a wave of early 2025 deals.…
How to Future-Proof Your Fashion Career in 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
The fashion workplace is evolving, shaped by a wave of technological advancements, leadership changes, and cultural dynamics. For many employees, adapting to these changes has become a challenge, while employers must nav…
The Evolving Art of Brand Collaborations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:03
Brand collaborations were once rare, highly anticipated events that generated significant buzz. But as they have become more frequent, the challenge lies in creating partnerships that genuinely resonate with consumers an…
How to Choose a PR Agency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:21
Public relations in fashion has transformed drastically from securing magazine features to managing 360-degree brand storytelling. PR agencies now navigate everything from influencer partnerships to event management, soc…
BoF’s Top Stories of 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:22
Background:As the year comes to a close, BoF’s executive editor Brian Baskin and senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young look back on some of their favourite articles from 2024. The stories include topics that dominated…
The Future of DEI and ESG in a Hostile Political Environment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:49
In the late 2010s, and particularly after George Floyd’s murder in 2020, the fashion industry appeared to embrace a progressive awakening on issues like racial justice and climate change. Diversity, equity, and inclusion…
The Future of Resale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:49
Resale is no longer confined to thrift stores or niche platforms; it has grown into a roughly $50 billion industry in the U.S. alone, by some measures. Platforms like Poshmark, The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective have…