WWD rounded up a cross part of key males’s executives to supply perception into the challenges and alternatives they’re going through in 2025. Right here’s what they needed to say:
WWD: What are the largest challenges you’re going through in 2025? Is it the specter of tariffs?
Dan Orwig, president, Peerless Clothes: Yearly presents its personal set of challenges, and this yr is not any completely different. Tariffs stay a major concern, however we’re taking a measured method in response. Quite than overreacting, we’re proactively managing our provide chain to attenuate any potential impression. Our provide is adaptable and we’re ready to regulate as new developments come up. Moreover, there are issues concerning a possible port strike in January, which might result in delays of spring product as ports get backed up and as importers discover different ports to redirect containers. We’re carefully monitoring the state of affairs to make sure we keep forward of any disruptions.
Doug Wooden, chief government officer, Tommy Bahama: As is all the time the case with Tommy Bahama, our largest problem is how will we excite our visitor with nice new product for each women and men. We’ve discovered that it’s finest to deal with the issues we will management, and that’s what we wish to stand for in 2025. We received’t disappoint our visitors in 2025 as a result of we’ve some wonderful new gadgets coming in for spring. We’ve managed by tariffs earlier than and within the brief time period it undoubtedly causes challenges. Nonetheless, we’ll proceed to deal with these issues we will management and in the long term, we’ll handle and develop the model profitably.
Andrew Berg, president, Robert Graham: Tariffs definitely current a possible problem for our manufacturers and the trade at giant, and we’re rigorously monitoring the evolving panorama. Due to our proactive diversification of sourcing methods in recent times, we’re effectively positioned to navigate any potential disruptions. By leveraging the intensive relationships and experience of our mum or dad firm, Centric, we proceed to uncover alternatives and safe extra favorable phrases. Consequently, we stay assured in our capacity to uphold our dedication to delivering distinctive craftsmanship and unparalleled worth with out passing elevated prices onto our prospects. As we enter 2025, we’re laser-focused on the evolving premium client — adapting to nuanced spending, shifting existence, and better expectations for seamless, omnichannel service. Customers transfer fluidly between digital and bodily platforms, in addition to full-price and off-price channels, demanding a cohesive model expertise at each flip. To excel in direct-to-consumer, manufacturers should unify the client journey by optimizing stock, integrating data-driven CRM, and delivering sturdy clientelling. We plan to attain this by superior analytics, real-time stock administration, personalization, and the human contact that retains our model connection robust.
Nate Checketts, CEO, Rhone: Tariffs are anticipated to have a minimal impression on our enterprise, affecting solely a small portion of our operations. As we navigate this evolving panorama, our precedence stays clear: delivering distinctive worth and repair to our retail companions and prospects.
Arnold Brant Silverstone, president and chief inventive officer, Douglas Hayward: I’d say 2025 can be filled with adjustments in authorities, presumably together with tariffs, and every new administration, no matter occasion, brings with it adjustments in financial situations and the temper and elegance of the patron. So our problem is to remain on high of those adjustments and be a pacesetter by staying forward of them. As a progressive state-of-the-art British model, we’re poised to do exactly that. We see minimal will increase in costs to our prospects as a consequence of our distinctive U.Okay. sourcing. In the case of a few of our outsourced product, like sportswear and sneakers, we’ve many good alternate options, relying on any potential tariff adjustments. We have to be on our toes to remain forward competitively.
WWD: What impression will the merger of Saks and Neiman’s have on the enterprise? With fewer and fewer giant shops, are you doubling down on independents? How is that impacting how you use your online business?
D.O.: We constructed our enterprise with unbiased shops, and so they stay an integral a part of our success. Nonetheless, the vast majority of our enterprise now comes from department shops. Our focus is on maximizing our presence inside these shops by robust partnerships with best-in-class manufacturers. We’re dedicated to offering end-to-end options for the tailor-made clothes class throughout all our division retailer companions. We imagine that by combining our distinctive service and high quality with the world’s high manufacturers, we will proceed to develop our market share and construct on our success.
D.W.: The Saks/Neiman’s merger has no impression on Tommy Bahama. Wholesale is and all the time can be an essential a part of our enterprise. Department shops and specialty shops which are thinking about constructing full-price companies with out promotion will all the time be our precedence. Our aim is to let the visitor resolve the place they wish to work together with the model. That may be at Dillard’s, an area specialty retailer, or a Tommy Bahama retailer. Our job is to make sure that the design and high quality of the product all the time exceeds the expectations of the visitor.
A.B.: We’ve loved long-standing and profitable partnerships with each Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, and we sit up for strengthening these relationships post-merger. We imagine that the newly shaped firm beneath Saks International will emerge stronger and extra strategic, creating alternatives for our manufacturers to not solely preserve their presence but additionally to raise their impression by extra compelling model installations and displays. Our technique has all the time prioritized a balanced distribution mannequin throughout direct-to-consumer, department shops, and unbiased retailers, guaranteeing resilience and flexibility in a dynamic market. As we transfer ahead, we stay dedicated to this method as we strengthen our omnichannel DTC capabilities, and preserve/construct relationships with wholesale companions that share our dedication to high quality and high-touch clienteling.
N.C.: At Rhone, we’re happy with the robust wholesale partnerships we’ve constructed. Whereas we’re conscious of shifts within the retail panorama, we’re assured in our capacity to adapt and thrive. As a DTC model, we’ve historically centered on direct e-commerce gross sales. Whereas direct e-commerce gross sales are nonetheless an enormous a part of our enterprise, we’re additionally investing in a diversified omnichannel technique, specializing in brick-and-mortar areas and strategic wholesale companions. These investments are considerate, extending past merely promoting merchandise and serving as group hubs and bolstering model consciousness that may permit prospects to expertise Rhone throughout a number of digital and bodily channels. Rhone sees bodily retail shops as greater than a spot to buy however a group hub used to foster and develop relationships with prospects by occasions like Rhone’s signature Thoughts & Muscle, fostering a synergistic surroundings the place bodily and psychological well-being converge. We’re thrilled to announce a number of thrilling retailer openings deliberate for the approaching yr, together with The Mall at Brief Hills, Brief Hills, N.J.; The Outlets at Merrick Park, Coral Gables, Fla.; Coulter Place at Suburban Sq., Ardmore, Pa.; Lincoln Park, Chicago, and Worldwide Plaza, Tampa. On the similar time, Rhone is considerably rising its presence in main retail shops, specialty shops and gymnasiums. These wholesale partnerships usually are not solely a gross sales income but additionally essential for rising model consciousness and breaking into new markets by assembly the client the place they already are. Some retailers embrace Dillard’s, current in 185 doorways throughout the U.S.; Nordstrom, rising from 39 to 70 doorways this yr; Bloomingdale’s, current in 16 doorways; greater than 150 top-tier accounts in golf and resort areas, and 59 premier gyms, together with F45, Equinox, SoulCycle, LifeTime and Barry’s Bootcamp.
Kevin Love of the Miami Warmth is a Rhone ambassador and the face of the corporate’s NBA marketing campaign.
Courtesy of Rhone
A.B.S.: Our focus has been the unbiased shops and a handful of higher majors like Nordstrom. Hopefully the consolidation of Saks and Neiman’s will make them stronger and a very good contender for our model.
WWD: What are the important thing vogue developments that may impression the boys’s market within the first half?
D.O.: The primary season of the brand new yr can be spring 2025, and it’s carefully tied to adjustments in silhouette size and form. Swimsuit jackets are barely longer, providing a balanced distinction to the extra open silhouettes from the earlier season. These jackets are paired with wider, barrel-legged trousers for added consolation. Sartorial particulars proceed to play an important position, comparable to high-waisted pleated pants and wider lapels, which function a contemporary nod to traditional kinds. A homage to prep model, exemplified by the standard rowing blazer, can be fashionable. Traditional black stays a key shade for big day vogue, whereas new silhouettes, just like the one-button crossover blazer, are set to turn out to be staples for particular events shifting ahead. Efficiency options and luxury are nonetheless high priorities for core fabrications, complemented by knit fashions all through the collections. Double-breasted fits and sport coats proceed to carry enchantment, and relaxed suits are steering prospects away from the thin match that dominated vogue in current many years.
D.W.: In menswear we’re persevering with to maneuver towards consolation, model and technical properties in product. Whether or not the product is dressy or informal, the visitor desires that product to stretch, breathe and slot in a approach that gives consolation and elegance. At Tommy Bahama we’re lucky to have dynamic design and sourcing groups which have moved the model ahead for males by addressing all elements of his wants.
A glance from Robert Graham.
ORIANA LAYENDECKER
A.B.: Menswear in 2025 will stay closely influenced by the enduring development of quiet luxurious, or what we name “quiet confidence.” This relaxed but refined aesthetic emphasizes versatile designs paired with refined supplies and silhouettes. Texture and floor curiosity throughout fabrications will play an more and more very important position as manufacturers and retailers search to raise tonal appears to be like with refined depth. In the meantime, personalization and limited-edition items will achieve prominence, providing customers a novel sense of exclusivity and individuality.
N.C.: We’re much less about following developments and extra about staying true to our mission of championing psychological health and delivering performance-driven attire of remarkable high quality. That mentioned, we see a continued emphasis on versatile, useful clothes that transitions seamlessly between work, exercises and leisure. Customers are more and more prioritizing high quality and our focus stays on assembly that expectation by thoughtfully designed, high-performing merchandise that encourage confidence and well-being in each side of life.
A.B.S.: I believe we’ll see the continuation of the robust gadgets of the previous couple of seasons: jackets, from tailor-made to shirt jackets and the whole lot in between; attention-grabbing trousers; made-to-measure fits; formalwear; cool sportswear; revolutionary tech outerwear, and contemporary cool sneakers — the white sneaker has been finished for too lengthy. As the patron goes again within the workplace and tires of fast-fashion, I imagine the patron can respect well-made menswear that’s revolutionary and opulent at honest worth factors and they’ll spend money on higher product.
WWD: Is the rest top-of-mind for you as you sit up for 2025?
D.O.: We imagine there may be robust momentum popping out of the vacation season, with customers exhibiting optimism and pleasure. Whereas there’ll all the time be headwinds, we really feel assured that “dress-up” continues to be a trending class. We’re in a terrific place to assist our retail companions by providing the fitting steadiness of core and vogue kinds, guaranteeing that we hold the patron engaged and procuring.
D.W.: I’m excited for 2025, particularly spring. We’ve so many new applications in polos, shorts and shirts, that that is going to set the stage for the subsequent couple of years. That is following up on our profitable Indigo Palm denim launch this fall, so it must be a terrific yr.
A.B.: As we have fun 25 years of Robert Graham and 50 years of Avirex, innovation in suave design stays on the coronary heart of the whole lot we do. We’re doubling down on exclusivity by our “1-of-1” creations, providing collectors actually distinctive, limited-edition items. On the similar time, we’re embracing developments that hold our manufacturers related within the market whereas staying true to our DNA. On a macro stage, we’re using AI and digital innovation to ship hyper-personalized experiences whereas guaranteeing know-how enhances slightly than replaces genuine human connections. This balanced, customer-centric method permits us to deepen relationships with our longtime “collectors” and warmly welcome these new to the model.
N.C.: As we glance towards 2025, Rhone stays deeply dedicated to its mission of championing psychological health by our significant partnerships with organizations just like the NBA and LPGA, that are a testomony to this mission, permitting us to drive significant conversations and initiatives that prioritize each psychological and bodily well-being. These partnerships, mixed with our deal with delivering performance-driven, high-quality attire, place us to proceed making a optimistic impression and galvanizing confidence in our rising group.
A.B.S.: I believe the client continues to be considerably worth delicate as a result of excessive inflation of the previous couple of years — which stubbornly continues at present. So my problem is to deliver stunning product at a good worth. I believe the times of excessive costs for clothes with little worth are behind us.