Celebrity guest speakers Fern Mallis, creator of New York Fashion Week, and Daymond John, founder of FUBU and ABC's Shark Tank investor, joined The Wires CEO Kimberly Carney on stage

SEATTLE --(BUSINESS WIRE)

WiresConnect, the first-ever conference hosted by The Wires, the parent company of the B2B2C platforms FashWire, GlossWire, and PawWire, brought together an invitation-only group of leaders across retail and technology for two days of strategic conversation and actionable insight. With a focus on connected commerce, the event convened founders, executives, operators, and investors who are building the future of consumer engagement for the retail sector.

Shannon Maher, Dean of the School of Business and Technology at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, delivered the Welcome Address and Keynote Speech, setting an inspiring tone for the event.

“It was an honor to participate in WiresConnect, a dynamic platform that explores how innovation and education converge to shape the future of retail,” said Maher. “As we prepare the next generation of founders and leaders, cross-industry collaboration is not just beneficial, it’s essential to creating a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable commerce ecosystem.”

Kimberly Carney, founder and CEO of The Wires, opened the event by setting the tone for what was to come.

"We created WiresConnect to bring the most forward-thinking people in retail and technology into the same room to have real conversations about what is working, what is not, and what needs to happen next," said Carney. "The event went beyond the trends and drilled into the substance of the issues. We saw that in every session and every connection."

One of the most memorable moments was a fireside chat between Carney and fashion industry icon Fern Mallis. The audience was captivated by Fern's personal stories and professional journey, including her key role in creating New York Fashion Week. The session sparked laughter, reflection, and ended with a standing ovation.

"Interviewing Fern was one of the highlights of my career," said Carney. "Her legacy is extraordinary, and the way she shared her story with honesty, humor, and heart left a lasting impact on everyone in the room."

"What stood out to me at WiresConnect was seeing so many founders engaged and open to hearing my story," said Fern Mallis, President of Fern Mallis LLC and creator of New York Fashion Week. "It was a reminder that the challenges and opportunities we face today aren’t so different from those I encountered. Sharing my experience felt less like looking back and more like offering a perspective that can help shape what comes next."

Another standout session featured Daymond John, founder of FUBU and longtime investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, in conversation with Deborah Weinswig, CEO and founder of Coresight Research. Their exchange focused on brand authenticity, innovation, and the evolving expectations of today’s consumers.

“It was an honor to be a guest speaker at WiresConnect,” said Daymond John, FUBU Founder & CEO and star of ABC’s Shark Tank. “When I started FUBU, community was at the core of everything we did. That same spirit drives the most successful brands today. Whether launching a new brand or scaling an existing one, consumers crave personalization. And in a post-COVID and AI-obsessed world, we need more truly unique in-person experiences like this to continue building community."

Reflecting on their discussion, Weinswig said, "Daymond shared a rare blend of strategic clarity and lived experience. He has an intuitive understanding of how brands build trust with consumers. His emphasis on staying authentic while continuing to innovate really resonated with the audience."

"The energy here was real," she added. "WiresConnect created a space where the right people were not just talking. They were planning and aligning around what comes next for commerce."

Key takeaways from the conference emerged across panels and sessions:

The Future of Beauty pushed attendees to reimagine what personalization really means in a world increasingly shaped by AI. The conversation moved beyond product to focus on trust, transparency, and cultural intelligence. It was a clear reminder that technology alone does not define innovation. Human insight still leads.

Winning Brand Loyalty reminded us that today’s consumers do not just buy products; they buy into purpose. Loyalty is now built through shared values, compelling storytelling, and authentic community. Emotional connection is not an extra. It is the brand.

Integrating AI into Business explored how agentic AI is reshaping commerce while reinforcing that human connection remains essential. The panel emphasized that AI should be seamless and invisible, enhancing experiences without becoming a distraction. As customer journeys become more fragmented, AI can help build consistent, cross-platform engagement. Brandon Kissinger, Executive Chairman of SnapSoft, said, “If AI brings you closer to your customers, you are on the right track. If it takes you away through automation, you are moving in the wrong direction.”

Investing in Tomorrow offered a rare and candid look at how leading investors evaluate emerging brands. Beyond metrics and margins, what stood out most was the importance of founder clarity, adaptability, and the power of trust as a long-term asset. Fundable brands build relationships, not just presentations.

Next Gen Circularity Solutions reframed sustainability as both a systems challenge and a business advantage. From material innovation to reverse logistics, the session highlighted how strategy and operations must align to unlock scalable impact. Circularity is no longer optional. It is essential.

“Closing the day with Fern Mallis and Daymond John was a true full-circle moment,” Carney said, reflecting on the event. “Their clarity, warmth, and perspective grounded the future-focused discussions in real-world wisdom and reminded us why the beauty and fashion industries continue to matter. Overall, the conversations were forward-looking, the connections meaningful, and the momentum is already building toward what comes next.”

WiresConnect marked a defining moment for The Wires, as its first-ever conference, and the broader community it brought together. Throughout the event, The Wires also shared its vision for a more intelligent and integrated commerce ecosystem. Upcoming platform features will help brands, retailers, and tech partners collaborate more easily across systems, with an emphasis on clarity, speed, and measurable impact.

For more information on The Wires and to get updates on future events, visit: https://thewires.com/, follow @WiresConnect and search #WiresConnect on social media platforms.

About The Wires

The Wires is a multi-vertical B2B2C technology company behind FashWire, GlossWire, PawWire, and WiresConnect. Its interactive platforms connect fashion, beauty, and pet care brands with consumers through immersive, real-time digital experiences. The Wires empowers global brands with AI-driven insights, actionable feedback, and advanced analytics to inform product development and increase profitability. WiresConnect further extends this ecosystem by enabling direct collaboration and networking between brands, retailers, and influencers. Together, these platforms are reshaping how brands grow, engage, and compete in a digital-first world. To learn more about The Wires, visit www.thewires.com. To learn more about FashWire, visit www.fashwire.com or download the app on the App Store or Google Play Store. To learn more about GlossWire, visit www.glosswire.com or download the app on the App Store or Google Play Store. To learn more about PawWire, visit www.pawwire.com, or download the app on the App Store or Google Play.

Laura Baumgartner
Asylum Public Relations
lbaumgartner@asylumpr.com
(855) 462-7958

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