SPARC Group LLC

?? This week, our A.S.I.A. Employee Resource Group celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, across our offices. Employees participated in traditions such as tying mauli (sacred red threads), henna tattooing, and creating sand art, all accompanied by delicious treats and tea that captured the essence of Diwali. ??? As Mansi Thar Arora, GVP of Sourcing & Product Development and A.S.I.A. ERG member, shared, “For me, Diwali is a time for bringing family and friends together to celebrate each other and life. It’s a celebration that gives me hope, staying connected to my roots and ensuring my kids experience and stay grounded in their culture.” ?? Sharmishtha Nath, Sr. Director of Product Development & Production for Lucky Brand, reflected, “Diwali feels like a perfect blend of July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all rolled into one. It truly is a time for togetherness, gratitude, and celebration.” ? Thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration meaningful and bright. Wishing all a joyful Diwali filled with light, hope, and unity! #SPARCsFly #SPARCinclusivity #Diwali #EmployeeResourceGroups

Last week, we welcomed Indiana University - Kelley School of Business Kelley Retail Workshop in our New York City office for the second consecutive year. This year’s visit provided students with an inside look at SPARC and our iconic brands, focusing on Aéropostale’s growth and future-forward strategies. Aimee Carroll, President of Wholesale, kicked off the day by introducing SPARC Group LLC and our brand portfolio. Kerri McGlynn, Nicole Connolly, and Hayley Carrasquillo shared insights into design and merchandising, while Steve Lubomski and Madison Davis led students through the evolving landscape of in-store, e-commerce, and digital marketing. The day concluded at our Aéropostale Herald Square store, where students participated in a hands-on wear test. We were thrilled to host these talented future leaders, and we look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make in the retail industry!

????? On Wednesday, SPARC wore PINK! Our Women's Empowerment Employee Resource Group is passionately dedicated to promoting women's equity and health. In honor of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month theme: "No one should face breast cancer alone," we encouraged employees across all of our offices to wear pink to show solidarity in raising awareness about breast cancer prevention and the importance of early detection. ???? Thank you to our superstar employees who showed up and pinked out for the cause. Pink is more than just a color—it symbolizes strength, hope, and support for everyone affected by breast cancer, including our friends, family members, and colleagues. ????? PS. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. But there is hope.?When caught in its earliest, localized stages,?the?5-year relative survival rate is 99%. We strongly encourage everyone to take proactive steps to preventative care! #SPARCsFly #SPARCinclusivity #BreastCancerAwareness

It finally APP…ened! We’re thrilled to announce our much-anticipated AERO app is officially live and available for download on the App Store for iOS and Google Play Store for Android! Get 24/7 access to exclusive deals, online-only sizes and styles, real-time Aero updates with push notifications & so much more… right at your fingertips! Plus, receive 15% off your first in-app purchase when you download the new AERO app. So, what are you waiting for? Join us in this exciting journey and explore all the benefits our app has to offer! Click to download the AERO app directly to your iOS or Android device: https://lnkd.in/e8v4j7SC

These past four weeks, we've been celebrating Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, organized by our Pa’lante ERG. This year’s theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” has inspired us to honor the contributions and resilience of Hispanic and Latinx communities while paying homage to their focus on connection and community to shape a brighter future. ? Pa’lante hosted two memorable events that brought our community together. “Flores de Comunidad” brought people together to make vibrant paper flowers symbolizing life, love, and unity. The journaling workshop with Hasani Reyes was a great space for storytelling, reflection, and connection. As we wrap up this celebration, we're still committed to lifting each other up and supporting one another. Together, we're shaping the future! #SPARCsFly #SPARCinclusivity

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, a time to celebrate the courage and visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals and honor authentic stories. We’re proud to spotlight our “Inclusivity in Action” initiative, launched by our Pride ERG in 2023. This initiative began with the creation of a hand-made Progress Pride Flag, crafted by colleagues across our brands and first displayed in the New York office. ? This year, the initiative expanded to our Los Angeles and Seattle offices, with?Julius Leano (he/him), Technical Designer for?Eddie Bauer, personally hand-crafting the Seattle flag. These flags play an important role in helping the LGBTQ+ community to feel seen, heard, and supported every day. “Creating the SPARC Progress Pride Flag for our Eddie Bauer Seattle office was an opportunity to foster inclusivity and celebrate diversity within our community. To me, the Pride flag symbolizes acceptance and the importance of standing together in support of the LGBTQ+ community, reminding us all to 'Live Your Adventure' unapologetically. By having this vibrant symbol displayed every day in our office, I hope to encourage open conversations and create a safe space for everyone to express their authentic selves. It’s more than just a flag; it’s a daily reminder of our commitment to equality and love.”

As we wrap up our celebration of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, we continue to be inspired by our employees. We hope this story from our Pa'lante ERG's co-chair, Astrid D. Chacon, MBA, inspires you, too! "My Latinx heritage has been the cornerstone of my ambition and resilience as I have navigated my journey from retail to corporate America. I began my career at Aéropostale in 2015, quickly expanding my responsibilities to include hiring, training, and development—all while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications and an MBA in Global Management from Kean University. Today, as the Assistant Manager of Real Estate and Lease Administration at SPARC, I have the privilege of leading our Pa’lante Employee Resource Group, which is dedicated to elevating the voices of Hispanic and Latinx employees across our organization. ? In 2023, I had the distinct honor of serving as a keynote speaker at Kean University’s SUPERA Spanish Speaking Program, where I shared my journey and insights on the power of community and perseverance. I was also recognized for my contributions to the program—a moment that truly reinforced my belief in the importance of collective progress. I remain deeply committed to empowering our communities to transform aspirations into realities." #SPARCsFly #SPARCinclusivity #HispanicHeritageMonth

We're honored to share the voices of our Hispanic and Latinx employees who make a meaningful impact every day, like our Pa'lante ERG member, Ricardo Mella, Store Manager for Aéropostale. Kudos to leaders like Ricardo for helping to build stronger, more inclusive teams! "My Hispanic heritage has inspired me to lead with empathy and inclusivity. Recognizing the challenges faced by Hispanic employees, I've worked to create an environment where their cultural backgrounds are celebrated, their voices are heard, and their contributions recognized." #SPARCsFly #SPARCinclusivity #HispanicHeritageMonth

Last week, students and faculty from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) visited our NYC corporate office. They had the opportunity to hear from key members of our Design, Merchandising, and Marketing teams about what inspires their work, what their teams do, and how our brands make an impact in the fashion industry. A special thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this event a success, and we look forward to welcoming UC alums to our growing roster in the future!

As we celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month, we're proud to spotlight the voices that inspire us every day! ?? We're especially grateful for the impact of our team members who lead with passion and empower those around them, like Rosanel Rosario, SHRM-CP, HR Generalist for Brooks Brothers. "My Hispanic heritage is at the heart of who I am and drives me to be a pioneer of change in both my personal and professional life. As the eldest child of immigrant parents and the first in my family to earn a college degree, I have learned the values of hard work, perseverance, and continuous growth. As a single parent and a marathoner, I've faced many challenges but remain committed to pushing forward with resilience and determination. In my career in human resources and my personal life, I strive to be a supportive friend and partner who is always ready to listen, offer guidance, and help others. I believe the greatest reward comes from positively impacting others, regardless of their background." #SPARCinclusivity #SPARCsFly #HispanicHeritageMonth