Fashion Consultant Lauren Pistoia has spent the past decade working in marketing strategy and talent management across the fashion and arts industry. She started her career at a talent representation agency where she represented American Fashion Designer Brandon Maxwell, Photographers Nan Goldin and Katja Rahlwes, and Editor-in-Chief of The Gentlewoman, Penny Martin.

While working with Brandon Maxwell she played an integral role in the development and growth of his eponymous luxury fashion brand, and eventually moved in-house to lead marketing strategy, philanthropic initiatives, media relations, and partnerships.

In and out of work, Lauren is passionate about engaging the arts community through philanthropic initiatives. She served on the board for performance artist Meredith Monk's "House Foundation for the Arts" and has developed scholarships for children from underrepresented communities looking to pursue knowledge or a career in the arts.

Lauren recently moved to Seattle and is consulting for brands. We recently caught up with her to learn more about her experience and get her advice on the best way to create successful brand partnerships.

What is your advice for business owners trying to navigate uncertain times?

Stay calm. In horror films, it always gets worse once someone screams.

How has your personal approach to business changed over the years?

The first few years of my career were focused on creating imagery and storytelling to drive audience engagement and customer acquisition. As I’ve gained more knowledge of the industry and the world at large, I’ve realized the importance of building marketplaces through different retailer touchpoints to build small businesses.  

What's the secret to creating productive partnerships?

The secret to creating productive partnerships is to build trust. To start the journey, first map out your dream partnerships, and imagine what work it would take to get there as it pertains to building your own business and what intermediary partnerships you can take as a stepping stone. Once you understand what tangible, immediate partnerships you can develop, create a deck that showcases a creative idea for a product/campaign and be clear on how it could benefit the respective parties. Pitch within your network or cold e-mails, and approach the journey like a salesperson. Sometimes you may make a connection, but the timing won’t be right. If you’re curious and understand why not now, you will have the information you need to know when you can re-visit a warm prospect.  

How do you get out of a creative rut?

Take space, take care of yourself, and give yourself grace. Usually, creative ruts are from burnout or lack of inspiration. Understand that is part of the process— it is impossible to always be “on.” Bring in new energy into your daily routine, and keep up the practice of your work or art. Inspiration will flow back into you in time.

Name a woman in business that you admire:

Penny Martin, The Editor in Chief of The Gentlewoman. I was fortunate to meet Penny at my first job at a boutique agency in NYC that represented some of the best visionaries in the fashion industry. In knowing Penny, one begins to understand the power of embodying your core values in the workplace. Her intellect, passion, poise, and kindness seamlessly flow throughout her work at her award-winning publication and her consulting work. Experiencing her clients taking awe in the excellence of her work in a world that can so often become consumed by the hype machine is an enlivening experience.

Lauren was featured on stage at the What She Said Women in Fashion Event at W Bellevue on October 13th. Check out more information about that event here.