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This week, Fashion Forward has officially launched as a digital network to convene cross-disciplinary leaders and reimagine fashion in new ways. Meanwhile, Packsize acquired Panotec, thereby expanding its packaging services. And finally, a new Bank of America report reveals U.S. consumer preferences in regard to buying a home versus renting
Going forward
The boundaries of style are dissolving. Fashion Forward, a newly launched invitation-only ecosystem, aims to connect global cultural leaders before mainstream trends even surface. Founded by fashion entrepreneur Jordana Guimarães and multidisciplinary artist Christopher Hunt, the platform bridges the gaps between fashion, sports, film, art and philosophy
The founders said it rejects traditional industry silos. Instead, it positions fashion as a fluid reflection of broader societal movements and human connection
Guimarães and Hunt also announced that Candice S. Pascoal, a best-selling author and award-winning tech innovator and creator of RedBoxMe with Cartier, now at UnBoxMe Experiences, has joined as a partner. And Sara Maino, former deputy editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia and current head of Vogue Talents as well as creative director of Fondazione Sozzani in Milan, has joined ’s board of advisors as the lead advisor
“Fashion has always been influenced by the world around it,” said Guimarães and Hunt. “The opportunity is to create a place where the people shaping those worlds can come together consistently—not just during major moments, but throughout the year.”
The founders embody a cross-industry philosophy that is at the heart of the digital network. Guimarães brings a decade of experience building strategic relationships across the global fashion landscape, while Hunt contributes his distinct creative perspective as a musician and the co-founder of Fashion Forward Week. They united around a shared realization. The most impactful creative movements occur when extraordinary, seemingly unrelated perspectives collide, they said. By combining Guimarães’s focus on curated connection with Hunt’s expertise in storytelling, they created a space where different worlds seamlessly interact.
The founders said Fashion Forward “isn’t designed to compete with existing fashion organizations. It complements them by creating a year-round cultural ecosystem where leaders across fashion, sport, film, the arts, philosophy can build the relationships and perspectives that shape culture long before trends emerge.”
This digital network will cultivate influence through private year-round conversations, executive circles and brand collaborations. The founders said the aim is to create deep cultural intelligence. By convening those who shape what society wears, watches and believes, the platform curates influential experiences. Ultimately, Fashion Forward operates on the belief that the future of creativity cannot be built in isolation
Pascoal said she “joined Jordana and Christopher—founders of Fashion Forward—because we share the same belief: the future belongs to those who build with intention.”
Packsize buys Panotec
The company Packsize has announced an agreement to buy the packaging business of Panotec, an Italian company known for making custom boxing machines. Packsize specializes in creating on-demand, right-sized boxes to reduce waste and shipping costs
This acquisition expands Packsize’s reach, allowing the company to serve customers across more than 50 countries, mainly in North America and Europe. This deal follows another recent expansion by Packsize, which bought Sparck Technologies in 2025
The final purchase of Panotec is expected to close once it receives standard regulatory approvals and completes reviews with local labor unions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed
Buying instead of renting
For the first time since 2023, a majority of Americans say it is better to buy a home than to rent
According to the latest Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report, 53 percent of people surveyed said they now prefer buying a home, while 47 percent prefer renting or living with family. This marks a positive shift in how people view homeownership, with 90 percent of respondents calling a house a valuable investment and 94 percent saying it provides stability
Financial experts at Bank of America said that despite tough market conditions, people are becoming more optimistic and confident about buying
While optimism is growing, high prices and interest rates remain the biggest hurdles for hopeful buyers. The study shows that 58 percent of respondents find expensive home prices to be a barrier, and 47 percent feel limited by high interest rates. However, fewer people are waiting on the sidelines for the market to improve
Buyers are becoming much more willing to compromise to make a move happen, with many saying they would accept higher interest rates if they could relocate to a more affordable area, secure their dream home or find a better location
Technology and creative planning are also shaping the modern homebuying experience. One in five buyers and homeowners used artificial intelligence (AI) tools or chatbots over the past year to research home values, estimate mortgage payments and learn about the buying process
Additionally, younger generations like Gen Z are adapting by taking on extra jobs, exploring co-buying with friends or family and planning to use homebuyer assistance programs to make owning a home a reality
