Inside Retail: How would you describe the average Gen Z consumer today?  Winnie Park: Gen Z consumers are social natives who seek out authenticity and value. They are hyper-informed shoppers, more so than previous generations, and actively steer clear of brands that act as authoritative voices, telling consumers who they should be and what they should wear. Instead, Gen Z looks for an ally in their journey of self-expression. They also effortlessly shift styles and look for brands that support their evolving identity.  IR: What do you believe is important to the Gen Z consumer and how does Forever 21 appeal to them? WP: Since I joined Forever 21, my North Star has been to foster deep and authentic connections with our shoppers by meeting them where they are. We’re zooming in on their world, crafting a lifestyle brand that celebrates fashion as self-expression. We’re showing up for them during pivotal cultural moments in their lives spanning fashion, music, sports, and entertainment, all while providing a diverse range of on-trend fashion at incredible value. IR: What was the inspiration behind Forever 21’s collaboration with Barneys? How did the collaboration come about?  WP: The idea came to me about a year ago as a way to tap into the viral quiet luxury trend loved by Gen Z and reintroduce the transformed Forever 21 to our Millennial customers. The collection is an important moment for Forever 21, representing the perfect union of an iconic luxury fashion authority with our core message of making amazing fashion inclusive and accessible to all.   IR: Forever 21 has previously partnered with a range of companies including Care Bears, Juicy Couture, Reebok, Barbie, and so on. How do you decide upon these collaborations?  WP: We look at our collaborations through the lens of our customers. Anticipating and reacting to major cultural zeitgeist moments and trends is crucial. Collaborating with brands like Reebok, Juicy Couture, and Care Bears that have timeless appeal and connect with customers on an emotional level, enables Forever 21 to reach a broad demographic, offering trendy, affordable fashion for all ages. IR: Forever 21 just announced a strategic partnership with Shein. Can you elaborate on what that entails and what it could mean for Forever 21’s future?  WP: We’re so excited to introduce Forever 21 to an even broader audience as we have been working tirelessly to create a lifestyle brand that embodies our values and mission of offering the latest fashion at an amazing value.  IR: Can you share what Forever 21 has in store for the next 12 months?  WP: You’re going to see us leaning into trends and curated brand collaborations that excite and inspire our customers. There’s going to be some major moments in music and fashion, that we are extending beyond just fashion, by serving 360-degree experiences for customers from social to IRL store activations.