Mikahila Bloomfield

Startups: Tara Robinson Turned a Bad Internship Into a Tech Business— TracksRacks

Working for a stylist sparked Tara Robinson's tech solution for the fashion industry.

Podcast Episode Summary

The fashion industry is fueled by a bustling network of interns—working in PR showrooms, at magazines, and for stylists to ensure clothing and accessory samples arrive on set, are photographed, and returned in pristine condition. Startup founder Tara Robinson had the fateful experience of working with a stylist which transformed her into a tech founder. After experiencing first-hand some of the antiquated sample-tracking methods used across the fashion industry, Tara Robinson launched TracksRacks—a sample management platform that is equipped with QR technology, mobile integration, virtual showroom capabilities, and more.

Fashion League podcast host Mikahila Bloomfield interviews Tara to discover how she turned her bad internship experience into a tech business, TracksRacks.

Media Companies

Before we jump into the interview, since our recorded conversation, so much has happened in the efforts of the Black Lives Matter movement. Among the protests on the global stage, media companies are being forced to contend with their own reckoning for the years of discrimination and lack of representation of racial minorities.

After so many companies felt compelled to create social media graphics to show their support of the Black Lives Matter movement, many were then called out on their need for introspection because an Instagram post cannot bring pay parity to the underpaid, underemployed, and unrepresented people that have faced institutional discrimination.

In recent days, the Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appétit, Adam Rapoport, resigned after employees spoke out about the toxic, racist culture within the staff, Refinery29 founder Christene Barberich stepped down after former black employees accused the company of discrimination, and Leandra Medine Cohen founder of fashion blog Man Repeller announced she would be stepping back after Man Repeller received criticism for failing to hire and retain writers of color.

Anna Wintour sitting front row at fashion week. — Anna Wintour, front row at fashion week.

Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue magazine, put out an internal statement to staffers at Conde Nast where she said the following, “I want to say plainly that I know Vogue has not found enough ways to elevate and give space to Black editors, writers, photographers, designers, and other creators. We have made mistakes too, publishing images or stories that have been hurtful or intolerant. I take full responsibility for those mistakes,”

And in brighter news, Samira Nasr has been announced as the new Editor in Chief of Harper’s Bazaar beginning July 6th making her the first Black woman appointed to the role in the 153-year existence of Harper’s Bazaar. I read rumors that she was in the running for this role back in February. She was the Fashion Director at ELLE magazine when I was just an intern so when I saw the confirmation news I was just ecstatic!

Samira Nasr, Editor in Chief of Harper's Bazaar — Samira Nasr begins Harper's BAZAAR role July 6th.

The search for Bazaar’s new Editor in Chief has been going on for nearly six months since Glenda Bailey announced she would be leaving the position after 19 years at the helm to take a global consulting role with Harper’s Bazaar.

Samira Nasr’s appointment is more traditional in contrast to the recent trend of editors coming from digital to take on the Editor in Chief roles at print publications. Samira was most recently the Executive Fashion Director at Vanity Fair and she was the Style Director at InStyle.

Lastly, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark OfficeKanye West filed a trademark application on June 2nd for an assortment of skin-care, makeup, personal care, fragrances, incense, scented stones, and aromatherapy pillows under his brand Yeezy.