The Lunch Break: Fashion Forward Where Fashion, Culture & Community Collide
The Future of Fashion Is Shaped Through Culture.
Join 99 YARDS ACADEMY for The Lunch Break, a weekly virtual conversation series bringing together leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from the fashion and fashion technology industries.
Each episode explores the experiences, strategies, and ideas shaping fashion's future through candid conversations with the professionals driving the industry forward.
About 99 YARDS Academy
99 YARDS Academy is the educational and professional development initiative of 99 YARDS, designed to connect students, emerging creatives, and aspiring professionals with experienced industry leaders.
Through education, mentorship, and real-world insights, the Academy bridges the gap between education and industry, helping the next generation build meaningful careers in fashion and fashion technology.
This Week's Conversation
Beyond Networking: Building the Future of Fashion Through Culture, Community & Connection
What happens when fashion moves beyond traditional industry boundaries and becomes a platform for culture, creativity, and meaningful collaboration?
In this episode, we explore the vision behind Fashion Forward, a private, curated community built on the belief that the future of fashion is shaped through culture.
From art, music, film, and sports to technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, fashion is increasingly influenced by the worlds around it.
We'll explore why meaningful relationships matter more than networking, how creative communities can drive innovation, and what it takes to build a platform that connects influential voices across industries.
Meet Our Host
A transformational leader in private label development and merchandising, YAY brings extensive expertise in strategic assortments, omnichannel retail, and driving profitable growth across the fashion industry.
Through The Lunch Break, YAY connects industry leaders and emerging talent through insightful conversations about leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of fashion.
Featured Guests
The Founders of Fashion Forward
Jordana Guimaraes & Christopher Hunt, Co-Founders
Built around the philosophy that "The Future of Fashion Is Shaped Through Culture," Fashion Forward brings together individuals from fashion, art, music, film, sports, media, sustainability, and beyond.
Through The House of Fashion Forward, its founders are creating a curated environment where meaningful relationships lead to new ideas, creative partnerships, and lasting industry impact.
Rather than focusing on the size of their network, they prioritize the character, creativity, and contributions of the people they bring together.
We'll discuss their entrepreneurial journeys, the inspiration behind Fashion Forward, and their vision for building a global community that moves fashion forward.
What We'll Explore
The Birth of Fashion Forward: Why the founders created something beyond traditional fashion events, conferences, and networking organizations.
Fashion Meets Culture: How art, music, film, sports, technology, and other creative disciplines are influencing the future of fashion.
Building The House of Fashion Forward: The strategy behind developing an exclusive, curated community centered on meaningful relationships.
Networking vs. Meaningful Connection: Why bringing people together is only the beginning and what they create afterward matters most.
Building a Business Together: How two founders with different personalities, strengths, and creative perspectives collaborate to build a shared vision.
Entrepreneurship & Reinvention: Lessons in launching a venture, navigating challenges, adapting ideas, and having the courage to start again.
Mentorship & The Next Generation: Creating meaningful opportunities for students, emerging creatives, and future industry leaders.
The Future of Fashion Forward: Exploring intimate dinners, the Digital House, cultural conversations, global expansion, and the community's long-term vision.
Why Attend?
Whether you're a fashion entrepreneur, creative professional, student, designer, innovator, or industry leader, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how the future of fashion is being built.
Discover how to build meaningful professional relationships, create purpose-driven communities, and create opportunities at the intersection of fashion, culture, and innovation.
The future of fashion isn't just about what we create—it's about who we bring together and what we build together.
Event Details
📅 Every Friday | 12:00 PM ET
💻 Location: Virtual / Online
⏱️ Duration: 45 Minutes
🎤 Format: 30-Minute Fireside Chat + 15-Minute Audience Q&A
🎟️ Registration: RSVP to reserve your virtual seat.
Presented by 99 YARDS Academy
Connecting the next generation of fashion professionals with the people, ideas, and opportunities shaping the industry.
Powered BY — 99 YARDS
Whether you're a fashion professional, entrepreneur, marketer, creative, or fashion-tech innovator, The Lunch Break gives you a chance to gain valuable insights, connect with industry perspectives, and learn what it takes to succeed in fashion.
Bring your lunch. Join the conversation. Leave inspired.
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