William Brobston spent 15 years in the luxury retail industry, holding leadership roles with European and American luxury apparel & fine jewelry brands.
I didn’t just land in luxury—I built my name in it. I’ve got 20+ years in the industry, and I’ve put in time with the best: Brioni, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Dior. Right now, I’m holding it down at Brioni in Houston’s River Oaks District, working with high-net-worth clients, tailoring bespoke experiences, and running a high-stakes sales strategy that’s as much about trust and relationship-building as it is about taste.
But here’s the truth: no matter how seasoned you are, this industry will test you. I’ve dealt with shifts in leadership, brand overhauls, and moments where the silence after sending a résumé hit louder than rejection. In luxury, the job search isn’t formal. It’s quiet conversations, reputation, and the kind of relationships that can’t be faked.
The real shift in my career came when I stopped waiting for recognition and started treating myself like a brand. I wrote a book on luxury sales, published it on Amazon, and started creating content online—not for vanity, but to build visibility and legacy. If I can create value for others through what I’ve learned, I’m winning twice.
Now I’m using the tools of today to do what most people aren’t thinking about yet—refining how I speak to clients, building systems around outreach, using content to open doors before the handshake ever happens. It’s not about replacing the human touch. It’s about making it sharper.
I’m a husband, a father, and I think about generational wealth a lot. Not just money—but brand equity, presence, the ability to create opportunity through connection. My time in luxury has taught me that style gets attention, but consistency earns respect.
To anyone trying to break in or break through: your résumé might get you in the room, but your story keeps you there. Don’t just sell products—show people who you are.
Ever feel like you’re ready for more but someone else just can’t see it? How many times have you been told there’s room for growth, but not given the space to grow?
I once reached out to a recruiter, eager to pivot from my Sales Associate role into management. After years in luxury retail, running Studio Services, coaching team members, and even training managers—I knew I had what it took.
Her response deflated me:
“Amy, I can’t submit you for management positions because you’ve never been a manager.”
That moment stuck with me. Her words weren’t just about experience—they were about limits. Limits she was placing on me. I realized it wasn’t personal. It was likely the way she viewed the working world.
I smiled, nodded, and pretended to agree, but I knew I wasn’t going to stay boxed in as a Sales Associate my entire career.
Ironically, right before that moment, I had the chance to visit Necker Island and meet Richard Branson alongside other entrepreneurs. That experience changed me. I saw firsthand that successful people act on their ideas—they don’t stay stuck in a box.
I took a Sales Associate position at a multi-line store that encouraged creativity and offered true room for growth. (The store owner is one of the most talented stylists.) I saw it not as a step back, but a step forward. I would be surrounded and inspired by talented and successful coworkers.
I showed up every day as my best self. I was promoted to Store Director. I took on styling and shoot production to contribute to the website. With that, I built my own personal styling site. Which led to an in-house styling opportunity with Global Brands Group, where I joined the marketing team.
I made the pivot myself.
When the company sold, I pivoted again. This time into wholesale. Each step might’ve looked unconventional, but every move was forward. It was a step where I could apply my established skillset.
I applied myself. I offered my styling, sales, and my leadership experience.
The perfect opportunity might not look like the perfect job at first. The right candidate might not have the matching job title—yet.
Don’t give up.
Sometimes, there really is room for growth.
As demands for sustainable practices grow, the luxury fashion industry finds itself at a crossroads—pioneering innovation while grappling with the weight of long-held tradition and prestige. Consumers are no longer just asking for change; they are demanding it: Consumers call upon industry leaders to take decisive action to pave the way for lasting, meaningful progress.
As the second-largest contributor to global carbon emissions (up to 8%), the fashion industry's commitment to sustainability is not just an ethical obligation—it's a matter of survival. To put this in perspective, fashion emits roughly the same amount of greenhouse gases per year as the entire economies of France, Germany, and the UK combined.
Consumers are paying attention. According to the National Retail Federation, between 50% and 75% of shoppers would pay more for sustainable products, and 62% of young consumers actively seek out brands that align with their environmental values. The message is clear: sustainability is no longer an option—it's the future of fashion.
Over the last few years, the industry has seen both established and emerging visionary brands undertake this mission. By championing circular fashion and implementing bio-based materials, visionary designers are revolutionizing how we think about fashion. It’s no surprise that the industry's push to introduce new and singular trends has created a surplus of waste among consumers and fashion brands. It was estimated that consumers waste around $460 billion on clothing items they no longer wear. In comparison corporations could save up to $500 billion in reduced losses alone if they adopt a circular economic model.
“Our industry holds a responsibility, and it needs to rise to the occasion… Luxury should be more timeless in its design. It should last your entire lifetime… Resale, the afterlife, the next life, the rentability—luxury is where that happens.”
– Stella McCartney
Setting the bar high for the industry, several emerging designers have built their brands around sustainability.
Founder of Melke, Gage partners with KOCO in India which works to provide financial independence to women. 50-60% of her SS25 collection incorporates deadstock using sustainability to fuel her creativity. She recently presented five looks with Hidden Valley Ranch at NYFW, reflecting her quirky, Midwestern roots.
Brooklyn-based, Greer uses natural dyes and deadstock for vibrant pieces sold online and in NYC as part of a local circular supply chain. He was chosen to collaborate with TheRealReal to upcycle damaged inventory into a summer solstice–inspired collection.
Mexico City native Campillo sources natural local materials, in partnership with small family-owned suppliers, ensuring fair value wages. His collections celebrate Mexican heritage and earned him a place as a 2025 LVMH Prize semi-finalist.
Known for melting and collaging materials into couture looks, Shevelev’s work has appeared on major celebrities and in exhibitions like The Met’s "In America: A Lexicon of American Fashion." She recently won a TV competition hosted by Julia Fox, incorporating sustainable materials and dyes.
As sustainability becomes a priority, fashion brands are hiring accordingly—adding roles across departments to champion these values. Procurement, operations, and merchandising all contribute to building a greener fashion future.
Featured roles:
Know any emerging designers making an impact on the industry? We’d love to feature them. Reach out to share their stories!
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