In this conversation, Sonia shares her journey from a dreamy girl fascinated by the fashion world, to becoming a successful talent manager and agency owner. She discusses the importance of integrity in the influencer marketing industry, the challenges of balancing her career with her responsibilities as a pastor's wife, and the significance of faith in her professional life. Sonia emphasizes the need for genuine relationships in the fashion industry and how her agency Philo, aims to combine professionalism with humanity. The conversation highlights the transformative power of faith in navigating the complexities of the fashion world.
In this conversation, Beth Solomon and Ally discuss the critical role of USAID and international aid, exploring Beth's personal journey in the field, the impact of political decisions on humanitarian efforts, and the importance of NGOs in delivering aid. They delve into the challenges of aid corruption, the philosophical underpinnings of foreign aid policies, and the cultural implications of these decisions. The discussion culminates in advice for future aid workers and reflections on the current state of international relations.
In this engaging conversation, costume designer Mona May reflects on her iconic work in the film Clueless, discussing the impact of the movie on fashion and pop culture. She shares her journey into the world of costume design, the creative process behind bringing characters to life, and the importance of collaboration in the film industry. Mona also emphasizes the significance of mentorship and the role of women in fashion, while introducing her upcoming book that encapsulates her experiences and insights from her career.
In this engaging conversation, Eva Cavalli shares her journey from being first runner-up in the 1977 Miss Universe pageant to a key figure in the fashion industry, particularly with the Roberto Cavalli brand. She discusses her early life, the evolution of her career, and the importance of passion and partnership in business. The conversation delves into the challenges in the fashion industry, shifts in consumer behavior, and the future of fashion in a technology-driven world. Eva emphasizes the need for individuality and experiential luxury in fashion, while also reflecting on the character required to succeed in this competitive field.
In this conversation, KB and Ally discuss the challenges of navigating dry seasons and wilderness experiences in life, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with God. They explore the significance of being honest with God about one's feelings, the role of scripture in providing hope, and the necessity of surrendering to the waiting periods in life. The discussion also touches on the importance of prioritizing salvation over earthly desires and the need to trust in God's plan during difficult times.
Born in New York, Cynthia Dillon grew up in Buenos Aires and Tokyo, and worked with international jewelers in America, Europe and the Far East.
In this conversation, Ally shares her journey in the fashion industry, discussing the challenges and realities of working in a world filled with transactional relationships and competition. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, guarding one's heart, and overcoming the pitfalls of coveting or being easily offended. Through personal anecdotes and insights, she provides practical advice for navigating the complexities of the fashion world while maintaining integrity and purpose.
Jade Toko is a Paris based business development professional, specialized in sales strategy and B2B growth. She has helped premium brands expand and international companies to build long-term relationships that drive value. In this conversation she discusses the evolving landscape of the secondhand luxury market and its impact on the fashion industry. The discussion covers consumer behavior shifts post-COVID, the rise of eco-consciousness, and how luxury is being redefined as experiences over products. Toko also highlights the spending habits of the wealthy, the influence of global events on luxury spending, and the booming secondhand market, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. The conversation concludes with insights on the future of secondhand fashion in Africa and the role of technology in ensuring authenticity in luxury goods.
In this conversation, Tess shares her diverse experiences in the medical field, emphasizing the importance of treating the whole person and establishing wellness routines for both children and adults, especially when going back to school. She discusses the significance of sleep, community, and nutrition, while also addressing the challenges posed by technology and the need for balance in life. She also provides practical advice for a smoother back-to-school transition and highlights the importance of patience in the medical profession.
Ally shares her experiences as a lifestyle writer while traveling to Italy, particularly focusing on her love for golf. She discusses her journey from South Carolina to Perugia, her interactions with friends, and her plans to create content about her travels. She reflects on her long-standing relationship with golf, the lessons it has taught her, and her aspirations to improve her skills. The conversation highlights the personal growth and joy that come from pursuing passions and the importance of storytelling in lifestyle writing.
I sat down and interviewed my mom on being in a critical car accident at 22, then two years later getting diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She unpacks the emotions she felt and how she was able to get through these burdening moments at such an early age. Our dialogue explores themes of resilience, faith, and the importance of support during difficult times. Cassandra’s story emphasizes the fragility of life and the strength found in faith and relationships.
KB Chakela and Ally Portee strive to bring Bible characters to life- especially for those who don't read the Bible or who are rusty on people and accounts. In the last episode of the series, they discuss Mary, the mother of Jesus and her impact to faith. KB unpacks Mary before the birth of Jesus, and Ally unpacks her after the birth of her son. Mary came from a devout Jewish family, and she had unyielding faith in God. Though she didn’t fully understand what it meant to obey God and birth and raise Jesus, she believed and trusted God through the most painful moments of her life.
In this engaging conversation, Ally and Kitty discuss the challenges of dating in 2025, emphasizing how the bar has been set low due to societal changes, particularly the influence of social media. They explore themes of selfishness, the importance of accountability, and the necessity of establishing boundaries in relationships. The discussion also highlights the significance of self-reflection and personal growth in navigating modern love, ultimately advocating for a more mindful approach to dating and relationships.Kitty’s PR firm, The mjg Firm: www.themjgfirm.com
In this episode Ally shares her journey into fashion journalism, discussing the challenges and changes in the media landscape. She emphasizes the importance of creating your own platform while contributing to established publications, offering practical advice for aspiring fashion contributors.
In conversation 76, Ayo Ojo, known as The Fashion Roadman shares his unique journey into the fashion industry, discussing how he stumbled into fashion, the challenges facing London Fashion Week, and the evolving landscape of fashion journalism.
In this episode, Simon explains:-Citizen journalists provide valuable on-the-ground reporting.-Entrepreneurial journalists are emerging as important voices.-PR professionals must build long-term relationships with journalists.-Emerging markets offer exciting opportunities for professionals.
Austin is the co-Founder of Interscribe Global Communications Agency, which helps leaders navigate the complex intersection of politics and communications. He’s also an international election observer who's spent the last decade working across emerging democracies. His experience has taken him from observing elections in Albania and Georgia to working with global NGOs, think tanks, and advocacy groups on strategic communications challenges.
Alison Rehill-Erguven CEO of Cenomi Centers. What Emaar is to Dubai, what Westfield is to London, or Simon Property Group is to the US, Cenomi Centers is to Saudi Arabia. She brings over 25 years of extensive leadership experience across shopping malls and retail real estate globally. Leading the strategic growth and transformation of Cenomi Centers' portfolio, Alison oversees development, operations, marketing, and asset management functions. She previously held leadership roles in Europe and Turkey and began her career in the United States with Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties. In this episode Alison talks about what drives her, what she studies most about malls she walks into, the Saudi consumer, and the character trait that’s needed to be the CEO of a mall developer.
Russian born, Inga Rubenstein is also American. She’s St. Petersburg, turned New York City, turned fashion model, turned ardent art connoisseur. I first met Inga in Florence, Italy by chance and have admired her style, and the way she holds herself in a reserved manner. In this episode we talk about her life in Russia, modeling, NY, art, and her philanthropic work.
In episode 6 of the series, KB and Ally discuss three women of faith. Two are nameless (as there are many nameless women in the Bible): The Shunammite Woman, and the Woman With Blood. And then there is Sarah. The Shunammite Woman desired greatly to be a mother and almost lost the son God blessed her with, but she had faith for the child’s healing. The Woman With Blood suffered from a health issue and her faith was ignited by strong conviction. And Sarah, the mother of Israel is known for her great faith in God, that at 90 she bore a son, Isaac. All three of these women had great faith and God blessed them richly.