The Lead

It was a true honor to recognize Nicole Miller, fashion designer, with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Direct 60 Forum on October 10th in NYC! Since launching her brand in 1986, Nicole has grown it into a global lifestyle powerhouse, sold in over 1,500 stores worldwide. Her innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to connect with consumers have left a lasting mark on the fashion and retail industry.   Nicole’s ability to blend artistry with practicality is an inspiration for the Direct 60 leaders who are building the go-to-market strategies for today’s powerhouse brands. We celebrated Nicole's extraordinary success and creativity, showcasing her enduring impact with a well-deserved award. Join the Direct 60 honorees at The Lead Summit 2025! Join over 3,000 attendees May 28-29 in NYC: summit.the-lead.co #NicoleMiller #Direct60 #LifetimeAchievementAward Nicole Miller

In last week's round-up of brand to consumer news from The Indicator, a federal court judge has blocked the proposed merger between Tapestry (Coach, Kate Spade) and Capri (Michael Kors), True Religion is featuring Megan Thee Stallion in a holiday campaign, lululemon plans to design and develop NHL fan apparel, and the new FARM Rio store just opened up in Brooklyn. Want more industry news weekly? Stay in The Lead by subscribing here: https://lnkd.in/e-w8A-jz

The Direct 60 Forum was as much about celebration and recognition as it was about structured networking. "Uncorked Connections" wine tasting experience, presented by Bambuser where we met new friends and reconnected with old ones.   There was a special energy in the air at The Direct 60 Forum. It was our honor to gather so many high-achieving executives in one place, where the spirit of recognition and celebration filled the room. We look forward to more standout experiences at The Lead Summit 2025! Join us in NYC on May 28-29: summit.the-lead.co A special thanks to: Caroline Nuckolls, Head of Sales - Americas, Bambuser Corrina Sanni, Enterprise Account Executive, Bambuser Qabil Shah, CMO, Bambuser

We ended The Direct 60 Forum on the highest of high notes! (Well, we did have the cocktails and dinner to follow, but that's a different story!) In a very special moment, Direct 60 Alumni Heath Golden, CEO, Marquee Brands presented the Visionary Award to David J. Katz, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Randa Apparel & Accessories. This is the award reserved for  an executive that can see the necessary steps for business evolution at every level, things the rest of us may not even understand. The Visionary is a person that has shown time and time again that they can carry an organization through true transformation at multiple levels: organizational, business, and technology — with a consistent and proven vision and few exemplify the vision of David Katz! We look forward to seeing David and the Randa team at The Lead Summit 2025! Join us: summit.the-lead.co

Congratulations to Aaron Rose, Chief Commerce and Experience Officer at Banana Republic, for his incredible success and specifically Brand Reinvention. There are so many incredible honorees and settling on one was no easy task for The Lead! With the help of Direct 60 List alumni Lisa Sloan Walker, President of Jewelry Services, Signet Jewelers, and Danielle DiMaiolo Rendini, Head of Retail, American Girl, it was our honor to present this award. We Rachelle Snyder, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Arrive Recommerce for their sponsorship and we look forward to seeing everyone on May 28-29 at The Lead Summit in NYC: summit.the-lead.co

The Standout Awards are special moments at The Direct 60 Forum.  Presented by Direct 60 List alumni Chris Peña, GVP, Consumer Technologies, PVH, and Yenelle Jackson, VP, Chief of Staff to CEO, Marquee Brands, the Standout Award for Technology Stewardship was presented to Chris Zahner, SVP, Head of Digital & Ecommerce Technology at Signet Jewelers for enabling the company to manage change and successfully adopt a modern, tech-driven and agile approach to business. We look forward to seeing everyone on May 28-29 at The Lead Summit in NYC: summit.the-lead.co

Congratulations to Jenn Volk, Head of Digital at H&M Americas for her incredible success and specifically Ecommerce Excellence. There are so many incredible honorees and settling on one was no easy task for The Lead! With the help of Direct 60 List alumni Ann Marie Ippoliti, VP, E-Commerce & Marketing, Michael Kors and Nadine KHEIRALLAH, SVP, Global Retail, Fresh, it was our honor to present this award. We thank Rachelle Snyder, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Arrive Recommerce for their sponsorship and we look forward to seeing everyone on May 28-29 at The Lead Summit in NYC: summit.the-lead.co

And The Standout Award award goes to .... Direct 60 List alumni Sabrina Cherubini, SVP, Brand & Digital, Hanky Panky, and Mario Lang, Executive Director, Global Technology Lead, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. presented the Standout Award for Innovation in Brand Marketing, recognizing data-driven, agile, and creative approach in helping the brand stay relevant and respond quickly to changing algorithms and shifting cultural trends. Congratulations to Cyntia Leo, Head of Brand Marketing at Urban Outfitters for her success in brand marketing and we can't wait to see you on May 28-29 at The Lead Summit in NYC: summit.the-lead.co.

The Standout Awards are special moments at The Direct 60 Forum.  Presented by Direct 60 List alumni Tennille Kopiasz, CEO, FEKKAI, and Andrea Moore, Consultant, Slatkin & Co., the Standout Award for Brand Stewardship was presented to Anne Spletzer, VP and Managing Director, Dockers for revitalizing the legacy brand through product innovation and positioning, building a D2C business while growing across channels, and identifying and leveraging new white spaces. A special thanks to Rachelle Snyder, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Arrive Recommerce for their sponsorship and we look forward to seeing everyone on May 28-29 at The Lead Summit in NYC: summit.the-lead.co #Direct60

In last week's round-up of brand to consumer news from The Indicator, Target is offering exclusive releases with Taylor Swift on Black Friday, Foot Locker signed a multi-year partnership with the Chicago Bulls, Neiman Marcus Group is partnering with “Emily in Paris” stylist for its fantasy gifts list, and Rent The Runway is focusing on Gen Z. Want more industry news weekly? Stay in The Lead by subscribing here: https://lnkd.in/e-w8A-jz