121. How Fashion Retail Really Works & Brands to Watch with Sarah Shapiro

Ever wish a retail insider would just explain what's really going on behind your favorite brands? Meet Sarah Shapiro, the former fashion merchant-turned-reporter behind the Substack, Private Label. This week, Nan sits down with Sarah to decode how retail actually works: what "private label" really means, what buyers and merchants do all day, which brands are on the cusp of getting big, the collaborations she's watching, and the art of the "channel check." If you love to shop, this episode is a crash course in understanding what’s really happening behind the brands you buy. Find links to everything mentioned on our Substack: https://nanphilip.substack.com/t/note... Stay tuned for more Noteworthy with Nan episodes on Thursdays. Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Sarah Shapiro 00:43 From Buyer to Retail Reporter 06:58 What is a "Private Label" 09:37 What is a “Fashion Merchant”? 13:46 Brands on the Cusp & Others Missing the Mark 17:37 Recent Fashion Collaborations of Note 27:45 Gap Body, Brandy Melville and the Tweens 31:23 Making Time for Hobbies 45:06 Sarah's Noteworthy Tips 55:43 Sarah’s Life Motto(s) Follow Sarah Instagram:   / retail.diary   Substack (Private Label): https://www.privatelabel.ltd/ Follow Nan Instagram:   / nan.philip   TikTok:   / nan_philip   Follow the podcast Instagram:   / noteworthywithnan   TikTok:   / noteworthywithnan   YouTube:    / @noteworthywithnan   Credits Host: Nan Philip Executive Producer: Julia Aubuchon Technical Director: Drew Downing Guest: Sarah Shapiro #fashionbusiness #retailbusiness