NEW YORK—The changing expectations of a more demanding—and digital device-enabled—consumer are revolutionizing all retail and professional businesses. Speakers with various perspectives on those changes, from top-of-the-trees stats and data to closer-than-ever to the customer brand, tech and retail experts took to the podium at the first Accessories Council Summit to bring those ideas to the audience attending the event, held here late last month, in partnership with the NPD Group, LIM College and WWD.

Karen Giberson, president of The Accessories Council, noted, “New ways of thinking, reallocation of resources and being nimble as an organization will be important in ensuring future growth and success.”

More than 100 attendees from various parts of the fashion accessories and fashion media business heard presentations at the day-long program which talked about the consumer at the “center”of all the changes—their interests, recommendations and inspiration now actively and permanently guided by the influence of their friends, colleagues and the technology of social media.

Marshall Cohen, chief industry analyst of The NPD Group, the consumer data monitoring company, remarked “We [retailers, buyers, brand companies] like to think of ourselves as creators, but that is not the case exclusively anymore.” Cohen cited a “shrinking generation gap,” noting the power of Millennials and Generation Z (kids under 19) on their Gen X, Y and Boomer parents (and grandparents). “How do you dare to be different?,” he asked. “Think of ‘lifestage,’ not ‘life age.’”

The sessions were diverse, including a panel on the intersection of business and technology featuring consultant Karen Harvey, Shoes of Prey’s Jodie Fox and Marcelle Parrish of e-Bay Fashion as well as a session on the far-reaching influence of costume design with Jenn Rogien, who works on HBO’s “Girls,” and Netflix’ “Orange is the New Black” as well as Dan Lawson, costume designer of “Mad Men” and “The Good Wife.”

A discussion on how new brands connect with consumers featured jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher, Dave Gilboa, co-founder of Warby Parker, and footwear designer Paul Andrew. The discussion was moderated by Ariel Foxman of InStyle and People StyleWatch.

A unique conversation about creativity and staying very tight on brand focus took place in a discussion with Hal Rubenstein and well-known pastry chef and inventor of the “Cronut,” Dominique Ansel. Attendees got to sample one of his special delectables at the break.

Mary Beech, SVP and chief marketing officer at Kate Spade & Company, stressed the importance of being “authentic” in each social media/marketing medium used. She cited a few examples of the Kate Spade “dialog” that the brand worked to develop with its customer. “What is her brand journey?” she asked, “What’s her path to consumption, what takes her there?”

Fashion, jewelry and footwear designer, and real estate executive, Ivanka Trump, talked honestly about her mission to balance work and life and said, “Basically, these have merged into ‘one’ thing—it’s just all life. And women are working differently today to do well in all aspects of their lives.”

The Gold Sponsors of the Accessories Council Summit were Chic Buds, Marchon Eyewear and Scent Systems by Yankee Candle.

maxelrad@jobson.com

More than 100 attendees from various parts of the fashion accessories and fashion media business heard presentations at the day-long program. Hal Rubenstein (l) and chef Dominque Ansel. Mark Bozek, CEO of the new EVINE Live shopping channel and website. A discussion on how new brands connect with consumers was part of the program.

Fashion, jewelry and footwear
designer, and real estate executive,
Ivanka Trump. 		Marshall Cohen, chief industry analyst of The NPD Group, the consumer data monitoring company. The Accessories Council’s Karen Giberson welcomed attendees. Shoes of Prey’s Jodie Fox, (l) with Karen Harvey
of Karen Harvey Consulting.