In Conversation with Lane Tabb
Tell us about your background:
I'm a Creative Director and Fashion tech startup founder with over 20 years of experience creating luxury products for a deep bench of American designers including Donna Karan, BCBG Max Azria, Herve Leger, Jill Stuart, Erin Featherston, Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, Dennis Basso, among many others.
In 2014, I left the fashion world for Silicon Valley and worked for many notable fashion technology start-ups and Including Cuff, Ringly, and Gould Group.
In 2018, I came back to New York to begin a new journey launching a fashion & technology Start-Up that combined all of my LOVES - called LLABB, focused on On-Demand manufacturing, Industry 4.0, the Future of Work, No-waste, ethical transparency in fashion. Utilizing our own proprietary SaaS and AI technologies, a unique advanced supply chain model merging intelligent machines and human artistry in our self owned unique facilities here in NYC.
LLABB was selected and participated in Cohort 7 of the prestigious XRC LAB'S Accelerator program in 2019 and was selected for the inaugural Cohort of Project Entrepreneur -Cohort 1, 2020.
Through LLABB, Tabb & Team have launched a new DTC American luxury brand- NOVAE RES which includes RTW and luxury accessories, and will relaunch in September 2021 after a covid hiatus. NOVAE RES is the proof of concept brand and working pilot for The LLABB system.
I was trained at the Parsons School of Design in NYC. I graduated with a BFA in Fine Arts and AAS in Fashion before moving on to earn a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts and Cultural Theory.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
I wish I had known how to negotiate my contracts better and had a better understanding of the difference between legal advice and business advice. Lawyers only really know the law – not how business is done – for that you need a business advisor, not a lawyer. I used to go to a lawyer for advice about business issues and to do my business agreements, but so much was always left out of those agreements. When I would go back to the lawyer and ask "why didn't you protect me from this scenario,” they would say "how would I know they would pull that?” It took me a really long time to figure out that I knew more than most lawyers about what can happen in business, and that a really great seasoned business advisor (or a few) who have many years of experience in that specific circumstance is invaluable.
Best career advice you've ever received?
Always follow your gut. If it doesn't feel right, it’s your body’s way of telling you there is something amiss.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
I pride myself on following my own path, thinking independently, and not being a diva when I was on the rise- I was always ready to roll up my sleeves, stay late, work weekends, take a class to learn a new skill, whatever I needed to do to get the job done. I'm still like that. Those traits helped me grow in my career quickly and into leadership roles, and enabled me to be able to run my own company. I'm always on the lookout for people like that to join our team.
Also, though it took me many years to get there-To be confident enough to believe in my own decisions.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
Finding more female mentors who want to nurture you rather than take something from you. When was coming up the ladder, there were very few female executives that wanted to do that. I was very lucky that I met a few along the way, and even those few gave me the inspiration to do something different, to take a chance.
And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?
Great shoes and accessories. I was told once by a famous gallery director who I worked for many years ago, "you can wear rags, but if you have expensive shoes and a timeless watch you'll always look chic” – I would update that quote to "your shoes and accessories don't have to be expensive, but must always be unique.”
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lane-tabb
Website: https://www.llabb.co
Instagram: @lanetabb
