Bloomingdale’s Kevin Harter reminds us why experiences matter

Kevin Harter is the Vice President for Integrated Marketing at Bloomingdale’s, where he oversees partnerships, philanthropy, special events, brand communication and the fashion office.

Kevin talks about his three-decades-long career at Bloomingdale’s, how the fashion and retail industries have changed, the importance of experiences in retail, and where the industry is headed.

Follow Kevin on Instagram @klharter or LinkedIn here.

About Umindi

Umindi Francis is the CEO and founder of the award-winning global brand consulting firm UFCG. She has led business strategy and marketing for some of the world's leading brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, and Bumble. Over the years, she has worked with celebrities and numerous brands, ranging from The New York Times to the United States Institute of Peace, as a business strategy adviser. Umindi has been featured in a number of publications, including Time, New York, and Vogue, and is the recipient of a United States Congressional Recognition for Business Achievement.

Follow Umindi on Instagram @Umindi360 @whatsnextwithumindi and on Linkedin here. 

Creators & Guests

Host

Umindi Francis

Founder and CEO of UFCG, a global brand consulting firm

What is What's Next Podcast with Umindi Francis?

What’s Next Podcast with Umindi Francis is a new podcast that explores perspectives from executives, creatives, and thought leaders at the intersection of business, marketing, and strategy in technology, fashion, entertainment, and more.

Umindi Francis leverages 20 years of business strategy experience and relationships as an entrepreneur, and executive for some of the world’s leading brands, to discuss insights, and the next frontier of business, from the people that move their industries forward. The podcast also highlights their path to success to deeper understand their journey.

Listeners will gain insights into how our guests drive innovation. They will also walk away from each episode encouraged and inspired to tackle their own professional goals in business. As a result of Umindi’s connections, listeners can expect marquee guests each episode.

Kevin Harter
We're not gonna be able to please everyone, but we like to be fun. We like to be approachable. It's really about building that assortment, making sure there's a ballot, treating your best customers with incredible respect. And then it's about guided discovery. So, if we're gonna expect someone to come back, we should help better have something new to show.

Umindi Francis
I love it. This is what's next podcast with Umindi Francis. We're talking fashion business. And what's next? Let's go. Today's guest is a good friend of mine who I've known through the fashion industry for so many years now. He has spearheaded fashion and marketing at the retail giant Bloomingdale's for over 33 years, and has worked with so many major celebrities and brands throughout his tenure there. Ladies and gentlemen, it's my honor to introduce Kevin harder vice president of integrated marketing at Bloomingdale's.

Kevin Harter
Thanks, thanks. It's so good to be here. So I'm excited about this. Happy to

Umindi Francis
have you here, Kevin. All right. Kevin, let's discuss your professional journey. You've worked at this retail institution for 33 years. How have things changed over three decades? And what have you learned at Bloomingdale's?

Kevin Harter
Oh, my God. Big Question. Big, big question. Things have I mean, you know, things have have changed. So much, Bloomingdale's has changed so much. But I always like I always like to talk about my professional journey, because it really I came to Bloomingdale's by accident. So I have a finance degree I got out of school, I worked for a major bank in Chicago, I won't tell you who because I don't want to embarrass them. And I literally spent that first year crunching numbers and hanging working with people that I've been with my entire life, same guys who went to college with the same guys who went to high school with, and it was so stagnant, and it wasn't creative. And I was coming out of the closet, and I needed a break. So I quit my baking job. And I went to Europe for a couple of months. And I really like if you go to those European department stores and see European fashion, I was like blown away. And so when I got back to Chicago, Bloomingdale's was opening its first store there. And I went to apply was when the last people hired just to be a salesperson, I thought I'll just sling some suits, until I get another baking gig. And like, I remember walking that first day. And it was like, there was the guy who was struggling actor, and there was the guy that wanted to be a designer. And then there was that guy who was a drag performer at night. And I was like, I found my people. And I was like, so so happy. And it was it. So that's an important part of my journey. Because I feel like, since the day I've walked in that place, it's been about discovery and change for me. So throughout, and I still pinch myself for being there for 33 years. But I've changed my role I was in the stores, I was a buyer for a number of years, I think when you and I first met, I was probably the men's fashion director that I took over home. And then for the last six years, I've been lucky enough tick all these things that I loved the most, whether it's the marketing or partnerships or great product, and make this incredible job.

Umindi Francis
I'm so happy to hear that I did not know that about your start. And where you started. That was definitely one thing we wanted to get into. I think one thing that really transcends through your personality and your work, and I follow you on social media, and when you post is the joy that you get out of your work. So that's really inspiring and great. So just talk about your, you know, responsibilities as VP of integrated marketing at Bloomingdale's.

Kevin Harter
Yeah, it's it's, like I said, I always pinch myself, it's a great gig. But what I do is I oversee the fashion office, the press team, the events, team, partnerships, philanthropy, and the popups, like the carousel that you've seen, and I always say, the best initiatives that we ever do, or when I get it when all six of those work streams come together and play a part of it. And back to back to the journey. I think one of the great things about Bloomingdale's is that we know that we keep evolving and we need to be relevant. And you know, we have this great history, but more importantly, it's about the future and how can you be what's next? And how can people discover things and things like that. So, to me, this is the greatest gig to make all those initiatives come to life.

Umindi Francis
I know it's so exciting when you can find a way to have all those different creative aspects of yourself converge under one umbrella. Yeah, yeah. Interesting. often overwhelmed

Kevin Harter
but never bored. Okay.

Umindi Francis
Well said well said so Bloomingdale's just celebrated 150 year milestone. I mean, incredible, right. Incredible. I was there at that party, you know, You was looking. We had a time. So what what was that like celebrating that milestone? How was that process for you?

Kevin Harter
You know, I will tell you, it was probably one of the most rewarding things in my career. And when you can say if you've been with an institution this long, and you still have these moments where you're like pinching yourself, this was one of them. But I think, again, we have such this incredible history, but we wanted to play in the future. So you were at the party, and we played about the icons, and we had Jack Harlow performing. And all that was really important to me, because I was, you know, we had people like, oh, who performed 50 years ago, all right, you know, or, you know, things like that. And it was really shepherding. And my boss was incredible supporter of this, but really shepherding everyone to, like, Let's do things that are people are going to talk about that. It's going to position us for the future, proud of our past, let's give a nod to our past, but let's make it about the merchandise, the events, who's the performer, things like that. I've never worked so hard in my life. I'll tell you one, one other funny story. And you probably remember this. The day before the event, the queen of Queen Elizabeth die, redness and Running Press, I was like shit, it's gonna be hot. And I had to tie all these stories coming out.

Umindi Francis
You like, I remember that? I was like, wow, every right? Yes, very

Kevin Harter
asked. But the good thing, and it just talks about Bloomingdale's being in the cultural for you. Yeah, that's is that Queen Elizabeth came to Bloomingdale's 50 years ago, when she came to New York for only trip to New York. And every paper ran the picture of her at Bloomingdale's that next day. And I was like, I tripled the press impressions that we thought we were gonna get, but But again, it just talks about the rich history of the brand and all saw the opportunity.

Umindi Francis
So being good at what you do in and remaining sharp, I mean, like, you know, the fact that you were able to take that unfortunate moment and make it something special at a very important time is really remarkable. And that's what I think is so fascinating about your tenure at Bloomingdale's having a 33 career at a at a at an institution like Bloomingdale's, and keeping things fresh is really important. How do you keep things fresh? Why do you evolve?

Kevin Harter
Well, first, I'm going to clarify, I had nothing to do with the Queen died. But you know, I am surrounded by incredible people. And I think one of the good things about Bloomingdale's, there are when it's a great thing about Bloomingdale's, there's people that have been there for for decades that know the brand, they know the history that they have this great respect. But we really, really have made this conscious effort to bring different voices in and make sure like when we were doing this 1/50, we would have think tanks. And we would have like people that were just new to the company for a year sitting in the room with people have been with the company for 30 years. And it was just important to hear everybody and good ideas and, and things like that. And I will say some of my best ideas I've stolen from the intern class the summer before and we say and I'm proud to say that but it's really about getting those voices, and it does help you stay relevant. And it's about Guided Discovery and finding that next thing and let's face it, the kids, the kids are out there, they know what's going

Umindi Francis
up. They know what's up. Well, that leads me to ask you how important of course it is. But how important is it is leadership and mentorship in these roles and picking a team and that goes to say so much about your professional growth. The folks around you,

Kevin Harter
I think it's so, so important. And I often I've actually made this my resolution for 2023 was now that this gala is over and the 1/50 that I and I've spent so much time on the merchandise and the parties and stuff like that I really just want to spend the next few years doing all this great stuff, but making a very conscious effort to mentor and give back through our you know, I'm lucky because I controlled the checks for the filter. Right? Like that. But just how do we really give back and how do you mentor and how do you really get these great leaders I love you know, right now, some of the best people in that industry, you know, started their careers at Bloomingdale's, but I just see all these, I get a kick, I get so flattered when I get a knock at the door and it's like a buying trainee and they're like, Mr. Hurt. I'm like, stop. Okay, first of all, that's why you call me call me by first name. But they'll ask me for advice or mentor. They'll tell me they want to be on my team or things like that. And that's actually probably the better thing because I have this incredible. I'm not just saying this out of all my years at Bloomingdale's. I have the best team I've ever had. And I've put together this, or we've put together this like, great, great energy. And you know, in this interest, it's all about keeping that it's all about keeping that good energy.

Umindi Francis
Yeah, you spent so much time together in business, that it's really great when you've cultivated that, you know, support with your team. And you know, that just leads me to ask you about Bloomingdale's. I mean, you guys have done so much to support emerging brands and develop talent, underrepresented founders over the years. Can you talk to me about your mission there? And some of the things that you've done?

Kevin Harter
Yeah. Well, thank you for recognizing that. I would say, if we're going to be really honest, we haven't done enough, it might look like we're doing a lot more because we're trying to catch up for for from the years of not doing enough. But I will tell you, it's a priority. It's, you know, my team's out there looking for the next Beck's thing, I get mad. There's great trade shows going on right now I get mad if no one's going to them. Like, it's to me. How do you find new talent and nurture them and support it? And, you know, I get I had the honor of the years to be involved with the CFA incubator fund, and Heartland fashion row and all those great organizations. And I just, they're all doing such great things to find this new talent and support. And it's not easy from a department store standpoint, because we're big animals, and you got to ship by us. And you got to get through those doors and things like that. But the good thing is we're trying to find ways to make it easier for upcoming brands to to be part of our part of our family.

Umindi Francis
What are some of the things you've done in the past weren't in the industry in my head,

Kevin Harter
I will say to one recent thing. And one thing I'm about to do that I'm incredibly proud of so about a year ago, and you know, this, we did a partnership with bridgerton and Miss Rimes, and she had a very clear mission her team did, and it was half these brands are going to be represented by women, people of color, new to the company. And they were very, very clear about that and supported it and, and helped us find these brands and things like that. And it was really one of the most successful and outside the anniversary was my second favorite thing we did last year. And they just brought all these energy and it's such a great show. And it's again, it's about the cultural moments within that show and the music and, and things like that. So I love finding, finding those big moments that make these young, young upcoming brands even bigger. And probably the thing I'm really, really proud of and I have nothing to do with it, but my team is we're about to launch in our carousel concept which is their pop up concept. female founders, oh, and our curators, Tika Sumpter. Okay, and go. I know ticket because my boys have crushes on her because she's the, she's the wife and Sonics. But she was so hands on in this process. And the team put together this concept. It's 50 brands, all female owned, more than half of them are owned by women of color. And committing to it, we're having a kick, you know, we're opening at the end of February, it's gonna be big in March, we're having a big event on International Women's Day, May the end the dinner itself, they're not even letting me come it is like you have to be a female to come the chef's female, the restaurants female. Oh, the photographer's female. But the one thing I love the most is for the first time we're doing a Bloomingdale's dot com site takeover night. And when you come to the page, the day that day it is going to be mosaic of 50 different portraits of these beautiful women. And I swear to God, when I saw the first round of creative, I got teary eyed which never this jaded person that seldom happens. But it was just so powerful. And again, I can't take an ounce of credit for it. But by my team put together this incredible initiative. And I think that's again back to Bloomingdale's, they we've supported and nurtured them, in order to for them to come up with something like that. That's

Umindi Francis
remarkable. And that's why we're so excited to sit down with you because, you know, been all over the world and seen a lot of different fashion retailers and what retailers in general what they aim to do, but you guys always push the envelope. I mean, I was there, right there and I saw John Legend performing and I said yes. You know, now you're doing something with Tiki something or you had you know, Jack Harlow perform. So it's just really cutting edge and forward all the things that you do and at Bloomingdale's in the way you tie in what's happening right now. So that's always exciting. And so Oh, what other exciting partnerships and initiatives do you have on the forefront?

Kevin Harter
I can't tell you all of them. A lot of me. You know, it's funny. I signed an NDA like every other day and I talked about or what I can. I will tell you, I think I can I can I can teach this. There's a major movie coming out this summer. It's it's Mattel, I'll just say it's Barbie. And that's got this incredible cast. Thank you, Margot. Robbie. Right, Gods lean. It's a red. I mean, it's like, amazing. And we're doing something. I'll tell you. I won't do exactly everything we're doing. But get ready some fun, fun things. Some a clap fashion collaborations involved and crazy party. I won't tell you where but you better come you'll just need a helicopter or a car? Well,

Umindi Francis
I'm not surprised. I mean, seriously, everything is so so exciting and interesting. And that's, that's really exciting. Because it's hard. You know, retail is a hard business. And so, you know, I want to talk about the challenges of working in a retail environment now versus 15 years ago, because so much has changed.

Kevin Harter
Yeah, I think that's, I mean, obviously, I've been there for a while. So I've seen seen all the changes. And again, I can talk to more about Bloomingdale's journey versus everyone else. But I would say, you know, even Bloomingdale's, you have your rises and you your valleys and peaks and valleys. And I would say there was a time right after 911 where we, because we were responding to business, you know, we probably got a little bit more promotional than we should have, we probably weren't nurturing, small, upcoming Brett, we weren't, I'll just say not probably we weren't nurturing brands back then. And we took kind of we, to our leaders credit, they made sure that we all had jobs, and it was profitable, and things like that. But our customers were probably, you know, they enjoyed the discount, but didn't really seem like the Bloomingdale's. I started off, but I think that's really normal. You know, it's, again, it's just part of the peaks and valleys. But you can see over the last few years, we've really made it about our best customer, we've really made it about our luxury designers. What I love about Blue does and why I think it really succeeds and like we're getting a lot of credit is you can come in there and you can discover the best designer brands so you the Chanel shops and Chanel and the fenders and the Louis batons and, and the Dior's. But you also can find a $20 T shirt for yourself or things like that. So we I always like say we're really aspirational. But we're also assessable and I think that plays to our success. I'll get killed for saying this. I think bar I had huge respect for Barney's back in the day. But I think one of the reasons why they went out of business is they probably played into the aspirational but maybe not the assessable and and we benefited from that because we got all these great God rest Barney's soul. It's incredible, incredible store incredible merchants. But I think our our leaders were smart enough to leverage what was going on there, take the best from over there, but still make it our own personality and things like that.

Umindi Francis
It's interesting that you say that because I was going to ask you what can other retailers or brands learn from your formula of delighting customers and having this balance between the luxury and the accessibility is is you know, important. It's a one stop shop and people don't always shop one way for every moment of their lives.

Kevin Harter
Yeah, I think I think the balance is like the most important thing and it drives me crazy. Like Bloomingdale's is the most luxury home store that you'll ever find. And people won't even you know a lot of people don't even know that like they come onto our main flooring find this great beauty or they find this incredible handbag and things like that. But I go back to my first trip to Europe, you know, before I started Bloomingdale's. If you look at like, I've always loved like bought marchais and and Selfridges and I same thing why they're still around I have so much respect for them is they have balanced to their assortments they, you know, we're not gonna we're not gonna be able to please everyone, but we, you know, we like to be fun. We like to be approachable, you know, things like that. And it's really about building that assortment, making sure there's a balance, treating your best customers with incredible respect, because at the end of the day, your top 10% Customers probably spend make up 40 to 50% of your sales. It's like a crazy crazy number. Yeah. And then it's about Guided Discovery. So if we're gonna expect someone to come back for a month later we showed how better have something new to show.

Umindi Francis
Fresh. I love it. Definitely dropping jewels here. No, it's important. It's important. It's a business strategy. And, you know, I think in the last 10 years we've seen with, you know, Barney's no longer being around, we've seen a lot of heartache and, and, and failures and struggles in, in retail in this business, especially with the advent of social media that has changed the way, you know, consumers shopping. You know, 1012 years ago, you had a captive audience, they had to come to that store. And then, you know, now folks can sit on their sofa and make something happen. So creating moments for consumers to want to come and enjoy a space is really important. So tell me about the lay of the land in the store. Your stores like what what folks can expect what flicks keeps them in there,

Kevin Harter
what keeps her well, I get, I think it's that that's Guided Discovery and things like that. And I play I mean, you just mentioned it, but I remember when I first became a, the men's fashion director for going to Bloomingdale's, and we would go to Europe. And you know, everyone wants to come back with a trend report what were like the biggest things we saw on the you know, was Dolce and Gabbana show and things like that. And I had this incredible boss and it was cow Retton Stein, he was like a legend. And I loved legend, legend, legend. And my first trip cow was like, we're going out to dinner. And forget your little Trend Report, you're going to notice what people are wearing at BT Shea. And then we went to Paris and Liz, straight side and things like that. And he was really into this. He loved knocking off a new trust me, he'd come back and like, oh, we need like 100 Peasant philosophers, but but he also talked about, there's these muses, and there's these inspirations, and that's who you really want to, you know, really want to look at. And I think that's one of the good thing that's happened in over, especially over the last 10 years is we're not so cookie cutter anymore, right? Like, every I respect someone's unique sense of style. And that's what I want. I want people to find their style within the US. But I don't want them leaving the store looking the same way as their girlfriends are. Does that make sense? Yes, it does. So lots

Umindi Francis
of individuality is so important with fashion and style. I think that you know, what you just shared, gave so much insight into the process behind your work your job, what you do and who you are, professionally, and how you get there. Yeah. So interesting. So I want to go back to the carousel that lives in your New York City, flagship location, how important has that been to implementing this new shopping experience for customers?

Kevin Harter
I think it's, I mean, I'm biased, but I think it is so important. And again, it goes back to Guided Discovery, as well as like tapping into cultural moments. So the carousel, believe it or not, is going to be five years old this this fall. And we took some hit the hiccups during COVID. It was like in five stores and it online is an incredible business. But when COVID came because there's a lot of love and nurturing you have to provide we had to close some doors.

Umindi Francis
Explain the cow sell to me. These are brands that you're just testing out per se, some are

Kevin Harter
some aren't. They're all they're all tied into this great cultural moment or theme. And again, we tried to make it about Guided Discovery. So we've let designers take over but with with like a purpose. So Stella McCartney took it over, but everything was sustainable in the shops and Marc Jacobs took over last summer and everything was fun and playful and, and colorful. We did. I'd mentioned the bridgerton and upcoming female founders. We've done movies like Space Jam. We've done things around pride we've done so Valentine's Day. So we've played into all those moments. But again, it's just like, how do you walk in there and you're like, Wow, I can't find this anywhere else. And we've had some we've really we've had some big big successes that have launched there and we've gone on to other areas of the store so like Stoney Clover started off the carousel in a small way. It's huge brand for us right now. If you know about the Bridgeton I actually brought that candle. Sheila bridges partnered with Waterford or Wedgwood with us for the bridgerton carousel with her Harlem Tuol it is now in the permanent collection of Wedgwood.

Umindi Francis
I love that entire fan. Get lost in Yeah. But

Kevin Harter
it started off as a concept that we wanted to make come alive and she was incredible partner in the carousel. So there's all these fun things that can happen there. So I love it. It's so important. And again, to our point, it's a good way for brands to enter our store because we have a team that can make them feel really special and hold their hands.

Umindi Francis
I hear you I hear you. So let's talk about branding and that iconic brown back

Kevin Harter
off. Well, you think we're done celebrating something but actually you're not. We're not we're not so it is 50 years. Wow, the big brown bear at Bloomingdale's, and for those who don't know, and listen, you can see that brown bag. It's been in movies, and there's actually an upcoming holiday movie that a major star, I can't tell you who's carrying 10 of them, you're exiting the store, ah, was all of her friends when Rachel, you know, worked at Bloomingdale's and things like that, but it was designed by Massimo Vignelli 50 years ago. And it was the first first recyclable bag that department stores use. So it has again, this rich heritage to 50 risk rich history. And that's another big thing that you'll you'll see more about it. This This fall, but it's iconic. I don't know if you remember, remember the show Big Little Lies on HBO. I mean, HBO came and they paid us a nice little penny sorry to give me them HBO for telling the story. But they turned our bags into big little lie bags in the same font in the same thing. And they were all I don't know if you remember this, they were all over the streets of New York for the two weeks leading up to the second season. So it's just really good marketing. It's a It's again, just really part of our rich heritage.

Umindi Francis
What's next, where you get all the tea I've given I've given you a lot of tea here today.

Kevin Harter
I didn't sign an NDA with you. That's the problem.

Umindi Francis
I knew I get. So listen, let's talk about social media and influencers. They play a huge part for brands and companies today. This has obviously been an evolution for you professionally, there was no Instagram 1012 years ago, how was the rise of social media influencers played a part in the evolution of Bloomingdale's in your business? Well, I'm

Kevin Harter
going to be honest with you better for work better. And that's exactly how I look at it. I have this love hate relationship. Kevin Hart, I love me some Instagram, I love going on, see what my friends are doing. And I discovered things. So back to discovery. So those are the things I like about social media, like you can discover things. I look back at the Big O G's here that really started and there was such an organic part to it. And you really found people you respected and admired. And you really wanted to see what they were wearing next and stuff like that. And I love that. And it's still really important part of marketing, I think where I have issue in here, there. This is where I think I can see people rolling their eyes. I have problem with people that aren't organic with that. Right. And I feel like a lot of people take advantage and and now confuse people. So I know if I look on I love following you on Instagram, but you have this same beautiful style, you're hanging out in the same fabulous places with you. It's you like I look and it is authentically you and when I have issue with is some of these paid sponsorships that do not seem very organic. I'll tell you one quick story. over the holiday I was invited to this really incredible, a holiday dinner. And it was hosted by European fashion company and they flew in their designer from Italy and it was quite it was like so chic and special. And I give this company all the props and their designer was incredible. And I was seated next to a young influencer. And I will tell you after the first 15 minutes at the dinner as I moved so she could get different candle camera angles, you know, taking pictures of herself in front of the centerpiece. She started complaining about this incredible, beautiful merchandise she was wearing from the brand and and I was kind of like, but even more important. She told me she had to get up in the morning fly somewhere else for a brand that was such the polar opposite of the brand that she was there that night for me. I just thought to myself, I felt sorry for this incredible, incredible, important gracious bride that invested in her. I certainly felt sorry for myself that I had a dearth during her for like an hour and a half. But I feel bad for people who follow her because I would be so confused. Like, is that cool? Is it not cool? Is it like, and there's, you know, the good thing about New York, we all like back we were all pretty confident in our style. And we don't need that much help. But there's a part of America, there's a part of the world that really looks up to these Yeah, well for inspiration, and that's who I really feel sorry for right. But again, it's a genius marketing guide, you know, Instagram, who knows what we're gonna be saying about it in 20 years, but you know,

Umindi Francis
tick tock there. Yeah, yeah. On and on and on. Yeah, that's interesting. That's interesting. So what's next for retail? I'll in your mind,

Kevin Harter
what's next? I really think it's gonna be. I still go back, I think it's gonna be about experiences. I think one of the things we did this year is we really created a series of events with our luxury partners, which we would make it about, like our 12 best customers and their personal shopper or customer and company I see events.

Umindi Francis
Now I think that's the way yeah, for like everyone in the fashion industry's business honing in on your best,

Kevin Harter
your, your best and your loyal and make them feel incredibly, incredibly important. And back to that, you know, that little tidbit I shared earlier, but there's graduate and we really saw a lot of rip returned from that, and that is devotion and appreciation. And we did like lots of, you know, we had Thomas Keller cook for like, 12 of our

Umindi Francis
best, the best milk ice cream

Kevin Harter
that that's, you know, I could give you like 20 except, you know, we had Jamila and take over Waverly in for like, 20 of our budget, you know what I mean? And we just had all these specials, which moms so I really think it's gonna be bad experience, it's gonna be about brand loyalty is still gonna be about these luxury brands. They're not going away. I hope they don't go away. But it's going to be like, how do their designers and I think that's one of the reasons why you keep seeing these designers in and out and in and out of these houses. The days of Karl Lagerfeld being that Chanel for 30 years, I think personally are over because you same thing, they want to keep reinventing these brands. I'm so excited to see what like Daniel is gonna do at Burberry. And, you know, what's going what's about to go down at Fendi? And you know, it's

Umindi Francis
it just announced that Phoebe Philo is coming back. Exactly 2023.

Kevin Harter
So I think it's all about that discovery and reinvention and stuff like that. And that's how we how we keep it going. And, again, you've been in this industry, not as long as I have. But but but you know, we, we all thrive on that energy, and that what's next and that creativity and things like that, and that we're all just going to keep on embracing it and pushing it out. So I'm not worried about the department store going away. I'm not worried about big brands going away. We're all going to have to challenge ourselves to keep rediscovering and things like that. But we've got work to do.

Umindi Francis
I just I really do wish, though, that some of these luxury brands would hang on to some of these designers a little bit more. Yeah, I mean, there's a time when folks need to go, because, you know, things aren't profitable. But I was telling someone the other day, I never forget, it was an issue in vogue. And by the time the issue was published, the three designers it's like the new guard, the three designers in the April story, were already out. You know, and I think that it's just been this revolving door for designers and creatives for a long time that I I feel that there's obviously a need for things to change, but sometimes in having some loyalty and investing in in the creatives kind of creates new gives you time to create new avenues, because they're in a position where, you know, it's like you're always in fight or flight.

Kevin Harter
Yeah, yeah. I mean, I'm not gonna pivot on my statement. But I think you're absolutely right. And I appreciate you saying that, because I really do think these poor designers, one of the things I worry about, is they really, they suck the life out of these guys, gals and guys, and, and they're giving it 150% and the expectations and the eight collections a year or whatever they're, they're expected and there's such a high burnout and stuff like that. It's almost like you and I started do charity, like a relief fund for these boards, where these were designers, because they really, and not only for themselves with the teams they lead, right? You know what I mean? Like think of the pressure that those team members have to keep, like churning it out churning it out. So I agree with you. I feel like we have to find that balance of getting that balance being the magic word of the day, like how do you nurture these guys, but you still went back to Karl Lagerfeld. He did an incredible incredible job recreating Chanel every single season. How do we find more of that, but I also believe he had really great support and vision and there's a reason why his right hand replaced him there. Right.

Umindi Francis
And it's we're probably just in a moment, and this is how things are, you know, I'm hoping and hopeful that those that are excellent like at Alber Elbaz will, you know, rest in peace, you know, we'll find way in the way that he was able to reimagine himself creatively that others will be able to do the same to but then sometimes the brands get stale. And you do need fresh talent in order for us to feel fresh and invigorated about some of the brands that we love. So that's really important. rant. I agree with you.

Kevin Harter
No, I agree with you this is but this is a good. This is a really good debate actually, I think I think everyone has different feelings and and, and valid feelings about the situation we're

Umindi Francis
seeing it in a vacuum, there's so many more factors that go into it. But fashion, retail is definitely big business. So you mentioned balanced, talk to me about that, because you seem pretty balanced, too.

Kevin Harter
I try, you know, I make it a mission. And I would say there are times where I haven't been balanced in my life. But I think, you know, I became a dad later in life. So I think my kids forced me to commit and find balance and things like that. And just like everything else, I I'm very much a creature of habit. So I take my kids to school every day, goat, but then go to the gym, and then go to work. And then you know right now, which I for years, I didn't take lunch, but I'm trying to least carve out that 20 minutes. So I can take a walk or just grab something. And I commit to you know, one night out a week during the week. But the weekends are all about my kids and things like that. So I really just try to bring as much balance to my life as as possible. And I find that I'm in a much healthier headspace because of it.

Umindi Francis
I think I'm so happy that you shared that because I'm finding that balance really is about routine. And one of my resolutions for this year was getting into a routine. So I'm waking up in the morning, I'm taking time for myself to meditate, no meetings or calls before the call shows you the gym and the the the rudiment Terry process, the system, the commitment to yourself, and the things that you do are really important and do bring you balance. Because you're blocking out that time. I'm out one day a week, the weekends are with the kids. And that's how you make it happen. So I love hearing you say that

Kevin Harter
you need structure. I will tell you this summer, I swim laps every day during lunch. And I get up. And I'm so excited for the afternoon because you know, it's that energy, but it's really about routine and balance. I really I really, really, really believe that

Umindi Francis
you have to get the secrets to the sauce for how folks like Kevin continue to win. So 33 years when you think about your time at Bloomingdale's, what are you proud of

Kevin Harter
two things I would say I'm proud of this small town Iowa boy is still in New York City still collecting a paycheck and still doing what he loves. Amen. I would say that. That's number one. And, again, I go back to the people and my team. And I've just seen I've had the fortune of not only having people on my team, but knowing you and knowing so many incredible people in the industry. I just get it a part of that. I mean, back to back. It's one of my favorite things is a dinner party. Like I'm I'm you know, you're not going to see me at the club. But I love a dinner party I love like eighth grade individuals at a table and hearing everyone's stories and playing off. And they don't all have to be in fashion either. I want to preface that. But like just like thriving on people's energy and their stories and learning stuff. Maybe that's what I'm most proud of. I'm still learning and I feel good about that.

Umindi Francis
That's wonderful. I love that you said that. That's amazing. Well, you are so awesome. Kevin, thank you for being here with us. Such a fun conversation and an honor to have you here. I'm such a fan of yours and a great.

Kevin Harter
I'm a fan of yours. And I'm so honored that you asked me this is incredible. So I wish you only the best of luck on this thing. Great, great initiative.

Umindi Francis
I'm going nowhere you'll be seeing me around. So we're stuck together. I love it. So how can people listening follow you or stay up to date with you and Bloomingdale's.

Kevin Harter
But you can always go to Bloomingdale's dot com and stay up with the brand and things like that. You can stay up with me on my instagram handle Kol harder H AR T R. And like I said I've always dropped me a line. I'm always I'm always assessable so we love for the sushi or certain things

Umindi Francis
We love that about. Well, thanks so much for being here. I'm Umindi Francis, I'm your host for What's Next Podcast and you can find me @Umindi360 on Instagram and Umindi Francis on LinkedIn.