The co-lab career stories

Today on the co-lab Career Stories podcast we chat with Marina Larroudé, co-founder and CCO of newly launched brand, Larroudé. She is interviewed by her husband and co-founder, Ricardo Larroudé! Originally from Brazil, Marina got her start in fashion as an editor at Vogue Brazil and officially became a New Yorker in 2003. She has an impressive background as Fashion Director of Barney's, Teen Vogue...

Today we sit down with Blair Lawson, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Beautycounter. While attending business school at Northwestern University after initially starting her career in finance, Blair became drawn to the creative career path and decided to pursue a career in fashion. During school, she undertook a summer internship at Kate Spade where she fell for the industry. After more...

Jim Kuerschner is the President of KULE, an emerging womenswear label by CFDA member Nikki Kule. Today he sits down (virtually) with fellow fashion executive, Blair Lawson of Beautycounter. Prior to KULE, Jim managed retail operations and in-store technology for Inditex, bringing RFID technology to Zara stores across the US and Canada. Kuerschner started his career with Puig, first in PR at N...

Today we hear the career story of Marianne Battle, former Omni-Channel Planning Director at Macy’s. Originally from Grand Rapids, MI, Marianne attended Kentucky State University, a historically Black College, where she graduated with a degree in Apparel and Textile Marketing Management (and she was also a cheerleader!). Now residing in Orlando, FL, Marianne is exploring her next career chapter aft...

Currently Senior Director of design at Delta Galil for 3+ years, Lauren Bertrando worked her way up to Director of Design at Macy’s over her 10+ years at the company. Listen to Lauren’s story as she digs into the effects of Covid on our industry, how we need to act now to implement sustainability practices, and how important it is to learn how to network and give back to your professional communit...

Today we hear from Megan Ryley, an American from the Midwest who came to NYC to go to FIT and start her career in haute couture. Listen to Megan’s journey to India, first working for Indian companies and then eventually starting her own factory, allowing her to work on product for some of the best global brands in the world such as Oscar De La Renta, The Row, Jenny Packham & more. Now back in...

This week we have stories of two American professionals who love India so much they decided to live and work in India for both Indian and American brands. Listen to Cynthia Director’s journey from her time at RISD, why she decided to move to India, and how she discovered her love of textiles and the home interiors industry. Looking for her next challenge, hit Cynthia up on LinkedIn to get in touch...

"I don’t love jewelry. I love people. I love concepts," says Pamela Roskin, owner of Pamela Roskin jewelry and Professor at Parsons School of Design and Berkeley. Upon graduating from Lewis & Clark College with a degree in History and Art History, Pamela began her career as a marketer in the book publishing industry. After ten years in publishing, she decided to get her masters in Fashion &amp...

“Sometimes it takes becoming confident and growing into yourself to realize the full story,” says Sara Stewart Stevens, Program Director at Textiles and Apparel Program at the University of Texas at Austin. Sara obtained her degree in Environmental Geography from the University of Oklahoma, and thought her post-grad path would lead to working in water rights in Central America. While job searching...

Sometimes the universe surprises you with a completely new plan (including a new job) amidst a global pandemic. This is true of Ryan Metauro, Director of Sales (Americas) at ORDRE. Originally from New Jersey, Ryan began his career in NYC after graduating with a business degree from Boston University. He has worked for brands like Eugenia Kim and Gitman Bros., and was with Canada Goose during their...

"Networking is a game changer", says Steven Wildenberg, National Account Manager at Patina Brands and Founder of new consultancy, Golden Meteors. Originally from the Poconos in Pennsylvania, Steven attended Temple University where he studied Account Management and LGBT studies. He began his career as a Junior Account Executive at O.N.S Clothing, but quickly learned that he loved working for a mult...

Today we hear the inspiring career story of Retail Executive turned Life and Business coach, Danielle Vigliotti. Danielle, a New Jersey native, has 25 years of experience as a retail and marketing executive growing multimillion dollar fashion companies in New York, London, and Florida, where she currently lives. Danielle founded her life and business coaching practice, Stress Less Love More, in 20...

This week we hear Michelle Peranteau's career story, interviewed by fellow co-lab member Danielle Vigliotti. Michelle has wide-ranging experience in PR, Marketing and Communications, having worked with global jewelers like Harry Winston and Baume & Mercier. She was most recently the VP of Marketing for Matouk. You'll love hearing Michelle's greatest career accomplishments, what she's learning...

Need a little motivation? Today we hear from master coach and speaker, Keren Eldad - interviewed by fellow co-lab member and life coach, Stephanie Venditto. Originally from Israel, Keren moved to NYC after a major life change and decided that the only direction to go after enduring hardship was up. Having served in the Israeli army and emerging into coaching from crisis counseling, Keren's belief...

When the world and its institutions have their own rules about where, when and how women (and men!) should thrive, the question is, how willing are we to follow our own instincts which can be our most prosperous path? Listen as we hear from Stephanie Venditto, who shares her experiences as a classically trained ballerina, a working actress on several acclaimed television shows and films, an acting...

Handbag Designer, Alicia Skehan, talks with fellow co-lab member, Khalika Abrams, to discuss her career journey. A true East Coaster, Alicia grew up in Washington D.C. and now lives in Manhattan. Upon graduation from Parsons School of Design, Alicia started her career designing for big brands such as Kate Spade, Coach and Juicy Couture. She was most recently Design Director at MZ Wallace, and...

This week we sit down with Visual Merchandise Executive and Entrepreneur, Khalika Abrams. Originally from New York, by way of Atlanta and Detroit, Khalika has lived in Los Angeles for the past 15 years. Growing up with a mother in performing arts heavily inspired her passion to create. After graduating from American Intercontinental University with a degree in fashion marketing, she began her care...

Joeri Van Campenhout, Senior Designer at Dries Van Noten, sits down with fellow designer Andrea Robredo Ruiz to talk about his career path. Born in America to Belgian parents, Joeri ended up moving with his family to Belgium for schooling. After obtaining his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, Joeri began his fashion career as a designer for...

Today we chat with Andrea Robredo Ruiz, Consulting Design Director at Carolina Herrera. Fellow designer Joeri Van Campenhout interviews Andrea on how she got her start in design and making the transition from corporate to consultant. Originally from Spain, Andrea comes from a fashion family and always knew the industry would be her destiny. Her background spans globally, having lived in Milan, Lon...

Lauren McConnell, Brand Manager at Lovesac, is interviewed today by fellow co-lab member and marketer, Kyle Andrew. Lauren grew up on the west coast and made the move to NYC after graduating from St. Louis University. While her career began in advertising, she soon realized her love of working on the brand marketing side and made the transition. Lauren talks with us about pivoting a corporate bran...

Today we hear the career story of marketing executive, Kyle Andrew — interviewed by fellow marketer, Lauren McConnell. Upon graduation from university in Australia, Kyle returned to the states and landed an advertising job in New York City. Kyle was most recently Chief Marketing Officer at American Eagle and has previously worked in marketing roles for major brands like Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole, a...

Margot Janks, Director of Global Merchandising at Tiffany & Co., is interviewed this week by fellow co-lab member Kenny Anderson. Margot is a native Californian turned New Yorker, who started her career in PR and quickly transitioned into marketing. Her experience ranges from working with major beauty brands to luxury jewelers, and most recently, starting her own coaching and consulting busine...

This week co-lab member Margot Janks interviews Kenny Anderson, SVP at Giorgio Armani. Kenny describes his unexpected journey into the fashion industry, building a team of 4 into 40, and what he is most proud of in his career journey thus far. Listen as Kenny shares his professional evolution, and how he is planning to give back as a mentor and boss in this super-competitive industry.

Natalie Garagiola, co-lab crew member, interviews Kristy Hurt, founder of the co-lab and Kristy Hurt Consulting, a fashion & beauty executive search firm in New York City. Kristy discusses her early career experiences, from starting out as a pre-med student at UT Austin and working at specialty boutique By George to running stores for Kate Spade in New York and later managing HR for LVMH ...

Co-lab founder Kristy Hurt interviews Natalie Garagiola, a Marketing professional living in Washington, D.C. who has mastered the art of the industry pivot. From cupcakes at Sprinkles to campaigns at National Geographic, Kristy and Natalie discuss the importance of having a job you don't like,  showing excitement in an interview, and how to pick up the pieces after you've been laid off.