Arielle Charnas, once a prominent fashion influencer, appears to be embarking on a "second act" less than a year after her multi-million-dollar retail empire, Something Navy, collapsed under significant debt. Charnas, who commanded a substantial following on Instagram, is once again engaging her 1.3 million followers by showcasing her lifestyle and fashion choices from luxurious locales.
Once hailed as the "doyenne of fashion bloggers," Charnas's journey into building a retail empire took a drastic turn in 2023. The Something Navy brand, which she founded, was reportedly put up for sale for a nominal $1, saddled with $7.5 million in liabilities and $483,000 in outstanding bills. Investors who had poured millions into the venture lost their investments.
The fallout also extended to Charnas's personal life, as her husband and business partner, Brandon Charnas, faced accusations of insider trading, which he has denied. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigated Brandon for alleged involvement in trading Staples stock before the company announced an offer to buy its rival, Office Depot, a move that reportedly yielded him at least $385,000 in profits. His lawyer has stated that he did not engage in insider trading. A criminal investigation by the Department of Justice was also reportedly pursuing the same allegations.
Charnas's initial rise to prominence began in 2009 when, at age 22, she launched the Something Navy blog while working as a sales associate. Her posts, often described as "slightly basic but with an edge," gained traction as the online influencer phenomenon took off. She was among the first to successfully monetize her blog through lucrative marketing deals with fashion and beauty brands.
By 2017, her influence had grown to the point where she was commissioned by Nordstrom to design a capsule collection, with some items reportedly selling out within hours. In 2018, she launched a broader collection exclusively with Nordstrom, which reportedly generated $4.4 million on its first day. Charnas's ambition was to become "the next Tory Burch," aiming to build a vast fashion empire.
In July 2020, with $10 million in funding from investors including Hong Kong billionaire Silas Chou and private equity firm BoxGroup, Something Navy officially launched as an online women's and children's clothing company. Charnas served as chief creative officer, with her husband and his brother on the board. Initially, the company saw considerable success, reporting $32 million in revenue in its first year and achieving a valuation of $100 million, despite a general downturn in the fashion industry.
However, the company's trajectory shifted. Reports emerged of late payments to suppliers, freelancers, and models. Customers began to voice dissatisfaction with the quality of the clothing, describing it as "cheap-looking outfits at expensive-looking prices." Charnas herself was noted for often wearing high-end designer brands rather than her own company's products.
Behind the scenes, financial struggles mounted. By 2023, the company had closed its physical stores, paused online operations, and eventually entered a fire sale. An attempted acquisition by IHL Group fell through, with the conglomerate citing "backtracking and flip-flopping" during negotiations.
Despite the collapse of her business, Charnas's social media presence has remained strong. She continues to share curated glimpses of her life, her wardrobe, and her travels, often featuring designer items. Her engagement with followers, who have largely remained loyal, has led to speculation about potential future endeavors in the fashion industry.