Olivia Gates

Ralph Lauren, Marie Claire, and DOLCE&GABBANA Beauty are among the global brands where Fordham alumni are building careers at the highest levels of the fashion industry. Christina D'Ambrosio ’18, deputy director of social media at Marie Claire; Monique Padrid ’17 MSL, global head of temporary visual merchandising at Dolce & Gabbana Beauty; and Anna Gaylord ’23, wholesale showroom manager at Ralph Lauren, reflect in a new feature for Fordham Magazine on how their Fordham education and alumni network helped position them for success in one of the world’s most competitive industries. From translating legacy media brands into digital-first platforms to applying legal expertise in global product launches and managing the wholesale “engine room” of a heritage fashion house, each alum demonstrates how academic rigor, New York City access, and the strength of the Ram network create meaningful professional advantage. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e-kkwYaH

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Recent changes at Saks and Neiman Marcus have left some jewelry brands waiting for their money, say insiders. Meanwhile, other chains are stepping up to fill in the gaps — and to capture more high-end clients. Continue reading 🔗 Link in a comment

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This week, we spoke to a retail professional who was seriously considering leaving the jewelry industry. He had 6+ years of experience, strong client handling skills, but hadn’t received a meaningful interview call in months. Most roles he found were outdated, unclear, or not aligned with his background. What changed wasn’t his experience, it was access. He came across a live role on Mintly that actually matched his skill set. Clear expectations. Active recruiter. He applied quickly and got a call within days. He didn’t “level up overnight.” He just finally got seen by the right employer. We’re seeing this often: talent isn’t the problem. Visibility is. #talk #hr #candidate #job #hiring #career #growth #recruitment

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Adrianna Papell , a New York City-based designer of women’s special-occasion apparel, has received an investment from Tribe Capital. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1980, Adrianna Papell is known for its cocktail, evening, and polished day-to-day designs, with styles still created in New York City by its in-house team. The brand is recognized for its fit, craftsmanship, and detailed design. The company plans to use the new funding to expand operations and accelerate development initiatives as it continues to grow its global presence. Since its founding, the brand has sold more than 40 million dresses and today reaches customers through direct channels and an extensive network of retail partners across 27 countries. #Fashion #Retail #Apparel #ConsumerBrands #StartupFunding #FashionIndustry #GlobalRetail #Investment

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Roopal Patel, SVP and Fashion Director for Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus was recently featured in Coveteur’s "Coveted Careers" series, sharing insight into her career path and current role. In the interview, she shares what a typical day as Fashion Director looks like, how she balances trend forecasting with championing emerging designers and her process for identifying standout pieces. Read more at the link below. https://lnkd.in/esR-RiEE 

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Amazon has officially partnered with Saks to launch a curated luxury shopping experience, bringing brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Fear of God, and Chantecaille directly to the platform’s massive customer base. For luxury brands, this raises big questions: – What does exclusivity look like in the age of convenience? – Can luxury thrive in the same cart as household essentials? The blending of high-end and high-volume retail is accelerating, and we’re keeping close watch on how it reshapes consumer expectations and retail real estate strategies alike. Read more: https://lnkd.in/evBDNPdB

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ZARA has officially unveiled its latest designer collaboration, "Vatisimo," created in partnership with New York-based visionary Willy Chavarria to celebrate Chicano culture and identity on a global scale. Launching March 26, 2026, the extensive ready-to-wear line for men and women features Chavarria’s signature oversized silhouettes and bold tailoring, utilizing premium materials like Italian fabrics, cupro, and leather. The collection serves as a "portrait of cultural identity," seamlessly blending Latin American influences with American workwear and nostalgic leisure aesthetics. This partnership arrives at a high-velocity moment for Inditex, following closely on the heels of the recently announced long-term creative alliance with John Galliano. By bringing Chavarria’s "discerning style" to its worldwide platform without dilution, Zara is reinforcing its strategy of democratizing high-concept design while fostering deep cultural visibility. To see the full "Vatisimo" lookbook and find out which select global stores will carry the collection this Thursday, read the complete report here: https://lnkd.in/eVm-aZHJ #ZaraxWillyChavarria #Vatisimo #Inditex #FashionCollaboration #ChicanoCulture #WillyChavarria #GlobalFashion #RetailNews2026 #StreetwearLuxe #Menswear

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Signet Jewelers is closing approximately 100 stores and shutting down its James Allen banner, one of the most recognised online diamond retailers in the U.S., as part of a sweeping portfolio reset. James Allen will fold into Blue Nile as a proprietary collection by Q2, with Signet expecting $60–$80 million in lost sales from the transition. Blue Nile is being repositioned as an elevated luxury brand focused on natural diamonds, moving it upmarket rather than competing with its own digital business. The three core banners, Kay Jewelers, Zales, and Jared, remain the focus going forward. CEO J.K. Symancyk flagged "unprecedented tariffs, record gold costs, and a measured consumer" as the defining headwinds behind the decision. Full year sales rose 2% to $6.81 billion, but average unit retail was up 7%, with fewer transactions and higher price points. The consumer is still spending on jewelry, just more selectively. #Signet #JamesAllen #BlueNile #KayJewelers #RetailNews #JewelryIndustry #RetailStrategy #FashionNews

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Venus Jewelers has officially opened its newly designed 5,800 sq. ft. flagship store in New Jersey, marking a major milestone for the 5th-generation Greek-American owner, Jason Stavrianidis. The expanded space showcases a fully integrated custom design studio, advanced tech, luxury bridal collections, and more, all while honoring a family legacy rooted in craftsmanship and hospitality. A powerful example of Greek-American entrepreneurship and innovation. 🇬🇷🇺🇸 https://lnkd.in/eUthKFTg #hellenicnews #venusjewelers #greekamerica

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Designer Zac Posen Launches Gap Studio Menswear for Holiday — The creative director of Gap Inc. developed a capsule that blends tailored and casual pieces in denim, corduroy and other elevated fabrics. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dHc2-c7x

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Gen Z is quietly rewriting the rules of the jewelry industry. They are choosing self-expression over status, stacking over statement pieces, and everyday luxury over occasion jewelry. This generation is also driving demand for transparent sourcing, personalized designs, and faster trend cycles. For brands and retailers, adapting to this shift is no longer optional. Here’s a quick look at how Gen Z is reshaping the jewelry market. What trends are you noticing among younger buyers? #JewelryBusiness #GenZConsumers #JewelryDesign #IndustryInsights

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5 key luxury headlines this week. A curated roundup of the biggest stories shaping the industry: 1. Hermès Menswear Icon Véronique Nichanian Steps Down Véronique Nichanian, menswear artistic director at Hermès since 1988, is stepping down after a remarkable 37-year tenure. At 71, her final collection will debut in January 2026. Her departure closes a defining chapter in Hermès’ modern history and menswear evolution. 2. Estée Lauder Doubles Down on France with New Fragrance Atelier The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. has inaugurated a 2,000-square-meter, five-floor “Maison des Parfums” in Paris, consolidating its fragrance expertise under one roof. Equipped with AI-powered labs and molecular testing, the center aims to accelerate product innovation by up to 50%, reinforcing France’s status as a global luxury scent hub. 3. European Luxury Stocks Surge as China Demand Revives European luxury stocks soared, with LVMH gaining around 14% amid signs of rebounding Chinese demand. Investors added roughly $80 billion in market capitalization across the sector, signaling renewed confidence after months of sluggish performance and highlighting Asia’s continued influence on luxury market dynamics. 4. Maria Grazia Chiuri Returns to Fendi as Chief Creative Officer Maria Grazia Chiuri has been appointed Chief Creative Officer at Fendi, succeeding Silvia Venturini Fendi, who becomes Honorary President. Chiuri, 61, will oversee both men’s and women’s collections, debuting her first show for Autumn/Winter 2026 in Milan—a homecoming to the house where she began her career. 5. AlixPartners Identifies 10 Major Challenges for Global Luxury AlixPartners’ latest report highlights ten key issues shaping the future of luxury: inflationary pressure, supply chain fragility, digital disruption, sustainability demands, fast fashion rivalry, shifting regional demand, labor shortages, material cost hikes, brand fatigue, and leadership renewal. These factors are redefining competitiveness across the sector. What's your take on this week's news? Tell us below. #news #weeklynews #luxury 

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The American department store's reputation has taken a beating in the last year. The high-profile bankruptcy of Saks Global, along with struggling foot traffic at department stores like Neiman Marcus, has made the prospect of wholesale via this channel a tougher sell. But on the first day of New York Fashion Week, designers at high-end brands were still positive about the role of wholesale retail in helping a fashion brand grow. https://lnkd.in/eVNhsPxk In this piece by Danny Parisi, we speak to Jonathan Saven of L'AGENCE, Maryanne Grisz of Fashion Group International, Inc., and Thierry Prevost of Printemps.

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Popilush Opens Its First U.S. Store in Las Vegas and Lands on Nordstrom in the Same Yea Popilush, the New York based shapewear and lifestyle apparel brand, is marking its fourth anniversary with its first U.S. brick and mortar store opening in Las Vegas and new distribution on Nordstrom and Macy's online store, two milestones that mark a clear shift from DTC only to omnichannel retail. The brand, founded by Eve DeMartine, launched in 2022 with a focus on built-in shapewear construction and has grown into a multi award winning label now available across Amazon, TikTok Shop, and major department store platforms....

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