Retail 3.0 - A Night Where Fashion Technology and Storytelling Merged to Redefine the Future of Retail
By Editor
By Editor
On July 22, in the heart of SoHo, the DOORS NYC concept store transformed into a hub of creative discourse and innovation. In collaboration with fashion-tech platform 99 YARDS, the event titled Retail 3.0: Experience Is The Product unfolded as more than a panel – it was a cultural moment that illuminated how AI, immersive storytelling, and community-centered design are quietly rewriting the future of how we shop.
From the moment the first guests arrived for pre-panel cocktails and networking, the energy was electric – equal parts curiosity, connection, and creative ambition. The evening curated a rarefied mix of industry insiders, visionary founders, and tastemakers united by a shared hunger for what’s next.
At the heart of the evening stood Alise Trautmane-Uzuner, the visionary founder and CEO of DOORS NYC. More than a retail concept, DOORS has become a cultural incubator where fashion, tech, and art coalesce. Under Alise’s leadership, the brand has carved out a bold new model for how emerging talent can thrive in today’s market.
Her presence at the event wasn’t simply as a host, but as a visionary – a woman redefining the very role of retail in modern life. The DOORS space itself is a physical manifestation of her ethos: immersive, inclusive, and radically future-forward.
Co-moderating the evening was Tony Henry, the dynamic founder and CEO of 99 YARDS, a digital-first fashion ecosystem reshaping the entire fashion pipeline – from the first sketch to global runways. Through 99 YARDS, Henry champions a democratized model of creative excellence – where designers, manufacturers, and emerging talents are unified by smart infrastructure and digital storytelling.
His voice throughout the evening grounded the conversation with clarity and mission. “We’re not just designing clothing anymore,” he noted. “We’re designing systems, stories, and experiences that resonate at a human level.”
The discussion was nothing short of electric. Moderated by Alise and Tony, the panel featured three formidable voices at the intersection of technology, commerce, and empowerment:
• Sean Sinko, CEO & Co-Founder of ThredX, showcased how virtual try-on and tech-driven engagement are transforming user agency in e-commerce.
• Sarah Neill, Founder & CEO of Mys Tyler, offered a powerful perspective on inclusive fashion tech and building platforms where women feel truly represented.
• Sonia Khemiri, Founder of Beautyque NYC, revealed how immersive digital storytelling is elevating indie beauty brands through innovation and emotional connection.
Together, they explored the potential – and the responsibility – that comes with shaping digital experiences in an age of rapid change.
Among the standout moments of the evening was the introduction to Left Knee Patch, an inspiring sustainable fashion brand focused on children’s rewear. Founded by two visionary women, the project is a love letter to circularity – reimagining the way we dress and care for the youngest members of our community.
Their pieces, many lovingly crafted or upcycled, tell stories of joy, creativity, and ethical intention. Left Knee Patch isn’t just a brand; it’s a movement that reflects the deeper values championed by DOORS and 99 YARDS alike: sustainability, innovation, and purposeful design.
Meeting the founders in person underscored the authenticity of their mission – proving that slow fashion can spark real excitement, especially when it’s rooted in community and care.
Retail 3.0: Experience Is The Product was more than an event – it was a forecast. One that revealed a future where retail is no longer about passive consumption, but about meaningful participation. Where stories, tech, and tactile beauty work in tandem to elevate how we connect with brands – and with one another.
As the evening drew to a close, conversations spilled into corners, new collaborations quietly formed, and a collective sense of inspiration lingered in the air.
In the world Alise Trautmane-Uzuner and Tony Henry are building, retail is no longer simply a place to shop. It’s a space to dream, to build, and to belong.