Integrity, Inclusion and High Fashion: Leading with Style with Derek Blasberg

We have today a truly exciting, innovative, and dynamic gentleman joining us — Derek Blasberg! Derek is Youtube’s Director of Fashion and Beauty and a New York Times best-selling author.   Derek was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended NYU, graduating in 2004 with two degrees in Journalism and Dramatic Literature. His first job was as an Assistant at Vogue. Throughout his career, he has been an editor-at-large for Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and many more. Additionally, he is Vanity Fair’s ‘Our Man on the Street,’ a senior staff member at the Gagosian gallery, and the host of the TV show, ‘CNN Style.’   Leadership takes so many different forms. And in this episode, Derek shares about leadership in the context of fashion and beauty. He discusses how the fashion and beauty scene has evolved over the decades, common traits amongst successful leaders in fashion and beauty, networking tips, where he sees fashion headed, and how major events (such as COVID, #MeToo, and BLM) impact the space.   Key Takeaways: [:50] About our fascinating guest, Derek Blasberg. [1:33] Welcoming the incredible Derek to the podcast! [1:42] Derek provides further background on his fascinating career journey in fashion and beauty. [7:32] Derek discusses the transition with magazines going from paper to digital. [9:13] Derek shares how he has built followership and highlights some of the techniques and commonalities between influencers and leaders. [11:05] An important lesson on authenticity that Derek learned when he first joined Youtube. [11:53] Derek’s presence online and how the fashion and beauty scene has evolved over the decades. [13:42] The common traits that Derek has observed among the successful leaders in fashion and beauty whose company he keeps. What is the secret to their success? [17:02] Derek highlights an especially successful leader who has been making milestones during quarantine: Naomi Campbell. [19:30] Where Derek sees fashion going and how major events (such as COVID, #MeToo, and BLM) impact the space. [22:50] Derek highlights leaders who he sees having pushed the envelope and driven innovation in beauty and fashion this year. [27:09] How this past year with COVID has impacted the fashion and beauty space. [29:58] Derek shares what he has learned as a leader since joining Youtube 2 years ago. [34:56] Rapid-fire fashion questions! Kaftans or Muumuus? Pants that are too long or too short? Black or blue? Floral or plaid? Power Suit or business casual? Irony or sincerity? Face masks: solid or patterned? Zoom or Meet? London or Paris? Early or fashionably late? [39:40] Derek shares some parting words.   Mentioned in this Episode: Derek Blasberg @DerekBlasberg on Instagram Very Classy: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady, by Derek Blasberg Classy: Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady, by Derek Blasberg Naomi Campbell on Youtube Youtube.com/Fashion Everlane Face Masks Skims Face Masks Emily in Paris (TV Series)   About Fifth Dimensional Leadership & Ginny Clarke Fifth-Dimensional Leadership is a podcast about leadership — knowing yourself, speaking your truth, inspiring love, expanding your consciousness and activating your mastery. As an executive recruiter and career expert currently leading executive recruiting at a Fortune 20 tech company, Ginny Clarke is a passionate and authentic thought leader with a unique and deliberate perspective on work and life. She synthesizes aspects of her life as an African-American single mother who has successfully navigated corporate America for over 30 years. She has inspired, uplifted, and changed the lives of thousands and is intentional about bringing conscious awareness to people of all ages and stages.   Every other week, a new edition of Fifth-Dimensional Leadership will include fascinating guests, covering a variety of topics: power, personal branding, self-awareness, networking, fear, and career management   Stay Connected! To find more episodes or learn more, visit: ginnyclarke.com Connect with her on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube