Name: Janine Constantin-Russell
Job title: Managing director of the Entertainment District & Outlet Shopping at The O2
What I do: As managing director of the Entertainment District & Outlet Shopping at The O2, I sit on the board of our joint venture partnership between AEG Europe and Crosstree, who own and operate these areas within The O2. This entails overseeing the business from the top, whether that be through finance, marketing, retail, or operations. My role is to understand the current landscape and drive customer experience, evaluate retail trends and oversee our strategy.
My first proper job: I started out working in a small boutique on New York’s Upper West Side when I lived there in my early twenties. It was a menswear store selling classic Club 21 brands like Replay, CP Company, Stone Island and Diesel. The clientele were locals from the city and uptown, including a variety of celebrities who lived nearby. Italian fashion was underrepresented in the area, so our little independent was always busy.
Why I got into the property business: I like people and working within a team, and I have an eye for fashion and popular culture, so I know what sells and how to sell it. Although my career predominantly started on the retail side, property and retail very much go hand in hand and I like being able to understand people’s needs and wants (even if they cannot articulate this themselves) and deliver this through a one-of-a-kind experience. The O2 is a fascinating place to work with an iconic status and we have the opportunity and ability to do exciting things, such as introduce several new and established leisure concepts such as TOCA Social, iFLY Indoor Skydiving, and Mamma Mia! The Party and create a premium retail offer which is bolstered by global brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Nike, adidas and many others. We are a destination that never stands still, and I always feel as though as a team we’re making a difference, whether that be to people, operators, or retailers.
How I did it: When I returned to the UK, I took up a position as head of women’s fashion at House of Fraser on Oxford Street. From there, I moved to GAP and then onto Selfridges, and this is where my passion for luxury retailing really kicked in. After working for brands such as Browns and acting as the head of retail for luxury jewellery and accessories at Harrods, it was at Bicester where the cross-over of real estate property and retail came into play. I consulted on the ‘Outlet Shopping at The O2’ project, formally ‘Icon Outlet at The O2’, when it opened in 2018, and from then I was asked to be a permanent member of the team. I’m super grateful to be able to work alongside such a collaborative and friendly team, as well as work with such iconic businesses, and use my passion and knowledge to deliver one of the best retail and leisure destinations in the world.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Being a single parent when my daughter was young and having a full-time job has definitely been one of my biggest challenges. You have to strike the right balance between learning to ask for help, but also realising you aren’t a martyr, and lots of people have to do it. It was tough, but I learned that the most important thing is to try to be the best version of yourself so that you and your child are happy.
My inspiration: My inspiration is Oscar Wilde, and I think this quote says it all: “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: I have had so many great moments in my career that it’s almost impossible to pick one over another, but each achievement formulates the building blocks to success and happiness. Every success should be acknowledged, and all blessings counted, no matter how insignificant they might seem. If I had to pick a recent moment, it would be how quickly we managed to reopen after the roof came off during Storm Eunice. When it happened, it was my birthday, and my daughter told me the celebrations were cancelled and I’d better get ready for work! The whole team worked non-stop to get up and running again, and we managed to reopen The O2 within a week and Outlet Shopping at The O2 within 10 days. I’m so proud of the whole team for how they reacted and the effort they put in to find a solution. It was an unprecedented challenge, but a huge testament to the formidability of our entire team and how committed we are to delivering an uncompromised retail and leisure experience.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: I’d invite three people. Iris Apfel: she’s a fashion icon, whose love for individualism and free expression is truly inspiring. She’s never been afraid to be herself, and she’s still relevant in the fashion world at 101 years old, so I’d love to hear what she had to say. Sidney Poitier: The first black actor to win an academy award. I’m a child of immigrant parents, and I remember feeling inspired by seeing someone who looked like my dad on TV at a time when inclusivity wasn’t the norm. He went through so much hardship but still came out on top and was instrumental in the development of diversity. He is a true role model. James Joyce: As an avant-garde novelist, Joyce influenced my love for poetry and thinking from a young age. I write poetry, and I think Joyce was one of the main reasons I still do this today. My mother is Irish and always encouraged me to read his books, which I’ll forever be grateful for – just don’t tell her I still haven’t finished Ulysses!
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry: I’d probably have to say conservatism. There are a lot of slow processes and single-minded views which have not moved with the times. The industry has had to be nimble, especially with everything we’ve encountered over the last few years, but the phrase ‘we’ve always done it this way’ is my red flag.
The job I’d be doing if I wasn’t doing this: It sounds cliché, but I’d be doing this. I do what makes me happy, and when I’m not happy, I stop and do something else. I have so much passion and enjoyment for my work which is solidified by an incredible team.
What I do in my downtime: I like to relax with my family. It’s such an underrated pastime but you learn a lot when you spend quality time together.
My advice for someone just starting out: I would say that it’s important to listen with intent and ask every question three times. Learning and building knowledge is one of the most amazing things we can do, but this doesn’t come without focus and listening. You can’t be afraid to ask questions, and it’s important to learn from mistakes.
