Rebecca Minkoff and Gilt founder Alexandra Wilkis Wilson on building style empires

Rebecca Minkoff and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson meet up for this video shoot up on a beautiful fall morning in Brooklyn Bridge Park. This wasn't their first time meeting: The entrepreneurs have worked together before, as Wilkis Wilson's last venture, Gilt Groupe has offered Rebecca Minkoff products via flash sales for years now.
As they admire the view, they recall how their business relationship started. "I remember when we first met: Fall 2007, and we were just getting started with Gilt," says Wilkis Wilson. "You were very kind to start working with us pretty early on." Minkoff chimes in: "It was early for us, too. We'd never gotten an order that big at that time, so we were like, ‘Oh, we don't have overstock — we have to make some!’"Beyond this overlap in the world of style, the pair’s interests also merge when it comes to tech. Both have leveraged technology to improve the retail and consumer experience. Take Rebecca Minkoff’s brand new SoHo store, for example. This location is tech-enhanced, featuring a connected, interactive display wall, where shoppers can browse lookbooks, order up a complimentary drink and secure dressing rooms. Once inside said dressing rooms (text alerts signify when they're ready), shoppers have digital help at their fingertips when it comes to creating a finished look — the RFID-tagged items are recognized by smart mirrors, which provide styling suggestions. This technology also makes it easy for shoppers to swap out colors and sizes, plus select their fitting room lighting preferences.   Wilkis Wilson, of course, revolutionized ecommerce by bringing Gilt’s invite-only flash-sale model to life. Now, as CEO of GLAMSQUAD, she’s bringing customization to a new level — by physically delivering on-demand beauty to patrons. In as little as one hour’s notice, GLAMSQUAD’S trained stylists will make a housecall — to your apartment, office, gym or whatever location’s most convenient for you — and prep you for any event. Currently, GLAMSQUAD appointments (opt for a blowout, hair styling, makeup or all of the above) can be arranged via website or app in New York City plus Los Angeles, with plans for expansion. The pair hops in the car to head to their destination, Minkoff’s Flatiron showroom, discussing Wilkis Wilson’s new venture en route. On her role at GLAMSQUAD, she remarks, "I felt like it was time in my career to go back to an early-stage opportunity. Doing a startup the second time around … in a way it’s easier because I've learned so much, but on the other hand, the stakes are higher. I feel like more eyes are watching."When they arrive at their destination, Minkoff shows Wilkis Wilson around the showroom, and they talk inspiration — for Minkoff, this space is, in a way, the physical realization of a dream. "When I first decided I wanted to be in fashion, it was something that was all-consuming," says Minkoff. "So, when i moved here, that was my dream, but it was definitely just a dream. I never thought we'd get this far."