Exploring Fashion Futures With Dr.HB

Jung Ha Brookshire
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Most people think fashion is about runway shows and designers. The reality? Fashion and textiles are among the world's largest industries, employing millions of people across sourcing, manufacturing, sustainability, technology, merchandising, retail, and more. I'm Dr. Jung Ha-Brookshire (Dr. HB), Professor and the Department Chair of Textile and Apparel Management at the University of Missouri. I grew up in Daegu, Korea. It used to be a textile and apparel manufacturing city. I came to the United States with two suitcases and $3,000 30 years ago. After spending nine years working for fashion companies in New York City and more than 20 years in higher education, I've seen this industry from every angle. I sit down with professionals across the global fashion and textile industry to learn what they actually do, how they built their careers, and what advice they might have to their young selves. Real people. Real careers. Real industry insights. Whether you're a student exploring your future, a parent seeking career insights, or an industry professional curious about the people behind the products we use every day, you're in the right place. No gatekeeping. No fashion stereotypes. Just authentic conversations with people who make the industry work. New episodes weekly. Subscribe and learn what's really inside the industry Instagram:DrHBFashionFutures Facebook:DrHBFashionFutures

  1. 6d ago

    She Leads The Merchandising For A licensed Sportswear Company. NFL, NHL, NCAA And More.

    Rachel Ripley’s path from Division I swimmer to fashion merchandising leader is a masterclass in turning limitations into leverage When you can’t take the “normal” route, you build a better one. Rachel Ripley went from swimming at the University of Missouri to building a fashion career in New York that spans product development, sourcing, merchandise planning, and sports licensing at major brands like PVH, TYR, and Maxima Apparel. Dr. HB, professor and chair of Textile and Apparel Management at Mizzou, sits down with alumna Rachel Ripley to unpack the exact moves that helped her break into the industry, including a custom sourcing project she created in college, an internship that led to her first New York job, and the skills that carried her through roles managing everything from glittery kids’ wear and men’s dress pants to swimwear, headwear, and licensed sports apparel. You’ll discover: • How a student athlete with no time for internships built a resume-worthy project that proved she could do the work • Why product development, sourcing, and merchandising all require different combinations of Excel, communication, and creative problem-solving • What Rachel learned inside a Fortune 500 giant like PVH versus a private company like TYR • How merchandise planning actually works, from SKU counts and sell-through to margins, allowances, and co-op dollars • Why sports licensing creates constant pressure to stay aligned with league calendars, team changes, and product updates 0:00 Intro – Exploring Fashion Futures with Dr. HB 1:18 Meet Rachel Ripley, Mizzou TAM Alum 1:31 D1 Swimmer & Fashion Major 3:11 The T-Shirt Sourcing Project That Built Her Resume 4:02 Fashion Scholarship Fund & First Internship 5:25 First Job: Coconut Grove Intimates 6:16 What "Showroom Ready" Means 7:47 Landing a Role at PVH 8:50 Big Company vs. Small Company 10:58 Seven Years at PVH: The Corporate Jungle Gym 11:36 Management Training Program Rotations 12:47 Factory Trip to Sri Lanka & India 13:04 Senior Sourcing: Costing & $100M in Pants 14:25 The Impact of a Penny 15:32 Switching to Merchandise Planning 19:21 Learning Curve on the Business Side 20:20 COVID & Joining TYR 21:25 Director of Merchandising at TYR 23:48 Now: Pro Standard & Sports Licensing 25:53 Bringing Her Passion for Sports Into Her Career 26:45 Advice to Her 20-Year-Old Self 28:00 College to Career: Biggest Surprise 29:14 The 3 Classes Everyone Should Take 30:56 Time Management & Work Ethic 31:53 What She Looks for in a Resume 33:54 Skills for Merchandising Roles 34:28 A Real Merchandising Problem, Solved 38:40 Positive Attitude & Owning Mistakes 39:45 Skills for Sourcing Roles 41:05 How She Found Fashion & New York 43:15 When She Felt "I've Got This" 45:14 Entry-Level Jobs in Fashion 47:27 E-Commerce & Site Merchandising 48:24 What's Next for Rachel 49:01 How AI Is Changing Fashion Jobs 51:30 Her Favorite Career Moments 53:46 Wrap-Up Rachel also shares what it’s like to work on massive volume, where a single penny can matter, why cross-functional alignment is everything, and how AI is starting to change the way merchandising teams analyze huge datasets and build repeatable workflows. If you’re a fashion student, an aspiring merchandiser, or someone trying to understand the real business behind apparel, this episode shows that there are far more paths into fashion than most people realize. It’s especially essential if you want a career that blends numbers, product, and problem-solving without losing sight of creativity. #DrHBFashionFutures #Fashioncareer #Fashionmerchandising #Fashionsourcing #Fashionsupplychain #Fashionchallenge #fashionandtextiles #careeroptions

    She Leads The Merchandising For A licensed Sportswear Company. NFL, NHL, NCAA And More.

  2. Oct 22

    Merchandiser: The Heart of the Fashion Business I Dr. HB Fashion Futures Podcast Episode 13

    Fashion merchandising is not just about picking pretty products - it is the strategic engine that decides what gets designed, how much gets made, and what actually earns profit. If you have ever wondered why some collections sell out while others get marked down, this episode breaks open the role of the director of merchandising in a way that makes the whole fashion system click. Dr. HB explains how merchandisers sit between design and sales, using last year’s sell-through data, markdown results, margin goals, and assortment planning to shape next season’s collection. She shows why the job changes depending on whether a company is designer-driven or merchandiser-driven, and how those decisions affect everything from color stories and silhouettes to how many tops, dresses, and pants a brand should produce. You’ll discover: • how merchandisers translate trend direction into actionable assortment plans • why sales analysis matters just as much as creative vision • how full-price performance, markdown strategy, and replenishment timing drive profitability • what makes merchandising different from visual merchandising and account executive work • why this role is so uniquely powerful in fashion, where one style can explode into thousands of SKUs Dr. HB also connects the conversation to the broader ecosystem of fashion careers, showing how merchandising integrates design, sourcing, production, and sales into a single business decision-making process. If you are a fashion student, early-career professional, or anyone trying to understand how products go from idea to profit, this episode gives you the map. It also sets up next week’s conversation with Rachel Ripley, where Dr. HB will go deeper into the real-world path to becoming a director of merchandising. If you are trying to figure out where your mix of creativity and analytics fits in fashion, this is essential listening. #DrHBFashionFutures #Fashioncareer #Fashionmerchandising #Fashionsourcing #Fashionsupplychain #Fashionchallenge #fashionandtextiles #careeroptions 00:00 Welcome to Exploring Fashion Futures 01:03 Today's Topic: Director of Merchandising 01:28 Recap: What Merchandising Means (Zoe & Molly Episodes) 03:20 Prepping for Next Week's Guest, Rachel Ripley 04:02 Example: Planning a Mother's Day Collection 04:41 Designer Driven vs. Company-Driven Brands 05:37 How Merchandisers Brief the Design Team 06:57 Learning From Last Year's Sales 07:53 When the Designer Is the Brand 08:27 Sales Analysis: What Sold and What Didn't 09:02 Markdowns, Full Price Sales & Margin 09:52 Knowing the Story Behind the Numbers 10:45 Between Product and Business: Creative + Analytical 12:46 Why Merchandising Is Unique to Fashion 14:14 Intro to the Licensing Business 15:50 How Exclusive Licensing Deals Work 16:41 Licensors, Licensees & Royalty Rates 18:27 How Retailers Buy Licensed Products 19:03 Learning From Rachel's Career Path 20:20 Listener Q&A: Styling vs. Visual Merchandising 21:15 Styling: One Client at a Time 22:13 Visual Merchandising: Designing for the Brand 23:13 Which Path Fits You? 23:41 Outro

    Merchandiser: The Heart of the Fashion Business I Dr. HB Fashion Futures Podcast Episode 13

  3. Oct 15

    4 Skills To Develop If You Want To Be A Visual Merchandiser.

    Most people think visual merchandising is just making a store look pretty. It is not. The real edge comes from four skills that can turn a fashion student or retail worker into someone brands actually want to hire - and Dr. HB breaks down exactly what they are. After a conversation with Zoe Bednar, a visual merchandiser for a global luxury watch company, Dr. HB turns the spotlight on the career path behind the windows, mannequins, layouts, and brand storytelling that shape the fashion customer experience. If you are wondering whether your creative eye can become a real career advantage, this episode gives you a clear answer. You will discover: • Why a strong creative eye matters, and how to prove it with real store work, not just opinions • The difference between styling for one client and visual merchandising for an entire brand and customer base • How to build a resume-worthy portfolio by volunteering for window displays, product setups, and in-store projects • Why problem-solving matters when shipments are delayed, inventory is missing, or plans fall apart • How group projects and part-time jobs become training grounds for collaboration, leadership, and communication • Why organization is non-negotiable when you are tracking props, products, floor plans, and storewide changes Dr. HB also shares practical ways students can start developing these skills now, from retail jobs and internships to simple everyday habits like using lists, staying organized, and learning to adapt when resources are limited. The episode connects classroom learning to the realities of the fashion industry, making it especially useful for students, aspiring visual merchandisers, and anyone trying to break into fashion retail with purpose. If you want to understand what it really takes to work in visual merchandising and how to start building those skills today, this is essential listening. It is a motivating, practical roadmap for anyone ready to turn creativity into a career. #fashionfutures #fashionandtextiles #careeroptions #fashioncareers #careertransitions #fashionstudents #fashionfprofessors #globalfashion #careerpivot #fashinvisualmerchandising #fashionstyling #4skills

    4 Skills To Develop If You Want To Be A Visual Merchandiser.

  4. Oct 8

    She Visually Merchandises The Stores For A global Luxury Watch Company

    Fashion is far bigger than buying and styling and Zoe Bednar’s career proves it. From Missouri to Manhattan, she turned curiosity, dance, and a knack for visual storytelling into a career as a visual merchandiser for a global luxury watch brand, shaping how hundreds of stores across North America and the Caribbean present their products. Dr. HB sits down with Zoe, a Mizzou Textile and Apparel Management graduate, to unpack the hidden side of fashion careers most students never hear about. Zoe shares how a college trip to New York changed everything, why her first jobs in retail and merchandising taught her what she really wanted, and how she moved from behind-the-scenes operations to leading floor sets, trainings, and brand presentation strategy for a major international company. You’ll discover: • What a visual merchandiser actually does in a luxury retail environment • Why styling and visual merchandising are related but very different career paths • The mix of creative vision, strategy, organization, and software skills that make someone stand out • How to break into fashion without a perfect internship or a linear plan • Why saying yes to coffee chats, group projects, and alumni connections can change your trajectory Zoe also explains how visual merchandising is both art and science requiring taste, planning, logistics and the ability to adapt when products sell out or guidelines change. If you think fashion degrees only lead to design or buying, this conversation opens the door to dozens of overlooked roles in retail, sourcing, sustainability, law, and more. This episode is essential listening for fashion students, parents, career changers, and anyone wondering how a creative mind can build a serious career in the fashion industry. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your path, Zoe’s story is proof that staying curious, speaking up, and trusting your instincts can take you much farther than a five-year plan ever could. 00:00 Intro – Exploring Fashion Futures with Dr. HB 01:17 Meet Zoe Bednar, Mizzou TAM alum 01:50 What a visual merchandiser does 03:19 Managing stores across North America & the Caribbean 04:01 Behind the scenes of a luxury watch store 05:12 From dancer to fashion 06:46 Discovering the TAM department at Mizzou 08:43 Plans for buying & the NYC industry trip 10:09 Merchandising vs. design & product development 12:05 First job after college: merchandise assistant at Lord & Taylor 15:13 Foot in the door: office assistant at a Fifth Ave flagship 16:15 Breaking into visual merchandising: floor sets 17:50 Landing the full-time VM role at a five-floor flagship 19:44 Moving to corporate: her current role 22:05 Skills you need for visual merchandising 24:02 Styling vs. visual merchandising 26:08 The art & science of VM: strategy and organization 28:41 Fashion for creative AND analytical minds 30:00 The "I made it" moment 30:53 Almost going to law school 32:02 A text message to her college self 33:31 The one class everyone should take 34:15 What she wants to see on a resume 35:54 What she doesn't want to see on a resume 36:42 Say yes to… 37:46 Say no to… 38:23 Coffee or networking? 38:38 Final advice: stay curious 40:47 What can you do with a fashion degree? 41:43 The Devil Wears Prada "cerulean" speech 42:44 Outro #fashionfutures #fashionandtextiles #careeroptions #fashioncareers #careertransitions #fashionstudents #fashionfprofessors #globalfashion #careerpivot #fashinvisualmerchandising #fashionstyling

    She Visually Merchandises The Stores For A global Luxury Watch Company

  5. Oct 2

    4 Skills For Fashion Entrepreneurs

    Most fashion entrepreneurs fail because they build what they love, not what the market will actually buy. Lovell’s story shows why the real advantage is learning to see opportunity, stay patient, and build systems before the spotlight hits. Dr. HB breaks down the four skill sets that matter most: visioning, long-term patience, system building, and market awareness for fashion entrepreneurship. You’ll discover: • How to develop a clearer vision for your future by asking the right people what they see in you • Why patience and a long-term outlook are essential when everyone around you seems to be moving faster • How to build systems now, not later, so your work can scale when opportunity hits • Why the most successful fashion entrepreneurs design for customers, not for their own tastes Chapters00:00 Introduction to Fashion Entrepreneurship 06:21 The Importance of Vision and Drive 12:04 Building Patience and Long-Term Outlook 14:55 System Building for Success 18:18 Understanding the Market and Target Consumers The episode also connects these lessons to real student and entrepreneurial habits, from managing your calendar to anticipating deadlines and carving out quiet time to think, plan, and reset. Whether you’re a fashion student, a creative founder, or someone trying to figure out what you’re built for, Dr. HB gives you a practical framework for turning potential into direction. If you’ve ever wondered how to spot your strengths, choose the right path, and build something that lasts, this is essential listening. Check out Lovell Faye at Website: https://lovellfaye.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovellfaye/?hl=en Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovellfayebridal #fashionfutures #fashionandtextiles #careeroptions #fashioncareers #careertransitions #fashionstudents #fashionfprofessors #globalfashion #careerpivot #creativeanalytics #fashionscaling #fashionentrepreneurs

    4 Skills For Fashion Entrepreneurs

  6. Sep 24

    She Makes Your Wedding Dresses and Accessories From Your Mom's or Grandma's Wedding Dresses

    She turned heirloom wedding dresses into a viral business, and it started with one risky idea: what if your mom's dress could become something you actually wear? Lovell Cox, founder of Lovellfaye, reveals how she built a bridal brand around redesigning family wedding gowns into modern outfits and accessories, from rehearsal dresses and reception looks to clutches, pocket squares, headbands, and embroidered keepsakes. If you've ever wondered how a niche fashion idea becomes a real company, this is the blueprint. You'll discover how Lovell went from sewing as a child to launching an Etsy shop in high school, studying textile apparel management at the University of Missouri, and learning the bridal industry from the inside through internships, retail, and social media. She shares how a few emotional before-and-after videos on Instagram and TikTok exploded into millions of views, led to a Good Morning America feature, and transformed her business overnight. We break down the real process behind a custom heirloom redesign: inquiry forms, virtual consultations, sketches, three in-person fittings, deconstructing garments, and building a system that can handle dozens of dresses at once. Lovell also explains how she scaled from solo creator to studio owner, hired sewing help, and used a business incubator to learn the legal and operational aspects of entrepreneurship. This conversation is especially useful if you're a fashion student, aspiring entrepreneur, or anyone trying to turn creativity into a sustainable business. It is a reminder that talent gets attention, but systems, persistence, and timing build the company. If you want a story about fashion, family memory, viral growth, and the hard work behind a beautiful brand, this episode delivers all of it. Perfect for anyone who believes their next big idea might already be in the attic. Check out Lovellfaye at Website: https://lovellfaye.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovellfaye/?hl=en Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovellfayebridal #fashionfutures #fashionandtextiles #careeroptions #fashioncareers #careertransitions #fashionstudents #fashionfprofessors #globalfashion #careerpivot #creativeanalytics #fashionscaling #fashionentrepreneurs #weddingdress #wedding

    She Makes Your Wedding Dresses and Accessories From Your Mom's or Grandma's Wedding Dresses

  7. Sep 17

    Fashion Designer. How To Build Your Own Fashion Company?

    What does it really take to build a fashion business from scratch? Not just design talent, but the ability to forecast trends, buy the right inventory, sell to customers, manage cash, handle legal risk, and figure out production before your idea runs out of steam. Dr. HB breaks down the hidden reality behind being a fashion entrepreneur. If you’ve ever dreamed of launching a boutique, a clothing line, or your own label, this episode shows you the full stack of skills behind the scenes. You’ll discover: • Why fashion entrepreneurs have to act as trend forecasters, buyers, planners, salespeople, marketers, and financers all at once • The difference between designing a product and building a business that can actually scale • How a student designer turned flea market sales into a growing brand, and where production became the bottleneck • The legal landmines around children’s clothing, product safety, and copyright infringement • Why “inspiration” can still cross the line into confusion, duplication, and lawsuits Dr. HB also shares hard-earned lessons from fashion education and real-world industry experience, including the risks of relying too heavily on outside help, the challenge of finding trustworthy production partners, and the reality that many brands fail not because the design is weak, but because the business side is overwhelming. This episode is especially valuable if you’re a fashion student, aspiring designer, boutique owner, or creative entrepreneur who wants to turn ideas into a viable business without learning every lesson the hard way. And it sets the stage for a future conversation with a wedding dress designer who built a truly distinctive company from scratch—a story you’ll want to hear if you’re serious about what it takes to make it on your own. #fashionfutures #fashionandtextiles #careeroptions #fashioncareers #careertransitions #fashionstudents #fashionfprofessors #globalfashion #careerpivot #creativeanalytics #fashionscaling #fashionentrepreneurs

    Fashion Designer. How To Build Your Own Fashion Company?

  8. Sep 10

    4 Things To Learn and Develop If You Want To Be In Production Or Sourcing.

    If you want a career in fashion sourcing or production, the skill that matters most is not what most people expect - it is the ability to juggle chaos, translate complexity, and work across cultures without missing a detail. Dr. HB breaks down the four critical skills that make sourcing and production professionals indispensable, and why they matter even if you never plan to work directly in the field. This episode reveals what it really takes to manage seasons, styles, buyers, factories, and product development at once - and why those same skills can set you apart in almost any career. You'll discover: • Why organization is non-negotiable when one season can mean 25 styles, multiple colorways, and dozens of sizes • How SKU complexity, buyer-specific needs, and factory communication all collide in real production work • Why communication in sourcing is less about talking and more about turning technical product details into plain language people can act on • How group projects sharpen communication when you work with people who think differently from you • Why the best sourcing pros need both scientific precision and artistic judgment • How cultural curiosity builds stronger vendor relationships, smoother negotiations, and better business outcomes Dr. HB also shows how these skills show up long before graduation - in class notes, deadlines, teamwork, and the way you handle competing priorities. If you can organize information, explain complex ideas clearly, think creatively when products do not turn out as expected, and stay open to different cultures, you are already building the foundation for this kind of career. For students, aspiring fashion professionals, and anyone curious about the global apparel supply chain, this episode is a practical roadmap to the mindset that makes sourcing and production work possible. Essential listening if you want to understand what this career really demands - and why it can be such a powerful fit for the right person. #fashionfutures #fashionandtextiles #careeroptions #fashioncareers #careertransitions #fashionstudents #fashionfprofessors #globalfashion #careerpivot #creativeanalytics #fashionscaling #fashioncolleges #fashionmajors #campusfashion

    4 Things To Learn and Develop If You Want To Be In Production Or Sourcing.
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About

Most people think fashion is about runway shows and designers. The reality? Fashion and textiles are among the world's largest industries, employing millions of people across sourcing, manufacturing, sustainability, technology, merchandising, retail, and more. I'm Dr. Jung Ha-Brookshire (Dr. HB), Professor and the Department Chair of Textile and Apparel Management at the University of Missouri. I grew up in Daegu, Korea. It used to be a textile and apparel manufacturing city. I came to the United States with two suitcases and $3,000 30 years ago. After spending nine years working for fashion companies in New York City and more than 20 years in higher education, I've seen this industry from every angle. I sit down with professionals across the global fashion and textile industry to learn what they actually do, how they built their careers, and what advice they might have to their young selves. Real people. Real careers. Real industry insights. Whether you're a student exploring your future, a parent seeking career insights, or an industry professional curious about the people behind the products we use every day, you're in the right place. No gatekeeping. No fashion stereotypes. Just authentic conversations with people who make the industry work. New episodes weekly. Subscribe and learn what's really inside the industry Instagram:DrHBFashionFutures Facebook:DrHBFashionFutures

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