Unbound 2.0: A New Chapter Begins 🐼
an unexpected path sparked by hidden insights
It’s been a year since I launched Unbound, and I want to thank everyone who's been with me on this journey.
When I started, I was inspired by other people who were creating great content online, like Packy McCormick (Not Boring) and Mario Gabriele (The Generalist).
My goal has always been to bring deep and valuable analysis.
But, as happens in life, plans change.
This year has been a whirlwind of highs and lows, and now I’m shifting focus.
I’m moving towards smaller, more bite-sized content, but don’t worry; I’ll still offer long-form analysis from time to time, just not as the sole focus.
So what happened?
Well, I tried to juggle too many things at once, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Substack, without being a social media expert. And honestly, managing it all by myself was no easy feat.
But, through the chaos, I’ve learned a lot.
Like the importance of consistency and optimism.
Image: Janis Ozolins
What did I learn?
Sometimes, smaller content can be just as informative, sparking better conversations and allowing me to react more quickly to what’s happening around us.
My dream is for Unbound to be a one-stop destination for all things fashion, business, tech, and more. There really isn’t a home for us who love this intersection, and it’s time to create one.
I hope you enjoy some of the different content I will be sharing. Such as a weekly fashion, tech, and biz recap 🐼 - below.
The Drop 🐼
curated insights: fashion, tech, and biz
Luxury Seemed Stuck
Luxury stocks have faced a tough year for most of 2024.
And many fingers were pointing at China's consumer weakness.
That’s why after China’s government announced a significant economic stimulus on Friday, shares of major luxury brands like Hermès, Richemont, and LVMH soared over 15% in just five days.
It’s their best weekly performance since 2012!
So, is China the fix?
Maybe, maybe not.
Fashion and beauty companies have had a rough start in 2024. The luxury sector saw just 2% organic growth in the first quarter, and expectations for the rest of the year are modest.
Will China's stimulus provide a resurgence in luxury consumer spending? I believe there are deeper, underlying issues.
Daniel Langer nailed it: The luxury industry is struggling because brands aren’t keeping up with the fast-changing demands of Gen Z. Investors are tired of hearing excuses and seeing brands blame external factors. The real problems are weak customer experiences, disjointed digital and physical touchpoints, and poor storytelling.
If luxury brands want to stay ahead, they need to own their performance, be real with their brand narratives, and deliver seamless, top-tier experiences across the board.
LVMH on a shopping spree
LVMH is still looking for expansion. They recently acquired a 10% stake in Moncler, one of the biggest entrepreneurial success stories in the fashion industry over the last two decades. Much of Moncler's success can be credited to Remo Ruffini, who bought the brand in 2003 and transformed it from a struggling ski-wear company into a global luxury powerhouse. His vision and strategy turned Moncler into a symbol of modern luxury.
Source: WMD
Key Word: Consolidation. The giant conglomerate keeps expanding its tentacles in the luxury industry.
They are strengthening their positions and expanding into new markets. It’s a strategic play, showing that the big guys aren't slowing down.
Two Companies Reshaping E-commerce
Let’s talk about what’s shaking up the e-commerce landscape.
Rex Woodbury’s article on “The 10 Forces Shaping Commerce” struck a chord with me, and I want to highlight two key trends.
The first trend: search in e-commerce desperately needs innovation.
“…we’e about to see a big shift in user behavior as a result - more natural, casual, conversational search as opposed to cluncky internet speak we learned by necessity. “
Rex Woodbury
Enter Daydream, an AI-powered shopping platform that raised a seed round of $50m from top VC. It is designed to reinvent how we search for and discover fashion online. This is what makes them truly unique:
The second trend: design-to-make, make-to-order.
“AI’s impact on commerce will go beyong AI-generated ad copy. We’ll also have AI-generated products.”
Rex Woodbury
Soon, we’ll not only design our own items but also profit from them, empowering creators while slashing production costs and eliminating intermediaries.
A perfect example: Arcade.
The first-ever "prompt-to-product" marketplace. Arcade turns any idea you dream up into a real, handmade item—whether it’s for yourself, others, or just for fun. The possibilities are endless.
Why do these startups matter?
And finally, to wrap up.
K-pop idols totally took over Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks in 2024!
Stars like BLACKPINK's Jisoo and BTS's Jin were front and center, representing luxury powerhouses like Chanel and Gucci.
With their massive social media followings and bold fashion choices, they’re blending pop culture and high fashion in ways that are reshaping the game.
Image: Dior
Lastly, for those who love marketing, this is a must-watch campaign that's taking off, combining fun with cultural relevance in a big way!
