Boardroom briefing: Anna Wintour, Amazon & a honeypot for scammers
and a trillion-dollar guest list
This week you’ll want to know about Anna Wintour stepping down (or aside?), unhappy Canva employees, why the Trade Desk is throwing shade at Amazon’s growing ad empire, and why fine jewellery is a better investment than handbags. We chatted to the Founder of Gracious - the answer to your corporate wardrobe prayers. 💅 Plus, this week’s anonymous tip gives you early access and $$$ off a luxurious self-care afternoon - so you can get in before anyone else.
🎙️ ICYMI
Boardroom Briefing
Canva employees are being forced to sell their equity and many feel cheated. When the parent company of the Aussie tech darling moved to Delaware, it triggered a tax event that made employees’ equity count as income… even though they haven’t actually cashed out. As a result, many employees face tax bills up to six or seven figures. To help, Canva’s offering a secondary sale so people can sell a portion of their shares to pay the tax - but not everyone can take part, and some feel forced to sell at a low price just to avoid trouble with the ATO or IRS. The takeaway? Startup shares can look shiny, but they don’t always translate to real money - especially when the rules change mid-game. (- via AFR)
The Ad world just got spicier. The Trade Desk’s global Revenue Chief is throwing some side-eye at Amazon - and we’re listening. Amazon’s DSP (that’s Demand-Side Platform, for the ad girlies) is rapidly expanding. With all that juicy shopping data at its fingertips, Amazon’s now selling ad space not just on Amazon, but across the internet - and it’s working. So what’s the tea? The Trade Desk is urging marketers to diversify their strategies. Translation: don’t put all your ad dollars into the Amazon basket, otherwise Amazon gains even more power - not just in e-commerce, but in advertising too. (- via Mi3)
How to scam a scammer. CBA has partnered with Apate.ai, to deploy thousands of conversation bots to stop scammers from contacting real Australians. They’ve also launched a “honeypot” strategy using fake accounts to catch fraudsters and added features letting customers monitor all digital wallets linked to their cards for extra protection. (- via news.com)
Australia is introducing major anti-money laundering reforms that will, for the first time, bring lawyers, real estate agents, and accountants under regulatory scrutiny. The changes aim to close long-standing loopholes and bring the country in line with global financial crime standards. (- via AGB)
Jim Chalmers’ productivity roundtable seems to be missing some key players.
The Treasurer has kicked off his economic reform discussions, focussing on productivity, with the first round of invitees. Notably absent from the initial list are representatives from the technology sector and startup community, raising questions about the inclusivity of the discussions. (- via Capital Brief)10x Banking has partnered with Australian fintech Constantinople to offer banks and financial institutions across the Asia-Pacific region a modern, AI-integrated core banking platform. This collaboration combines 10x’s cloud-native core technology with Constantinople’s end-to-end banking solutions, aiming to reduce cost-to-income ratios by up to 80% and accelerate digital transformation for institutions including Great Southern Bank. (- via Fintech Finance News)
BNP Paribas has agreed to acquire HSBC Continental Europe's custody and depositary banking business in Germany, with the transition set to begin in early 2026 through a phased client migration. This strategic move aims to bolster BNP Paribas' Securities Services division and expand its presence in the European financial market. The result? Consolidation, efficiency, and a little less competition in the mix. For the market, it’s backend dominance - and for clients, the real question is: will the migration be smooth, or messy? (-via Reuters)
UK consumers are holding their coin.According to BCG’s latest Consumer Sentiment Snapshot (June 2025), optimism in the UK has dipped - and wallets are tightening. 45% of consumers say they’re pulling back on spending, and over half are stressing about their finances. This sentiment reflects a broader trend of financial caution and value-driven spending across Europe. Seems like recession-core is here to stay a while longer. 📖 Check out the full report out here.
Your boss doesn’t really know how to use AI, yet. BCG's June 2025 report, "Beyond AI Adoption: Unlocking Its Full Potential," reveals that while many companies are investing in AI, only a quarter are realising its full value. The report emphasises the importance of integrating AI into core workflows, investing in people transformation, and tracking tangible outcomes to bridge the “AI impact gap”. 📖 Read the full report here.
South Australia has paused its planned September 2025 ban on plastic fruit stickers due to concerns about increased costs for producers. The state will collaborate with New South Wales to develop a more cost-effective transition, while proceeding with other anti-plastic measures, including bans on plastic cutlery and attached straws. (- via news.com)
Culture & influence
Anna Wintour is officially stepping down as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue US. After nearly four decades of shaping the fashion world and intimidating assistants everywhere. Yet, her reign will continue as global editorial director of Vogue as well as chief content officer at publisher Condé Nast. All eyes are now on who will shape the next era of US Vogue. Perhaps Jacqueline Follet? (- via The Cut)
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos just threw a $116M wedding in Venice - it’s says more about business than romance. Between an ironclad prenup rumoured to out-complex most corporate mergers, a guest list with a collective net worth nearing half a trillion, and protests from locals and environmentalists that forced a venue change, Bezos made it clear: even on his biggest day, he’s still playing at the very top. It’s giving corporate-wedding fairytale with a Comms team working overtime. (- via ABC)
Airwallex recently raised $300 million in a funding round - here is a key takeaway from their global CMO, Jon Stona: Jon emphasizes the critical role of product marketing in B2B strategies, advocating for a balanced approach alongside brand and performance marketing. Basically: It’s not just about brand or performance. Real growth happens when product marketing gets a seat at the table too. Know what you’re selling and why it matters. (-via Mi3)
An Australian couple asked to defer their Etihad flight via Abu Dhabi after Iran’s recent missile strike, but the airline said changing the tickets would cost AU $3,500. The incident highlights how airline contracts often leave travellers with little legal scope to postpone flights during regional volatility, renewing calls for stronger consumer‑protection rules. (- via The Guardian)
Beauty & fashion
Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy is stepping down as CEO. Leahy took over from Glossier Founder Emily Weiss in 2022 after joining the brand the prior year as Chief Commercial Officer. Under her leadership, Leahy took Glossier from its DTC roots to a broader retail stage, cracking open doors at Sephora, launching standalone stores, and rolling out fragrance lines. (- via BOF)
If you bought a luxury handbag in 2019, buying the same one today could set you back nearly twice as much - or more - while fine jewellery’s price increases have remained far more restrained. Since 2010, fashion houses have aggressively raised prices on key pieces, outpacing jewellery brands, which has preserved jewellery’s stronger price-to-value perception and fuelled its recent market outperformance versus fashion and leather goods. In luxury pricing, subtlety clearly pays off.
Rick Owens is opening an OnlyFans account for his feet. “‘Lighten up, don’t take it all so seriously.’ A little bit of wicked fun is elegant.” he told WWD.
💌 ANONYMOUS TIP
💅 These events have been quietly popping up around Sydney - and we’ve secured your ticket. Bella is teaming up with A.H Salon for a winter self-care afternoon in Surry Hills, and it’s the kind of event that sells out before it hits the group chat.
📍 A.H Salon, Surry Hills
🗓️ Saturday July 13
🕐 From 1PM
The afternoon is valued at over $200 but the Bella team have kindly created an exclusive code for 15% off your ticket - with early access - so you can get in before anyone else. Use MODE at checkout. The offer ends Wednesday 2 July and spots are seriously limited, so text your friends and get booking.
Expect: prosecco on arrival, seasonal bites, a matcha bar, a luxe Kérastase treatment (valued at $60), a $20 product voucher, beauty goodie bags, and a pro styling tutorial from the A.H team. It’s all happening in a dreamy salon setting, with good music, better company, and energy that’s equal parts pampered and plugged in.
📝 DEEP DIVE
We stumbled across the ultimate corporate-meets-startup girlie on TikTok and had to share her story (and her fits) with the Mode girls. Grace Ghee is based in New Zealand, working in corporate finance by day and running her fashion label, Gracious, by night. Her brand? Made for you - the corporate girl who wants to show some personality at the office without blowing the budget.
We had so much fun chatting to the powerhouse who isn’t afraid to take the fashion industry head on. Read the full interview below. 👇
What is Gracious and how would you describe the feeling you want someone to have when they slip into a Gracious piece?
“Gracious is something fun you can wear to the office that actually fits your personality. These are pieces designed to make you feel confident, timeless, and genuinely great, whether you’re heading to the office or out for drinks after work. I think, especially when you’re starting your first job, it’s daunting and a great outfit can make you feel confident.”
You saw a gap in the market while shopping at Witchery and Country Road. What was the moment that made you say, “I can do better”?
“Honestly, I was solving my own problem. I was hunting for a blazer and a shirt at Witchery, Decjuba, Country Road…nothing felt like me, and everything was so expensive. I just wanted a beautiful yellow blouse, so I made a sample myself and I go so many compliments. I posted it on TikTok, and the feedback was wild. People wanted it, so I thought, why not just do it? That’s when I realized there was a real gap.”
In a world of fleeting trends, how do you ensure Gracious remains timeless and relevant?
“I’m all about timeless pieces. I shop a lot, so I can spot micro-trends, but I wear my designs for months before launching to see if they stick. Corporate wear doesn’t really age - you always need a crisp shirt. My Luna Tanks and gingham are the closest I get to trends, but they’re classics for summer. I’d never chase a viral trend just for the sake of it; I know what my audience wants, and I price accordingly. I’m my own consumer, and I use TikTok to keep my finger on the pulse.”
How does your corporate 9-5 career influence your approach to fashion?
“I started in property finance at a bank in 2022 - I assess whether commercial property projects are financially viable! Looking at costs, returns, and all the risks involved. If they make sense, we provide the funding to execute the project! I’ve been in this male-dominated field for 3.5 years. Working in this environment and with complex numbers has taught me resilience and how to hold my own, which definitely helps when running a business.”
How do you juggle your 9-5 and running Gracious?
I’ve always been someone with no chill! When my flatmate moved in, she asked my favourite TV shows…I don’t have any! I come home from work and I dive into Gracious. For some people, it’s sports or hobbies that keep them entertained; for me, it’s Gracious. It doesn’t feel like work because I love it. I get home at 6 or 7, don’t sleep until 11 to work on my baby. You just make it work.
For all the women out there dreaming of a side hustle while climbing the corporate ladder, what’s the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you before you started?
“Show up to your 9-to-5 and do your best, no matter what. That’s your consistent income - respect it. Once you clock off, then you can focus on your passion project. I keep my work and business very separate. It took a while to figure out that boundaries are key, but now I can give both my best.”
In such a competitive market, how do maintain conviction and confidence?
“I never tell myself it’s too hard. I guess you could call it unintentional manifesting: I just decide it’s not going to fail, so I do everything in my power to make it work. I know there are a million brands out there, but I saw real demand through my TikTok, and I know my market inside and out. The more niche you are, the better. I relate to the girls I’m designing for because I am one of them.”
Your TikTok game is strong! How do you leverage social media to connect with your audience and turn those likes into loyal customers?
“I try to be relatable and just talk about my day and my outfits. I actually never plan content, I just grab my camera and film in the moment. I think that authenticity is why people connect. Sometimes I’ll wear a sample to work and let the audience do the talking. When I wore the green moss shirt, people begged for it, so I released it and it sold out.”
If Gracious were a guest at a dinner party, who would she be seated next to, and what cocktail would she order to spark up the conversation?
“She’s definitely in our Luna Espresso top, mini skirt, and knee-high boots, sitting next to Michelle Hu, the owner of Etoile. I’m obsessed with her journey - she’s open about her struggles and successes, and she inspires me. Gracious would order a spicy marg, obviously.”
What's next for Gracious?
“I’d love to plant myself in the Melbourne market, maybe do a pop-up early next year. I’m always looking for confident corporate girls to shoot content and help spread the word. We’re launching our first dress in July - a shirt sleeve brown dress - so follow along on TikTok for updates!”
What’s the one message you want every woman to take away from your journey with Gracious?
Back yourself. Don’t let seeds of doubt or other people’s noise get in your head. Things won’t always go smoothly, but if you’re passionate, that’s what matters—not what someone else thinks. Don’t overthink it. At the end of the day, it’s not that deep—just go for it.
👜 STYLE SESSION
This week’s style session was styled by Gracious founder, Grace Ghee.
✨ MOOD BOARD
💻 JOB BOARD
We know the job market can be tough - we’re here to help.
📖 How to sneak out of work for a job interview, according to a career coach. (- via Fashion Journal)
💭 TELL US WHAT YOU WANT
As being a Mode Girl, we know you don’t want finance bro news written by finance bros…but we want to more about what you do want. We would be so grateful if you took <5mins to fill out our survey.
Smart is the new status.
See you next week,
Adrianna & Maddi x