Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Trybe, the women’s-focused conference launched by former Shoptalk executives, has canceled its inaugural event, originally set for May 2025 in Las Vegas, citing growing pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives under the Trump administration.
Confirmed speakers for the event spanned the restaurant, fashion, beauty, sports and travel industries, including leaders from Pacsun, Sephora, H&M and TikTok.
In an email to speakers and attendees, organisers pointed to “recent federal regulation opposing DEI-oriented initiatives” and the uncertainty around “what is permissible in response” as the primary reason for the cancelation. Trybe’s event, they said, was “built on the principles of inclusivity, empowerment, and community.”
“As a result of these changes, we’ve received significant feedback from women, corporate leaders, speakers and sponsors that as much as they want to support and attend Trybe 2025, it is simply no longer possible for them to do so,” the email read. “This makes it impossible for us to move forward with Trybe as a large-scale, Las Vegas-based event, both now and in the foreseeable future.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Within hours of his inauguration, President Trump signed several executive orders on Jan. 20 and 21 aimed at dismantling DEI efforts within the federal government and private sector. One of the most direct threats to the fashion industry was a directive for federal agencies to compile lists of companies to investigate for “DEI discrimination.”
While legal experts have questioned the enforceability of these orders, the impact has already rippled across industries.
Target was among the major retailers to scale back DEI programmes, while Walmart dismantled its initiatives following the November election. Companies like Apple, Costco, Sally Beauty, and E.l.f. Cosmetics have publicly reaffirmed their diversity commitments, while others say they’re proceeding quietly to avoid scrutiny from Trump’s team, though the uncertainty itself remains a significant stressor for some leaders.
Trybe was founded by Simran Rekhi Aggarwal, the architect behind Shoptalk and Groceryshop, Caroline Farley, co-founder and former head of growth at Shoptalk, and Krystina Gustafson, former head of content for Shoptalk and Groceryshop.
Learn more:
What Trump’s Crackdown on ‘Woke Capitalism’ Means for Fashion
This week, the US President took aim at climate action and diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, institutionalising a growing backlash against so-called ‘woke capitalism.’
