New York Fashion eCommerce Summit Event Recap
Miranda Nwaedozie (McClellan-Bowden)
SVP, Head of Audience & Content @ Retail Summits | Event Production, eCommerce, Fashion
The Inaugural New York Fashion eCommerce Summit Set the Stage for the Future of Fashion Retail!
On January 23rd, 2025, Retail Summits hosted the first-ever New York Fashion eCommerce Summit, bringing together a powerhouse lineup of fashion leaders, digital innovators, and retail disruptors for a day of thought-provoking discussions, knowledge-sharing, and unparalleled networking.
From emerging trends in fashion eCommerce to supply chain challenges, sustainable business models, and the future of brand storytelling, our panelists delivered insightful perspectives shaping the next era of online retail.
Key Themes & Takeaways from the Summit:
Exploring the Future of Fashion & Apparel in eCommerce:
Moderated by Madan Bharadwaj , Founder & CEO, M-Squared | M^2 , this panel discussed how consumer behavior is changing faster than a New York Fashion Week runway, and brands need to evolve just as quickly. Panelist Aaron Luo , Charlotte Paffe , Natalie Chacin and Rudy Ribardière shared how they’re embracing digital-first strategies, rethinking product distribution, and leveraging personalization to drive customer loyalty. Key Takeaway: Fashion brands that balance artistry and technology will thrive in an increasingly competitive space.
Presentation by Maestra
In a standout presentation, Maryna Hradovich , Co-Founder, Maestra , highlighted how they helped a partner boost their revenue by 30% year-over-year in just three months, all without increasing their budget. They focused on the strategic innovations that enabled this success, including AI-driven personalization, streamlined processes, and effective customer re-engagement tactics. Attendees gained actionable insights on applying these strategies to their businesses for sustainable growth without expanded budgets.
Unlocking Efficiency: Transforming Fashion Supply Chains with Data & Automation
Efficiency and real-time visibility are now non-negotiables in retail and fashion supply chain. Supply Chain Fashion leaders Allison Sepe , Izzy Rosenzweig , Leila Jalai , Michelle Min Hwa Lee , Neema Frazier moderated by Brandon Staton , CEO, ShipMint , discussed the tech innovations driving inventory management, logistics, and ethical sourcing. Key Takeaway: Investing in automation and AI-driven forecasting will be essential to reducing waste and meeting evolving consumer expectations.
A Guide to Sustainable Style
Consumers demand more than just style; they want accountability and ethical business practices from the brands they support. Led by Jamila Feaster-Rawls , Merchant Success Manager, Sustainability experts Alison Lyness , Gionna Nicole , Madison PM Cline , and Michael S. Feinman , tackled greenwashing, the rise of second-hand luxury, and how e-commerce is changing the industry’s sustainability narrative. Key Takeaway: Circular fashion models are not just an emerging trend—they’re the future of sustainable retail.
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Fashion Foward Technologies
This panel was moderated by Nihal Mandanna C.P. , Head of Growth, MobiLoud and featured fashion tech leaders Jeff Mergy , Maddie Katz , Marie-Prune de Batz , Mike Coble and Sabrina W., BDes who explored how emerging technologies are transforming the fashion industry and the role that AI, data analytics, and sustainable materials have in driving innovation, from design to production to customer engagement.
Diverse Voices, Diverse Styles: Amplifying Representation in the Fashion Industry
This panel was the thought-provoking of the day and featured leaders from diverse backgrounds working both in front and backstage to make their companies more inclusive. Led by Madan Bharadwaj , Founder & CEO, M-Squared | M^2 , the panelist Breanna Young , Henry Martínez , Rochelle Jackson , and Sophia Legros explored the importance of inclusivity in fashion marketing, leadership, and product development—ensuring that brands reflect and authentically connect with their diverse customer base. Key Takeaway: Diversity isn’t a trend; it’s imperative for brands that want to build lasting relationships with today’s consumers.
Elevating Fashion Brands Through Omnichannel Marketing
Our closing panel gave some insight into how fashion retailers can cut through the noise and connect with consumers in meaningful ways. Moderated Jack R. , Wunderkind and joined by panelists Amy E. Riordan , Andrew Quicho , Caitlynn duPerier-Ortega , Ken Natori , Sabrina Cherubini and Zara Y. discussed the importance of seamless cross-channel experiences, influencer collaborations, and data-driven marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement. Key Takeaway: A strong omnichannel presence is no longer optional—it’s a core pillar for brand growth.
Beyond the Panels: Roundtable Discussions, Meaningful Connections & a Celebration of Innovation
The day wasn’t just about learning—it was about building community. The event featured:
Networking breaks where attendees connected with fellow professionals, exchanged ideas, and forged new partnerships. Thoughtful roundtable discussions with two amazing topics that are important to the fashion industry: the power of TikTok and short-form media and how the current economy can affect the fashion industry & your brand. A closing cocktail hour that provided the perfect setting for industry leaders to celebrate, collaborate, and discuss next steps for driving innovation in fashion eCommerce. Vendor showcases that highlighted cutting-edge technology, sustainable solutions, and creative brand activations shaping the future of the industry.
A Huge Thank You!
We couldn’t have asked for a better turnout! A heartfelt thank you to our incredible speakers, panelists, attendees, and event partners who made the New York Fashion eCommerce Summit such a resounding success.
This was just the beginning—see you next year!
If you attended what was your biggest takeaway from the summit? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Bold Metrics Inc. Braze iKala Portless Wunderkind Maestra Brex Loop MobiLoud Moonshot AI Northern Lights Technology Development ShipMint TransferMate Global Payments Verst Logistics M-Squared | M^2
#FashionEcommerce #NYFashionSummit #RetailInnovation #DigitalFashion #SustainabilityInFashion #Networking #FashionTech #OmnichannelRetail
Founder of CartStars | Built it because no one figures it out alone | Connecting top retail & eComm leaders to real insights, trusted partners, and high-value relationships—without the fluff.
1moThanks for the great recap, Miranda Nwaedozie (McClellan-Bowden)! Appreciate the insights for those of us who couldn’t be there—sounds like a great event. Loved reading about the focus on balancing artistry with technology and the rise of circular fashion.