EP 277: Why Materials Should Lead Design
Fri Feb 06 2026
We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!
A complete reversal of the traditional concept-to-market approach will improve margins, speed to market, and sustainability goals. What does that look like? Materials lead the design process instead of design leading materials selection. Join Shelley and Liza Amlani, principal and founder of Retail Strategy Group and co-author of The Material Life, as they discuss why design innovation is typically mismatched with process innovation in the fashion supply chain, and what the consequences are. Liza says, “Process innovation is the most underrated opportunity in the fashion supply chain.” Listen and learn how Lululemon, Viore, and Uniqlo know their fabrics are their competitive edge. Many other retailers still operate with design-led processes that create costly overdevelopment. This conversation challenges everything retailers may believe about their role in proprietary product creation and margin optimization.
Guest: Liza Amlani, principal and founder of Retail Strategy Group and co-author of The Material Life
For more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from Robin Lewis and other retail industry experts, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us! A complete reversal of the traditional concept-to-market approach will improve margins, speed to market, and sustainability goals. What does that look like? Materials lead the design process instead of design leading materials selection. Join Shelley and Liza Amlani, principal and founder of Retail Strategy Group and co-author of The Material Life, as they discuss why design innovation is typically mismatched with process innovation in the fashion supply chain, and what the consequences are. Liza says, “Process innovation is the most underrated opportunity in the fashion supply chain.” Listen and learn how Lululemon, Viore, and Uniqlo know their fabrics are their competitive edge. Many other retailers still operate with design-led processes that create costly overdevelopment. This conversation challenges everything retailers may believe about their role in proprietary product creation and margin optimization. Guest: Liza Amlani, principal and founder of Retail Strategy Group and co-author of The Material Life For more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from Robin Lewis and other retail industry experts, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.