The Clothing Coulture podcast series is produced by Stars Design Group, a global leader in apparel design and manufacturing based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Clothing Coulture is hosted by Stars Design Group CEO Bret Schnitker and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Emily Lane. Schnitker has more than 30 years of fashion industry experience and has conducted business in 70 countries. Lane has 25 years of business development and marketing experience.
Stars uses a unique business model that allows it to develop apparel programs from design to delivery for retailers and brands who need the infrastructure of highly experienced personnel. It offers a full-service design staff using 2D & 3D PHOTO-real artwork, an incredible development and sourcing team, and a global network of more than 67 hand-selected factories in 14 countries.
As an industry apparel executive for more than 30 years, working in all facets of the sector, Bret has had the unique experience to do in business in 70 countries, working with artisans and experts worldwide. Having been in over 1,000 factories that employ 200,000 people, he cares deeply about the value of the opportunity this industry brings to developing countries and its people.
As Founder and CEO of Stars Design Group (a fashion design and production house), Bret believes in fostering an environment of innovation and evolution to stay ahead of the rapidly changing business climate. With offices worldwide and a network of 67 factories globally, he stays ahead of the trends to advise on all design, textiles, sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, and business strategy. Through consulting, collaboration, and thought leadership, Bret helps clients (brands and retailers) solve garment initiatives and production goals.
As Chief Strategy Officer at Stars Design Group, Emily develops and implements strategic initiatives to increase awareness, support collaborative opportunities, cultivate innovation, and promote thought leadership in the organization. A serial entrepreneur with 25 years in business development, Emily’s strategic approach helps to foster a culture of innovation, while implementing thoughtful marketing strategies that have a history of propelling businesses to viability, increased profitability, global awareness, and market leadership.
At Stars Design Group, Emily is the creator of the podcast series Clothing Coulture which provides expertise on the global dynamics that shape trends in the fashion industry. Recently, she also launched United Coulture, a Fashion Design Community that brings established, talented designers and industry creatives together to collaborate on projects and collections, to elevate the aesthetic and quality of client programs. Emily also serves as COO for Stars sister company, INSPR, which helps to build fashion brands inspired by the individual vision of influencer / creators, as well as bring the impact of influencer marketing to brands and retailers. Emily is also the Co-Founder of Femme Ascend – A female empowerment group designed to lift, inspire, and support one another. Additionally, Emily is a cellist and artist advocate.
As Press Correspondent for Clothing Coulture, Mary is fascinated with the complexity of the fashion industry. She explores practices that foster useful and meaningful innovation. Mary is passionate about examining the fashion zeitgeist, analyzing the what, why, and how, of the fashion system. As faculty at Washington University in St. Louis, a top research institution, she sees fashion as a broad subject through which to research, educate, write, and design.
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