In Conversation with Abbey Samet
Tell us about your background:
I’ve always believed my career in fashion started long before my first job. Growing up outside Philadelphia, weekends at the King of Prussia Mall were less about shopping and more about observation — watching how people expressed themselves through what they wore and how brands created worlds consumers wanted to be part of. That early curiosity about product, identity, and culture ultimately shaped the path I would follow professionally.
After college, I lived in Paris, an experience that profoundly influenced how I see both fashion and the world. Studying alongside classmates from Italy, Lebanon, France, and across Europe exposed me to different perspectives on style, creativity, and lifestyle — friendships that remain an important part of my life today. Those years cemented what I now consider a defining part of who I am: a global citizen. Travel has continued to shape my personal and professional lens, and one of my favorite skills is being able to land in almost any city and, within hours, find its creative energy — the neighborhoods, people, and emerging ideas that define its version of “cool.”
Professionally, my experience spans global merchandising, fashion direction, forecasting, sales, and marketing leadership. Throughout my career at Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and The Tobe Report, I’ve worked closely with executive leadership, product design, and merchandising teams to shape product strategy and influence high-level decision making. I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of creative vision and commercial strategy — translating cultural insights and emerging trends into actionable business direction.
My work has centered on understanding the consumer at every stage of their lifecycle, leveraging competitive analysis, data analytics, and consumer insights to guide product and brand decisions. The strategies and initiatives I’ve helped lead have influenced multi-billion-dollar product categories and marketing campaigns, but what continues to motivate me most is keeping the consumer close to the decision-making process. I believe great product happens when intuition, collaboration, and data work together.
Today, I’m especially energized by collaboration — working alongside founders, creatives, marketers, and innovators who are exploring new ways to build brands and rethink how fashion connects with modern audiences. I thrive in environments where ideas move quickly, disciplines overlap, and creativity meets strategy. I’m naturally curious, collaborative by nature, and always interested in conversations that spark new thinking or unexpected opportunities.
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, exercising, and cooking, and I’m raising my two teenage children, Alex and Gigi, in New York City. I’m also a lifelong Philly sports fan and rarely miss a chance to watch a game — another reminder of how shared passion and community bring people together, whether in sports or in fashion.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
How to get a job in Paris!
Best career advice you've ever received?
“Stay curious and stay close to the consumer.” It sounds simple, but it’s shaped every decision I’ve made, reminding me that great product and strong brands always start with understanding people first. I learned this at Robe, very early on...
What leadership qualities are important to you?
For me, leadership starts with curiosity and empathy. I believe the best leaders listen to their teams, to the consumer, and to the cultural moment and create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking creative risks.
I value collaboration over hierarchy and often see my role as a connector, helping creative and business teams align around a shared vision. Adaptability is also key; in fast-moving industries like fashion, leaders need to navigate change with transparency and calm while giving teams clarity and confidence.
Most importantly, I believe leadership is about empowering others; mentoring, building trust, and leaving teams stronger than you found them.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
I think one of the most challenging periods in my career was working remotely during COVID. I deeply missed being with my team — being in the mix, touching product, walking stores, traveling, and absorbing culture and newness firsthand. Experiencing fashion and consumer energy through a screen felt very different from the immersive way I had always worked.
That experience ultimately pushed me to adapt and rethink how to stay connected to creativity and the consumer in new ways. It strengthened my ability to collaborate virtually, rely more intentionally on data and insights, and find new ways to stay inspired even when the industry slowed down physically. In hindsight, it expanded my perspective and made me more flexible as both a leader and a creative thinker.
How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?
Early in my career, I probably defined success in more traditional ways — titles, growth, and the scale of the businesses or brands I was helping to build. Over time, that definition has shifted quite a bit. Today, success feels much more personal and connected to impact.
I find the greatest fulfillment in solving problems and bringing people together around a shared vision. There’s a real joy in aligning teams — creative, merchandising, marketing, and leadership — and turning ideas into something tangible that others can experience and enjoy. Seeing collaboration come to life and watching a concept move from conversation to execution is incredibly rewarding to me.
Some of my most meaningful moments are surprisingly simple: walking down the street and noticing someone wearing a trend or a design influenced by a forecast or strategy I helped shape. Knowing that something that started as an idea has become part of someone’s everyday life never stops feeling special. It’s a reminder that fashion is ultimately about people and connection.
At this stage of my career, success means doing work that feels meaningful, collaborative, and creatively energizing — continuing to learn, evolve, and contribute to projects that bring both teams and consumers joy.
How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?
Networking has been one of the most meaningful drivers of my professional growth, although I’ve always thought of it less as networking and more as relationship building. The fashion industry, at its best, feels like a community built on shared curiosity, creativity, and mutual support. In fact, every role I’ve held throughout my career has come through my network — something I’m incredibly grateful for and never take for granted.
I don’t view networking as transactional. I see people as whole humans with lives, passions, and stories beyond their titles, and that’s how I try to show up as well — genuinely and authentically. Some of the most impactful opportunities in my career have started in the most organic ways: sitting down for tea and talking about runway shows, fashion education, emerging fashion tech, the perfect sweater someone just found on Vestiaire, or even the latest beauty discovery. Those conversations may seem casual, but they’re often where ideas spark, trust builds, and collaboration begins. The people behind those moments have all become part of my career story.
Over time, I’ve realized that authentic connection can sometimes become more powerful than any single role or company. A strong network creates continuity, perspective, and support — especially in an industry that is always changing. For me, success has come from caring about people, staying curious, and nurturing relationships that are rooted in trust, generosity, and shared passion.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
Just don't be afraid to reach old cold or ask someone for an intro. Most people are willing to connect with you and excited to meet someone new and interesting! Keep nurturing those connections whether in person or just checking in.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbeysamet/
Website: www.abbeysamet.com
Instagram: @abbeysamet
