It Girl Weekly vol. 16
Luxury department stores buckle, Polène's billion dollar valuation &... Casey Anthony did what?
Sorry I’m late today, angels! Our 4 AM departure from our hotel in Palm Beach took an unexpected turn — we kind of got mugged at the valet. So, that was a fun start to the day! A little shaken but very grateful to be back home in NYC, curled up on my couch with a bagel, no plans except to be horizontal and eventually take the most indulgent everything shower of all time. 💆♀️✨
Saks, Simon Malls x Shopify & Printemps
The Future of Luxury Retail: Saks' Fate, Shopify’s Play, and Printemps’ Bold NYC Move
Luxury retail is at a crossroads, and if you know where to look, the writing is on the wall. Legacy department stores are crumbling, tech-driven retail integrations booming, and European players are making their mark stateside, the entire landscape is shifting before our eyes.
Saks: A Sinking Ship?
Once the pinnacle of American luxury shopping, now looking eerily like Barneys pre-collapse. The signs are there: dwindling foot traffic, lack of innovation, and an online experience that hasn’t kept up with the Net-a-Porters and Mytheresas of the world. The luxury consumer has changed, prioritizing exclusivity, experience, and curation over racks of inventory and pushy sales associates. At this rate, Saks feels more like a relic than a revolution, and unless they pivotpr, and pivot hard, it’s tough to see a bright future.
Simon Malls x Shopify
Meanwhile, Simon Property Group — the largest mall operator in the U.S. — is not waiting around to become a ghost town. They’ve taken action in teaming up with Shopify to create an in-person retail concept that acts as a revolving door of digitally native brands, giving e-commerce-first companies the physical footprint they never had. It’s a modernized, data-driven approach that feels like what department stores should have evolved into: smaller spaces that showcase emerging and established brands in a way that feels fresh and dynamic. This is where the future is heading — less square footage, more personalization, and a shopping experience that integrates seamlessly with digital touchpoints.
Printemps Opening on Wall Street
Enter: Printemps, the iconic Parisian department store making its grand NYC debut — on Wall Street of all places. The location is a statement in itself: far from Fifth Avenue’s tourists, rooted in old-money prestige, and right at the center of where new wealth is being made. Printemps is putting their money where their mouth is by setting up shop at 1 Wall Street, an iconic Art Deco building that once housed the Bank of New York. A truly fitting home for the French luxury retailer’s first U.S. outpost. Anyone who has seen it, knows that the space itself is a flex, showing Printemps' intent to bring a distinctly European take on luxury retail to Manhattan. With a curated, modern approach to luxury retail and a focus on experience-driven shopping, Printemps could be the blueprint for what a 21st-century department store should look like.
So, What Does This All Mean?
The traditional department store model is dying, but luxury retail is far from dead. Instead, the smart ones are evolving into something more intentional — smaller, smarter, and more digitally integrated. The Saks of the world will fade away, while concepts like Shopify-powered retail and experiential flagships like the new Louis Vuitton store here in NYC will define a new era. And if European luxury players continue their expansion, we may see an even greater shift in where realluxury shoppers choose to spend.
The message is clear: The future of luxury retail isn’t in massive, outdated department stores. It’s in agility, experience, and innovation — and those who fail to embrace that will be left behind.
The Initial Analysis ⬇️
Shopify X Simon Malls ⬇️
Same, Same & Not Different: The NYC Influencer Identity Crisis
The girlies are fighting, and this time, it’s over whether or not NYC influencers are boring. A single TikTok claiming that many of them are copy-paste versions of each other has sent them into a spiral, with frantic videos “defending themselves” that somehow only prove the original point. If the shoe doesn’t fit, why are you tripping over it?
At the end of the day, it’s not that deep. Social media, especially in a city as trend-driven as New York, naturally breeds a level of sameness. People gravitate toward what performs well — whether that’s a uniform aesthetic, a specific style of content, or even identical personality quirks. Most industries boil down to people and companies doing the same things with slight variations — social media is no exception. Just look at streaming services; same content, different platform.
But to the point my friend and fellow TikToker, Jade: if the original poster feels so strongly about individuality, ”be the change you wish to see in this world.” A quick scroll of her page reveals nothing but trends, aesthetics, and regurgitated internet takes. Critiquing the system is easy—breaking out of it is the real challenge. Originality may be dead, but I pray this discourse is too. Or, as Jade so aptly put it, "Thou doth protest too much.”
I wrote a longer piece on this
The Billion Dollar Blueprint:
What We Can Learn from Polène's Business Model
Polène has quietly become one of the most sought after accessories brands in recent years, thanks to a blend of luxury craftsmanship, design, and a very smart business strategy. Unlike traditional heritage brands, Polène has carved out a niche in the market that balances exclusivity and accessibility, making it a case study worth examining.
Polène operates primarily through DTC channels, selling via its website and select flagship stores in Paris, New York, Tokyo, and Seoul. By cutting out wholesalers and department stores, the brand maintains full control over pricing, branding, and customer experience. This model allows them to offer high quality at a more accessible price point compared to traditional luxury brands. Rather than mass-producing inventory, Polène embraces small-batch production with periodic restocks, making customers more eager to purchase before items sell out. The brand doesn’t rely on seasonal collections but instead focuses on timeless pieces that maintain demand.
Unlike many brands that push ever-changing trends, Polène focuses on classic silhouettes and a delicious neutral color palette. This approach extends the life cycle of each product, reinforcing the brand’s identity as a quiet luxury alternative to trend-driven competitors.
Polène offers handcrafted leather goods at a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury brands, with prices ranging from $300 to $600. Their manufacturing takes place in Ubrique, Spain, a town renowned for its expertise in leather craftsmanship, allowing them to maintain high quality while avoiding the extreme markups that are becoming increasingly common in legacy houses.
Rather than relying on aggressive advertising campaigns, Polène has grown through word-of-mouth, influencer marketing, and organic social media buzz. The brand is frequently seen in the hands of understated influencers and even public figures like Kate Middleton. Its placement in Emily in Paris further solidified its status as a go-to brand.
In 2024, L Catterton — a fund linked to LVMH’s Bernard Arnault — acquired a minority stake in Polène, valuing the company at nearly $1 billion. The highly strategic move positions Polène for global expansion while maintaining its independent, boutique feel.
Polène’s success story is a perfect example of how modern brands can redefine luxury by focusing on craftsmanship, intentional branding, and smart distribution.
My Favorite Pieces from the Latest Polène Drop
Polène’s latest collection continues to shine. My personal favorites include the Numéro Neuf Mini, which features the brand’s iconic draped leather technique for a sculptural yet wearable look. The Osmo bag is another standout, with its sleek and modern design that effortlessly transitions from day to night. And finally, the Eroz and Éole collections are everything we’d hope for from the Polène team’s first foray into the jewelry space.
Polène proves that luxury doesn’t have to mean unattainable price points or excessive branding. Instead, it’s about quality, thoughtful design, and a well-executed business strategy—something every entrepreneur and fashion enthusiast can appreciate.
Casey Anthony… Joins TikTok?
In the latest episode of “Absolutely No One Asked for This”, Casey Anthony has made her TikTok debut—and of all the possible rebrands, she’s decided to position herself as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Yes, that Casey Anthony.
Naturally, the collective response from the queer community was a resounding: “No, thanks. We’re good.” Because in a time when the U.S. government is actively stripping away LGBTQ+ rights — threatening gay marriage, trans rights, and basic freedoms of the queer community — when the far-right is spreading dangerous rhetoric that queer people are a threat to children... Miss Casey Anthony thinks she should be the voice of reason here?
It’s giving delusion. It’s giving PR stunt. It’s giving literally anyone else, please.
While the LGBTQ+ community is fighting for real, tangible rights and protections, the last thing it needs is an unsolicited endorsement from one of the most infamous figures of the 21st century. So, respectfully (or not), Casey — please, read the room.
It Girl Carry On Must Haves
Links below in bold lettering ⬇️
Touchland Hand Sanitizer - duh
Louise Carmen Roadbook - never leave my house without my LC
The Ultimate Lip combo - Patrick ta lip treatment and the Charlotte Tilbury Superstar lips always
Sunglasses - these are my current favs
Lume Cube Travel Light - I attached an octobuddy to the back of mine for mirror selfie perfection
Saint Laurent Pouch - newest addition to the ever-growing pouch collection
Brass Pill Box - not just for my pills, but for mini tobascos, eye drops, mints, gum, etc
Kindle & its iconic cover - good girl, indeed
A versatile scent - this one works for every occasion
Rare Beauty 4-in-1 Spray - so refreshing and light
Bluelight Glasses - anything to avoid a migraine
Machete Petite Hair Brush - for the knots from those gross headrests
RX Pouch - for the pill bottles and the strong stuff
Corded headphones - always
Anya Hindmarch Girlie Things pouch for Meg’s Ultimate Lip Combo Essentials - pretty sure this is for tampons but it holds a lot of lippies!
Pens, pens, pens!!
Portable Phone Charger - loveeee this one
Airpods, if I must - I always lose them but if I need headphones while charging my phone, ugh
Armara Colostrum - an immune system boost
Not Now Nausea Spray - for my comrades in constant nausea, works so incredibly well
Snacks - THESE are my favorite travel snacks
Home, for the Weekend
Palm Beach, FL
Every so often, we must make the pilgrimage back to our hometowns — if for nothing else, to make sure they’re still exactly as we left them. Almost every time I come home to Palm Beach, I feel my fondness for the good old days creeping in. When I’m not here, I remember the bad days — the anxiety, the high school bullies, the inevitable small-town suffocation. But the second I return, I see my childhood best friends, we relive the good times, and I get caught up in my feelings while driving down the roads I still know like the back of my hand — the gas station where I bought my first cigarettes with a fake ID, the neighbors’ houses where we threw pool parties, the places that once felt like the center of the universe. The laughs, the chaos (both good and bad)—I almost miss it.
But then I remind myself: I left for a reason and to love this place is to love it in small doses.
Enough about my sick obsession with nostalgia — let’s talk about the important stuff. The outfits this trip? They were good.
Holy Grails & Hyperfixations
This is such a good roundup this week!
Act + Acre Stem Cell Scalp Serum - guysssss, I’m seeing results!!
Burga Phone Cases - I think these things are… bulletproof? Also so cute, give me 15
Sulwhasoo Cleansing Oil - Picked this us up on a whim at the Sephora checkout counter (needed a travel size oil cleanser) and ohhhh my god. Glass skin indeed
Hanni Cocoon Cleanse - My love for this multi-use cleansing bar knows no bounds. It’s a shaving cream, feminine wash, body wash - what can’t she do?! Use code MEG20 for 20% off on heyhanni.com
Bala Bangles - we know them, we love them, my arms have never looked better. Use code MEGM15 for 15% off on ShopBala.com
Haven by Luxio - I have gotten sooooo many q’s on my current nail color. I have spent years hunting down the perfect milky neutral and this is our girl
Khaite Banks Flats - I’m salivating
Dior Addict in Berry - The most gorgeous color for a some-sexy-man-just-bit-my-lips wash
And with that, I bid you all a lovely Sunday. I’ll be disassociating, eating multiple bagels and not going to that pilates class I very ambitiously (read: stupidly) booked.
As ever, xx Meg
IGW vol. 16 SHOPPING GUIDE & PRODUCTS
🚨 The It Girl Edit is Going Paid (Again!)
Okay, my angels — it's time. After a very fun few months of building this community, a girl’s gotta fund her shopping addiction and test drive all these skincare trends so you know what not to put on your gorgeous faces.
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