ODDA Conversations

Alex

Carlos

Fran

Alex Sánchez de Mora lives a life of contrasts. Between the rush of fashion weeks and the quiet of home, he has learned to move fluidly between intensity and calm. On one side, the thrill of travels, collaborations, and the creative energy of the industry. On the other hand, the grounding presence of Madrid, where his son Mateo—who just turned nine—reminds him of balance and perspective. A model, entrepreneur, and content creator, Alex first pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration, but his path soon expanded beyond traditional business. He worked as an assistant to renowned photographer Mario Testino, collaborated as a producer for retail brands, and later founded his own agency dedicated to management, art, and production. At the heart of it all, he is a storyteller who values authenticity, timeless aesthetics, and genuine connection. In this conversation with ODDA, he opens up about fashion, fatherhood, and the contrasts that continue to inspire him.

Mergim Shabani has more questions than answers. The model, content creator, and creative director avoids labels altogether, preferring instead to see himself as a lifelong student of fashion, social media, and life itself. This outlook is rooted in his background: born in Kosovo, raised in Vienna, and shaped by his studies in philosophy. In a world where fashion, identity, and creativity constantly intersect, Shabani has emerged as a figure defined by authenticity and passion. His approach combines aesthetics with a life philosophy: being strong, caring for others, learning from every experience, and cultivating relationships that go beyond mere status. On a day off in Vienna, surrounded by family, he sits down to talk. Behind his wavy hair hangs a vintage Pan American Airways poster, designed in 1940 by Paul George Lawler, reading “Fly to South Seas Isles.” It feels like more than a backdrop—a reminder that for Shabani, fashion is not just about clothing but about movement, roots, and connection. In this conversation, he reflects on fashion and culture as extensions of life itself — ways of learning, connecting, and remaining true to who you are.

Although he moved to Madrid just over a year ago, Francisco Faria takes every chance to return to Portugal, his home country. There, he reconnects with his roots—his mother’s family in Braga, his father’s in Porto—and with the authenticity that keeps him grounded despite the fast pace of his professional life. Speaking from his vacation apartment in Portugal, where two vintage tennis rackets he once found at a market in Thailand hang on the wall, Francisco reflects on a path that has been anything but linear. He first studied civil engineering, switched to marketing, and in 2013 was unexpectedly discovered through Facebook, launching a modeling career that has taken him from Dolce & Gabbana to his own ventures—Blue Avenue and Hurricane. Today, dividing his time between Porto and Madrid, Francisco dreams of new seasons in Paris or New York, trusting the universe to guide his timing.

When Carlos Canela speaks in Spanish, his words carry the warmth of the South — a leisurely, joyful cadence that instantly evokes Andalusia. Yet when we switch to English, a distinct British lilt reveals that Canela is just as local as he is international, the result of learning from British teachers at school. Born in Cádiz, on Spain’s southwest coast, he remained there until he was 18, when he moved to Madrid to pursue a degree in marketing. Now, bathed in midday light on the terrace of his family’s home in Sotogrande, on the Andalusian coast, the model and content creator appears on camera wearing a white T-shirt and wired headphones — effortlessly being himself. It’s a look that wouldn’t be out of place in his YouTube vlogs, where he shares his experiences in the fashion world and in his everyday life. In these videos, Carlos doesn’t shy away from reality: he reveals everything from the adrenaline before a show in Milan to the moments of solitude that can come with a schedule full of travel. In his conversation with ODDA, Canela speaks of his journey through fashion and social media, his vision of an ever-evolving industry, and the way fashion has given him a profound sense of belonging. For Canela, culture and beauty are not distant ideals but guiding forces — shaping his world, his work, and the distinct, effortless Mediterranean style he has come to embody.

Leah Thomas, known online as @Greengirlleah, is an environmentalist, writer, and founder of the nonprofit organization Intersectional Environmentalist. Leah rose to prominence in 2020 after her viral post calling for racial justice within environmentalism helped spark a global movement, and has since used her vast platform to advocate for climate, race, and social justice. She is the author of The Intersectional Environmentalist and the host of the Green Girl Crafts Club, where she continues to create joyful, inclusive spaces that reimagine what sustainability could look like for all communities.

Behind the glamour of couture week, away from the spotlight of the runway shows, lies the quiet brilliance of the artisans. These skilled craftsmen pour their expertise and passion into every stitch, bead, feather, and flower that adorns each runway creation. Few understand the importance and artistry of this better than Christelle Kocher. After graduating from Central Saint Martins in London, Kocher spent over a decade in the luxury fashion industry, working with renowned brands such as Bottega Veneta, Dries Van Noten, Chloé, Sonia Rykiel, Martine Sitbon, and Emporio Armani. In 2010, she took on the role of Artistic Director at Lemarié, and joined the Fashion Métiers d'art in 1996, where she worked closely with artisans to craft some of the most intricate couture textiles. This experience proved transformative, honing her understanding of both the technical and creative sides of luxury fashion.In this conversation, Kocher reflects on the beauty and importance of handmade traditions, staying inspired, sustainability and its impact on the industry and the future legacy of Lemarié.

In Conversation with ODDA Digital, Josh and Jack explore the layers of grief that shape the journey of their characters, the thrill of the cowboy life, the shirtless scenes and the heartfelt conversations that make Ransom Canyon both an exciting and deeply emotional Western.

Lumi Tan is a curator, and her job involves more than just spotting new talent. At the heart of her practice is listening to the needs and wants of artists and audiences alike, and creating a synergy between narratives, cultural commentary, and innovation. As the curator of the Focus section at Frieze New York, Tan aimed to showcase a diverse range of artistic practices and create a conversation around uniqueness, storytelling, and identity—highlighting each artist and gallery’s own voice. Lumi Tan talked to ODDA Digital about her keen eye for art, the challenges of the industry today, and the importance of listening to artists to create a meaningful curatorial practice. Her insights offer a thoughtful look into how curators can shape the future of art by fostering dialogue, trust, and experimentation within the creative community.

Tahir Karmali is a multidisciplinary artist, but before that he was an immigrant, and his work is deeply influenced by the complexity of displacement and the fragility of walls. For Frieze New York, Karmali references martyrdom and the eroticized imagery of Saint Sebastian, blurring the lines between suffering and sensuality. What emerges is an exploration of vulnerability and resilience, told through fragments of walls that hold more than just structure—they hold feeling, memory, and meaning. In a Conversation with the artist, he tells us about his inspirations, his practice and the romantic yet political meaning behind each installation.

Hubert Marot’s artistic expression knows no boundaries: He began his journey in photography by graduating from Gobelins, l'École de l'image, in 2009, marking the start of his intricate and evolving artistic path. Conversations with Marot offer a glimpse into his unique universe, where his projects emerge through a meticulous process of refinement, research, and selection. The inspiration never stems from a specific experience, image, or location. It can range from objects such as inner tubes, featured in his recent exhibition in Paris, to still lifes, a recurring theme he has been exploring lately. However, it’s the demanding and curated gaze he applies to the object in almost an obsessive way that defines his signature. At the same time, this obsession causes a feeling of unease and restlessness, driving him to endless self-questioning and resulting in continuous experimentation with various expressive forms.

Harry Nuriev talks about his collaboration with Jimmy Choo for Salone del MobileJimmy Choo and Crosby Studios have joined forces to transform its Sant’Andrea boutique into an immersive space where design, fashion, and memory converge. The result is a powerful installation imagined by Harry Nuriev, the architect and creative director, known for his bold use of materiality and his ability to blur the lines between art and function. Nuriev’s concept is rooted in the archive of Jimmy Choo, treating each shoe as both a brushstroke and a pixel in a larger visual tapestry. Glass becomes more than just a material—it acts as a threshold between the viewer and the object, evoking the layered tension of window displays and museum vitrines.What unfolds is not only a celebration of almost 30 years of Jimmy Choo’s iconic designs, but also a reflection on time itself—its intimacy, its distance, and its power to shape emotion. In this conversation, we dive into Nuriev’s process, his obsession with archives, and the subtle tension between feeling and function in his work.

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With superhero series under her belt and moody, drama films on the horizon, Erin Moriarty reflects on how staying grounded, present, and in control has served her in entertainment.

Nicklas Skovgaard is an exploration of the self and a deep understanding of the human experience. His brand started as a way to find calmness and peace and now transcends mere garments. After working in the interior design industry, a sick leave and a career change led Nicklas to create unexpected combinations and explore new paths. As he learned to weave by himself, he created the first braids of this new journey with a simple loom, where every thread woven is a declaration of self-love and self-discovery, representing the quest for expression and creation. We sat down with Nicklas in his studio in Copenhagen, to discuss his brand, his inspiration for Madonna and his mom, the subtle dance between art, craft, and the dreamlike narrative that de!nes his label.

One early January morning, while the snow was still falling down in Paris, Stephanie D’heygere cleared her throat on camera. In her hand was a mug of tea to keep her company. Beyond the view presented on screen, a sunflower-shaped lamp stood tall on what seemed like a fireplace behind her. It seems that the flora and beautiful objects that ornament Stephanie will never escape her immediate periphery. This idea of beauty–one that seeps into and away from the jewelry designer–is done with ease. Second nature even. As such, it only makes sense that beauty holds no structural meaning at her namesake label, D’heygere. The designs are first conceptualized with a unique story, holding multi-functionality at the heart of each piece that exits D’heygere’s atelier door

Paramount Pictures' is set to release "Mean Girls" theatrically on January 12, 2024, from directors Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne. The husband and wife filmmaker duo will be making their feature directorial debut with their delicious take on the hilariously classic 2004 comedy. The duo meets with ODDA ahead of the film's release to talk about their approach on adding their own spin to the story, their casting process, and how they became entangled with Tina Fey.

Focused on a diverse range of brands, as well as a diverse group of consumers, Tomorrow amplifies the voices of designers within the fashion market. Co-founder and CEO, Stefano Martinetto, sits down to discuss the trajectory of this market and the domain that they are intent on pursuing. Reflecting on the vision of Tomorrow, aimed at being the “independent record label” for fashion brands, Martinetto also reminisces on his humble beginnings in the industry. Having started as a designated sandwich maker and fitting “mannequin” for his father’s showroom during his teenage years, he has worked his way up to create a company that supports and elevates the purpose-driven and value-oriented entrepreneurial creatives of tomorrow.