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A Feel For Fashion: Sherri McMullen

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Sherri McMullen is a fashion trailblazer whose innovative vision and unwavering commitment to empowerment reverberate outward from her independent luxury retail destination, McMullen. She opened the original Oakland location in 2007 and last month, expanded to a second store in the Presidio Heights district of San Francisco. Beyond building a loyal following for carrying and curating cult brands such as Dries Van Noten, Wales Bonner and The Row, she is known for uplifting emerging talents with Burc Akyol, Diotima and local brand Kamperett among the mix. Her dedication to advocating for BIPOC designers has contributed to their rise as prominent voices in the industry. This was duly acknowledged earlier in September when she was recognised in the 2024 Vogue Business 100 Innovators as a Champion of Change.

This season marks 50 years of fashion weeks in Paris. What, for you, makes Paris Fashion Week® unlike any other?

There's something magical about Paris: the city's energy, its effortless style, and the way people embrace fashion with such chicness! You feel it all over the city, and the rich history of fashion is unmatched by any other city.

 

What excites you in fashion right now?

I'm excited about young designers and the impact they are having on the industry as a whole. Their unwavering authenticity is truly inspiring. 

 

What is one reason to be optimistic about the state of fashion going forward?

People are embracing the joy of dressing up and discovering new designers.

 

Who or what will drive the greatest change in fashion this year?

Community, technology and sustainability.

 

What impact might you hope to have on fashion this year? 

I hope to keep inspiring women to feel confident and empowered through fashion, while building a global community that supports and uplifts designers from around the world.

 

Can you suggest a fashion mantra as we look ahead to ’25?

The greatest gift we can offer in our business is opening doors for those who need it. The greatest gift we can give ourselves is having the courage to walk through them.

 

This interview has been lightly edited.

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