Built to Perform, Styled to Inspire: How Design and Storytelling Shape the Culture of Running at #TRE25
What makes a product stand out—and a brand truly resonate—goes beyond performance. It’s about story. During The Running Event 2025, the Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) invites you to join the session “Built to Perform, Styled to Inspire: How Design and Storytelling Shape the Culture of Running,” where leaders in design, retail, and culture explore how storytelling and craftsmanship shape the running experience.
This conversation dives into how design choices, rooted in authenticity and culture, connect runners to brands and communities that reflect who they are—and who they aspire to be.
Key Takeaways
Storytelling Transforms Shopping: When retailers share the story behind design, customers leave with more than a product—they leave with something to retell and pass on.
Heritage Fuels Relevance: Connecting roots, culture, and past inspirations to today’s designs keeps products meaningful and brands relevant.
Details Carry the Story: From materials to lifestyle crossover, thoughtful choices show care and craftsmanship—building loyalty and trust.
Retailers as Brand Amplifiers: Even in a DTC-driven market, specialty retailers remain the heart of community connection. By translating design stories into authentic local experiences, they turn transactions into transformative moments that ripple beyond the store.
Meet The Panelists!
Angela Medlin
Director, Apparel & Accessories Design, HOKA
Jason Faustino
Global Director of Energy and Collaborations, Saucony
Kiera Smalls
Executive Director, RIDC
Moderator
Carson Caprara
Senior Vice President, Apparel and Footwear, Brooks
Kylee Barton
Global Head of Product, Altra
Join the RIDC and fellow industry changemakers at TRE 2025 to explore how intentional design and storytelling can move the culture of running forward—one story, one product, one community at a time!