For Shira Suveyke, jetsetting is a way of life – after all, the word “global” appears in her title. As Vice President of Global Buying for THE OUTNET.com (of the Net-A-Porter family), Suveyke regularly traverses the globe to stay on the pulse of different markets and sartorial trends. With the fashion week circuit in full swing, we catch up with Suveyke between the Fall 2015 Ready-to-Wear shows to talk globetrotting in the name of fashion, her top travelling tips and most luxe experiences en route.
How did you get your start in luxury fashion? Was it an industry that always attracted you?
I always worked in retail stores as my summer job or during university, but I didn’t really understand what the business of fashion was, so I took a more traditional career path and studied economics and business management. Then I went into banking outside of school. Once I was immersed in New York City, it came to light that there was so much opportunity to work in fashion in a business capacity, and that’s really when my path in luxury fashion properly started. My first job was at Ralph Lauren in the buying office, and from there I realised that this is my calling. I’ve always found buying and merchandising to be that perfect balance of analytics and aesthetics, so it’s been all uphill since.
What do you do to prepare for the big fashion weeks, and what other cities do you attend besides New York?
THE OUTNET.com services customers in 170 countries so to understand the marketplace, not just in New York, is incredibly important. The major fashion hubs around the world are New York, Milan, Paris, and London, the latter of which has come up as quite a critical fashion week as well. So those are the four fashion weeks I try to attend each major cycle, but we do also have members of our buying team attend fashion weeks in Sydney, Copenhagen, Berlin and Tokyo – it’s really important that we have that global understanding of what’s happening in fashion. I can’t be in all places at all times, so I do my best to work out strategically at the beginning of each season which cities I want to hit. Usually I’ll hit the main cities of New York, London, Paris, and Milan.
What trends are you seeing from the runways?
The seventies is such an important decade in fashion history and it’s a really important trend for the runway - I feel that the seventies/bohemian trend is continuing, whether it’s the suede, fringe, or great roll-neck knits. Of course we’re still seeing denim, and a move towards the flare and the wide-leg pant. But then in New York, we have also seen this moodiness; the runways are really dark, whether it was through black lace, velvet, or leather. Paris is the one I’m always looking for to take the end inspiration. We’re still seeing an Asian influence with the kimono wrapping and the belting from the likes of Alexander Wang, The Row, and Proenza Schouler. It’s a great trend for travel, because you just put on a great coat or belted outwear piece and you look chic at the airport. It’s a good look for us jet-setting women.
Do you get to do much travelling outside of business trips?
In my life and career I’ve had some amazing experiences while travelling the world, seeing new places, experiencing great restaurants and great hotels; there’s quite a lot to choose from which is pretty amazing. I would say my most recent decadent experience was going to the Emerald Coast of Sardinia. I had the opportunity in the midst of fashion week to take a quick holiday, and we chartered a boat and toured the Maddalena archipelago. It was the most beautiful experience: the food, the water, the island, the people - everything was decadent.
What is your favorite city to travel to and what are your three must-dos when visiting?
I think it has to be Paris. I’m always excited to go, and I can’t even count at this point how many times I’ve been there. Every time I visit I feel energised to be in the city, it’s such a beautiful and cultural place – really, one of the best hubs in the world for art, design, fashion, and food. Of course the shopping in Paris is absolutely amazing. I love to go and see what’s happening at the Bon Marché, one of my favorite stores in Europe - I always tell people to go see what’s happening there because there’s usually something new. I love the Galleria museum, which is in the 16th arrondissement. It’s a French museum and they always have a fabulous new exhibit. Then, of course, the food is incredible, particularly the sweets (I have a bit of a sweet tooth). I love Angelina - I always go there, whether it’s for a hot chocolate or a pastry. It’s also the place where I go to bring back gifts for everybody. I think one of the nice things about travel is buying tokens of that city and bringing them back to the ones you love.
What is your must-carry travel accessory?
Traversing the Atlantic several times a year for business definitely takes its toll on your skin, so it’s essential to travel with your full beauty regime intact. For me, this includes Tracie Martyn’s full range of products, particularly her Complexion Savior mask that ensures my skin doesn’t get dehydrated during travel. After my market trips each season, I indulge in her re-sculpting facial treatment.
And finally, your top travel tip?
Never over-pack - you end up a slave to your belongings. I find that the chicest women I know are also masters in the art of packing lightly. Pick versatile items that can easily transition from daytime to evening.
Photography via Getty and THE OUTNET.com
