In this engaging conversation, Oren John shares his journey from a marketing executive to a creative director and entrepreneur. He discusses his latest projects, including Valuable Studio and Fermat, and explores the evolving landscape of luxury fashion, the importance of inspiration, and the role of social media in shaping consumer perceptions. Oren emphasizes the significance of community and culture in branding and offers insights into the future of fashion and emerging brands.

Takeaways

• Oren John transitioned from a marketing executive to a creative director and entrepreneur.
• Valuable Studio serves as a platform for Oren's creative ideas and experiments.
• The middle market in fashion is experiencing a resurgence as consumers seek value.
• Creative direction involves building a toolkit of experiences and references.
• Inspiration is crucial for a fulfilling and innovative life.
• Fermat showcases the importance of quality and creative direction in product development.
• Luxury fashion is shifting towards subtlety and away from logo-dependence.
• Social media plays a significant role in shaping consumer perceptions of brands.
• Emerging brands are gaining traction in the fashion industry, focusing on niche markets.
• The equation of excellence in branding involves content, community, and culture.

Sound Bites

"Your catalog is items." 
"Inspiration leads to action." 
"I love making merch."

Chapters

00:00 Intro 
00:18 Introduction to Oren John and His Journey 
03:16 Valuable Studio: Elevating Everyday Items 
06:08 The Middle Market Resurgence in Fashion 
09:22 Building a Creative Toolkit for Branding 
12:23 The Importance of Inspiration in Creativity 
15:04 FMRT: The Creative Process Behind the Brand 
18:13 Navigating Luxury Fashion's Changing Landscape 
25:21 Kith's Evolution and Luxury Branding 
27:21 Emerging Brands and Market Dynamics 
28:29 Pharrell's Impact on Louis Vuitton 
30:59 The Future of Fashion Design 
31:42 Creative Direction and Brand Legacy 
34:31 The Journey of Shoe Design 
37:24 Material Innovation in Fashion 
40:48 The Equation of Excellence in Branding