Retail veteran Debra A. Meyer takes on Global Head of Next Generation Transformation role at Ralph Lauren
Debra A. Meyer has joined Ralph Lauren as its new Global Head of Next Generation Transformation. She was previously at Tapestry where she served as Senior Vice President, Business Transformation. Her CV also includes stints at Stuart Weitzman (Chief Financial Officer) and Coach (Vice President, North America Retail Business Analysis).
In a LinkedIn post, she said: "From day one, I've been impressed by the passion of the people, the strength of the culture, and the company's thoughtful vision for the future. It's a privilege to be part of a team focused on building the next generation of capabilities that will help drive growth, enable new ways of working, and create an even better experience for our consumers."
"Thank you to everyone who has made me feel so welcome. I'm grateful to be part of such a talented team and excited about the journey ahead."
So hot right now
Earlier this year, Lyst, an AI powered fashion discovery platform, released its Q4 2025 Index, a quarterly ranking of fashion’s hottest brands and products.
Based on the shopping behaviour of 160 million annual users from October through December 2025, this showed US heritage brands successfully translating clear product focus into strong demand during the holiday season.
"Shoppers want recognisable, functional products with clear positioning, whether it's a quarter-zip, the perfect puffer or a cult accessory,” saud Emma McFerran, CEO at Lyst. “When culture, product and availability align, momentum follows. We track these shifts in real time to make multi-brand discovery more intuitive and personal.”
Nike re-entered the top 20 at No. 19, ending a two-year absence from the index’s hottest brands ranking. The return was driven by a 27% quarter-over-quarter increase in demand for core footwear franchises, specifically low top silhouettes, and a successful second drop from the NikeSKIMS collaboration.
Ralph Lauren climbed five places to number four, recording a 24% increase in demand on Lyst and delivering the hottest product of the quarter. The Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Quarter-Zip saw a 75% rise in demand quarter over quarter as shoppers prioritised versatile, classic silhouettes for the holiday season.
Increased social attention around the brand’s Christmas aesthetic reinforced familiarity and sustained engagement during peak gifting months. Though it slipped one spot to number, Coach maintained its position in the global top ten by extending its performance with US shoppers through the holiday period.
The brand’s consistent product strategy allowed it to balance heritage appeal with modern relevance, particularly among younger consumers engaging with core leather goods and accessories. Specific functional yet fashionable products saw the sharpest demand spikes of the three-month period.
Contemporary brands such as COS and Massimo Dutti also saw gains, reflecting demand for well priced wardrobe staples during peak trading months. Globally, Saint Laurent held the number one position for a second consecutive quarter, reflecting steady demand for investment led dressing.
