Where Fashion Meets Innovation: The Fashion Innovation Agency with Matthew Drinkwater

In our Season 5 finale, Sinead Keary reveals how her experience in personal shopping and luxury retail helped her create a digital-first brand, bringing personalization to the online space. Sinead Keary brings together lessons learned from both Topshop and Brown Thomas to create a digital-first brand that merges premium accessibility with luxury craftsmanship. Her brand stems from her years of experience in personal shopping, understanding client needs and delivering capsule collections that women can rely on season after season. Even with roots in traditional retail, Sinead’s focus on online sales and digital strategies allowed her to create a brand that thrives in today’s digital-first landscape. ABOUT Season 5 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you by luxury and tech entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell. With 10 years of experience working at the crossroads of luxury and technology, Ashley carved out a career across Paris, Dublin and Geneva, working at LVMH, Dior, Google and luxury group PUIG. The podcast is also taught as a module at leading business and design schools around the world, with the goal to share insightful and actionable stories and experience from industry leaders. NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Videography: Ben O’Neill and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch, Grace Slattery and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

This week, we bring you the live podcast episode from our most important event to date: Live from Paris Fashion Week, where we gathered Aoife McNanamara, Una McGurk, Paul Sheeran, Bairbre Power and Shana Chu to discuss how each of them are elevating the Irish fashion ecosystem in all its different forms: from retail to journalism, from beauty and fine jewellery to innovation. The event took place at the heart of Paris, at the best place to gather an outstanding lineup of Irish speakers: the Embassy of Ireland. Drawing back on the essence of diplomatic union and collaboration, guests were welcomed to a showcase of the best of beauty, fashion, jewelry and spirits Ireland can offer in Paris. The first room showcased the best of Irish fashion: Aoife McNamara, Colin Burke, Laura Jayne Halton, Kindred of Ireland, The Landskein, Roisin Linnane, The White Era, Tidings, and Ros Duke. The second room featured a mix of brands with alcoohol-free sparking wine from French Bloom, beautiful lab-grown diamonds from Chupi, and beauty brands Ella & Jo and Seoulista Beauty. ABOUT Season 5 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you by luxury and tech entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell. With 10 years of experience working at the crossroads of luxury and technology, Ashley carved out a career across Paris, Dublin and Geneva, working at LVMH, Dior, Google and luxury group PUIG. The podcast is also taught as a module at leading business and design schools around the world, with the goal to share insightful and actionable stories and experience from industry leaders. NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Videography: Ben O’Neill and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch, Grace Slattery and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

The delicate powerplay of localized strategies to reach the Chinese consumer anywhere, at anytime. The pandemic drastically shifted how Chinese consumers interacted with luxury brands, and the impact of these changes is still being felt. While many brands thrived by focusing on local markets, the return of international travel presents both a challenge and an opportunity: one-third of Chinese consumers are now spending more on luxury goods outside of China. For luxury brands, this means ensuring they can connect with Chinese consumers whether they’re shopping in Shanghai or Paris. But achieving this involves more than just having a presence in multiple markets—it demands a deep understanding of China’s digital ecosystem and how, in consequence, consumer behavior has evolved the expectation surrounding the luxury experience, “The Chinese luxury consumer has gotten used to the speed, convenience, and rewards of the Chinese digital ecosystem,” explains Jacques. To remain competitive, brands must adapt their digital and operational strategies both locally and internationally, ensuring that Chinese consumers receive the same high-level service globally. ABOUT Season 5 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you by luxury and tech entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell. With 10 years of experience working at the crossroads of luxury and technology, Ashley carved out a career across Paris, Dublin and Geneva, working at LVMH, Dior, Google and luxury group PUIG. The podcast is also taught as a module at leading business and design schools around the world, with the goal to share insightful and actionable stories and experience from industry leaders. NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Videography: Ben O’Neill and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch, Grace Slattery and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

Hannah Attalah’s journey with Oceanus began with her love for fashion and hand-embroidery. After studying at the London College of Fashion and working with big names like Donna Karan and Jenny Packham, Hannah realized her true passion lays in textiles and elaborate designs. Her work with the intricacies of evening wear and the management of different hand-beading techniques ultimately led her to founding Oceanus, where she could express her love for color, texture, and craftsmanship. Hannah Attalah is the founder of Oceanus, a London-based luxury brand that is renowned for its intricate hand-embellished swimwear and bold designs inspired by the founder’s love of fashion and textiles. Oceanus stands out for its distinctive use of hand-beading, sustainable fabrics, and vibrant colors. The brand has achieved international recognition, being featured from the beginning in top retailers like Neiman Marcus and Revolve, while also boasting a strong celebrity following. The growing demand for luxury swimwear, driven by sustainability, experiential luxury, and social media influence, is consolidating swimwear into a statement of status, with the market projected to reach $30.8 billion by 2032. ABOUT Season 5 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you by luxury and tech entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell. With 10 years of experience working at the crossroads of luxury and technology, Ashley carved out a career across Paris, Dublin and Geneva, working at LVMH, Dior, Google and luxury group PUIG. The podcast is also taught as a module at leading business and design schools around the world, with the goal to share insightful and actionable stories and experience from industry leaders. NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Videography: Ben O’Neill and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch, Grace Slattery and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

Welcome to our Season 5 premier of Tech Powered Luxury! Get ready for our first episode to be recorded live from Selfridge's in London with the incredible Dr Vali. Dr. Vali is a leading figure in luxury wellness, known for her innovative approach that combines extensive medical expertise with cutting-edge biohacking techniques. What glues it all together? Her integrity. Biohacking is the practice of making lifestyle changes to enhance health and performance, ranging from simple diet modifications to advanced medical techniques. The global biohacking market is growing rapidly, reflecting a rising consumer demand for personalized wellness solutions. Luxury brands like La Mer are already exploring this space by offering exclusive wellness experiences for their top clients. These activations not only enhance customer loyalty but also significantly increase sales, creating new opportunities for luxury brands to expand their reach into wellness. Our Community Rewards this week are brought to you by the Iconic Offices, keep reading to find out what we’ve got for you! ABOUT Season 5 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you by luxury and tech entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell. With 10 years of experience working at the crossroads of luxury and technology, Ashley carved out a career across Paris, Dublin and Geneva, working at LVMH, Dior, Google and luxury group PUIG. The podcast is also taught as a module at leading business and design schools around the world, with the goal to share insightful and actionable stories and experience from industry leaders. NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Videography: Ben O’Neill and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch, Grace Slattery and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

This week, we are thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with Lauren Arthurs, the Irish influencer who has created her own app to solve what most influencers and content creators struggle with: the lack of a one-stop solution to edit and manage content. Lauren Arthurs is a fashion and lifestyle influencer from Ireland who started her career with a blog in 2012, and just recently launched her own app, LA Edit, to solve all the inefficiencies related to content creation. We explore the work routine and the behind the scenes of an influencer and how to organize yourself to create content, from sourcing inspiration all the way to managing your organic content around branded ad campaigns. Brand partnerships 101: from finding the right match to understanding when brand partnership are successful, Lauren stresses the importance of authenticity and consistency to keep audiences engaged and ensure coherence in your online presence. ABOUT Season 4 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you in partnership with Seoulista Beauty, a cryo-powered skincare brand, as well as our sponsors, Sinead Keary the Label and Digital Luxury Group. LISTENER BENEFITS Tech Powered Luxury listeners benefit from a 20% discount on https://seoulistabeauty.com/ and https://sineadkeary.com/ with the code TPL20, as well as a complementary perspective on building your brands strategy for China with Digital Luxury Group. Email  [email protected] to organise your consultation.  NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Partnerships: Cliona Jordan Videography: Ben O’Neill, Christos Celniku and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Social Media Management: Grace Slattery Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

Paddy Hogan's transition from the adrenaline-fueled realm of Formula 1 to the dynamic, health-focused dining world of Nutbutter is an intriguing mix of entrepreneurship, innovation, and personal evolution. The core reason behind Nutbutter was creating a healthy lifestyle that combined efficient operations, great design and a better quality of work (and life balance) to everyone involved. Their founding values? Work smarter, not harder. Drawing from Paddy Hogan’s experiences with Lewis Hamilton, we explore the dynamic intersection of fashion and Formula 1. In recent years, these two worlds have increasingly merged, showcasing how luxury and high-performance racing influence and inspire each other. The common denominator between Paddy Hogan, Formula 1, Fashion and Luxury? Lewis Hamilton. He coached Paddy Hogan for a Renault Championship just after having won it himself the year prior, and instilled in Nutbutter’s founder the essential soft skills that define a winning crew, “he just had that championship mindset”, says Paddy. Formula 1 isn't just about racing; it's a dynamic blend of luxury, fashion, and cutting-edge technology. The world of Formula 1 has always attracted high-end brands and designers, drawn by the sport's inherent glamour and global reach. From the sleek designs of the cars to the personal style of the drivers, fashion started to play a crucial role in the identity of Formula 1. ABOUT Season 4 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you in partnership with Seoulista Beauty, a cryo-powered skincare brand, as well as our sponsors, Sinead Keary the Label and Digital Luxury Group. LISTENER BENEFITS Tech Powered Luxury listeners benefit from a 20% discount on https://seoulistabeauty.com/ and https://sineadkeary.com/ with the code TPL20, as well as a complementary perspective on building your brands strategy for China with Digital Luxury Group. Email  [email protected] to organise your consultation.  NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Partnerships: Cliona Jordan Videography: Ben O’Neill, Christos Celniku and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Social Media Management: Grace Slattery Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

This week we explore the role of education in the sweet spot of where technology meets fashion: how to foster experiential learning to educate the upcoming generation of fashion leaders. Matthew Drinkwater is at the forefront of the Fashion Innovation Agency (FIA) at the London College of Fashion (LCF), driving the integration of technology and fashion education. The FIA acts as a bridge between the fashion industry and emerging tech, promoting experiential learning by allowing students to work hands-on with AI, AR, VR, and other emerging technologies. Fostering innovation in education is crucial for developing creative problem-solvers who can push the boundaries of traditional fashion practices. One of the roles of education is defining the applications of tech in fashion, and creating a space where conversations can happen openly, where boundaries, ethics and best-practices are discussed and implemented through trial and error, creating a blueprint for future professionals. ABOUT Season 4 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you in partnership with Seoulista Beauty, a cryo-powered skincare brand, as well as our sponsors, Sinead Keary the Label and Digital Luxury Group. LISTENER BENEFITS Tech Powered Luxury listeners benefit from a 20% discount on https://seoulistabeauty.com/ and https://sineadkeary.com/ with the code TPL20, as well as a complementary perspective on building your brands strategy for China with Digital Luxury Group. Email  [email protected] to organise your consultation.  NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Partnerships: Cliona Jordan Videography: Ben O’Neill, Christos Celniku and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Social Media Management: Grace Slattery Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

This week, we are thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with Rachel Hennessy, founder of fashion rental Happy Days. Are you new here? Welcome to our amazing community - keep reading to discover everything about Tech Powered Luxury, our Community Rewards and Substack. Rachel Hennessy leveraged her experience at KPMG and Google before launching her own fashion rental Happy Days in Ireland. The driving force behind the project? Searching for a solution to replace countless one-time purchases that would eventually go to waste. The starting approach set the grounds for her success: understanding what people around her were looking for, and how to include that in her business. The result is a consumer-centric business model that is translated into different services and experiences. Rental as a business model is nothing new in the industry, but ensuring profitability, let alone long-term business health, is still a tricky balance between operating costs and revenues. ABOUT Season 4 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you in partnership with Seoulista Beauty, a cryo-powered skincare brand, as well as our sponsors, Sinead Keary the Label and Digital Luxury Group. LISTENER BENEFITS Tech Powered Luxury listeners benefit from a 20% discount on https://seoulistabeauty.com/ and https://sineadkeary.com/ with the code TPL20, as well as a complementary perspective on building your brands strategy for China with Digital Luxury Group. Email  [email protected] to organise your consultation.  NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Partnerships: Cliona Jordan Videography: Ben O’Neill, Christos Celniku and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Social Media Management: Grace Slattery Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co

Join us for Episode 7 of Season 4 with Una McGurk, founder of Seoulista Beauty, a brand that focuses on bringing salon-standard skin experiences to your home with two concepts at the core: cooling temperatures and applying pressure, techniques that allow for changing and improving the texture of skin. From their award winning Instant Facial masks (created with 100% biodegradable fermented coconut) to their innovative and easy to use tools, Una shares a wealth of knowledge on Seoulista's journey from start-up to scale-up. ABOUT Season 4 of Tech Powered Luxury is brought to you in partnership with Seoulista Beauty, a cryo-powered skincare brand, as well as our sponsors, Sinead Keary the Label and Digital Luxury Group. LISTENER BENEFITS Tech Powered Luxury listeners benefit from a 20% discount on https://seoulistabeauty.com/ and https://sineadkeary.com/ with the code TPL20, as well as a complementary perspective on building your brands strategy for China with Digital Luxury Group. Email  [email protected] to organise your consultation.  NEWSLETTER & COMMUNITY REWARDS Each week, we bring a dedicated newsletter as well as Community Rewards to Tech Powered Luxury listeners. Subscribe to our substack to have full access: https://techpoweredluxury.substack.com/ THE TECH POWERED LUXURY TEAM Producer & Host: Ashley McDonnell Partnerships: Cliona Jordan Videography: Ben O’Neill, Christos Celniku and Morgan Prudhomme Photography: Anastasiia Redko, Anastasiia Lopushynska and Madeline Gillespie Production Assistants: Abigail Herbert, Gemma Brennan, Tessa Haughton Lynch and Klaudia Skierska Newsletter: Beatriz Barros Styling: Johanna Dooley Styling Assistants: Cian Crowe and Alison Murphy Social Media Management: Grace Slattery Public Relations: Align Agency Content Creation: Kinsman & Co