Lessons Learned from Loewe

Say that five times fast!

Happy Friday!

We have some catching up to do! As soon as my feet touched Virginian soil after an inspiring trip to Santa Fe last month (more on that in Monday’s newsletter!), it truly was one thing after another! Nashville for Harding, opening Katharine Heyl’s solo show at Castle (!!), and trying to stay on top of that ever growing to-do list.

Something incredible happened after last weeks opening (besides an exciting first round of sales!) - I finally felt like the physical gallery space is “done” for now. Planters have been planted. Furniture has been arranged and acquired. I had a rolling, free standing wall built to increase wall space and that was delivered. Things look good.

I don’t think I realized how much I needed the space to feel finished and how long it truly took. So much in the background of business (at least for me!) is scrappy. If I can have a friend do it, I will. If I can get that table for free - perfect! If I can put that big investment off, I’ll do it and then DIY. However the investments are truly that, and it feels good to be in a solid place.

But that boulder rolling uphill metaphor? That feels pretty true right now. Everything is moved forward by inches, not miles, and I feel strongly about normalizing that. Sale by sale we build a collector base. Event by event we shape our reputation. Artist by artist we grow. Something funny has happened in the first six months of the gallery - I act like it’s been a lot longer than six months.

The slowness can be frustrating. I want to see immediate growth! Who doesn’t? But instead of virality, we are all left with our own boulders and a requirement of stamina. Keep going. Others have stopped along the way, but you’ll be the one to make it if you don’t.

Photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Vogue, September 2025.

I loved listening to the most recent episode of The Run-Through by Vogue - an interview with Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the creative directors of Loewe. As many know, they’ve been on the job for about a year after a massive leadership shake-up in the fashion world. The interviewer asked them both about their goals for Loewe and they were adamant about not creating long term goals - who would have thought they’d be in this role even a year ago? Their job is to world-build, and it doesn’t happen overnight. They’ve had early success, but they would never suggest they are close to being “there” or in their groove. Every show is just an attempt to move closer. One year can hold so much - and yet it’s also a blip in the life of a business.

The ambitious part of me is also self-critical - there’s always adjustments to be made. And hearing from Jack and Lazaro reminded me that this pressure to be an overnight success is not only futile, but it’s also the lesser option to slow, hard-fought growth. Live and plan for the moment, and be flexible as changes come. If we had to stick to the business goals we made one day 1, we’d be in trouble five years down the line.

It’s meant to be slow.

And I hope someone else needed to hear that as much as I do!

It’s time for a few Friday Fives! Reflecting this wildly varied weather we’ve been having, here’s a round up of shoulder season picks.

1. I’m doing that weird jeans and sandals thing right now that feels like West Coast cosplay. I love the Biarritz silhouette from Larroude, especially these primary color ones, and that they also come in a jelly.

2. My good friend Alexa is launching a new summer collection of jewelry from her brand on May 20th, and I’ve been wearing a few of the pieces non-stop (essentially willing summer to be here). My picks are the green Cooper and the red Sullivans! Stay tuned for that collection coming soon!

3. We’re almost past jacket season, and windbreaker days are here. So many chic ones right now, including this one from Apparis and this parka from the Gap x Victoria Beckham collab. Love this light blue one that has interesting shape.

4. Sweet spring time jewelry is done - unleash the funky pieces! I must be the only person ordering anklets from Sezane, but I love mine. I also adore these ear cuffs (small and large) and will be reveling in the impracticability.

5. With lots of rain, and at the height of gardening, I have had these waterproof clogs on my list! I always keep a pair of Hunter boots in my car (swear by them - they’re almost 20 years old!), but these are a better fit for the warm weather.

Have a wonderful weekend! Talk to you Monday (hint: prepare for lots of Georgia O’Keeffe!).

xx

Catherine

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