How will middle-market labels that survive the pandemic convince shoppers their products are worth their price tag? The answer may be to get out of department stores — and tweak the narrative.

Los Angeles-based label A.L.C. regularly uses the classic Cortez sneaker in its lookbooks. Now, it has collaborated with Nike on a luxe new version of its own.

Fashion designers, investors, headhunters, editors and analysts make the case for getting work experience at an established brand before launching your own.