Fashion Law and Wellness with Angeline Hayling

The wellness market in the United States alone represents more than $500 billion in annual spend and $2 trillion globally. Younger generations are treating wellness as a lifestyle priority, and more fashion brands are entering the wellbeing space along with them.In this episode of SUITED, Kenya Wiley sits down with Angeline Hayling, fashion designer and creative director of Island Tribe—a brand rooted in sustainable production, natural textiles, and artisan craftsmanship. Angeline integrated mindfulness and wellness into her company years ago, long before fashion brands started making yoga, holistic healing and other wellbeing spaces a part of their businesses.Angeline shares her perspective on sustainable sourcing and production, and the importance of legal counsel in larger partnerships and collaborations. We also discuss the future of independent designers—given the news around Saks Global's bankruptcy and restructuring. What's the best way for a luxury brand rooted in sustainability to build and scale? Is it better for a designer to maintain independence—and the flexibility to create and sell directly to consumers—or to pursue investor backing, even when that comes with significant constraints? Can you have both?And most importantly, how does a brand truly connect with its consumers? As Angeline puts it: "You've gotta understand your clientele. Because if you don't understand your clientele, you're gonna be wasting a lot of money on marketing to the wind."Producer: Kenya Wiley Associate Producer: Argin Hutchins IVConnect with Angeline on Instagram and LinkedIn, and learn more about Island Tribe here, For more on fashion law, culture and power, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.