Fashioncast

Fashioncast®Episode #55, August 1, 2025Amy Leverton, Founder Denim Dudes, Fashion’s Diva of DenimOn this episode, you will meet Amy Leverton, the fashion industry’s foremost expert on denim. Born and raised in England, Amy attended the London College of Fashion, then spent years searching for her place in fashion.  After a series of jobs, she followed her passion into denim style, design, and trend forecasting.  Her company, Denim Dudes, is the byproduct of two street-style books published in 2015 and 2019.  With twenty years of experience in design and trend forecasting, Amy has catapulted Denim Dudes into a unique niche within fashion as the go-to consultant on the denim market and culture.We are certain you’ll love listening to Amy’s extensive knowledge of the denim ecosystem as she regularly consults with leading denim brands including Levi, Wrangler, Esprit, Guess Jeans, American Rag, Target, GAP, Old Navy, and H&M.  It’s breath taking to hear Amy casually mention and detail assignments she has collaborated on around the globe.  Few people possess such extensive knowledge about denim, the world’s most popular and best-selling fabric. The feisty Leverton also delves deep into the Los Angeles denim manufacturing culture, the global denim supply chain, historic, current, and near-term denim trends, the Sidney Sweeny American Eagle ad controversy, and start-up denim brands using interesting, and at times, amusing anecdotes about each topic.  Whether your role in fashion includes denim or not, this episode is a masterclass on understanding the complexities of bringing an idea from design to retail while paying strict attention to some of the most competitive market forces in fashion.Please enjoy the beautiful personality of Amy Leverton, and all the knowledge she brings to the fashion industry!https://denimdudes.com/dudette@denimdudes.com@denimdudes

Fashioncast®Episode #54, February 4, 2025Isabel De Sousa, Founder Akalia and Business Brand ConsultantOn this episode, you will meet the energetic and brilliant Isabel De Sousa, Founder of Akalia, and business brand consultant. De Sousa, based in Miami, Florida, has walked the walk in building her brand the old fashion way—with grit and determination.Launched in 2021, Akalia was scaled with amazing speed, and is now found in major retailers including Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Hudson Bay, and countless boutiques across the globe. Be prepared to hear how this young fashionprenuer bootstrapped her way into global boutiques and notable retailers.  Her experience was so enlightening, she now assists other business startups complete their journey regardless of the industry. It’s fun and compelling listening to De Sousa passionately explain her process including the high highs of entrepreneurship and inevitable low lows.  Through it all, Akalia was born and has thrived making inroads and connections usually left for major brands.Please enjoy another interview with an up and comer in the world-of-fashion. Akaliaofficial.com

Fashioncast®Episode #53, November 12, 2024Alden Wicker, Toxic Textiles (Part 3): Has Toxic Apparel Become Fashion’s Watergate?This episode is Part 3 of a three-part series on toxic textiles and features Alden Wicker, award-winning author, freelance investigative reporter, and environmental blogger.  The discussion covers Wicker’s career in the fashion industry since 2011, including her introduction to fashion, the launch of her website EcoCult, and her first book released in 2023, To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick and How We Can Fight Back.This is a highly informative and fast-moving interview. In many ways, Wicker is like the authors who have appeared on the show before her. She’s exceptionally intelligent, articulate, and speaks from experience and knowledge. In addition, Wicker is passionate about the surprising discoveries made during her research, and the listener can hear the urgency in her voice.While reading To Dye For, Wicker’s investigative journalism instincts are pervasive throughout the book.  From her invitation to investigate Alaskan Airline flight attendant complaints about new uniforms, to her trip to India dye houses, Wicker uncovers endless layers of the proverbial onion.  Of course, all the while being scoffed at by gatekeepers and bureaucrats from the airline, medical, legal, and fashion industries.  To Dye For is a reader’s journey of intrigue, surprise, frustration, and anger.  If the outcome weren’t so tragic, the book was so well-written and full of unique characters, it could have passed as fiction.  Fortunately, I am not the only one who noticed, Wicker recently won the Society of Environmental Journalists Rachel Carson Book Award for reporting on the environment. Sure, Rachel Carson’s1962 book Silent Spring, challenged the use of chemical pesticides and sparked the environmental movement, but decades later big industry never got the memo, particularly the fashion industry.  However, one can only hope, To Dye For, may be the catalyst that sparks a new and serious movement in the fashion industry about toxic apparel with Alden Wicker leading the charge!  Enjoy this special episode.www.Aldenwicker.comwww.ecocult.comTo Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick--and How We Can Fight Back https://a.co/d/jl27WNk

Fashioncast®Episode #52, October 8, 2024Dr. Alison Matthews David, Toxic Textiles (Part 2): Fashion’s History of Silent ConsentThis episode is Part 2 of a three-part series on toxic textiles and features Dr. Alison Matthews David, award-winning author, professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, and fashion activist.  Dr. Matthew David’s ground-breaking fashion history classic Fashion Victims, will mark its tenth anniversary in 2025 and has become the go to art fashion history text in fashion colleges around the globe.Tying together over a hundred years of the fashion industry’s indifference to the toxic manufacturing of apparel, Matthews David explains in spell-binding detail the dangers of fashion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  For example, she highlights damning evidence that the industry was aware of the effects of mercury poisoning in workers for 200 years!It’s fascinating to listen to Matthews David’s passion about the comparison of toxicity in apparel between the 20th and 21st centuries.  Unfortunately, given advances in plastics and the chemicals used to manufacture synthetic textiles, not much has changed--fashion is still one of the most polluting industries on earth.Matthews David does concede there is a small movement within the industry about the overuse of cheap toxins.  Fashion college students seem adamant about making meaningful progress by insisting on the use of non-toxic fabrics in design. Further, a slew of upstart fashion brands is manufacturing non-toxic clothing and making inroads in educating the public and the industry about the real health effects of toxic apparel.When Matthews David isn’t teaching, researching, and writing, she can be found coordinating collaborations with museums about the history of toxicity in fashion.  Currently, she has an exhibit at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada.While the use of toxic textiles is a grave issue within the fashion industry, understanding the history of the ongoing problem is critical to gain perspective and make future changes.  Matthews David exhaustive research methodology and prolific authorship on the topic continues to be a godsend to the industry and will undoubtedly prove to be extremely helpful in solving this menacing problem.  Enjoy!Alison Matthews David | Department of Art History (utoronto.ca)Fashion Victims: The Dangers of Dress Past and Present https://a.co/d/b8wemri

Fashioncast®Episode #51, September 17, 2024Lydia Dupree, Toxic Textiles (Part 1): A Biochemist Unravels Fashion’s Toxic Secrets Put your thinking caps on fashionistas!  On this episode, you’ll meet Lydia Dupree, the brilliant and affable biochemist who is tackling one of fashion’s most opaque topics—toxic textiles. Dupree is a notable cancer researcher and has several research papers already published. And while her entrance into fashion came about unexpectedly, for the industry, Dupree’s intelligence and passion could ultimately change what we wear.  This episode is the first in a three-part series exploring how toxic apparel impacts individual health.Fashion’s poor environmental reputation is well documented, but oddly enough, toxic textiles have evaded serious scrutiny until now.  The health scare related to the issue is just beginning to gain traction within the fashion community and Dupree does a masterful job explaining the lengthy list of toxins that are knowingly part of the apparel manufacturing process. It is fascinating to listen to a biochemist unapologetically explain the toxic tsunami confronting fashion.  Her credibility and proven research make it clear there are serious public health issues to weigh including the effects on children, fertility, and the long-term consequences of toxins absorbed through the skin. But Dupree takes her research skills well beyond blogging her findings on social media, she’s created the website Day Into Eve where she conducts a deep vetting of companies that claim their fashion or lifestyle products are toxic-free.  As of this episode, the Day Into Eve platform lists over 40 companies that have passed Dupree’s stringent specifications.Lastly, not surprisingly, Dupree hopes to expand her messaging about toxic textiles through further educating consumers and collaborating with the fashion industry.  Given the fashion industry's history on environmental issues, toxic-free fashion is only a long-term goal rather than a short-term mandate.  In the meantime, the industry should amplify the important work of a young biochemist from Milford, Connecticut!  Enjoy the show!www.dayintoeve.comInstagram @lydia.dupreeTikTok Lydia I Non-Toxic Fashion

Fashioncast®Episode #50, August 20, 2024Somy Madani, Haute Couture Makes A Comeback With London’s Next Generation DesignerThis is the 50th show anniversary of Fashioncast®, and we couldn’t think of a better guest to share our success with than Somy Madani, the award-winning London-based international designer.Born and raised in Medina, Saudi Arabia, Somy’s fashion journey is a remarkable story of entrepreneurial grit and determination.  Brilliant and affable, she’s a woman on a mission. In her brief stint in London, she has completed her fashion education, launched her fashion business, launched a non-profit organization (Somy Talent Academy), and continues raising her two children. Her brand, Somy London launched in 2021, is known for its bespoke evening gowns worn by London’s celebrity class.  The brand recently ventured into ready-to-wear with The Time Is Now line and follows a strict sustainable methodology while emphasizing body positivity and inclusion in its design.Beyond Somy’s amazing story and bonified business success, she is an outspoken advocate for mental health and self-care for the creative community.  Included in her approach has been Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), the use of horses in the therapeutic process.  In fact, her next fashion show in September 2024 will incorporate and offer therapy for local children struggling with mental health symptoms.  A beautiful reminder that giving is its own form of healing.Lastly, Somy is more than just an awe-inspiring fashion designer, she’s an extraordinary human being with boundless energy and creativity.  Listeners will be captivated by the many topics covered in this interview from her wish to collaborate with Lady Gaga to the most exciting and challenging issues facing the fashion industry.It was a great honor to speak with Somy Madani about her true passion, and it will be an equal pleasure to hear.  Please enjoy the 50th Fashioncast® episode!https://somylondon.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/somy-madani-7046b5133/@somyofficial_

Fashioncast®Episode #49, July 16, 2024Stacy Igel, Fashion’s Queen of CollaborationListen closely fashionistas! On this episode we introduce you to “fashionpreneuer” extraordinaire Stacy Igel, Founder Boy Meets Girl apparel company and best-selling author of Embracing The Calm In The Chaos.   As Stacy says, she was interested in fashion while “still in the womb,” and her history since birth reinforces her prenatal yearning to build a career in fashion.  What makes this episode so appealing is that Igel is both a steadfast businessperson and a creative.  Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Igel made her mark as a hosiery salesperson when Marshall Fields hired her while still in the eighth grade!  She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she tripled majored in design, merchandising, and retail.  She soon moved to New York City to learn the fashion business from the ground up, and in 2001 she launched the Boy Meets Girl apparel company.Whether interviewing Igel, or writing about her, one always is in high gear.  Igel is kind, intelligent, professional, and yes, humorous.  But more than anything else, Igel is full of positive energy, and constantly multitasking like the entrepreneur, designer, and mother you would expect!Fashioncast could have easily produced two episodes out of this interview, one focused on Igel’s phenomenally successful company, Boy Meets Girl, and another on her equally successful book, Embracing The Calm In The Chaos. The book details Igel’s fashion journey including the launch of her brand.We found Igel’s interview full of one surprise after another.  This is after all, someone who has made her way in New York’s fashion world through twenty years of grit and determination.  Boy Meets Girl sports a Who’s Who list of collaborations with industry heavyweights from Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom to Bergdorf Goodman and the Chicago Bulls.  Igel has come a long way since dressing classmates in grade school!Of course, Fashioncast probed Igel about sustainability, the lack of a business curriculum in fashion colleges, and the big issues she believes are headwinds for the industry.  We are certain you will find Stacy Igel as energetic, knowledgeable, and entertaining as we did!Please enjoy the show!www.boymeetsgirlusa.com                www.stacyigel.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Calm-Chaos-Perseverance-Collaboration/dp/140023493X

Fashioncast®Episode #48, May 21, 2024Rachel Erickson, Riding High in the World of Performance ApparelHold on fashionistas! On this episode we introduce you to manufacturing performance apparel consultant Rachel Erickson.  As Founder and CEO of Unmarked Street, Rachel, and her team specialize in fashion consulting to the sports performance market, especially cycling. Enthusiastic about fashion at an early age, with some maternal nudging, Rachel has made fashion more than a career, it’s her identity. But of course, there have been challenges along the way.  “Burned out” from mind numbing work in corporate apparel manufacturing, after 17 years, Rachel launched Unmarked Street and began blazing a new path as a fashion apparel consultant. The company specializes in consulting for performance wear and cycling in particular, a rare niche market within the world of fashion. And the reason Unmarked Street has been so successful.  Sometimes it pays NOT to play to the masses!Erickson is easy to listen to, she’s energetic, humorous, articulate, and is knowledgeable about the fashion industry way beyond her niche.  It’s exciting to hear Rachel discuss a broad range of topics including branding, how to construct apparel for flawless fit, competition, difficult assignments, and sustainability. We especially enjoyed Rachel’s discussion of Major League Baseball’s ongoing uniform controversy with Nike and Fanatics.  Only from a performance apparel consultant, could you receive the “inside-baseball” of such a debacle.After interviewing Erickson, we had a newfound appreciation for the technical side of the business.  Understanding the use a performance of specific textiles is as critical to the business as marketing and distribution—nothing can be left to chance. And Erickson tells the story well.  Constantly weaving in personal anecdotes, it’s clear this is an entrepreneur who loves her work!Lastly, when Erickson was asked to take off her “consulting hat” and reflect on the fashion industry at large, she was particularly insightful about the unwanted side effects of fast fashion placed on her and many others within the industry.  It’s part of the discussion you won’t want to miss!We loved interviewing the very lively Rachel Erickson! Please enjoy!www.unmarkedstreet.com@unmarkedstreet

Fashioncast®Episode #47, February 15, 2024Gittemarie Johansen, The Global Guru of Sustainability Takes on Fast FashionHey Fashionistas!  On this episode we introduce you to sustainability educator, author, speaker, and YouTube sensation, Gittemarie Johansen. Smart, witty, and experienced, Gittemarie has been living and teaching the zero-waste lifestyle for a decade. It’s fascinating to hear how Gittemarie stumbled into her career, found her passion, and has made her livelihood teaching the rest of us how to think and behave sustainably.  Even better, she walks the talk living as close to a zero-waste life as anyone you’ll ever meet. Johansen is clearly an intellectual force on the topic of sustainability and has created her own unique definition for the word sustainable.  And, why not?The word has been so misused and diluted, especially by the fashion industry, it has no meaning.  For the record, Fashioncast agrees with the Gittemarie definition!Given Gittemarie’s early background as a fashion influencer and reporter, it’s rare for such an individual to transition to the sustainable movement, but that’s what is so captivating about her story.  She hasn’t simply done the research on this important industry topic, she’s lived it!  And that kind of transformation brings an inner knowing that few can replicate.Johansen is brilliant in this interview as she verbally slays topics from greenwashing and sustainable designers to consumer overconsumption and worker rights.  It’s a joy to hear one so experienced articulate fashion’s many paradoxes but offer solutions too.  Johansen has indeed thought long on the big issues surrounding sustainability, and it shows.What we found so compelling is how Johansen answered a myriad of tough questions in such a thoughtful and precise way.  Her answer to what is most troubling about fast fashion is a perfect example when she stated without hesitation, “exploitation.”  There are so many things troubling about fast fashion, it may be difficult to list them all, but exploitation would be at the top.  Bravo Gittemarie!Lastly, we loved Gittemarie’s interview so much, we are already working on her next visit!  Enjoy!www.gittemary.com@Gittemary

Episode #46, December 20, 2023Fern Mallis, A Fashion Legend Imparts Wit And Wisdom On Her Career And LifeOn this exclusive episode, you will hear from the Godmother of Fashion, Fern Mallis, as she describes the trials and tribulations of her early days to her current role as President of her own consulting company.Listening to Mallis reflect on her hard-earned wisdom about the industry is the equivalent to enjoying a ten-course meal.  Few, if any, know the depth and the breadth of the industry like Mallis, and her knowledge is genuinely on display during this interview.  Often, Mallis is on the other side of the microphone interviewing fashion icons such as Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta,  Donna Karan, Michael Kors, and Tommy Hilfiger to name a few.  But, as an interviewee on Fashioncast® she is equally professional, patient, witty, and intelligent.Mallis has a keen sense of what’s needed and expected in the industry.  For example, as Executive Director, Council of Fashion Designers of America (1991-2001), she worked tirelessly to launch what is now known as New York Fashion Week. Her efforts to make the show successful and financially viable broke many of the known rules for fashion event planning including soliciting sponsorships, a practice today that is part of the event protocol.  You’ll hear; however, Mallis is quick to credit all those who have been so instrumental in her career.  It’s been a collective effort in managing and leading the industry to new heights.   When interviewing Fern Mallis, it's obvious that she loves the fashion industry.  She is in her zone, a comfortable, familiar, and creative zone. In fact, Mallis is so enthusiastic about her role, she can’t help but attract others to her mission to support and build a better fashion industry.  That beautiful attitude has served her outside of the industry as well as she has co-founded, directed, and volunteered for multiple nonprofits applying her fashion experience and business expertise to help raise millions of dollars.  A legacy that nearly rivals her life in fashion.Interviewing Fern Mallis was an honor, and we sincerely believe you’ll enjoy the notable advice and insight from the fashion legend.www.fernmallis.comwww.92ny.orgwww.cfda.comwww.nyfw.com

Fashioncast®Episode #45, October 30, 2023Jennifer Knoepfle, LilaPantsHey Fashioncast fashionistas, on this episode you’ll learn about the amazing startup LilaPants (www.lilapants.com), and the company’s innovative apparel made for the tween market.  Born from the innocent question, “What would you like to do when you grow?”, the LilaPants journey is full of the trials and tribulations of a fashion startup.  What is uniquely compelling about LilaPants is the fact it’s a family affair.  The company was co-founded by spouse/mother, Jennifer (Jenny) Knoepfle, her husband Matt, and their two daughters Lila and Georgia.  In fact, Lila and Georgia may be the youngest fashion entrepreneurs in the U.S.!It’s motivating to hear the lively and articulate Jenny as she describes the genesis of the LilaPants brand including confirmation of the idea via a Mom’s Facebook group, the fits and starts of fabric selection, the use of a fashion incubator, building a family-oriented company, and the go-to-market strategy to employ for trending apparel.  The result, sporting 68 SKUs, is LilaPants, a pant suit dress alternative for the tween market that preserves the style and sophistication to allow attending any function fashionable.  It was especially endearing listening to Jenny describe to roles Lila and Georgia have taken within the company.  The sister entrepreneurs are heavily involved in everything from product design and sizing to marketing and modeling.While all startups face significant challenges, fortunately for LilaPants, a unique market niche may have given them an important survival advantage.  We were surprised to learn U.S. children’s fashion accounts for $52.9 billion in revenue and is one of the most lucrative sectors within apparel.  Entering a verified white space, the tween dress alternative market, unmatched LilaPants is poised to capture its share of the revenue pie.Lastly, we love several other aspects of the LilaPants brand including their long-term commitment to sustainability.  While the apparel items offered are currently not sustainable, the packaging is, and a plan to incorporate affordable sustainable fabrics is in the works. In addition, LilaPants donates a portion of its profits to Darthmouth Health’s Gastrointestinal Behavioral Health Program (https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/gi/gi-behavioral-health), an important cause to the family and anyone suffering chronic GI conditions.Please enjoy the wit and wisdom of Jenny Knoepfle on your tour of the formation and launch of LilaPants!

Fashioncast®Episode #44, August 29, 2023Graham Stewart, EVP, FIBRE52Whoa! Fashioncast listeners, on this episode you’ll learn about the most innovative sustainable product for cotton bleaching and dying since the 12th century! International sustainable textile innovator and FIBRE52 Executive, Graham Stewart, joins the show and shares his vision for the company and the textile industry.  Stewart, a veteran of the textile industry since 1976, has held a variety of positions, but perhaps his most important contribution to the fashion industry has been his patent pending cotton bleaching and dying discovery FIBRE52.A textile and chemistry enthusiast from childhood, Graham grew up in the heart of textile manufacturing in northern England.  While the textile mills have moved offshore, the toxic caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) laden recipes remain in use around the globe.  This is where FIBRE52 enters the scene.  The process, invented by Stewart, is an environmentally friendly and inexpensive method designed to replace the traditional cotton bleaching and dying process on a global scale! FIBRE52 is a brilliant invention that utilizes natural products instead of conventional chemical heavy compounds while using less energy, less water, and less time—the perfect sustainable recipe!  In terms of circular fashion, FIBRE52 demonstrably helps lengthen and strengthen the life of garments for recycling/upcycling.While Stewart extols the virtues of the FIBRE52 for key user groups such as manufacturers, brands, and consumers, he does an equally masterful job of explaining the “inside baseball” of the global textile market.  Who leads the world in cotton production?What other companies are leading in sustainable textile manufacturing?  Is FIBRE52 open to collaboration?  Stewart answers these questions and still has time to gift invaluable advice to newcomers to the fashion industry! If we were handing out awards, FIBRE52 would easily win the Fashion Innovation Award of the Year!  Listen and judge for yourself.  Enjoy!www.fibre52.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamrstewart

FashioncastEpisode #43, June 27, 2023Jamie Koff, Founder & President, Fabric To Finish, Inc.Fashioncast listeners, please meet Jamie Koff, the brilliant and multi-talented fashion entrepreneur from New York City who founded Fabric To Finish, Inc., a fashion incubator, in 2006 and hasn’t looked back. You’ll learn about Jamie’s unconventional journey into the world of fashion and the big-name designers and industry insiders that impacted her career.  Koff’s story is a tale beyond fashion and entrepreneurship, it is a lesson in determination, innovation, intelligence, self-worth, and sheer grit.From Diane von Furstenberg to Tommy Hilfiger, Koff has gathered insights into the business of fashion few in the industry can replicate. And those lessons have been invaluable to her company.  Fabric To Finish has been evolving for 17 years and now follows a unique business collective model to serve the independent and emerging designer.  The objective is to provide critical sourcing, design and technical tasks that are out-of-reach for most new apparel companies. The company is also retained by established brands that seek new areas for growth and creativity.Listening to the experienced, established, confident and articulate Koff is the equivalent to enjoying a perfectly prepared ten course meal.  In the heart of America’s fashion capital, New York City, Koff has access to a wealth of fashion resources, but has also vetted international suppliers and manufacturers, and is solidly connected around the globe.  It is the realization of a viable business hatched from a simple idea in 2006. Spoken like a true entrepreneur, Koff notes anyone who is decisive, has a fashion vision, and more importantly, the ability to meet budget demands can hire Fabric To Finish .But it’s obvious Koff is serious about her craft and the industry.  Typically, clients consult for three years, proof outstanding results are  regularly delivered.Lastly, Koff gives personal advice to any would be fashion entrepreneurs, “hang on for the ride!” Jamie Koff has been more than hanging on in an industry she loves and entered 30 years ago, an amazing ride indeed! Enjoy!www.fabric2finish.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-koff-7ab934

FashioncastEpisode #42, June 8, 2023Kristian Hansen, Founder & CEO, Slo Jean CompanyFashioncast community, meet the indelible Kristian Hansen, Founder & CEO, Slo Jean Company, one of the fastest growing jean companies on the planet!  Kristian’s story is so compelling and inspirational you may want to listen to it more than once!In an effort to disrupt the women’s jean market by providing a solution for skimpy pockets, Hansen has created a juggernaut. It’s mesmerizing to hear how the Canadian fashion upstart found his niche in the most unconventional way, built a 700,000-follower Tik Tok community for the Slo Jeans brand, successfully raised capital through crowdfunding, and is planning the design and build of a jean factory in India!  It’s a true story of intelligence, grit, and motivation with a 100,000-person waiting list as confirmation of his success. After two minutes into the interview, it was obvious that Kristian has the right mindset to lead a sustainable jean company seeking to push back on the fast fashion culture. Armed with a Climate Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Kristian clearly understands the environmental and human impact of fast fashion, but equally as important, he knows how to address it. Slo Jean Company is much more than another fashion brand out to sell denim.  It’s a sustainable brand with a mission to treat both workers and the environment with the utmost respect, and it’s refreshing!Hansen encompasses a no holds barred attitude, and it’s apparent that spirit is part of his DNA. You’ll appreciate his thought process on sourcing labor and textiles, the “do everything different” business model, and a much-needed messaging reboot on the environmental misery inflicted by fast fashion.Lastly, Hansen explains his new sizing technology and his offer to make it available free to the industry without restrictions. The technology is revolutionary in the accuracy of measurement for all body types, reduces the return rate, and not surprisingly, boosts profits.So impressed with Kristian, we’ve already invited him back for a follow-up interview next year! Enjoy!www.slojeans.co

FashioncastEpisode #41, May 25, 2023Leyla Uysal, Founder & CEO, BajerFashioncast listeners, you’re going to love meeting the always smiling, upbeat, and positive Leyla Uysal, she’s one of the most inspiring guests we’ve ever interviewed.  Leyla’s story is much more than overcoming the typical startup challenges that face every business, it’s about personal courage, risk, persistence, and endurance. Born and raised in the Kurdish region of Turkey, you’ll hear how Leyla, through happenstance, determination, and what seems like Devine guidance, made her way to the United States, and began her journey into the world of fashion.  Leyla’s story is one of fits and starts, peaks and valleys, joy, and sorrow, as she presses on in her quest for a better life.  In a ten-year time span, Leyla learns English, is accepted to and graduates from MIT’s Sloan School of Business and Management, finds love and marries, bears two children, launches two businesses, and is accepted into Harvard’s School of Design!This is a multi-dimensional podcast as the first part covers Leyla’s migration from Turkey to the U.S., and the second part covers Bajer, her luxury accessory watch business.  Both are fascinating and filled with feminine and cultural anecdotes of the obstacles facing Kurdish women.  For example, after working for a Turkish employer for 18 months, once Leyla’s Kurdish heritage is discovered, she is immediately fired. Unfortunately, this is only one of many instances of blatant discrimination  that took place in both Turkey and the United States.“Persistence pays off.”  The phrase is no truer for anyone than Leyla Uysal. Her obvious intellect, mixed with pure determination, eventually attracts the right people to her cause, and Bajer is born. Again, it’s an amazing adventure to hear Leyla explain how she literally circles the globe to find the right designers and manufacturer for her watches.  And, since a portion of Bajer proceeds are donated to two NGOs assisting Kurdish women and children, she made an equal effort vetting key organizations in the region.We hope you come away as inspired as we were by Leyla Uysal. You can learn more, and support Leyla at the links below. Enjoy the show!https://www.thebajer.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehtap-leyla-turanalp-uysal 

Fashioncast®Episode #40, April 11, 2023Dr. Lucy E. Dunne, The Rise of Wearable Technology and Smart ClothingFashioncast® listeners, get ready to be schooled as Dr. Lucy Dunne, Professor of Apparel Design and Wearable Technology, University of Minnesota, joins the show for an in-depth discussion about the current state of wearable technology and smart clothing. In the first part of the interview, you’ll hear the articulate and confident Dr. Dunne as she methodically traces the genesis of wearable technology back to electronic clothing pioneer Diana Dew, a 1960s New York fashion designer.  But that’s just the beginning.  Dunne, an accomplished author, researcher, and consummate fashion academic, goes in-depth to define wearable technology, smart clothing, and the appropriate textiles most suitable for practical apparel.  Moreover, she does a remarkable job explaining the microchip technology integrated into the textile including conductivity, chip materials, and placement within the garment. Dunne knows her field. She’s more than comfortable opining about what works and what doesn’t.  It’s fascinating to gain insight into the most notable practical uses for wearable technology such as athletics, healthcare, the military, and space. Oddly, everyday fashion is NOT at the top of the wearable technology list.  As Dunne explains, technology demands extraordinary research, and few fashion companies can manage the costs. In fact, as NASA plans a lunar space mission for late 2024, the agency will spend nearly $100 million on redesigned high-tech space suits.  Regarding NASA, Dr. Dunne was the recipient of NASA’s Silver Achievement Medal in 2013 and remains connected with the Johnson Space Center through annual student visits.   Lastly, as a premier thought leader in wearable technology, surely Dr. Dunne has embraced the technology herself.  However, that’s not the case, she remains uncertain about its practicality and accuracy, but you can be confident, she’s working on it!  Enjoy! https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/expert/lucy-dunnehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-dunne-a60a3b5

FashioncastEpisode #39, February 14, 2023Samir Balwani, Founder & CEO, QRY: The Master of D2C Digital MarketingFashioncast listeners, in this episode, you’ll meet the brilliant, articulate, and veteran digital branding and marketing guru Samir Balwani.  Samir has been at the forefront of the digital marketing industry for two decades and has amassed a wealth of knowledge and insight.  Now, he imparts his wisdom to the Fashioncast  audience. Given hundreds of thousands of brands, and millions of ads across dozens of platforms, competition for consumer attention is at an all-time high.  So, just how does a fashion brand differentiate itself without going broke?  The simple answer is—don’t go it alone!  Fashioncast was stunned at the degree of variation and intricate knowledge demanded by buyers of D2C digital marketing.  The costs can be high, but the cost of not executing can be even higher.Fortunately, Balwani’s vast experience at D2C companies embedded in the digital advertising industry, including StyleCaster and American Express, make him the perfect “go-to” guest for fashion branding.  It’s especially educational, and entertaining, to hear Balwani explain the digital marketing ecosystem with the nuance and familiarity of a proven warrior. You’ll learn which digital platforms are most successful and why, how experimentation and testing are conducted, and important digital marketing KPIs. You’ll also hear Balwani unravel the advertising budgeting process in order to fund and utilize the all-important digital marketing tool.From his cache of long-time clients and experience in the digital terrain, Balwani, a master communicator, walks listeners through case studies explaining digital marketing dos and don’ts, when to commit to ad spend, and exactly how to scale a D2C business through digital marketing.Lastly, Balwani briefly discusses what lies ahead in the digital marketing space and the eventual use of AI technology such as ChatGPT. Get ready to learn with another outstanding guest!  Enjoy!WeAreQRY.com

FashioncastEpisode #38, October 25, 2022Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk--How A Mother-Daughter Duo Built a NYC Styling PowerhouseIt’s all about style Fashioncast listeners, “fashion over comfort” prevails!  So, if your style needs a total makeover or you simply need an upgrade, you’ve landed at the right episode.  Mother-daughter owners Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk of The Style That Binds Us join the show to explain all things styling and how the professional fashion stylists are making their presence felt in New York City, the heart of fashion.  Born and raised in Alabama, the duo has brought their unique blend of individual fashion experience and familial confidence to one of the most competitive specialties in fashion. It’s a joy to listen to the two opine about style.  They love and respect each other but offer differing views that somehow always seem to converge and create amazing outcomes. The interview explores the creative and often psychological dance in advising an array of clients with multifaceted backgrounds and styling needs. It’s especially interesting to hear about client expectations and the continuous back and forth between stylist advice and client responses.You’ll especially enjoy short riffs about why individuals seek styling counsel, styling women versus men, the use and/or misuse of color, important style elements, the “dos and don’ts” of styling, how international cultures influence American style, key international “style hubs,” and even the personal styles favored by each guest. The styling challenges Bruhn and Folk have conquered and continue to face are fascinating, but so too are the everyday challenges of running a business.  While stylists at heart, the entrepreneurs talk openly about the realities of a running a fashion business in the 21st century. Fortunately, Bruhn and Folk are equally as witty as they are smart and articulate. Lastly, the mother-daughter veteran styling team entertains a serious discussion about fashion technology and the impact the metaverse may have on the industry as they contemplate authoring a book on styling (maybe)! Enjoy this power-packed styling experience!To find more about The Style That Binds Us see below:Website: https://thestylethatbindsus.com/Instagram:@thestylethatbindsus

Fashioncast®Episode #37, July 26, 2022Beth Hitchcock: Battling Fashion’s Delusion of Inclusion for Plus Size WomenFashioncast listeners, you’re about to fall in love with the beautiful, brilliant, witty, and incredibly talented Beth Hitchcock. Searching for her role in the industry, she’s experienced a variety of fashion positions including a short stint in publishing before emerging as an accomplished stylist, model, and consultant for the ever-growing size-inclusive market. As a stylist, Hitchcock crisscrossed the globe and worked with many notable clients such as Playboy Magazine, Lands’ End, Murad, Banana Republic, and Galore Magazine to name a few. This is a fact-filled podcast where Hitchcock details the trials and tribulations she continues to encounter in the so-called “plus-size” fashion sector.  Even with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in place throughout the industry, in the often cryptic world of fashion, discrimination still reigns.However, Hitchcock conquered her foes and critics and truly succeeded as a fashion entrepreneur. Hitchcock keeps listeners engaged as the 14-year fashion veteran recounts the early days of size inclusion, its present standing, and its market trajectory. In addition, she defines exactly what constitutes a plus-size customer, explains the challenges facing brick and mortar and online retail, and opines on plus-size myths.While the cloud of discrimination still lingers over size inclusion, and retailers often relegate plus-size departments to the “third floor,” with two-thirds of US women are classified as plus size, it’s apparent there is opportunity abound.  This is the segment you’ll hear the hunger to succeed in Hitchcock’s voice, but more importantly, you’ll hear her advocacy for size-inclusiveness and her desire to one day take the discussion off the table.  One poignant example, she brilliantly makes the case for plus-size women setting the fashion trends and letting everyone else follow!  Beautiful! And why shouldn’t they?Lastly, Hitchcock talks candidly about luxury designer Christian Siriano’s longtime support of size-inclusiveness, her “magic wand” fix for all fashion brands (another brilliant observation), and her brief elevator encounter with Anna Wintour.A fascinating conversation you’re certain to return to more than once!  Enjoy!Find Beth Hitchcock on Instagram @bethhitchcock

Fashioncast®Episode #36, October 14, 2021Sustainable Fashion Part I, Alex Penades, Jeanologia’s Denim RevolutionFull disclosure--Fashioncast® loves Jeanologia!  In the annals of fashion, few companies have had such a positive impact on the industry and the environment as Jeanologia.  In the first of a four-part sustainable fashion series, Alex Penades, Brand Director North America Jeanologia, a proven leader in the global effort to drive sustainable fashion, joins the podcast to detail the company’s history, process, and extraordinary growth. Given Jeanologia’s progress over the past 27 years, it’s little wonder Penades is so passionate about the mission of the company and the direction of the industry.  Incorporating Mission Zero, an initiative to eliminate all hazardous chemicals and water from the life process of jeans,  Jeanologia’s technology now accounts for 1.75 billion jeans produced annually, a third of all jean production.While Jeanologia has made substantial progress in its “eco-war on denim,” notably in H2O reduction in the manufacturing process (one glass per pair of jeans), its culture serves as a model for the industry as well.  Jeanologia exemplifies growth objectives based on an important global environmental mission, and Alex Penades has been a key part of that success for the past nine years.However, not everybody in the denim industry has adopted the Jeanologia way…yet.  After all, this is the fashion industry, where change, even for the right reasons, isn’t always embraced.  Nevertheless, in the ever-ubiquitous world of denim manufacturing, where five billion pairs of jeans are produced annually, it’s refreshing to know the drive for change is coming from the inside out. It’s fascinating to hear Penades speak about the serious environmental challenges of denim manufacturing, the company’s cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, and plans to gain global industry consensus in the stewardship of the planet.  Indeed, Jeanologia provides much more than answers to sustainable denim manufacturing--it provides leadership.Lastly, Penades covers a broad array of questions from how some countries obsess over denim and others do not, to how Jeanologia would assist a hypothetical designer launching an organic jean company.  In the sustainable fashion movement, Jeanologia and its apostle, Alex Penades, are just what the planet ordered.  Enjoy!www.jeanologia.com@jeanologia#MISSIONZERO