Smarter wholesale, community-centric growth, and AI-driven discovery are reshaping the industry
WiresConnect concluded their second-ever invite-only conference, which brought together visionary designers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry leaders shaping the future of fashion and beauty for a day full of strategic conversation and insightful collaboration. The attendees explored timely topics such as sustainability, digital innovation, inclusivity, and the evolving relationship between style, self-expression, and technology.
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Daymond John, founder of FUBU and longtime investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, with Kimberly Carney, founder of WiresConnect, at the WiresConnect invite-only conference in New York City on December 10, 2025.
Deborah Weinswig, CEO of Coresight Research, delivered the keynote address, setting an inspiring tone for the event, highlighting the importance of collaboration.
“WiresConnect gives us a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the results of this turbulent year,” said Weinswig. “As we look ahead, it’s vital that we set a path driven by innovation and technology, which now sit at the center of brand success. Encouraging meaningful cross-industry dialogue will help create a more unified commerce landscape and bring clarity to an otherwise clouded road forward.”
Kimberly Carney, founder of WiresConnect and CEO of The Wires, opened the event by laying out what’s to come.
“We created WiresConnect to bring the most forward-thinking people across fashion, beauty, retail and technology into the same room to spark meaningful conversations about what is working, what is not, and how to navigate what’s ahead,” said Carney. “The success of our first conference highlighted the importance of these discussions and emphasized the need for collaboration to truly deliver the most impactful outcomes.”
One of the most memorable moments was a fireside chat between Carney and Daymond John, founder of FUBU and longtime investor on ABC’s Shark Tank. A key takeaway from Daymond John’s message is that real success starts with solving meaningful customer problems while staying financially disciplined. He reinforced that having limited resources can sharpen innovation, force smarter decisions, and build stronger brands. Understanding cash flow and margins and making decisions rooted in financial intelligence is essential for sustainable growth. Just as important is learning from rejection, setting clear, measurable goals, and recognizing that passion and grit must be matched with financial awareness and resilience to build lasting companies.
“I always leave my conversations with Daymond feeling inspired,” said Carney. “His depth of experience grounds the discussion, yet he consistently challenges the room to widen its lens and look ahead, especially during times like these where a forward view matters most.”
Key takeaways from the conference emerged across panels and sessions:
1. AI has moved from experimentation to transformation.
The conversations made one thing clear: AI is no longer a pilot project, it is now redefining how fashion and beauty brands create, operate, and connect. Technology is becoming a true partner to creativity.
2. Personalization will shape the next decade of consumer engagement.
AI allows us to finally deliver beauty and fashion experiences tailored to each individual. The brands that win will be those that can translate data into deeply human experiences.
3. Connected commerce is emerging as the new industry standard.
Consumers no longer shop in channels, they shop in ecosystems. AI gives us the ability to create seamless, connected journeys across discovery, social, content, and purchase.
4. Human creativity, trust, and authenticity must stay at the center.
As AI becomes more powerful, the role of human intuition and brand values becomes more important. Technology should enhance trust, never erode it.
5. AI and sustainability will advance hand-in-hand.
Circularity, clean beauty, and responsible production will increasingly rely on intelligent systems that provide transparency, precision, and efficiency. Sustainability and AI are now mutually reinforcing priorities.
6. The future belongs to brands with clarity of vision and AI-ready teams.
Investors and partners are looking for companies that understand exactly where AI fits within their core value proposition, not as a trend, but as a strategic differentiator.
7. Community remains the heartbeat of brand loyalty.
AI enables scale, but community builds meaning. The brands that merge advanced technology with genuine relationship-building will lead the next generation of retail.
For more information on WiresConnect and to get updates on future events, visit https://wiresconnect.com, follow @WiresConnect, and search #WiresConnect on social media platforms. Any brands, retailers, technology providers, or creatives interested in attending or learning more about WiresConnect can contact info@wiresconnect.com.
About WiresConnect
Founded by Kimberly Carney, WiresConnect is a conference and collaboration company that unites brands, retailers, influencers, and industry leaders through education, discovery, and meaningful connection. Designed for brands to showcase their products, innovations, and perspectives, WiresConnect creates an environment where participants learn from thought-leadership sessions and engage directly with key partners. By blending purposeful networking with rich educational content, WiresConnect is redefining how modern businesses connect, communicate, and grow in a digital-first world. To learn more about WiresConnect, visit https://wiresconnect.com.
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