parade

The past year has seen a stream of last-minute rescue deals for once-hot start-ups. Acquirers of formerly distressed brands weigh in on how to improve operations and retain what made them special in the first place.

All that cash might be tempting, but the motivations of founders and venture investors are rarely aligned, writes Imran Amed.

The underwear start-up was once pegged as Gen-Z’s answer to Victoria’s Secret. But investors, executives and founder Cami Téllez couldn’t agree on whether to prioritise growth or profitability. They ended up with the worst of both worlds.

The Gen-Z intimates brand’s sale to a little-known strategic is the latest in an ongoing series of less than desirable exits for unprofitable digitally-native start-ups.

A growing number of beauty brands are including loyal customers in the product development process and offering ways for fans to directly benefit from their growth.

Instead of emulating the face-paced growth favoured by their predecessors, Gen-Z-centric fashion and beauty start-ups are taking a steadier approach to brand-building.

The direct-to-consumer underwear brand is now sold in 400 of the chain’s big-box stores nationwide — its second wholesale deal after Urban Outfitters.

In a saturated market where customer acquisition costs are on the rise, fashion and beauty start-ups are exploring ways to boost repeat business.

Much of the lingerie industry has undergone a socially responsible makeover, but becoming environmentally responsible presents its own set of challenges. Here’s how some players are addressing them.

Parade has a grand plan to be the ‘next big underwear brand.’ Up next: its first store.