Now Hiring: Product Director

Our amazing client, Free Fly Apparel, is looking for an experienced and talented Product Director to lead the evolution of their product line through innovation in merchandising, design, and development. The role requires a hands-on approach with a small but talented team who are eager to contribute, learn, and grow. They will be responsible for establishing an over-arching vision for product that aligns with their unique brand identity and is relevant to their existing core customer base while enabling Free Fly to acquire new customers with compelling and relevant assortments. The Product Director will report directly to the Free Fly leadership team and will be responsible for product merchandising, design, and development teams. Please Note: This position is a full-time role and is based out of their headquarters in Charleston, SC.

Interested in this exciting opportunity? Click here to read the full job description & to apply! Feel free to refer a qualified candidate, too.

About Free Fly Apparel

Free Fly Apparel is a Charleston, SC-based performance clothing company specializing in unique bamboo material blends. Before launching in 2011, the team at Free Fly Apparel spent over two years of research and development to come up with the softest performance fabrics imaginable. Their design philosophy is anchored in fun and adventure while superior design and craftsmanship remains their focus. Whether you're on the water, exploring the mountains or hitting the gym, their confident this will quickly become your favorite shirt.

Free Fly's products are sold throughout 400+ specialty stores (domestic and international) and they are also available through their website at www.freeflyapparel.com.

Now Hiring: Retail Pop-up Keyholder

We are hiring for an exciting Retail Pop-up Event in Venice Beach. Come work on the beach in a hip pop-up, where the surf is king! If you are a seasoned retail sales leader, then this may be the perfect opportunity for you! Interested in the freelance Keyholder position with our awesome client in Venice Beach? Send your information and resume directly to Emerging Blue’s Talent Leader, Sally Daliege — sally@emergingblue.com and if you know a great candidate, feel free to refer them.

A New Ecommerce Luxe Fashion Consignment Store Launches

Meet The NOBO, a San Francisco-based new e-commerce platform focused on luxury consignment. The peer-to-peer marketplace offers its users to shop tons of luxury fashion and even invites bartering to the platform. From watches, to shoes… all the way to beautiful accessories, the online consignment store brings luxury fashions at a fraction of the retail cost. Congratulations to Noelle Bonner on your launch! We are so excited to see your positive impact on the market and your many successes. Click here to read the full article on Biz Journals.

Client Spotlight - Lollygag

Meet Lollygag!

Lollygag is a fresh ecommerce lifestyle brand serving up a curated product assortment along with delicious recipes.

Created by the Dynamic Design Duo, Kiko & Leo, Lollygag launched this year with a lot of “blood, sweat, and a little tears”, all while having fun along the way to bring cool, tasty, and happy products to your home. Lollygag is all about bringing people together around a table to make everlasting memories.

Lollygag’s website features an array of products that will speak to many people, no matter their style. There is something for everyone on this site. We especially love Lollygag’s online shop, which has a vintage section of cool and unique products that can easily blend in with new pieces.

Lollygag - Hollywood Glam Tableware Set

Lollygag’s products are created by artisans locally and all over the world.

While curating a unique product assortment, Lollygag values sustainability, and prides itself on being eco-friendly.

The team at Lollygag put great thought and care into their packaging materials… and where they end up once customers receive their order. Even better, they wrap as much of their orders as they can with 100% recyclable, biodegradable paper products by Geami. They fill the void spaces in packaging with recyclable brown paper. Additionally, their tape is a reinforced kraft paper that is eco-friendly and recyclable. All practices we hope to see more companies embrace.

Lollygag - Marcus Matte Black Mug Set

If you are coffee lovers like us, then you definitely need to check out Lollygag’s mug assortment. The Marcus Matte Black Mug Set (pictured above) is one that will elevate your next breakfast or brunch. Even working remotely, a matte black mug is so 2021.

From dinnerware, drinkware, and flatware to linens, placemats, and kitchen accessories, Lollygag has a curated assortment for all styles.

Click here to visit their website to take a look at their product collection!

Lollygag Recipe - The Seoul Bowl

At Lollygag, it’s not only about great products, it’s about amazing recipes that bring these pieces to life. Inspired by a blend of their travels and family meals, these tasty recipes seamlessly share the spotlight with the items they are served on. You can visit their Recipe Guide for fun recipes that will have you cooking in style.

“Inspired by my love of Korean BBQ and my Japanese roots...this next-level Asian-fusion rice bowl will totally knock your socks off- Perfect for spicing things up any day of the week!”

— Yukiko, Lollygag Founder

Lollygag is a labor of love. You can see it in the product assortment, the attention to detail, and the love poured into the recipes. You can see it in the idea that gathering together with family and friends, over an amazing meal, is what life is all about.

Kodudos to Kiko & Leo… and Kai… at Lollygag. A team and brand to keep your eye on.

Ulta X Target Coming in 2021

Great news! Ulta Beauty is coming to 100 Target stores across the United States in late 2021 to give customers a luxury beauty shopping experience. Click here to read the full article.

Congrats Ruby Ribbon!

As staffing leaders, we love when we hear of a successful hire… but when it’s 2 successful hires, even better! The “intimates-and-athleisure” apparel brand Ruby Ribbon hired two new executives to its team — a CFO/COO and CMO. We want to give a huge congratulations to Michelle Sanft and Loly Hlade on your exciting new roles with Ruby Ribbon.

Click here to read the full article.

Holiday Season to Boost the Economy

As we approach the holiday season, recent indicators are showing that consumer confidence is changing in Los Angeles. Andrew Asch from California Apparel News reviewed recent surveys and writes on this West Coast traction. 

Click here to read the article from Apparel News.

Jobs in the Home Goods Industry

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Coronavirus pandemic has altered the U.S. American retail landscape and accelerated a shift in retail. We are excited to see that the home goods sector depicts sales soaring well-above the other retail industries. With that, we have seen a hiring increase! We put together a list of jobs from our wonderful clients within the home goods and homewares industry, so take a look at the jobs and their descriptions below. If any of the roles speak to you, please apply! If you know someone who is a great match, feel free to pass along the job opportunity along.

Havenly, Designer Onboarding Specialist, Atlanta, GA

Havenly, Design Team Lead, Atlanta, GA

Havenly, Social Media Manager, Denver, CO

Havenly, Designer Onboarding Specialist, Denver, CO

Cost Plus World Market, Assistant Buyer, Alameda, CA

Cost Plus World Market, Assistant Manager: Merchandising, Corte Madera, CA

Cost Plus World Market, PT Assistant Manager: Merchandising, Mountain View, CA

Touch of Modern, Head of Human Resources, San Francisco, CA

Touch of Modern, Marketing Director, San Francisco, CA

Touch of Modern, Junior Account Coordinator, San Francisco, CA

Gucci x The RealReal Partner Together!

Gucci and The RealReal partner together for an incredible collaboration! Vogue’s article says that Gucci is going to have an “e-shop stocked with consignors’ items as well as merchandise brought in directly from Gucci.” If you are obsessed with The RealReal and Gucci as much as we are, then you too are excited for all of the pieces that will be in housed in Gucci’s e-shop.

Click here to read the full article.

Minnow's Pop-up Shop Opens in Newport Beach

Congratulations to minnow on the opening of the pop-up store at Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach, CA. Their pop-up store is open now through December 2020. Check minnow out for the cutest contemporary children’s swimwear.

Patagonia Sparks Climate Change Conversation

Read about Patagonia’s “Vote the assholes out” apparel tag: https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a34078539/patagonia-vote-the-assholes-out-shorts-tag-meaning/

Los Angeles' Fashion Industry is Returning

We are seeing signs of a revival in the fashion industry in LA lately. Its timing couldn’t be more welcome to those businesses, employees, and job seekers who have all been on a Covid-induced hiatus.

“Life is coming back to Downtown Los Angeles,” said Andrew Asch, retail editor for the California Apparel News trade newspaper, who lives and works in Downtown Los Angeles.  Paul Smith’s long-awaited boutique opened in Downtown Los Angeles in July, and the outdoor cafes such as Urth and Zinque have been packed through Summer 2020. Throughout the pandemic, work on the fashion district’s sprawling construction projects hasn’t stopped.

However, downtown Los Angeles is still recovering from the pandemic’s stay-at-home orders. The once-bustling streets of Downtown Los Angeles have not yet been restored to their same pace of action. Some downtown storefronts are still boarded up months after rioting took place in downtown May 30. Los Angeles showed signs of solidarity immediately after the riots, Asch said. “Storeowners told me about how many of their neighbors helped them protect their shops and how many people helped them clean-up.”

A busy Los Angeles fitting model, Jody Carlson-Astrom, is back at fittings in Downtown Los Angeles. The support from her husband, family, and friends, keeping up her routines with exercise, and going to work kept her feeling normal during the pandemic. Carlson-Astrom said, “It’s never been if you will get through a situation in life together because you will, but it is how you will get through it together."  Many of her regular accounts are opening up fitting schedules for both delayed and forward-deliveries, as she continues to create the needed schedules.   

While many companies are back intermittently working in-house, a designer for a major retailer who we spoke with is back at work, choosing to be in the office.  Staffing is leaner due to budget cuts and layoffs, and the employees that do WFH/remote now and are very happy about it. They find it to be more productive at home (less meetings and fewer interruptions).  The pace and calendar are amping back up to the normal pre-Covid— very busy with the usual deadlines.  

Rebecca Marion, senior designer at Planet Blue, continued working through the pandemic, with a real compulsion toward a traditional standard of daily productivity, she recognized the newly open schedule as a unique opportunity to pursue other avenues of growth. Since the industry has been erratic, she took some courses on Coursera and then Logocore in graphic design and branding. “It amounted to many hours of homework, a lot of which was welcome as it was much more hands-on art and in many different mediums than are part of my current creative career,” Marion said.  

All in all, we are seeing an uptick in the LA fashion industry. Not only are people looking to get back to work, but companies are making strides to open their businesses and storefronts. Some are beginning to hire additional staff as they move forward. All progress is welcome for an industry that has weathered the storm and is ready to keep the positive momentum rolling.

Redefining the Home Goods Industry

Click here to read how home goods and furniture companies are adopting AR and VR technology to enhance the customer experience.

Pop-Up Shops - A New Retail Reality

Emerging Blue, Pop-Up Shop Staffing

Opening a pop-up shop right now is a great idea and here’s why.

As we emerge from lockdown, people have been missing the ability to touch and feel product and to interact with brands in-person.  This is where pop-up shops come in.  They provide an opportunity to craft a shop that allows for safe shopping and social distancing.  Let’s face it, these are our two realities right now.

Given months of shutdown, we find that stores have excess inventory, and many have locations that have limited in-store shopping ability.   Opening a Pop-Up shop would bring products to the consumer in a way that fits the new retail reality.

With the pandemic creating an economic whirlwind, and with many retail storefront vacancies to choose from, it is an opportune time to have a brick-and-mortar, short-term presence.   Whether an outdoor shopping center, a kiosk, or a free-standing boutique, companies are likely to find a perfect fit for a pop-up location. We recommend checking out Storefront for a list of incredible retail locations.

Planning a safe and successful pop-up includes hiring and training a staff that is sensitive to both. Our team has been working with independently owned retailers and national brands to launch pop-ups this summer. We are actively supporting our clients with in-depth staff training on safe customer interactions for each pop-up.  

Sure, this new retail reality has been tricky, but having a plan, training the team, and doing it right is the key to pop-up shop success.  Now is the time to start planning.  

*Emerging Blue, supports retail clients across the US by sourcing, hiring, and training staff who are a match for each brand while handling all payroll and human resource processes. To engage our team to staff your pop-up reach out here or at info@emergingblue.com.

Suggestions before Reopening the Workplace from our EB Crew

Conversations regarding reopening the workplace are occurring daily, so here are some action items we suggest for the next coming weeks.

Take time to review all organizational charts and update all job descriptions

With the changes that occurred in staffing, org charts will need to be updated and communicated out. Additionally, update all job descriptions including new departmental responsibilities. Document any new processes and update vendors as needed, using the opportunity to receive their updates as well.

Consider benefits additions to help the transition

Many companies are offering transit vouchers and child-care reimbursements during the return phase to the norm. Any equipment needed to #wfh and cell phone reimbursement is also a great way to ensure employees of your commitment. Reexamine Sick Days policies and any PTO perks that can help the team.

Define and communicate updated expectations and goals

Post updated expectations and goals reflecting the changes in the economic climate, org chart shifts, and updated job descriptions. Bring corporate calendars up to date while considering the competitive landscape. And, embrace #inthistogether approach to welcoming the routine -)

Need help? Knock on our door info@emergingblue.com to hear more about our services.

When Should you Start Planning for your Holiday Pop-up Shop? Today.

Yes, we know its summer and most people aren’t even thinking about the holidays yet…but you should be if you want to have a successful pop-up shop. There’s lot to think about and plan for so we put together a list of 5 things you can do now to ensure your pop-up is a smashing success this winter.

1. Budget. This should be first on your list, as it will help you to put together all of the below items!

2. Location. Pop-up shops have become increasingly popular and the holidays are an especially fashionable time to have one. Given this, desirable spaces can become limited. Our friends at Storefront (www.thestorefront.com) are a great resource to find the perfect location for what you need.

3. Merchandise. Curate the collection of items that you will showcase in the pop-up, keeping in mind climate appropriate items, i.e. warm weather products in the south.

4. Marketing. Decide how to best broadcast your pop-up to your customer base. Consider a combination of in store marketing, social media, signage and influencer outreach. You could also run a promotion to help convert online traffic to in store traffic.

5. Staffing. Pop-ups require candidates who are aligned with your brand philosophy, reliable, retail focused and customer service oriented. Think about your goal and vision for the pop-up and be sure to choose candidates that can bring that to life. We recommend over hiring & training the staff to be ready for whatever the pop-up throws at you.

We hope this helps to jump start your preparation for your holiday pop-up shop and as always, we are here to help with any staffing needs. We’ve already started working with some of our brand partners to get ready for their holiday pop-up and we’d love to do the same for your company!