On this week’s episode of the Glossy Podcast, we talk with Quaid Walker, the co-founder and CEO of the online watch marketplace Bezel. Bezel, like the watch market in general, has seen significant growth over the last three years. It now boasts over $500 million worth of watches coming through its marketplace annually. Millions of new watch enthusiasts are getting into the market for the first time, and secondhand marketplaces like Bezel are among the best entry points for those new customers. Walker described the early pandemic years as “a massive bull run for all collectibles.” During that period, a ceramic Rolex Daytona in the “panda” colorway, which retailed for around $13,500, was selling on the secondhand market for over $55,000. It’s since evened out somewhat to around $32,000, reflecting the broader market which has also slowed from the mania of the early 2020s. “What happened was you got a lot of new buyers entering the market who got really interested in watches,” Walker said. “And now that we have a correction in the market, you have the buyers who got into it because they love watches excited because prices are coming down and they can finally buy some of the watches they’ve lusted after. But then the buyers who were in it for the investment side are leaving the market.” The way Walker sees it, people come to Bezel — and similar pre-owned marketplaces for luxury goods — for two reasons. Either they want a luxury product that they can’t afford new, in which case they buy something for below retail price, or they are looking for something that can’t be found new because it’s vintage or limited edition, in which case they buy something over retail price. “Our job is to cater the experience for both of those customers,” Walker said. “Our promise to buyers is that we authenticate everything, we make sure everything is working the way it should, and we take a customer experience that was otherwise frustrating and make it feel accessible, quick, thoughtful and attentive.”

On this week’s episode of the Glossy Podcast, we catch up with Clare Waight Keller, named Uniqlo’s creative director early this month. Waight Keller discusses her transition from designing at luxury fashion houses to leading the creative direction at a global retail giant, and her plans for Uniqlo's future. After studying at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design and earning her master’s degree from the Royal College of Art, Waight Keller held design roles at Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. She later worked under Tom Ford at Gucci before taking the helm at Pringle of Scotland in 2005. In 2011, she became the creative director at Chloé, where her feminine, free-spirited designs took off. In 2017, she made history as the first female creative director at Givenchy, where she famously designed Meghan Markle’s wedding dress.  Waight Keller is now taking on a new challenge at Uniqlo, merging her luxury design sensibilities with the brand’s technological innovations and global reach. “Good design is good design, whether it’s on a luxury runway or in a global retail store,” she said. For Waight Keller, the appeal of Uniqlo lies in its integrity and focus on quality. “What was most surprising to me was how similar the design process at Uniqlo is to that of a luxury house," she said. "We approach it with the same level of care and craftsmanship. The difference is in scale." But she doesn’t see the size of Uniqlo’s operations as a hindrance. Instead, she embraces it as a unique opportunity to reach a broader audience while maintaining a high standard of design. But one challenge she is realizing is merging fashion with innovation. “The innovation at Uniqlo is unparalleled," she said. "The access to cutting-edge fabrics and the [company's] commitment to performance-based design is something I’m really excited about.” In addition to innovation, Waight Keller is focused on sustainability. As she steps into her new role, she’s pushing Uniqlo even further toward environmentally conscious fashion. “We’re already doing a lot, but I believe we can do even more," she said. "Sustainability is crucial, but so is longevity. We want to create pieces that last, both in terms of style and durability." Uniqlo’s focus on essential, timeless pieces has been refreshing, Waight Keller said. “At Givenchy, I was designing up to 10 collections a year. At Uniqlo, it’s two. But the pressure is still there — it’s about making sure every piece is perfect. We’re creating wardrobe staples that can stand the test of time, and that’s where I find the challenge." She added, “Fashion doesn’t have to be fleeting. With Uniqlo, I’m designing for everyone, from teenagers experimenting with style to professionals looking for the perfect tailored suit." Her vision is to make high-quality, stylish clothing accessible and inclusive, across all demographics and generations. Men’s fashion at Uniqlo is a category she plans to expand. “From the first collection, we had so many men asking when we’d launch menswear. Now, it’s here, and the response has been incredible,” she said. As Waight Keller looks ahead, she's excited to build upon Uniqlo's strong foundation, she said. “I’ve got so much access to the tools I need to push the boundaries," she said. "My goal is to take Uniqlo to the next level, without losing what makes the brand special: quality, accessibility and timeless style."