11 Comments

The MZN piece also made me think really hard about how her story is the story of many many founders who had far less success than she did. Interestingly I liken the solution to your hope for Nordstrom; if a department store like theirs started carrying smaller brands our style would improve as would the general atmosphere of starting a brand.

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100%! I know from working at small brands that the department store conversation is fraught, and that there are many, many challenges in partnering with them, but I think in going private Nordstrom has a huge opportunity to really be the champion for these young and independent brands and to support them in a way that larger stores (Saks Global, now) won’t be able to when they are so dependent on shareholders and profitability. It will take a while, but if they can make it happen, I think they’ll really change the department store game and maybe, just maybe, make shopping at them fun again??

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YES!! My favorite places to shop are similar to Vestige because I’m finding niche, gorgeous pieces. And they carry small brands but even if Nordstrom carried mid-size ones it would be a hit!!

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Thanks for the love, Jen! (Also, long live sneakers! Just maybe we'll see some diversification from Sambas next year?!) I feel you on alone time. I crave it so much, and sometimes it hits perfectly. And other times, I'm like...what am I even doing?

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Agree. I love my Sambas, but I’m thinking 2025 will be the year of the Dunks?

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Hi! I really like your substack thank you for sharing all these interesting articles. I am a mom who works in Fashion too so I relate a lot! 😘

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So glad you can relate!! Happy to have you here!

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Jennifer, you make me feel like such a fashion insider with your carefully shared/curated perspective. Like, I know way more now about the industry than I did prior to reading, and you made it all go down smoothly like a fancy latte. I'm happy to "see" Dana Thomas on Substack & love when writers come back on my radar. I have a long-sleeve tee in a sweatshirt type cut with Hillary's signature across it. It's red, which feels all the more weird and cool. I wear it under a blazer when I've completely run out of Fs.

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Aw, thanks Jennifer! That might be one of the nicest compliments I've received, and totally what I'm trying to do with this space!

LOVE that you have a red Hillary sweatshirt - keep rocking it!!

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I have two Bernie Sanders shirts I’m proud to own! I still wear one of them and the other is for my son to wear (hopefully!) one day. I hope to think it points to being on the right side of history. 😅

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Yes! Be proud of them!! Haha it’s definitely a sign of being on the right side of history…

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