Everlane

The coronavirus pandemic has shifted the way fashion and beauty brands produce, sell, and market their products.   Business Insider asked founders how their companies have pivoted in response to the pandemic and how their industries will change as a result.  Rebecca Minkoff's Female Founder Collective organized a Support Your Ladies directory of women-owned businesses in partnership with Ladies Get Paid. Michael Preysman, founder and CEO of Everlane, said there's a new sense of urgency to create a more sustainable supply chain. Click here for more BI Prime content.  Coronavirus has pushed every industry to face the present and future simultaneously with caution, resilience, and innovation.  This is especially true for the beauty and fashion industry, which is perhaps one of the most accustomed to change, as it adapts to new trends and consumer behaviors on a monthly, if not daily, basis. The pandemic is yet another shift that will define what we wear, how we shop, and whose style we emulate for years to come.  Retail, for example, has been shifting online for more than a decade, but quarantine put ecommerce brands in the fast lane since they are instantly accessible to at-home shoppers.  "Now, brands are required to innovate at an accelerated pace in order to survive," Manish Chandra, CEO and cofounder of Poshmark, told Business Insider.  We asked founders in beauty and fashion how their companies have pivoted in response to the pandemic and how their industries — and the world — will change as a result.  Below are their responses as told to Business Insider.SEE ALSO: Poshmark CEO Manish Chandra on the future of 'solopreneurs' MUST READ: Tough truths about starting a business, from ban.do founder Jen Gotch Rebecca Minkoff, founder of fashion label Rebecca Minkoff, said a newfound degree of transparency is building strength and power When I first launched Rebecca Minkoff, I wanted to design collections that made women feel strong and powerful. We'd help you celebrate your milestone moments. These past few weeks have really challenged that initial intention and mission of mine. I've had to, like so many others in retail, pivot my business on a dime. Truth be told, I find it hard sometimes to feel strong and powerful, and those celebratory moments can feel fewer and farther between lately.  My industry – our society – is faced with so much uncertainty. I take a little comfort, though, in what this ordeal has taught me, and the hidden superpowers I've seen emerge among networks, businesses, consumers, and frankly, within myself and my team. Never before have we embraced this degree of transparency or kind of deep connection with one another. 'How are you feeling? What can we do to help you now?' The Support Your Ladies directory of women-owned businesses – which my network, Female Founder Collective, launched with Ladies Get Paid – came together in a matter of weeks, for example. That's pretty badass, and it was borne out of a real place of vulnerability and connection to our fellow female small businesses owners. I hope the world remembers that there is strength and power in these moments, too. They may look a little different to us, but they're still something to celebrate — as friends, as parents, as a community, and as business leaders. Michael Preysman, founder and CEO of clothing brand Everlane, said there's a new sense of urgency to create a more sustainable supply chain This pandemic forced all of us to confront the challenges of the world and reflect on how connected we are as a global community. With this comes a responsibility as an individual and a business to drive change and create positive impact for both people and the planet. We now have even more of a sense of urgency to create a more sustainable supply chain using the innovations already at our disposal: renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and recycled materials. These are seemingly small yet important steps in creating cumulative change for a better way of operating our business. As we make plans for the long road ahead, those plans must continue to offer true value to our customers without sacrificing our values of protecting the planet. Katia Beauchamp, cofounder and CEO of beauty subscription Birchbox, said 'digital' will take on a new meaning I've always been a believer that bringing our whole selves to work is an asset to productivity. This experience has added depth to what it means; asking about each other's health and the well being of families, meeting our team's families, pet families, and literally inviting each other into our homes (albeit virtually) has added depth that would take months or years to create. This experience will change how we relate and collaborate because it is bringing down the walls and inviting the whole person to the work at hand.  The in-person experience will be altered permanently, and will likely have a positive impact on the penetration of e-commerce and foundational beauty. (i.e. skincare, supplements, wellness) With that, 'digital' is going to take on an entirely new meaning. Even digitally native brands will have to challenge their own status quos to adapt to this new normal. The key will be finding new ways to create real and authentic connections knowing that the entire industry is shifting online. We are learning what we are capable of when we are deeply motivated to protect each other. There is an obvious opportunity to leverage the experience and apply this level of commitment to education, social justice, the environment — effectively putting our energy and talent toward building the world we want to live in. Manish Chandra, founder and CEO of resale shopping app Poshmark, said retail will look very different on the other side of the pandemic It's an unprecedented time for businesses of all kinds and few are immune to the impact that COVID-19 has had on our society and economy. And yet, it has been wonderful to not only see how the Poshmark team has responded, continuing to serve our community and keeping the business running strong, but also see Poshmark's community in the US and Canada adapting to this new normal — finding creative ways to come together, list new inventory, and run businesses on the platform. We built Poshmark from the ground up specifically to enable millions of people to sell from home, ship from home, shop from home, and receive their purchases at home. Our peer-to-peer model and extensive suite of seller tools makes it easy for anyone to earn extra income, while our highly distributed logistics and inventory network means that our model is more resilient to disruptive world forces than others might be. Because of this foundation, Poshmark has been able to continue to operate without extensive changes. Our innate architecture supports this new way of life and I believe the kind of personalized and immersive retail experience fostered on our platform will be the "new normal" going forward. Pre-COVID-19, the retail industry was already undergoing significant changes as companies worked to meet consumer demands for genuine human connections and personalized online shopping experiences. And now, brands are required to innovate at an accelerated pace in order to survive. Retail will look very different on the other side of this. As consumers continue to turn to platforms that prioritize financial and environmental sustainability, resale will be at the forefront. The intergenerational movement that resale has ignited is fueling the acceleration of social commerce at scale, delivering on consumers' need for connections and a newly awakened sense of community. If one thing is true, this pandemic has exacerbated people's need and desire for genuine connection. While nothing can replace the feeling of a hug from a beloved family or friend, we're all looking to feel seen, heard, and supported, and our hope is that now more than ever, Poshmark can be a destination where anyone from anywhere can find this support from a vibrant and inclusive community.   Kendra Scott, founder of jewelry brand Kendra Scott, shifted the business to virtual try-on experiences Since I started this company, being here for our customer has always come first. I knew that if we created an emotional connection with our customer, the transaction would naturally follow. We're seeing that connection pay off right now, and are continuing to meet our community where they are.  In the midst of these challenging times, we as a business are learning to pivot quickly, think outside the box, and fast-track innovative programs that will help our customers and communities most. We're finding more ways than ever to engage with our Kendra Scott customer, whether through new e-commerce experiences like Virtual Try-On to meet those shopping from home, or safely rolling out curbside pick-up to re-connect with our brick-and-mortar customers.  And while philanthropy has always been at the core of who we are, it is more important now than ever, and we are continuing our commitment to giving back through virtual events, raising funds for Feeding America to serve 2.1 million meals, and making masks for frontline workers in our local communities.  The customer experience and our heart for our community have always been important at Kendra Scott. In our world today that takes on a whole new meaning, reinforcing my belief that we are so much stronger when we stand together. 

Say hello to your new favorite WFH staples. There are silver linings to working from home—including the diversity it’s encouraging, the better air quality from decreased travel, the increased productivity companies and brands that are working remotely are experiencing, and the opportunity to just be comfortable. Not to say that being able to wear leggings while working is as important as diversity, but we’re counting all of our wins—small and large—right now. And if a new slew of really good deals on casual, comfy clothes from one of our favorite brands is something we can add to the list of positives, we’re doing it.Read Full Story

Winter means it's time for you to take your parka out of hibernation. And if you don't have one or just want something new, it's time to act on that.  Everlane's ReNew Long Puffer ($175) is an impressive parka at an affordable price. It's warm, looks nice on, has thoughtful features, and is made from recycled bottles.  I took the ReNew Long Puffer for a spin around New York City and was impressed at how well it fared, especially considering the price.  A parka is a winter essential in colder climates. Piling on layers of wool and fleece is a futile attempt at staying warm without the thick, all-encompassing warmth of a good coat. Luckily, there are plenty of great winter coats out there.  But if you're anything like me, the endless options can actually make the decision process all the more difficult. There are so many things to consider: How much are you willing to spend? Is the more expensive option always warmer? Are there cruelty-free options? Will it even look good on? If you want to cut through the noise, Everlane's ReNew Long Puffer is an easy choice. It's warm, sustainable, and affordable, a rare find in the winter coat world.  Everything you need to know about the ReNew Long Puffer Last year, Everlane announced a lofty environmental goal — by 2021 the brand will have no new plastic in their supply chain. But there are already 8 billion tons of plastic on the planet, and they're not going away. The ReNew collection was built as the brand's innovative first step toward a plastic-free future. Instead of creating new synthetic fabrics, the ReNew collection features a range of outerwear made from recycled plastic bottles. Each ReNew Long Puffer is made from 60 renewed plastic bottles. Both the fabric and insulation are 100% recycled. The only parts of the coat that aren't recycled are the zippers and trim, though Everlane is working to source those from recycled materials as well.  The coat itself has the look of a classic parka. It's long, puffy, and relatively thick, with three color options: black, navy, and a rich cobalt blue. There's a drawstring waist, which allows you to get a more flattering fit from the otherwise oversized silhouette. A hood adds some easy warmth, and there's a drawstring so you can keep your head protected on those chilly, windy days. There are two oversized pockets with a fleecy lining inside — a nice spot to warm up cold hands. The jacket is not too long, but it hits about mid-thigh to knee (depending on the person) so you get a good amount of leg coverage. The whole jacket is water-resistant, an important feature for something that'll likely be seeing snow. Everlane says the coat is recommended for temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees.  Wearing the Everlane ReNew Long Puffer Slipping on the ReNew Long Puffer, I immediately felt ready to brave the cold. The jacket has a heft to it that makes me feel protected. It doesn't feel as lightweight as the down parkas I've worn in the past, but it isn't uncomfortably heavy to wear. I loved the length. The jacket grazed just above my knee, but the zipper didn't go down all the way. I appreciated this thoughtful design, which made it easier to walk as there were no constraints around the legs. The deep pockets are another great feature. When you're wearing a jacket this puffy, having to rifle through a bag to find your belongings can feel particularly laborious, so I appreciate the big pockets which help you keep your everyday essentials handy. My only qualm with the pockets is the lack of a zipper, as the flap top lets in cold air easily.  I wore the coat on a low-30s day and was more than warm enough. The insulation, hood, and long silhouette keep me cozy. I haven't yet seen how this coat fares in even lower temperatures, but if customer reviews are any indication, it should do just as well. Puffy parkas aren't the most flattering coats you can find, but all things considered, this one is pretty cute. I have the cobalt, a vibrant blue color that stands out in a sea of neutral outwear. The simplicity of the coat — there's no serious hardware or colorful signage — gives it a minimalist feel, which (in terms of parkas) is simple and stylish.  What I really can't get over, though, is the price. At $175, this coat feels like a steal. It's high-quality, fits well and looks nice on, keeps me really warm, and seems pretty durable. So far, it's on par with jackets that are two or three times the price. Sustainability is the icing on the cake with this impressive piece. If there's an option at a great price that's also better for the planet, why wouldn't you choose it? The bottom line Parkas are notoriously expensive pieces. And while some may be worth the investment, spending hundreds of dollars on a coat isn't always feasible. Everlane's ReNew Long Puffer also proves it isn't always necessary. The coat does some pretty heavy lifting for just $175. It's warm enough to withstand freezing temperatures, made more sustainably than most other options out there, and actually looks cool too. For the price, you'll surely get more than your money's worth of wear after just one season, though I'm sure you'll keep it in your wardrobe for far longer.  Join the conversation about this story »

Salary transparency doesn't solve everything, but it certainly prevents NLRA violations

The cult clothing brand faces allegations of poor working conditions. The company responds. Everlane appears to have hit a roadblock in its quest to build a company grounded in “radical transparency,” as it promises in its mission statement. A decade ago, Everlane’s founder and CEO Michael Preysman coined the phrase to encompass his brand’s wide-ranging efforts to build an ethical fashion label. Now, the company is under fire for allegedly promoting poor working conditions.Read Full Story

"Everybody loves to say you don't spend money online, but the way things work now with Facebook, Instagram, and how much it goes to acquire a customer, then you have to ship it all," Everlane CEO Michael Preysman says on "Mad Money."