Join Cortex and CIC’s “Global Trends, Local Faces” conversation with leaders from both a large enterprise and a startup. Speakers will talk about trends in key industries across St. Louis discuss current challenges, trends, and the future of the market.
Join us for a view of the Retail and Fashion industry – the current landscape for retailers big and small, a view of future trends, and perspectives from two local faces: Letitia Young, owner of Honey’s Child Boutique, and Madeline Akins, Regional Vice President of Michael Kors and Board Chair of the Saint Louis Fashion Fund. Hear their stories and perspectives on how retail and fashion will move through 2021 and into a new post-COVID world.
SPEAKER BIOS
Madeline Akins
Madeline Akins is the Divisional Vice President of Retail Development for Michael Kors New York. In addition, Akins has served on the Saint Louis Fashion Fund Board of Directors for the past four years and as its Board Chair for the last three years. As Board Chair, she provides oversight to the Fund’s mission that not only supports emerging designers and builds global awareness of fashion trends; but, also is committed to revitalizing the downtown Garment District and attracting new businesses to build out the retail ecosystem in St. Louis.
Letitia Young
Letitia Young is the owner of Honey’s Child Boutique, St. Louis’s first premier boutique for Plus Size fashionistas size 12 and up. Letitia’s goal is to help women embrace their curves and love their body; she purchases clothing from some of today’s top plus size designers, making sure that Honey’s Child Boutique offers the best in quality, style, and fashion. Letitia brings a vast amount of experience in the areas of customer service, retail and communications. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with an emphasis in Theory and Rhetoric from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Management from Fontbonne University and an MBA from Webster University.