Episode 97: The Truth About Being A Fashion Contributor

In this episode, Ally discusses the challenges and realities of being a contributor in the journalism industry, particularly in fashion. She emphasizes the instability of the media landscape, the burnout faced by full-time staff, and the importance of viewing contributions as supplemental work rather than a primary income source. I also highlight the potential of platforms like Substack and YouTube for writers to build their own brands and monetize their work more effectively.

Episode 90: Sonia Piarulli On How Building Genuine Relationships With Brands is Crucial for Success

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.

Episode 87: Eva Cavalli: The Secret Behind The Roberto Cavalli Brand’s Success

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.

Episode 84: If You Wrestle With These 4 Things, You Will Struggle In The Fashion Industry

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.

Episode 83: Jade Toko On Why Gen Z and Millennials are Leading the Charge in the Secondhand Luxury Market

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.

Episode 77: Yes, Contribute To A Well Known Magazine, But Start Your Own Thing Too

Episode 76: The Fashion Roadman- His Thoughts On Fashion Month + If He Thinks Bezos Will Buy Condé Nast

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.

Episode 72: Inga Rubenstein: From Modeling To Ardent Art Connoisseur

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.

Episode 66: Vickie Samushonga Explains Why Fashion Should Be Looking at India

With a dual calling in fashion and the ministry, Zimbabwean born Vickie Samushonga works with fashion designers between Africa and India, connecting designers with manufacturers, fashion weeks, and exhibitions. When I sat down with Vickie, I didn’t think the conversation to be this engaging. She gave more than I was expecting. A woman who is able to tie her faith into her work, and have an impact in both areas is fascinating. She opens up about her journey in both fields, what African designers need most, and what India offers the fashion industry.

Episode 40- “My Relationship To Fashion Is Intense,” says Aurore Donguy

Aurore Donguy is a Paris based stylist that has a showroom in Monaco during the 63rd Monte Carlo Television Festival. For the past twenty years she has been involved in fashion and styles her clients for festival like these and the Cannes Film Festival. She sits down and chats about fashion and how it brings light to life and to the world.

Episode 28: Rani Zakhem, The First Arab Designer To Design A Ready-To-Wear Collection For Plus Sized Women

Rani Zakhem was the first fashion designer that invited me to his atelier to sit down and have a chat. I was new to the whole fashion scene, and I remember making my way to Sinn El Fil, where his showroom is in Beirut, to the Zakhem Tower. Ever gracious, Rani is detailed and makes sure to do things right, whether that’s in fashion design or in how he treats people. Ever astute, you get a consistent person in Rani and I’m blessed to call him friend. Trained in interior architecture at the Lebanese American University in Beirut and in fashion design at Parsons in New York, he’s able to bring the two worlds together to create some of the most carefully crafted couture, ready-to-wear, and bridal silhouettes.  

We talk about the importance of having ready-to-wear for plus size women in the Arab market, a rarity that’s slowly being tackled. But, Rani is the first one to do this with his 2009 ready-to-wear collection. Focusing solely on private clients at the moment, it’s nice to see designers like Rani Zakhem, whose niche is to focus on creating sought-after looks for all women.

Episode 25: A Woman With Many Hats, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger Shares Some Wisdom and Talks Fashion

Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger is an entrepreneur, designer, wife, mother, philanthropist, and advocate living in Palm Beach. A third culture kid, she grew up in the US with one parent being from Turkey and the other from England. She was a model and lived many years in Europe raising her kids, until she met fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger. Ultimately, she became a fashion designer herself. Firstly, as creative director of Judith Leiber, and later she founded her own namesake brand.

A kind person, she graciously sat down with me for a chat about the importance of women having their own independence, why she felt she had a sartorial story to tell in the oversaturated market of fashion, and she answers if she would have become a fashion designer if Tommy Hilfiger wasn’t her husband. There was a glitch in the recording so the very beginning of her answer to the first question was cut off, which was: “you’re a third culture kid. Do you have connection to your Turkish and British heritages? Do either inspire you as a designer?”

Photo Credit: Kate Martin/ Dee Hilfiger Insagram

Episode 10: Alber Elbaz, A Memory

This interview was done in February 2021, two months before Alber Elbaz died. He was an inspiring man. I actually met him in January 2020 when he was honored at an event by the Parsons School of Design. There are three designers in fashion that are so incredible humble and down to earth that I have ever met and that’s: Pierpaolo, Paul Smith, and the late Alber Elbaz.

When completing his conscription service in Israel, Elbaz went to design school. In 1985 he left Israel for NYC with $800 in his pocket. He worked for Geoffrey Beene, Guy Larouche, was creative director of Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin. He took some time off from fashion to grow, heal, and travel. And, came back in 2019 and started his own brand: AZ Factory, a Richemont backed brand. He was always thinking about how to make women’s lives easier so he created things like zippers with long fabric that aids a woman in zipping up her dress.

In April 2019 it was announced he died. I remember a friend WhatsApp’d me. As I awoke that Sunday morning, looking at my messages with sleep still in my eyes my heart sank. When I think about it now my heart skips a beat. Elbaz was truly a delight and inspiration to so many around the world. Enjoy this interview, my interview with fashion designer Alber Elbaz.

Episode 4- Recuperating After The Beirut Explosion, Fashion Designer Rabih Kayrouz Has Come Back With A Shift In His Brand And A New AW21 Collection

Rabih Kayrouz founded his brand Maison Rabih Kayrouz [ MRK] in 1999, embodying a couture savoir-faire House. He’s laid back and loves to have a good time. On the night of his twenty-fifth anniversary party in Paris a few years ago, Rabih danced the night away with his closest friends. He’s a good dancer I might add.

And then August 4, 2020 happened and Rabih was one of many physically affected by Beirut’s explosion that rocked Lebanon. He hasn’t given many interviews since then. The famed designer suffered a brain hemorrhage, two clots, and twenty-two stitches that day. As a result, there was a limited ready-to-wear collection last September and no haute couture collection in January, as Kayrouz took a step back to physically and emotionally heal.

Today, 7 months after the explosion Rabih is refocusing MRK. He taking it back to the basics, back to its roots, and back to the House’s iconic pieces giving new breath. His new collection is filled with wrap around coats, capes, trench coats, pants and skirts that a woman can use for any moment.

Enjoy this podcast episode with Rabih where he talks about how he’s been spending the past few months and his refocus of MRK.