Fashion

Client Spotlight: UpWest

Meet UpWest!

Over the past several months, we’ve had the pleasure of working with one of the coolest, growing sustainable and give-back apparel brands in the industry. Headquartered in Columbus, OH, we’re thrilled to announce our amazing EB 360 partner, UpWest!

UpWest is comfort-focused apparel brand that is making waves in the industry not only for their sustainable practices, but also for their fantastic product and company culture. They have managed to create a brand that is both stylish and eco-friendly, all while fostering an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and personal growth.

UpWest

Sustainability Efforts

One of the key differentiators of UpWest is their sustainability efforts. They take a holistic approach to sustainability, considering everything from the materials they use in their clothing to the packaging they use to ship their products. UpWest uses materials that are eco-friendly and sustainable, such as recycled polyester and organic cotton. They also work with suppliers who share their commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.

UpWest is also dedicated to reducing waste and minimizing their carbon footprint. They have implemented several initiatives to reduce waste, such as using recyclable mailers and encouraging customers to reuse their packaging through their partnership with Give Back Box.   They also launched a garment take-back program in their stores with the goal of upcycling or donating used clothing items to keep them out of landfills.  Additionally, they have partnered with organizations like One Tree Planted to help offset their carbon emissions and plant trees in areas affected by deforestation.

Inside UpWest

What stands out most to us about UpWest is their kind nature and positive company culture. They foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and personal growth, where employees are encouraged to share ideas and take risks. They also prioritize work-life balance, offering flexible schedules and remote work options. At UpWest, they believe that progress > perfection.  Giving back is truly part of the UpWest DNA, and they make time quarterly to serve the community in a variety of practical ways.

UpWest also invests in their employees' personal and professional growth through training and development programs. They provide opportunities for employees to learn new skills, attend industry events, and receive feedback and support from their managers. They believe in engaging with and supporting their surrounding communities, and partnering with brands who hold similar values.

Take Your Career to the Next Level with UpWest!

Over the past several months, we have worked closely with the UpWest team and can attest to how incredible of a company they are to work with. They are focused on making a positive impact on the environment, and their commitment to sustainability is woven into everything they do. If you're looking for a company that is making a difference and genuinely values their employees, UpWest is definitely a brand to keep on your radar.

The Key to Fashion Industry Success: Identifying Top Digital Talent

The fashion industry is undergoing a major transformation, and the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model is at the forefront of this change. The State of Fashion 2023 report highlights that DTC channels are becoming increasingly important for fashion brands, as they offer greater control over the customer experience and enable better data capture and analysis.

One key trend is the rise of social commerce, which involves selling products directly through social media platforms. This allows brands to reach consumers where they are spending their time online and offers a more seamless shopping experience. Influencers and user-generated content are also becoming more important in driving DTC sales. Another important trend is the shift towards sustainability and ethical production, with consumers increasingly seeking out brands that align with their values. DTC brands are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, as they can communicate their values and mission directly to consumers through their marketing and messaging.

However, DTC brands also face challenges, such as the high costs of customer acquisition and the need to constantly innovate and stay ahead of the competition. To succeed in the DTC space, brands must be agile, data-driven, and willing to experiment and iterate.

Overall, the State of Fashion 2023 report suggests that DTC channels will continue to grow in importance for fashion brands over the next few years. By leveraging social commerce, focusing on sustainability and ethics, and embracing innovation, brands can succeed in this rapidly-evolving landscape.

The fashion industry is rapidly evolving, and it's more important than ever for brands to have access to top talent with the skills and expertise needed to succeed in the DTC and e-commerce space. That's where Emerging Blue comes in. 

As a leading recruiting and staffing agency focused exclusively on the fashion industry, we have the industry knowledge, experience, and network needed to help brands find and hire the best talent for their DTC and e-commerce channels. From marketing professionals with expertise in social commerce to designers with a passion for sustainability and ethics, we can help you build the team you need to succeed.

Our team of industry experts has a deep understanding of the fashion space and can help you navigate the complexities of recruiting and hiring top talent. With our global network of candidates and clients, we can connect you with the right people to drive your business forward.

So if you're looking to build a winning team for your DTC or e-commerce channel, contact Emerging Blue today. We're here to help you find the right talent to succeed in this rapidly-evolving landscape. Visit our blog to learn more about industry trends and insights.

References

https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/direct-to-consumer/the-state-of-fashion-2023-report-dtc-ecommerce-online-retail-channel-strategy/

https://workcompass.com/identifying-top-talent/

#Hired!

TikTok Takeover: Today's Hottest Marketing & Hiring Tool

Emerging Blue TikTok Takeover Blog

Among all the social media platforms and channels, there is only one that has taken over like no other: TikTok. With over 1 billion users in over 150 different countries, TikTok has quickly taken center stage and is changing the ways of digital marketing as we know them.

TikTok has established itself not just as a social channel, but as a destination for all things beauty and fashion. The app has sparked and circulated some of the most popular trends in clothing styles, skincare routines, makeup hacks, and more.

Many brands are recognizing the app’s influence on consumer purchasing and have begun incorporating TikTok as a key tool in their digital marketing strategies.

Brands can build off of trends by understanding the wider tendencies they reveal, and tap into specific trends by using them to tell stories about existing products.”

Given the platform’s algorithm, TikTok provides marketers an avenue for reach and engagement. Even without an established following or presence, as long as there is appealing content, audience engagement is bound to follow. This makes TikTok a social media platform with some of the highest engagement rates.

Brands are finding that there are two major ingredients to a successful TikTok campaign: Authenticity + Consistency

As brands continue to evolve their digital marketing strategies, they’ll have to add TikTok to their list of platforms. Through authentic and consistent content, brand deals with influencers, and participation in recent trends, brands can easily fast track to increased awareness, engagement, and creating a larger, loyal customer base.

In a job seekers’ market, TikTok can also be used as a recruiting platform. Many brands have shifted their use of TikTok to recruit summer interns or digital marketing related positions. By advertising these jobs through catchy reels with a link to the job application, brands have been able to take advantage of TikTok’s evolution as a creative alternative to the traditional job board or application/hiring process. “TikTok has already recognized its potential as the next big jobs platform, launching a #TikTokResumes pilot program” in 2021.

 Another trend to note is that candidates have been using TikTok as a way to showcase their creative work. For positions in the creative or artistic fields, TikTok can be an extension to potential candidate’s portfolio, providing brands with a clearer understanding of a person’s real time work.

Whether you’re a brand marketing a product, a hiring manager seeking talent, or a candidate showcasing your portfolio, TikTok demonstrates its ability as a tool to be used by nearly anyone and everyone in the workplace.

Articles referenced:

Welcome to the Industry: Looking Beyond the Traditional Resume

When hiring for talent, one of the top criteria that recruiters often look for is whether a candidate is an industry match. Though having proper industry experience can be one of the keys to success when starting a new role, some say that it may be time to start looking beyond traditional resume requirements.

In a time of economic turbulence but growing demands for top talent, recruiters are facing the challenge of a narrowing talent pool due to the limitations of background industry.

An alternative recruiting method that many brands and retailers have been adopting to expand and diversify the talent pool: welcoming industry newcomers.

According to an article from Business of Fashion, “a resume heavy on experience outside the fashion world is increasingly seen as a plus”.  Given the increasing changes in e-commerce, sustainability, and global expansion of supply chains, many people outside of the fashion industry are proving to have transferrable skills that fashion brands are looking for. These sweeping changes have provided candidates with ample opportunities to grow in soft skills like adaptability or agility as well as other capabilities in analytics, marketing, or technology.

“With economic downturn potentially on the horizon, the payoff from diversifying fashion’s workforce and bringing new perspectives… could become greater in the next few months.”

More than having that perfect industry match, brands are recognizing the need to bring in candidates who can share in a company’s core values, passions, and understanding of their specific brand DNA.

Related articles:

https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/workplace-talent/why-fashion-should-recruit-from-outside-the-industry/

https://au.hudson.com/insights/hiring/hiring-candidates-outside-your-industry/