Conner Ives Is Building a Business With Instinct
In this episode, BoF CEO Imran Amed talks with designer Conner Ives about turning his instinct‑driven aesthetic into a sustainable business. Ives recounts his rapid rise from a Central Saint Martins student whose Met Gala dress sparked industry buzz to a label built on high‑low American dressing, vintage rework, and socially‑charged pieces like the "Protect The Dolls" T‑shirt. He emphasizes the importance of defending one’s taste, trusting creative instincts over market pressure, and using authenticity to connect with buyers and consumers.
Leena Nair and Matthieu Blazy on Creativity and the Power of the Human Hand
In this episode, Imran Ahmed talks with Chanel CEO Leena Nair and creative director Matthieu Blazy about the resurgence of Chanel, driven by a blend of bold creative vision and deep operational investment. Nair, a former Unilever executive, emphasizes the...
Inside Saks Global's Four-Month Bankruptcy Sprint
In this bonus BOF episode, CEO Geoffroy Van Remdonk walks through Saks Global’s rapid four‑month Chapter 11 restructuring, detailing how $1.2 billion of new liquidity and a $500 million exit‑funding package enabled the company to restore vendor trust, repurchase inventory, and slim down its...
A Tribute to the Enduring Legacy of Mrs. B
The episode honors Joan Burstein, known as Mrs. B, celebrating her century‑long impact on fashion through the founding of Browns in 1970, which became a launchpad for avant‑garde designers like John Galliano, Comme des Garçons, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and...
Why People Hate AI
In this episode of The Debrief, senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young talks with BOF reporters Mark Bain and Haley Crawford about the growing backlash against AI in fashion. They cite rising negative sentiment—55% of Americans now think AI will do more...
Inside Dries Van Noten’s Venice Manifesto
In this episode, Tim Blanks interviews Dries Van Noten about his transition from leading his eponymous fashion house to becoming a custodian of craftsmanship at the Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice. Van Noten explains how the slower, self‑directed rhythm of life in...
Britt Moran on Why Atmosphere Is a Real Luxury Product
In this episode, Imran Ahmed sits down with Britt Moran, co‑founder of Di More Studio, to explore how the Milan‑based firm turns atmosphere—scent, lighting, music, and mood—into a luxury product. Moran recounts his unlikely journey from a small North Carolina town...
What Luxury's Winners Are Getting Right
In this BOF podcast, Imran Ahmed talks with three luxury leaders—Ermenegildo "Gildo" Zegna of the Zegna Group, Patrice Louvet of Ralph Lauren, and Noah Horowitz of Art Basel—about why some brands are thriving while the broader market contracts. The guests agree that...
Nike’s Reality Check
The episode examines Nike’s ongoing turnaround under CEO Elliot Hill, focusing on flat Q3 sales, investor impatience, and the brand’s struggle to craft a compelling narrative despite strong product innovation and scale. BOF analyst Mike Sykes highlights modest wins in...
Ask Imran Anything: On Boring Fashion, the Meaning of Luxury and Building Outside the System
In this 51‑minute Ask‑Me‑Anything episode, BOF founder Imran Ahmed tackles listener questions about fashion’s current creative climate, the evolving definition of luxury, and how emerging designers can launch brands outside traditional gatekeepers. He argues that while parts of the industry...
Faye McLeod on Luxury World-Building, One Window at a Time
In this episode, Imran Ahmed talks with former Louis Vuitton visual image director Faye McLeod about her 16‑year career designing store windows, facades, and runway sets that turn public streets into democratic stages. McLeod shares how a childhood accident taught...
The Retailer That’s Obsessed With AI
The episode explores how fashion retailer Revolve has become a data‑first, AI‑obsessed company, building in‑house tools that boost search relevance, personalization, and private‑label decisions, driving $1.2 billion in sales. Retail editor Kat Chen explains Revolve’s origins as a tech startup, its...
Is Your $3,000 Handbag Worth It? Tanner Leatherstein Has the Answer.
In this episode Imran Ahmed talks with Tanner Leatherstein, a leather‑tanning prodigy turned viral content creator, about his unconventional journey from a family tannery in Turkey to truck‑driving, consulting, and finally dissecting luxury handbags on social media. Tanner explains how...
What European Luxury Can Learn From American Fashion
In this episode of The Debrief, senior editor Diana Pearl explains why European luxury houses are in a slump while American brands like Coach, Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch are thriving. She argues that U.S. brands succeeded by refocusing on...
Why Fragrance Is Fashion’s Newest Digital Frontier
The episode explores how fragrance is evolving into a fashion-like accessory, with online sales now accounting for over half of U.S. purchases. Correspondents Daniela Morosini and Rachel Griffiths discuss the rise of short‑form video and AI tools that help consumers...