The Debrief

The Business of Fashion

Welcome to The Debrief, a new weekly podcast from The Business of Fashion, where we go beyond the glossy veneer and unpack our most popular BoF Professional stories. Hosted by BoF correspondents Sheena Butler-Young and Brian Baskin, The Debrief will be your guide into the mega labels, indie upstarts and unforgettable personalities shaping the $2.5 trillion global fashion industry.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in PodNod RSS feed Show website

136 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes136

Newest first

Apr 29, 2025 · 23 min
Are Viral Microtrends Losing Their Cool?
From ‘Tomato Girl’ to ‘Quiet Luxury,’ microtrends once swept social media and helped shape retail strategies but Gen-Z consumers are now craving more substantial and lasting styles.
Apr 22, 2025 · 27 min
The Power of a Luxury Handbag
Luxury handbags are not only fashion statements – they can be vital to a brand's identity, bottom line, and ongoing appeal to aspirational consumers. Sheena Butler-Young and Simone Stern-Carbone discuss the power of an iconic handbag.
Apr 15, 2025 · 26 min
Can Tariffs Really Revive 'Made in USA' Fashion?
BoF correspondents Malique Morris and Marc Bain discuss the complicated reality of Trump's tariffs and their promise to bring fashion manufacturing back to the US.
Apr 8, 2025 · 24 min
Trump’s Tariffs Change Everything
Sustainability correspondent Sarah Kent and luxury correspondent Simone Stern Carbone discuss the wide-reaching implications of Donald Trump’s historic tariffs on fashion, from consumer behaviour to global supply chains.
Apr 1, 2025 · 18 min
H&M's AI Models and the Future of Fashion Marketing
Technology correspondent Marc Bain and marketing correspondent Haley Crawford explore the divisive reaction to H&M's introduction of AI-generated models, and what the growing use of this technology means for the future of fashion marketing.
Mar 25, 2025 · 29 min
What Happened to Pat McGrath Labs?
Once hailed as a billion-dollar beauty brand, Pat McGrath Labs is now facing an uncertain future. The Business of Beauty's Brennan Kilbane and Priya Rao join The Debrief to explore how creative genius doesn’t always translate into operational success.
Mar 18, 2025 · 21 min
Is Forever 21 Shein's Biggest Victim Yet?
Retail editor Cathaleen Chen joins Brian Baskin and Sheena Butler-Young to discuss the fall of Forever 21, the future of fast fashion, and why affordability alone isn't enough to win consumers.
Mar 12, 2025 · 24 min
Can You Sell Sexual Wellness Without Sex?
Executive editor Brian Baskin and senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young speak with editorial associate Yola Mzizi about how regulatory restrictions and cultural conservatism are forcing sexual wellness brands to pivot their messaging in 2025.
Mar 4, 2025 · 27 min
Can Farfetch Be Fixed?
Executive editor Brian Baskin and senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young speak with DTC correspondent Malique Morris about how the luxury marketplace has changed under its new owner, Coupang.
Feb 25, 2025 · 25 min
Why Can’t Fashion Fix Its Labour Exploitation Problem?
Sustainability editor Sarah Kent joins executive editor Brian Baskin and senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young to discuss new revelations of forced labour in fashion’s supply chain, and why the industry can’t seem to consistently protect its workers.
Feb 19, 2025 · 30 min
Can Kering Fix Gucci?
Executive editor Brian Baskin sits down with sustainability correspondent Sarah Kent and senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young to untangle the future of DEI and ESG in a hostile political environment.
Feb 11, 2025 · 25 min
Can Estée Lauder Win Over the Modern Beauty Consumer?
As the beauty conglomerate battles falling sales and stiff competition, new CEO Stéphane de La Faverie is overhauling company strategy. The Debrief unpacks how family-controlled structure, market shifts and consumer expectations complicate his task.
Feb 4, 2025 · 26 min
Fashion’s M&A Market is Heating Up
The Debrief unpacks the forces driving new deals, which brands could be next, and what buyers are looking for in 2025.
Jan 28, 2025 · 33 min
How to Future-Proof Your Fashion Career in 2025
As the fashion industry grapples with a new US president, leadership turnover, and a luxury sector slowdown, The Debrief explores how professionals can navigate the uncertainty of 2025.
Jan 21, 2025 · 24 min
The Evolving Art of Brand Collaborations
With consumers becoming savvier, brands must innovate their approach to partnerships to stand out in a crowded market. This week’s Debrief unpacks the state of collaborations, what makes them succeed or fail, and where they’re headed next.
Jan 15, 2025 · 23 min
How to Choose a PR Agency
From emerging designers to global names, The Debrief unpacks what to look for in a PR partner and how to make the most of that relationship.
Dec 17, 2024 · 27 min
BoF’s Top Stories of 2024
Executive editor Brian Baskin and senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young take a look back at some of BoF’s top stories of the year, spanning topics including Nike’s struggles, Black beauty brands, affiliate marketing and luxury labour practices.
Dec 10, 2024 · 23 min
The Future of DEI and ESG in a Hostile Political Environment
Executive editor Brian Baskin sits down with sustainability correspondent Sarah Kent and senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young to untangle the future of DEI and ESG in a hostile political environment.
Dec 4, 2024 · 28 min
The Future of Resale
Retail editor Cathaleen Chen and e-commerce correspondent Malique Morris join senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young and executive editor Brian Baskin to unpack how resale has evolved from niche to mainstream, and the future of secondhand shopping.
Nov 26, 2024 · 24 min
Luxury’s Italian Sweatshops Problem
BoF senior correspondent Sheena Butler-Young and chief sustainability correspondent Sarah Kent unpack a scandal that has linked brands like Armani and Dior to Italian sweatshops.

The Debrief

Are Viral Microtrends Losing Their Cool?

The Power of a Luxury Handbag

Can Tariffs Really Revive 'Made in USA' Fashion?

Trump’s Tariffs Change Everything

H&M's AI Models and the Future of Fashion Marketing

What Happened to Pat McGrath Labs?

Is Forever 21 Shein's Biggest Victim Yet?

Can You Sell Sexual Wellness Without Sex?

Can Farfetch Be Fixed?

Why Can’t Fashion Fix Its Labour Exploitation Problem?

Can Kering Fix Gucci?

Can Estée Lauder Win Over the Modern Beauty Consumer?

Fashion’s M&A Market is Heating Up

How to Future-Proof Your Fashion Career in 2025

The Evolving Art of Brand Collaborations

How to Choose a PR Agency

BoF’s Top Stories of 2024

The Future of DEI and ESG in a Hostile Political Environment

The Future of Resale

Luxury’s Italian Sweatshops Problem