Responsible Luxury

Trust Is the Asset: Olivia Landau on Building The Clear Cut

Lauren Petrovic [https://instagram.com/laurendpetrovic] sits down with Olivia Landau [https://instagram.com/olivialandau], founder and CEO of The Clear Cut [https://www.instagram.com/theclearcut/], to unpack what it really takes to build trust inside one of the most opaque industries in the world, and turn that into a multi-million dollar business. From her early days on the bridal floor at Tiffany & Co. to launching an educational blog that evolved into a category-defining brand, Olivia shares how transparency became her competitive advantage. This conversation goes beyond diamonds. It explores conviction in leadership, knowing the “hill you’re willing to die on,” and building a company rooted in non-negotiables. Even when the market pushes in the opposite direction. They also dive into the evolving definition of luxury, the rise of bespoke experiences, and how trust—not product—is becoming the true currency of modern brands. 00:00 – Opening: Trust in one of the most opaque industries 01:00 – Olivia’s founding story & early exposure to diamonds 03:00 – From Tiffany & Co. to the Diamond District 04:30 – The Clear Cut begins as an educational blog 05:30 – Turning a side project into a real business 06:30 – Inside the diamond industry: relationships, trust, and opacity 08:00 – Educating the modern consumer 10:00 – Misconceptions about natural diamonds & supply chains 11:30 – Visiting diamond cutting facilities in India 13:30 – The global diamond supply chain explained 14:30 – Building proprietary tech (GEM platform & AI layer) 17:00 – Market insights: what clients are buying today 19:00 – Natural vs. lab-grown diamonds: long-term implications 20:00 – Leadership under pressure & decision frameworks 22:00 – Standing firm on non-negotiables 23:00 – Building a company with your partner 25:00 – Parenthood and redefining “balance” 27:00 – Seasons of life and work 29:00 – The future of luxury & shifting consumer behavior 31:00 – Experience vs. product in luxury 32:00 – Trust as the foundation of modern brands 33:00 – What Olivia is most proud of (Columbia Business School case study) 35:00 – Legacy, impact, and long-term vision 36:00 – Non-negotiables: honesty & authenticity 37:00 – What luxury needs today: personalization 38:00 – Jewelry styling & closing reflections

Can Luxury Lead the Way? Iris Van der Veken on Building a Legacy of Purpose, Responsibility, and Transparency

What if the future of luxury isn’t about exclusivity—but radical inclusivity? In this powerful episode of Responsible Luxury, host Lauren Petrovic sits down with Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of the Watches & Jewellery Initiative 2030, for a bold and timely conversation on redefining what leadership looks like in today’s global luxury landscape. Together, Lauren and Iris explore: * Why trust is now the defining currency for business. * The evolution of leadership from hierarchy to inclusivity. * How women’s empowerment and climate action are deeply interconnected. * The role of luxury brands in setting standards for transparency, traceability, and sustainability. * The importance of collaboration, mentorship, and building ecosystems where creativity and accountability thrive. * Collaboration across industries is necessary for progress. Whether you’re a CEO, creative entrepreneur, or emerging leader, this conversation offers both practical insights on what it means to create a lasting legacy. Links & Resources Mentioned * Watches & Jewelry Initiative 2030 [https://www.wjinitiative2030.org/] * UN Women – Women’s Empowerment Principles [https://www.weps.org/join] * UN Global Compact [https://unglobalcompact.org/] Follow Iris Van der Veken on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/irisvanderveken/] for updates on her work. Connect with Responsible Luxury * Follow Lauren Petrovic on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-petrovic/] * Follow Responsible Luxury on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/responsibleluxurypod/?hl=en] * Explore Laurenti New York [https://laurentinewyork.com/] * Stay tuned for upcoming events during Climate Week NYC 2025 Chapters [00:00] Introduction and Background [03:11] Leadership Evolution and Principles [12:03] Social Impact and Early Influences [16:30] Transition to the Diamond Industry [21:23] Driving Change in the Industry [27:32] Children's Rights and Global Compact [31:34] Collaboration with UN Women [38:46] Watches and Jewelry Initiative 2030 [40:42] The Importance of Nature in Business Resilience [43:38] Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement [46:39] Collaboration Over Competition [51:54] Cultural Perspectives on Sustainability [56:54] The Interconnection of Climate and Gender [01:00:53] The Future of Responsible Luxury [01:05:56] Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders [01:08:21] Legacy and Impact in the Industry

How Watches Became the New Asset Class: Jake Plonskier on Disrupting Luxury Markets

What if your Rolex could be as liquid as your stock portfolio? In this episode of Responsible Luxury, host Lauren Petrovic sits down with Jake Plonskier, founder of Watches.io [http://Watches.io], to uncover how the luxury watch market is being transformed into a dynamic asset class. Together they discuss: * Why trust and transparency are the missing links in luxury markets * How blockchain and data are unlocking the $30B+ watch industry * Rise of liquidity in the watch market * The parallels between watches, diamonds, and fine art as alternative investments * What it takes to build a responsible, scalable business in an industry built on legacy From blockchain-backed authenticity to the untapped potential of resale markets, this conversation offers a masterclass in rethinking legacy, ownership, and value in the luxury world. If you're curious about the future of luxury, alternative assets, or just love a good founder story - this one's for you. Timestamps: * 00:00 – 02:15: Welcome and episode introduction * 02:15 – 08:45: Jake’s journey: From traditional finance to luxury watches * 08:45 – 14:00: The vision behind Watches.io [http://Watches.io]: Liquidity, transparency, and access * 14:00 – 20:30: How Watches.io [http://Watches.io] is building trust in a skeptical market * 20:30 – 26:00: The intersection of blockchain, data, and luxury authentication * 26:00 – 31:00: The parallels between watches, diamonds, and art as alternative assets * 31:00 – 36:30: Building an ecosystem of responsible luxury: Lessons from the journey * 36:30 – 41:00: Rapid-fire round: Jake’s favorite timepiece, top leadership advice, and legacy reflections * 41:00 – 43:00: Closing thoughts and how to connect with Watches.io [http://Watches.io]

Live from FIT’s Sustainable Business & Design Conference: Powering the Next Generation of Responsible Luxury

In this special episode, host Lauren Petrovic takes you behind the scenes at the 19th Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she moderated a dynamic panel on “Powering the Next Generation of Responsible Luxury.” Joined by industry leaders Tiffany Stevens, Malyia McNaughton, and Wendy Waugh, this conversation dives into how luxury brands are redefining sustainability — not as a trend, but as a core business imperative. Together, they explore: * Transparency in the supply chain — from diamonds to fabric mills * The rise of upcycling, heirloom redesign, and secondhand markets * Consumer expectations and the future of ethical sourcing * Private equity’s growing role in ESG accountability * How the next generation of creatives is shaping luxury’s evolution This episode is a call to action for leaders, students, and consumers alike to reimagine what responsible luxury can look like in 2030 and beyond. * Featured Panelists: Tiffany Stevens - Chief Business Officer and Global Head of Sustainability, International Gemological Institute [https://igi.org] Malyia McNaughton - Founder and Designer, Made by Malyia [https://madebymalyia.com/] Wendy Waugh - Founder, Golden Collective * Follow Us: @laurendpetrovic [https://www.instagram.com/laurendpetrovic/] @tiffanycstevens [https://www.instagram.com/tiffanycstevens/] @madebymalyia [https://www.instagram.com/madebymalyia/] @responsibleluxurypod [https://www.instagram.com/responsibleluxurypod/] On LinkedIn: Tiffany Stevens [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffstevens/] Wendy Waugh [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-waugh-9ab31aa/] Lauren Petrovic [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-petrovic/] * For comments, questions, or speaker ideas: Follow @responsibleluxurypod [https://www.instagram.com/responsibleluxurypod/] on Instagram and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-luxury-pod] Subscribe to The Responsible Luxury Podcast wherever you listen. Share this episode and join the conversation on what responsible luxury means to you.

Kendel Neidermyer - From High-Fashion to High-Stakes Luxury Real Estate

Ep. 25: In this episode of Responsible Luxury, Lauren sits down with Kendel, a powerhouse real estate broker with the top-performing Singer Team at Brown Harris Stevens. But Kendel’s journey to the world of high-stakes real estate is anything but ordinary. From her early days as a competitive gymnast to launching a career in high fashion, designing for renowned brands like Halston and J. Mendel, Kendel has always thrived in fast-paced, competitive environments. She later founded her own luxury fashion brand, F.WORDS, before making a bold pivot into luxury real estate, where she now helps high-net-worth clients find their dream properties in New York City and South Florida. Lauren and Kendel discuss the parallels between fashion and real estate, the importance of building trust and authentic relationships, and Kendel’s mission to empower more women to become homeowners. Plus, Kendel shares insights on the future of luxury real estate, including the rise of wellness-certified properties, and opens up about her personal life, marathon training, and finding balance in a high-pressure career. This conversation is filled with inspiration, strategy, and an inside look at the world of luxury—you won’t want to miss it! * Guest Speaker: Kendel Neidermyer Websites: Brown Harris Stevens [https://www.bhsusa.com], F.WORDS [https://www.fwordsgear.com], Singer Team Real Estate [https://www.singerteamrealestate.com] Instagram: @kendel_runs_realesate [https://www.instagram.com/kendel_runs_realestate/] LinkedIn: Kendel Neidermyer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendel-neidermyer-7084434/] * For comments, questions, or speaker ideas: Email: lauren@laurentinewyork.com [lauren@laurentinewyork.com] LinkedIn: Lauren Petrovic [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-petrovic/] Instagram, X: @laurendpetrovic [https://www.instagram.com/laurendpetrovic/], @responsibleluxurypod [https://www.instagram.com/responsibleluxurypod/] * Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Kendel’s Journey to New York 06:00 – Breaking into the Fashion Industry 10:00 – Launching Her Own Brand, F-WORD 15:30 – Transition from Fashion to Real Estate 20:00 – Navigating Luxury Real Estate in NYC & South Florida 25:00 – Empowering Women Homebuyers – 30:00 – Building Client Trust in Real Estate – 35:00 – Personal Life & Lifestyle Balance 40:00 – Coping with Loss & Finding Meaning 45:00 – Favorite NYC Spots & Safe Havens 50:00 – The Future of Luxury Real Estate 54:00 – Final Thoughts & Where to Connect