Beyond brand discovery and community networking, one of the most fun parts of PROJECT Las Vegas is the educational seminars, which dive deep into the realities facing the Young Men's and Contemporary menswear markets today. This year’s lineup of programming was insightful and thought-provoking, taking hot topics like streetwear and the relationship between sports and fashion and offering exclusive insights from leaders in the field. Here, find just a few takeaways that are meant to inspire and ignite.

Impact of Women in Streetwear

Though streetwear has evolved, both in style and popularity, its core has remained the same: it’s deeply personal, rooted in culture, and built with a hustler’s mentality. As its prominence in fashion increases, brands need to balance creativity with business viability, maintain authenticity while catering to customer desires, and be predictors of what’s coming next instead of reactors to what’s happening. Cassell A. Ferere, a fashion and editorial contributor at Forbes, led a conversation with leading designers and stylists in the field.

For Mimi Choi, Chief of Staff at Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club, it’s important to have “face-to-face time with customers when doing a release or a convention,” she says, citing the Something in the Water festival thrown by the brand’s owner. “Our fans have always been part of our journey.” Mary Seats, Founder of Cupcake Mafia and The Icing Agency, also stressed the importance of truly understanding your customer: “You need to know how their bills are set up, what music they're listening to, and what memes they're laughing at in order to create a brand that will live on and constantly evolve. If you don't evolve, you devolve,” she explains. Despite growth, staying true to your brand identity is crucial, says Kiki Milele, Designer and Creative Director for FUBU Ladies, and Designer & Founder of K.A Kitties and K.Milele. “You can't just decide to chase random trends. If it doesn't match who you are and what you stand for, your customers will know that,” she says. “And once you lose them, it's a wrap.” 

Fostering Space for Community and Opportunity 

After successfully building his streetwear empire, Ecko Unlimited, Marc Ecko is now focused on mentoring emerging designers in the space. Working with Emerson Collective, a company that invests in entrepreneurs and innovators driven by purpose and a sense of responsibility, he took the stage alongside new talent being showcased at Sycamore and Oak, a shopping and culture hub in Washington, DC. Sycamore and Oak epitomizes “Black excellence reminiscent of Black Wall Street, and represents what the community in Southeast [DC] wanted,” says director Dana Hall. In the conversation, moderated by Ecko, these creators shared what they’ve learned on the journey thus far. 

“Take the jump. Don't be scared. Don't hesitate. Do not pay attention to people's perception of you. If you fail and you try, you ain't on the sideline,” says Pierre Andre, founder of Paradyce Shop. Kiana Jones, founder of Soufside Creative, says being authentic to who you are is just as important as pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. “If you’re too much for people, that’s okay—just shine your light as bright as it needs to go. Be accountable for what you do, and pace yourself. Divine alignment is everything, and it takes time. Everything is a learning situation.”