Welcome to Between the Lines, a periodic feature for Modern Retail+ subscribers where our editorial staff opens up their reporters’ notebooks to give you insider analysis and context on what’s driving the hottest discussions in retail right now.
Few topics drive as much interest as the demise – and potential resurrection – of a once-prominent direct-to-consumer brand
Last week, it felt like everyone on my social media feeds – which is mostly made up of consumer startup founders and investors – had a take on the news that Shein was acquiring Everlane. Here at Modern Retail of course, we churned out a couple of stories on the news. One looking at why the bottom seems to be falling out for so many venture-backed DTC startups this year, and another looking at what the news could mean for Shein’s marketplace ambitions.
Then, on Tuesday night, there was another twist: Everlane founder Michael Preysman – who exited the brand many years ago – announced he was launching a new brand called “Still Radical.” The brand’s website proclaims: “Same principles, but a new take. And this time, no venture capital, no private equity.” It seems many of the details still need to be ironed out, for now, the website is just collecting emails.
