Explore every episode of the podcast Fashion and Founders The Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Become a Fashion Editor | Who What Wear | 09 nov. 2026 | 00:38:09 | |
How to pitch a fashion editor and get noticed? How to get a job in fashion? Why you need to start a Substack to work in fashion. This week on Fashion and Founders, Victoria sits down with Sierra Mayhew, Fashion Editor at Who What Wear, to go behind the scenes of fashion media. Sierra shares her journey from starting a fashion blog in college and interning in the fashion closet at ELLE to working at Harper's Bazaar and Who What Wear. She breaks down what it takes to get hired in fashion, build a portfolio, and get your first byline. But the conversation goes beyond career advice. How do fashion editors decide which brands get featured? Are trends really organic, or are brands manufacturing them? And as social media reshapes the industry, what does the future of traditional fashion publishing look like? As both a fashion editor and content creator, Sierra also shares why she's building her own personal brand and Substack, how fashion publications actually make money, and what she's learned about turning an online audience into a business. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Roller Rabbit Discount Code: VICTORIA20 for 20% off Follow Sierra Mayhew: IG: @_sierramayhew Substack HERE Articles HERE Follow Who What Wear: IG: @whowhatwear Thanks for listening! PremiumBeat Monetization ID: KFDNIZV8PLN5ZJZB | |||
| The Woman Building the Buzziest Brands | 26 oct. 2026 | 00:59:10 | |
Behind buzziest influencer brands like the Bar and Phe Phe. What really goes into building a successful fashion brand? Ashley Leo is the woman behind some of fashion's buzziest brands, including The Bar and Phe Phe, founded by Bridget and Danielle Pheloung (Acquired Style). After spending over 20 years in the fashion industry building brands like ALC, Rag & Bone, Theory, and Fleur du Mal, Ashley saw an opportunity to rethink how fashion brands are built. She went on to co-found The Bar and launch The Leo Group (TLG), where she partners with creators to turn their audiences and ideas into successful businesses. In this episode of Fashion & Founders, Ashley takes us behind the scenes of the influencer brand business model, from product development and manufacturing to marketing, inventory, and financing. We get into some of the biggest questions and misconceptions surrounding influencer brands: Are sellouts intentional? How involved are influencers in actually designing their collections? Does follower count determine whether a brand will succeed? And can an influencer-founded brand eventually stand on its own? Ashley also shares her career journey, why she left traditional fashion retail, what she looks for in business partners, and her advice for anyone hoping to break into the fashion industry or launch a brand of their own. This episode is brought to you by Roller Rabbit. Use code VICTORIA20 for 20% off your order! Shop the Merry in Print Collection Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow Ashley Leo: IG: @ashley__leo Follow The Leo Group: IG: @theleogroup_ Shop HERE PremiumBeat Monetization ID: KFDNIZV8PLN5ZJZB Thanks for listening! | |||
| The $10 Billion Tech Company that Happens to Sell Clothes | 19 oct. 2026 | 00:56:38 | |
How do you build a career where opportunities come to you instead of constantly applying for jobs? And how did Quince become a $10.1 billion company selling $50 cashmere sweaters? This week on Fashion and Founders, I'm joined by Dakota Kate Isaacs, Head of Brand Strategy and Narrative at Quince, to talk about building a career in fashion, taking risks, and the technology changing the fashion industry. Dakota has never applied for a job she's held. After completing 12 internships in college, she took a chance on a little-known beauty startup called Deciem, the parent company of The Ordinary, where she helped build the brand in the US. Today, she's shaping the narrative behind Quince, one of fashion's most talked-about companies. We get into the career moves that helped her get here, from building relationships and making yourself invaluable at work. Get an inside look at Quince's business model. Dakota breaks down how the company uses technology to rethink traditional retail, why luxury products cost what they do, how Quince approaches quality and manufacturing, and the debate around dupes, sustainability, and fast fashion. Whether you're looking to break into fashion, take the next step in your career, or build a breakthrough business, this episode is packed with lessons from someone who has helped shape two of the industry's most disruptive brands. This episode is brought to you by Swap Commerce. Learn more about Swap and join their private fashion community HERE. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow Dakota: IG: @dakotakisaacs Substack HERE Follow Quince: IG: @onequince Shop HERE PremiumBeat Monetization ID: KFDNIZV8PLN5ZJZB Thanks for listening! | |||
| The Skills that Get You Ahead in Fashion | 12 oct. 2026 | 00:56:39 | |
How to start a jewelry business. Engagement ring trends. Lab-grown vs. natural diamonds. Acquired Style Wedding. Ring Concierge founder Nicole Wegman joins Fashion and Founders to talk about scaling to a $100 Million Business. Nicole shares advice for anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur, leave corporate and work for themselves, or eventually start their own brand. She explains why she believes you should gain work experience before starting a company, what aspiring founders should learn while working for someone else, how she built Ring Concierge without an industry network, and what it takes to grow from founder to CEO. We talk engagement ring trends, the bridal economy, and how social media is changing the market. Plus, we talk hiring, leadership, outside investment, natural vs. lab-grown diamonds, the biggest misconceptions in the jewelry industry, and what today’s brides are actually looking for. This episode is brought to you by Roller Rabbit. Take 20% off your order of $150 with code VICTORIA20 at rollerrabbit.com Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow Ring Concierge: IG: @ringconcierge Shop HERE Follow Nicole Wegman: IG: @itsnicolewegman PremiumBeat Monetization ID: KFDNIZV8PLN5ZJZB Thanks for listening! | |||
| Fashion Career Mentor: Advice from Vogue & The RealReal [From the Archives] | 05 oct. 2026 | 00:38:22 | |
How do you build a career in fashion and actually get your foot in the door at companies like Vogue and The RealReal? Rachel Glicksberg shares the career advice, networking strategies, and cold email tactics that helped her build a nonlinear career across some of fashion’s biggest names. This is a reposted episode from 2025. Rachel is the Women’s Fashion and New Initiatives Lead at The RealReal, where her role has evolved far beyond the job she was originally hired to do. Before joining The RealReal, she worked across fashion media and editorial, including Lucky Magazine and Vogue Italia, building her career through cold outreach, genuine relationships, and a willingness to follow opportunities even when they didn’t fit a traditional path. Rachel is a mentor at Monday Girl and shares the fashion career advice we all need to hear. We also get into The RealReal, the rise of luxury resale and vintage, developing personal style, supporting emerging designers, and Rachel’s best tips for finding the best pieces on the platform. If you’re trying to break into fashion, pivot within the industry, or create more opportunities in your current role, this episode is packed with practical career advice you can actually use. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Rachel Glicksberg: IG: @rachelglicksberg Follow The RealReal: IG: @therealreal Shop HERE Thanks for listening! PremiumBeat Monetization ID: KFDNIZV8PLN5ZJZB | |||
| The Unspoken Rules of Working with Luxury Fashion Brands with Kate Bartlett | 28 sept. 2026 | 01:02:40 | |
How to work with luxury fashion brands. How to get invited to fashion week. Top 1% of fashion creators. Kate Bartlett has built one of the most recognizable careers in fashion content going from an FIT student posting day-in-the-life videos to working with some of the biggest luxury brands in the world. In this episode of Fashion and Founders, Kate breaks down how she turned content creation into a real business, what it actually takes to build relationships with fashion brands, and the behind-the-scenes realities of being a full-time creator. We talk about the TikTok that changed her career, gaining 100,000 followers overnight, getting signed by management, making money as a creator, and why reaching one million followers changed the way luxury brands viewed her. Kate also shares the unspoken rules of working with luxury fashion houses, how creators actually get invited to Fashion Week, and what brands are really looking for beyond follower count. We also get into the business side of influencing brand deal negotiations, exclusivity, whitelisting, production costs, working with photographers and glam teams, and why a 15-second sponsored video can take weeks of work behind the scenes. Plus, Kate talks about going back to school for her MBA at NYU, how she thinks about the future of her career beyond influencing, and her advice for anyone trying to build a career in fashion today. If you want to work in fashion, grow as a creator, work with luxury brands, or understand the business behind the influencer industry, this episode is for you. This episode is brought to you by Swap Commerce. Learn more about Swap and join their private fashion community HERE. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow Kate Bartlett: IG: @katebartlett TikTok: @katebartlett Thanks for listening! | |||
| Why She Stopped Selling Her Bestsellers | 21 sept. 2026 | 00:56:28 | |
Why Aureum stopped selling jewelry. September Reset Guide. Fall Reset. How to become a founder. Cass Dimicco joins Victoria Smith, host Fashion and Founders to break down how she went from fashion buyer to creator to founder of Aureum. Cass gives listeners a “founder playbook,” even if you’re not about to start a company this is a great September reset guide. We go into changing your habits, building confidence, and betting on yourself. Her company recently went through a big pivot too. Cass shares why the brand ultimately stopped selling the jewelry it became known for. We talk about knowing when to pivot, finding and building relationships with manufacturers, pricing luxury products, why your brand doesn't need to be for everyone, and how Aureum is intentionally separating itself from the traditional “influencer brand” model. Cass also shares how she thinks about creator gifting, what actually gets her attention when hiring, why women should have more audacity when charging for their work, and how she turned her relationship with ShopMy into an opportunity to become an investor. If you're building a fashion brand, growing as a creator, or figuring out when it's time to bet on yourself, this episode is full of tangible advice you can actually use. This episode is brought to you by Swap Commerce. Learn more about Swap and join their private fashion community HERE. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow Cass Dimicco: IG: @cassdimicco Substack HERE Follow Aureum: IG: @aureum.collective Shop HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| Who Will Win Fashion Tech? | 14 sept. 2026 | 00:48:35 | |
What does the future of fashion tech actually look like and which companies will survive it? What is fashion tech? How to work in fashion tech? What companies get investment? This week, Victoria sits down with Juan Pellerano, Chief Marketing Officer at Swap Commerce, a fast-growing fashion tech company that raised a $100 million Series C in 2026. Juan breaks down what agentic commerce actually means, how AI could change the way we shop online, and why the next generation of e-commerce may look far more personalized than the traditional dot com experience. Juan shares lessons from helping scale Swap: how the company landed its earliest customers, why community has become one of its most effective growth strategies, what makes a fashion tech startup attractive to investors, and why founders need to ask whether they're building a true company or simply a feature. Whether you are a founder, investor, marketer, or simply interested in fashion tech there is something to takeaway from this episode. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow Swap Commerce: IG: @swap.commerce Website HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| How to Turn a Personal Brand Into a Real Business with Alexis Barber | 31 août 2026 | 00:56:04 | |
How to build a personal brand, make money as a content creator, and turn an online audience into a real business. In this episode of Fashion and Founders, host Victoria Smith is joined by Alexis Barber. Alexis is the founder and host of Too Smart For This and has built a portfolio career spanning content, consulting, speaking, entrepreneurship, and publishing. In this episode, she shares why she believes content creation is a skill, not a career and how creators can use content as a distribution channel for something much bigger. We discuss the shift from the “relatability economy” to the “credibility economy,” influencer vs. thought leader, finding your zone of genius, building multiple revenue streams, and why long-form content can be more valuable than going viral. Alexis also shares what working at YouTube taught her about the creator business, her first $30K brand deal, and how she’s approaching her next level with a focus on excellence and authority. If you're building a personal brand, growing as a creator, or trying to turn your expertise and audience into a sustainable business, this episode is for you. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow Alexis Barber: IG: @alexisbarber TikTok: @alexisbarber_ Youtube: @alexis_barber Follow Too Smart for This: IG: @toosmartforthiss Book HERE Substack HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| Inside Copenhagen Fashion Week: Invites, PR, Events | 17 août 2026 | 00:29:41 | |
How to get invited to fashion week, what I wish I knew before attending my first fashion week, who gets invited to fashion shows? Inside Copenhagen Fashion Week SS27. What makes Copenhagen Fashion Week different and why it’s one of my favorites. We go over the Live Podcast with Ganni and how the brand engages in fashion tech and innovation. Plus tips I’ve learned about getting invited to fashion events and how to make the most of them. Ganni Chief Sustainability Officer Podcast Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Thanks for listening! | |||
| How Ganni Became a Global Brand | 10 août 2026 | 00:34:06 | |
How did Ganni become a global name? Is Ganni a sustainable fashion brand? What innovation is needed for fashion brands? Recorded live at Copenhagen Fashion Week SS27 at 1Hotel Copenhagen, Victoria sits down with GANNI co-founder Nicolaj Reffstrup to talk about building one of fashion’s most recognizable global brands. Nicolaj shares how his background in tech shaped the way he and his wife, Ditte Reffstrup, built GANNI. He also reflects on the rise of the “GANNI Girl,” taking on outside investment, expanding internationally, and what happens when a brand becomes bigger than its founders. The conversation explores why GANNI has never called itself a sustainable fashion brand, the business decisions behind its responsibility strategy, and why the company once walked away from bestselling products because of their environmental impact. Nicolaj also shares what he looks for when investing in founders, where he sees opportunity in materials and AI, and why he believes the future could become increasingly difficult for mid-market fashion brands. Nicolaj answers audience questions on what he would do if he were starting his career again today, his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and what actually makes someone stand out when applying to work at GANNI. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow Ganni: IG: @ganni Website HERE The Ganni Playbook HERE Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Thanks for listening! | |||
| How Fashion is Forecasted with WGSN Head of Consumer Forecasting | 26 juil. 2026 | 00:56:34 | |
What is trend forecasting? How are fashion trends predicted? How do brands predict what consumers will want years before it happens? In this episode, we go inside WGSN, one of the world's leading trend forecasting companies, to explore how fashion and consumer trends are forecasted and what founders, marketers, and creatives should be paying attention to now. Cassandra Napoli is the Head of Consumer Forecasting at WGSN, where she helps brands understand how consumers think, feel, shop, and behave years before those shifts reach the mainstream. From AI and Gen Z to nostalgia, retail innovation, and the creator economy, Cassandra shares the frameworks WGSN uses to help companies future-proof their businesses and make better long-term decisions. We discuss how trend forecasting actually works, whether trends are really moving faster than ever, how AI is changing consumer behavior, and more. Whether you're building a fashion brand, working in marketing, launching a startup, or simply curious about what's shaping the future of consumer culture, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the world's biggest brands prepare for what's next. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Job Board opportunities in fashion, tech, and more. Follow WGSN: IG: @WGSN Website HERE Create Tomorrow Podcast HERE Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Thanks for listening! | |||
| Luxury Business Secrets with LVMH Chairwoman | 19 juil. 2026 | 00:58:03 | |
What business school won’t teach you about luxury. How do you work in luxury fashion? This is inside LVMH's playbook. This week, I'm joined by Pauline Brown, former Chairwoman of LVMH North America, Harvard Business School professor, and author of Aesthetic Intelligence. Pauline shares the lessons she learned leading some of the world's most iconic luxury brands. We cover a lot, from why climbing the corporate ladder doesn't always bring more freedom, to the mistake most people make when planning their careers, and why she believes taste will become one of the most valuable skills in the future of work. We also dive into what luxury brands understand about consumer psychology, how Dior and Chanel think differently from startups, what it really takes to break into companies like LVMH, and why Pauline convinced Harvard Business School to create a course on The Business of Aesthetics. Whether you're building a brand, growing your career, or simply trying to develop better taste, this episode is packed with frameworks you'll think about long after listening. In this episode, we cover:
Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Pauline Brown: IG: @paulinegarrisbrown Book HERE Brunello: The Gracious Visionary Watch the documentary film HERE IG: @brunelloilvisionariogarbato Thank you to this episodes's sponsor Blue Fox Entertainment! Thanks for listening! | |||
| Hervé Léger Creative Director Michelle Ochs: How She's Bringing the Brand Into a New Era | 12 juil. 2026 | 00:51:26 | |
What does a creative director in fashion do? How do I get a job in fashion? What is fashion school actually like? Hear from Michelle Ochs, the Creative Director at Hervé Léger. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build a career in fashion from landing an internship at Marc Jacobs before even starting Parsons to navigating the job market during the 2008 financial crisis. After co-founding Cushnie et Ochs and spending more than a decade building the brand, Michelle made the decision to close that chapter of her career. Today, she's the Creative Director of Hervé Léger, where she's reimagining one of fashion's most recognizable brands for a new generation. Michelle also shares the strategy behind Hervé Léger's resurgence, why runway shows aren't always worth the investment, how Gen Z is rediscovering the brand, what she actually looks for when hiring designers, and why she still wants candidates to bring a printed portfolio to interviews. Whether you're hoping to work in fashion, build your own brand, or simply love hearing the stories behind iconic fashion houses, this episode is full of practical advice and an honest look at what it takes to evolve throughout your career. In this episode, we discuss:
Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Hervé Léger: IG: @herveleger Follow Michelle: IG: @ochsmichelle TikTok: @mrsmichelleochs Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Thanks for listening! | |||
| Morgan Riddle and Cherry Beagles: The Female Fan Economy and 400 Club | 28 juin 2026 | 00:59:07 | |
This week on Fashion and Founders, I'm joined by Morgan Riddle and Cherry Beagles, co-founders of The 400 Club, a community redefining sports through the lens of fashion, culture, and female fandom. Morgan Riddle was called “The Most Famous Woman in Mens Tennis” by the New York Times and now she is moving her focus to female fans in all of sports. Cherry Beagles founded The 400 Club in 2024, a community reimagining what sports fandom looks like for women, gaining recognition and named Forbes 30 Under 30. Together, they're building one of the most exciting brands at the intersection of fashion, sports, culture, and community. We discuss their experiences at F1, Wimbledon, the US Open, the Super Bowl and more. At The 400 Club they’re brining women together for the biggest live sporting event watch parties and industry events. We talk about why women's sports is far bigger than a trend, how social media has transformed the fan experience, why brands are still missing the mark with female consumers, and the enormous opportunity at the intersection of sports, fashion, and community. If you've ever wondered where the future of sports is headed or why fashion brands, founders, and creators are paying so much attention this episode is for you. Female sports fans aren't new. They're finally being seen. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow The 400 Club: IG: @the400club Join the 400 Club HERE Follow Morgan Riddle: IG: @moorrgs Follow Cherry Beagles: IG: @cherry.beagles Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Thanks for listening! | |||
| Make a Career out of Taste with VP of Partnerships at ShopMy | 21 juin 2026 | 00:57:07 | |
This week on Fashion and Founders Podcast, I’m joined by Caley-Rae Pavillard, VP of Partnerships & Business Development at ShopMy. If you've spent any time around creators lately, you've probably heard the same thing: "Get on ShopMy." But why has it become such a powerful platform for creators, brands, and tastemakers? In this episode, we discuss why creators are becoming the new retailers, how affiliate marketing is reshaping the industry, and why follower count matters far less than most people think. Caley shares what brands are actually looking for, how creators can turn recommendations into recurring revenue, and why human taste may become even more valuable in an AI-driven world. Consider this your ShopMy Success Guide and Masterclass in Influencer Marketing. We cover:• How creators are making millions through affiliate revenue• The shift from attention to influence• What brands really want from creator partnerships• Why authenticity still wins• The future of shopping, discovery, and personal brands Whether you're a creator, founder, marketer, or simply curious about where commerce is headed next, this episode is packed with insights. Timestamps 00:00: Intro 2:39: Caley’s Career to VP of Business Development and Partnerships 5:38: What do brands want from creators? 9:29: Why some creators convert and others don’t 13:22: How to get discovered by brands 17:57: Does follower count matter? 19:25: How to get gifting and paid opportunities? 21:03: Career out of taste 24:41: How much money are people making? 27:40: Understanding platform features 33:42: Next product gifting 35:01: Why you have to get on ShopMy 41:29: Moving up the tiers 45:17: hot takes Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow ShopMy: IG: @shopmy Join ShopMy as a creator HERE Join ShopMy as a shopper HERE Follow Caley-Rae: IG: @heycayrae Caley’s ShopMy Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Thanks for listening! | |||
| Answering Your Biggest Fashion Career Questions: Solo Episode | 14 juin 2026 | 00:23:28 | |
This week, I’m answering your questions in a solo episode. I asked you to send in your biggest questions about working in fashion, founder tools, networking, fashion tech, and building a career you actually love, and we're covering all of it. From how to pivot into fashion from a different industry or degree, how to attend New York Fashion Week, the tools I’ve used to grow on social media, and the fashion tech companies and trends I'm watching closely right now. Whether you're trying to land your first fashion job, grow your platform, or simply understand where the industry is headed, I hope this episode gives you a few practical takeaways you can use immediately. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Links for mentioned items in the episode: Dressing Professionally on a Budget Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Thanks for listening! | |||
| LoveShackFancy: Fashion Editor to Empire with Rebecca Hessel Cohen | 24 mai 2026 | 00:41:54 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Rebecca Hessel Cohen, founder of LoveShackFancy. They discuss how Rebecca went from working as a fashion editor at Cosmopolitan to building one of the most recognizable brands in fashion. Rebecca shares the story behind the original bridesmaid dress that launched the company, the early years before opening a retail store, and how LoveShackFancy evolved from a niche aesthetic into a full lifestyle universe. They also discuss the viral ruffle skirt that became one of the most copied fashion pieces online, navigating dupes and copycats, scaling without diluting the brand, building immersive retail experiences, and what makes collaborations actually work. Plus Rebecca’s advice for standing out in fashion, building a recognizable point of view, and turning aspiration into community. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow LoveShackFancy: IG: @loveshackfancy TikTok: @loveshackfancy Follow Rebecca: IG: @becknyc TikTok: @becknyc_ Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| The Brand Behind Acquired Style’s Viral Bachelorette Trip: Swan Beauty | 10 mai 2026 | 00:24:10 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Colby Mitchell, founder of Swan Beauty, the AI beauty tech startup that went viral after sponsoring Acquired Style’s bachelorette trip. They discuss the strategy behind the partnership, the inbound after the trip, and the theories circulating the internet. The conversation explores the intersection of beauty and technology, the future of AI-powered skincare, and the journey to building Swan Beauty. If the bachelorette trip content left you wondering what is Swan Beauty, listen here and learn what’s next for them after their viral moment. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Swan: IG: @swanbeauty_us Follow Colby: IG: @colbytmitchell Family Office Episode Mentioned HERE Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| The Future of Beauty with Glamsquad founder Giovanni Vaccaro | 03 mai 2026 | 00:44:41 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Giovanni Vaccaro, co-founder of GlamSquad, to talk about the future of beauty and how access is changing everything. What used to be reserved for celebrities and top influencers, getting your hair and makeup done at home, is now available on demand. Giovanni breaks down how GlamSquad made that shift possible, turning luxury beauty into something people can actually use in their everyday lives. They discuss the rise of convenience-driven services, the connection between beauty and confidence, and how platforms like GlamSquad are redefining both access and the way creatives work. If you’ve ever wondered how people always have glam for events, shoots, or fashion week this is how. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Glamsquad: IG: @glamsquad Follow Giovanni: IG: @giovannivaccaro Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| Building a Brand That Means Something: Sali Christeson Founder of Argent | 26 avr. 2026 | 00:46:13 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Sali Christeson, founder and CEO of Argent, to discuss what it really takes to build a fashion brand over the long term. Sally shares her path from tech to launching Argent, and how a gap in the workwear market led her to create a brand rooted in both function and purpose. They get into raising venture capital in fashion, navigating the “messy middle” of growth, and why most brands don’t make it past the early years. Sally also shares how Argent went from strong growth to zero revenue during COVID and the unexpected moment that turned things around. The conversation covers hiring, trusting your instincts as a founder, evolving workwear culture, and why there’s no shortcut to building a brand that lasts. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Argent: IG: @argent Follow Sali: IG: @salichristeson Brand Highlight: Alexandra Madison Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| Vestiaire Collective: the $1 Billion Resale Platform | 12 avr. 2026 | 00:37:45 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with the Chief Business Officer of Vestiaire Collective, Klemen Drole. They discuss how the company evolved from a niche resale platform into a global leader in secondhand luxury. He was previously the Chief Technology Officer and shares the tech innovations Vestiaire is implanting to keep up with demand. They break down the realities of building a fashion resale company over 15+ years, from overcoming early stigma around secondhand to reaching profitability and scaling globally. The conversation explores how Vestiaire balances supply and demand, pricing millions of unique items, and the keys to their growth. They also dive into how trends emerge in real time on resale platforms, the role of AI in authentication and curation, and how luxury brands are increasingly partnering with resale platforms. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Vestiaire Collective: IG: @vestiaireco Shop: vestiairecollective.com Brand Highlight: Melisse Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| The Business of Being an Influencer with Hannah Lizzy | 05 avr. 2026 | 00:36:25 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Hannah Krohne, Hannah Lizzy on TikTok, a fashion creator who turned TikTok into a launching point for her career. Landing roles at David Yurman, Danielle and Alix in styling, and ASOS in merchandising and trend analysis before ultimately going full-time as an influencer. They discuss her path from posting in her college dorm to building a platform that now functions as both content and portfolio. Hannah shares what it really looks like to balance a 9–5 with content creation, from filming multiple videos a day to navigating the transition out of corporate. They also get into the financial realities of influencing, including inconsistent income, brand deals, and the unexpected costs behind “free” product. The conversation breaks down how brands actually choose influencers, the behind-the-scenes of Fashion Week dressing, and why so much of what you see online isn’t as it seems. They also explore the role of content in building a career in fashion, why you don’t need a traditional fashion background, and how to position yourself for opportunities in the industry. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Hannah: IG: @hannahlizzy_ TikTok: @hannahlizzy_ Brand Highlight: Paris64 Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund: What It’s Really Like to be a Finalist | 22 mars 2026 | 00:46:46 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Ashley Moubayed, founder of Don’t Let Disco and a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist. They discuss her journey from building the brand as a side hustle to becoming a full-time founder, and the realities of growing a fashion business. Ashley shares what it’s really like to go through the CFDA Fashion Fund, from the application process to the impact it has on credibility and growth. They also break down the cost of New York Fashion Week, navigating press, and why relationships and long-term partnerships are key in the industry. The conversation explores storytelling in fashion, misconceptions around jewelry, and why visibility doesn’t always equal value. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Don’t Let Disco: IG: @dontletdisco Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| OOTD: Viral Fashion Content Strategy | 15 mars 2026 | 00:39:43 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with the team behind OOTD, one of the fastest-growing fashion media platforms capturing street style around the world. What began as candid outfit videos filmed on the streets of New York has quickly evolved into an international fashion community covering major cultural moments from Coachella to Fashion Week. They discuss the strategy behind creating viral fashion content, scaling, and monetization. No longer just online they have built a network of creators across cities like New York, Paris, and London hosting dinners and events with their community. Since they’ve scaled so quickly they discuss fashion tech and building internal technology needed for their business. Plus they’re hiring and share their vision for how OOTD could become one of the most recognizable fashion brands in the world. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow OOTD: IG: @ootd TikTok: @ootd ootd.com Follow Cory and Nic: IG: @corymuroff IG: @wantthisnic Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 60% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| Matilda Djerf: Behind the Brand | 08 mars 2026 | 00:32:38 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Matilda Djerf, the founder of Djerf Avenue, to discuss how she built one of the most recognizable aesthetics in modern fashion. They talk about launching a brand with strong values, building community both online and offline, and navigating the realities of running a global business in your early twenties. Matilda also shares lessons on leadership, vulnerability on social media, and why taking care of yourself is essential when building a company. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Matilda: IG: @matildadjerf Follow Djerf Avenue: IG: @djerfavenue Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Thanks for listening! | |||
| NYFW isn't "dead," but it is too expensive | 22 févr. 2026 | 00:23:04 | |
New York Fashion Week isn’t dead, but it is changing. In this solo NYFW recap, Victoria breaks down what felt different this season and how Fashion Week is getting too expensive. From major brands like Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs showing off-schedule, Thom Browne showing in San Francisco, brands giving away show tickets leading to how NYFW could be evolving into an “Art Basel”-style citywide experience. She also shares the fashion tech + retail innovation that caught her eye, the behind-the-scenes realities of how outfits (and glam) actually happen during Fashion Week, and the pop-ups + community events that proved NYFW is increasingly about access, culture, and connection not just runway invites. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Glamsquad: Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off Rent the Runway: Code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Rebecca Minkoff episode on fashion week being to expensive Thanks for listening! | |||
| Ganni Chief Sustainability Officer Lauren Bartley | 15 févr. 2026 | 00:35:52 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Ganni’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Lauren Bartley. They discuss how the brand approaches sustainability and design, as they set trends rather than following them. Lauren unpacks GANNI’s transparent approach to sustainability reporting, its investment in next-generation material innovation, partnerships in resale and repair, and how the brand balances trend-setting design with long-term environmental strategy. They also explore Scandinavian sustainability culture, the importance of consistency over perfection, and why innovation is key to moving fashion forward. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Ganni: IG: @ganni Shop HERE Follow Boii Studios: IG: @boiistudios Shop HERE Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| Copenhagen Fashion Week Trends and Takeaways | 08 févr. 2026 | 00:28:24 | |
In this episode, Victoria recaps her experience attending Copenhagen Fashion Week from street style and behind-the-scenes access to the sustainability frameworks shaping the future of fashion. She breaks down what makes Copenhagen different from other fashion capitals, why transparency and public access matter, and how brands are rethinking design through the lens of weather, function, and real life. Victoria also shares insights from industry panels, a Substack hosted dinner, standout designers, and why she believes climate-adapted fashion and functional pieces are the next major shift in the industry. Plus a back stage interview with designers Marie and Julie Skall of Skall Studio. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Find the Brands mentioned on: Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| COVID Side Hustle to the Red Carpet: Undone by Kate | 25 janv. 2026 | 00:35:13 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Kate March, founder and designer of Undone by Kate. She shares how a pandemic project became a made-in-New-York bespoke, bridal, and special occasion brand. Kate shares her path from celebrity styling to teaching herself how to sew on YouTube, creating her first upcycled tees that sparked demand, and the influencer moment that drove $10K in Shopify sales in one day. They talk bootstrapping on unemployment checks, learning pricing the hard way, building a local contractor network, and why made-to-measure is both the new luxury and true size inclusivity. Plus: a last-minute Selena Gomez VMAs dress pivot, bridal trends, and Kate’s best advice for breaking into fashion. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Follow Undone by Kate: IG: @undonebykate Shop Custom Looks HERE Fashion Career Playbook HERE Brand Spotlight: Aven Atelier Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| Reinventing the Fashion Business Model with Marina Larroudé | 18 janv. 2026 | 00:39:26 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Marina Larroude, founder of Larroudé, to unpack how she built one of fashion’s fastest-growing footwear brands by rewriting the rules. Marina shares her journey from interning at Condé Nast to leading fashion at Barneys, and how those experiences revealed the white space that inspired Larroudé. They dive into why footwear is one of the hardest categories in fashion, how vertical integration and pre-orders became a growth engine, and why the brand chose profitability over “growth at all costs.” Marina also offers sharp career advice for early builders, the truth behind “good taste,” what fashion school doesn’t teach, and why progress done daily compounds over time. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Larroude: IG: @marinalarroude IG: @larroude Fashion Job Board HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| Rebecca Minkoff: Building a Household Name Fashion Label | 11 janv. 2026 | 00:37:16 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with designer and founder Rebecca Minkoff to break down what it really takes to build a fashion brand and keep it alive through industry curveballs. Rebecca shares how an internship led to her first break, the celebrity moment that helped launch her label, and why success is a slow build of momentum over time. They dive into the business realities fashion school doesn’t teach like costing, pricing, profitability, and why she believes founders should bootstrap before raising money. Rebecca also pulls back the curtain on the true cost of Fashion Week, navigating fast fashion copycats, using AI to pitch and work smarter, and the resilience required to play the long game. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Follow Rebecca Minkoff: IG: @rebeccaminkoff IG: @beckyminkoff Her book Fearless Fashion Career Playbook HERE Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| Cynthia Rowley: How to Make in Fashion in NYC | 04 janv. 2026 | 00:41:58 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Cynthia Rowley, CFDA awardmwinning designer, to talk about building a fashion career the scrappy way. Cynthia shares how she got started making clothes, her accidental path to New York, and what it really takes to sustain a long-term career in fashion. She breaks down the realities behind runway shows, navigating changes in the global fashion industry, and why small wins, consistency, and risk-taking matter more than chasing instant success. Cynthia also offers advice for breaking into the fashion industry without a traditional background, moving to New York, and balancing creativity with the business side of fashion. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Cynthia Rowley: IG: @cynthiarowley Website HERE Fashion Career Playbook HERE Rent the Runway: Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month! Thanks for listening! | |||
| Fashion Career Playbook | 02 janv. 2026 | 00:06:46 | |
Fashion Career Playbook to break into fashion in 2026. How to break into the fashion industry in 2026. Part One out now on Substack. Link Here: https://fashionandfounders.substack.com/p/the-fashion-career-playbook-part Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Thanks for listening! | |||
| Archival Vintage Fashion Reimagined by Isle of Monday | 14 déc. 2025 | 00:42:24 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Gabriella and Janelle, co-founders of Isle of Monday, to discuss how they’re making runway vintage and archival fashion accessible through their fashion tech rental platform. They share how backgrounds in fashion resale, finance, and tech led them to build a fashion tech company centered on access, preservation, and circularity. The founders break down the viral Roberto Cavalli moment that validated their idea, the importance of building a network when building a business, and what it really takes to source one-of-one archival pieces. They also discuss fundraising, advisors, launching in beta, and why the future of luxury fashion lies in vintage, rental, and circular fashion models. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Follow Isle of Monday: IG: @isleofmonday TikTok: @isleofmonday Substack: Isle of Monday Rent HERE ShopMy: For Creators HERE Learn more HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| Following Your Personal Mission: Influencer Social Responsibility with Alex Bushman | 07 déc. 2025 | 00:34:32 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Alex Bushman, founder of Influencer Social Responsibility (ISR), to talk about transforming the creator economy through meaningful social impact. Alex shares how a single cold DM to Danielle Bernstein led to the start of We Gave What, impact branch of WeWoreWhat. Her previous work in the nonprofit sector led her to launching ISR, an agency that connects creators, brands, and nonprofits for community-centered events. With one of the first events with Bridget and Danielle Pheloung with Girls Inc. and Pickle. As well as events with the Nader sisters, Lexi Wood, and Miranda Mckeon. After experiencing the loneliness that comes from being a founder Alex co-founded Good Ole Girls Club and started the Girl Dinner Series to create a community for other founders to come together. Looking to the future, Alex shares her vision for ISR and the innovative approach Gen Z is taking to nonprofit work. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Alex Bushman: IG: @alexbushman Follow Influencer Social Responsibility: IG: @influencersocialresponsibility Try Dupay: Sign up HERE Use code: VICTORIA25 for $25 off an annual membership Thanks for listening! | |||
| Fashion Meets Tech to Empower the Underdogs: SSQRD founder Nabihah Ahmad | 23 nov. 2025 | 00:40:36 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Nabihah Ahmad, SSQRD to talk about building a fashion tech startup. Nabihah shares how she broke into the fashion industry and then the tech industry by teaching herself how to code. She dives into how she taught herself to code, why she’s committed to democratizing fashion, and how one TikTok brought in 300+ partner brands overnight. They dive into unpaid work in fashion, mission-driven entrepreneurship, hiring with intention, and what happens when women start building the tech products we all use. A sharp, honest, energizing conversation for anyone interested in fashion, tech, or carving their own path. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Nabihah Ahmad: IG: @nabihah.ahmad TikTok: @ahmadnabihah Follow SSQRD: IG: @ssqrd.co TikTok: @ssqrd.co Shop HERE Follow Maison Réforme: IG: @maisonreforme Shop HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| How to Scale a Business without Chasing Hype with Eshita Kabra Founder of By Rotation | 16 nov. 2025 | 00:49:38 | |
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Eshita Kabra, founder and CEO of By Rotation, the world’s largest peer-to-peer fashion rental platform. Eshita shares what it really takes to build a profitable, sustainable, community-driven fashion tech company in today’s economy. She breaks down how By Rotation grew from a honeymoon idea into a global marketplace where women earn real income sharing their wardrobes. We dive into why affordability beats sustainability, how peer-to-peer fashion is reshaping the industry, and what most founders get wrong about brand building, community, and social strategy. Eshita also gives an unfiltered look at raising venture capital, protecting your equity, and how she secured seven figures from angel investors while staying true to her values. Her advice covers negotiation, long-game leadership, and building a company without hype or performance. If you’re interested in fashion tech, sustainable fashion, resale and rental, entrepreneurship fundraising, or real talk about being a founder without the Instagram gloss this episode is for you. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Eshita: IG: @arentyoueshita LinkedIn: Eshita Kabra Follow By Rotation: IG: @byrotation Rent HERE Gift Guides: Find it HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| The Parts of Entrepreneurship No One Talks About with Abby Price Founder of Abbode | 09 nov. 2025 | 00:41:19 | |
In this episode of Fashion and Founders, Abby Price the founder of Abbode shares her founding story. From starting a business right after graduating from Parsons to scaling into a seven figure business. Abby shares the honest reality of being a founder and the hardworking that goes into having a successful New York fashion business. You may have seen Sabrina Carpenter wearing her pieces on SNL or your favorite influencer in an embroidered tank top, either way Abby has tapped a whole new market for embroidery. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Abby: IG: @abbyeprice TikTok: @itsabbyprice Follow Abbode IG: @abbode Shop HERE Follow Jayebird: IG: @jayebirdsport Shop HERE Use code: fashionandfounders for 15% off Thanks for listening! | |||
| Styled Sara: How to Break into the Fashion Industry | 26 oct. 2025 | 00:42:30 | |
On this episode of Fashion and Founders, Victoria is joined by Sara Walker who you’ve probably seen on Instagram as @styledsara. Sara talks about how she broke into the fashion industry, the first steps she took, and landing a job at Revolve. She also shares tips for getting started with content creation to going full time working for yourself. Sara takes listeners behind the scenes of the business side of content creation like how to build a long term partnership, industry rates, and lessons she learned by doing. Dabbling with design, Sara released a dress for Reformation and recently dropped a collection with Nordstrom and Wayf. This is a must listen to episode for anyone who wants to work in the fashion industry or do content creation. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Sara: IG: @styledsara TikTok: @styledsara Substack: Styled Sara Shop her Collections: Reformation HERE Nordstrom HERE Try Dupay: Sign up HERE Use code: VICTORIA25 for $25 off an annual membership Thanks for listening! | |||
| Fashion Tech Weeks: Takeaways from NYC, SF, LA | 19 oct. 2025 | 00:17:57 | |
This week on Fashion and Founders the Podcast, Victoria shares a solo episode with takeaways from major fashion and fashion tech events from the past month. From New York Fashion Week, Climate Week, San Francisco Tech Week, and LA Tech Week. Sharing major themes and insights for the future of the industry as well as highlighting key players. Listen for new tools, resources, and brands and founders standing out. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Resources: Locker SIGN UP Learn more about SHOP MY Episode with NICOLE Episode with ERIKA Thanks for listening! | |||
| How to Start and Scale a Fashion Brand with ALIGNE CEO Ginny Seymour | 12 oct. 2025 | 00:37:16 | |
In this episode of Fashion & Founders Victoria Smith sits down with Ginny Seymour, CEO and re-founder of Aligne. Founded in East London and freshly expanded to New York, Ginny rebuilt ALIGNE as a design-led, DTC-first womenswear brand. Just in two years created a viral hero piece, the Daphne blazer, and has driven $1M in US revenue without paid ads. Ginny shares how ShopMy, smart gifting, and obsessing over customer signals shaped the product line and why she intentionally said “no” to wholesale to protect speed and point of view, until Nordstrom literally slid into her DMs. We cover ALIGNE’s US growth playboo, plus the brand’s values-driven partnerships with female athletes, including a yearlong co-designed collection with Lucy Bronze. Ginny shares fantastic and valuable advice for founders. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Ginny: IG: @ginny_h_seymour Follow Aligne: IG: @aligne Shop HERE Follow Arame: IG: @aramecare Shop HERE Founder: @brittany.arnett Thanks for listening! | |||
| Daydreaming Fashion’s Future: Why Fashion Needs Tech with Founder Lisa Green | 05 oct. 2025 | 00:43:12 | |
This week on Fashion and Founders the Podcast, host Victoria Smith is joined with Lisa Green, co-founder Chief Brands Officer of Daydream. Daydream is the AI-powered fashion tech platform fixing broken search and personalization in shopping. We dig into how Daydream translates real-life “shopper language” into smart recommendations. Lisa traces her path from Google to The Yes (acquired by Pinterest) where she met co-founder Julie Bornstein. We discuss investor appetite for fashion tech, why fashion tech is buzz worthy, and what the future holds for the industry. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Lisa Green: IG: @lisa_verde Follow Daydream: IG: @daydream Beta HERE Follow Rent the Runway: IG: @renttherunway Thanks for listening! | |||
| The RealReal: Innovation, Fashion, and Career Insights from Rachel Glicksberg | 28 sept. 2025 | 00:42:59 | |
In this episode of Fashion and Founders, Victoria Smith sits down with Rachel Glicksberg, Women’s Fashion & New Initiatives Lead at The RealReal. Rachel shares The RealReal’s designer collaborations and upcycling initiatives, the rise of vintage and archive revivals, and how emerging designers are breaking through. Rachel also shares practical career advice on mentorship, cold outreach, her nonlinear career path, and building roles around your strengths. Rachel is also an advisor for fashion tech startup Isle of Monday and a mentor at Monday Girl. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Rachel Glicksberg: IG: @rachelglicksberg Follow The Real Real: IG: @therealreal Follow Mercer Street: IG: @mercer_street_shop Shop HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| Pia Mance Founder of Heaven Mayhem on Building a $10 Million Dollar Brand | 14 sept. 2025 | 00:37:25 | |
Season 5 of Fashion Founders the Podcast, opens with Pia Mance, founder of Heaven Mayhem. Pia started with $900 dollars hand making jewelry on her bedroom floor and in just three years built a $10 million dollar business, recently featured on Vogue Business. Pia is creating a go-to accessories business with elevated pieces at an affordable price point. She shares lessons and advice from her entrepreneurial journey and with her background as an influencer, she really has an intuitive eye for what works. We also cover how to go about a partnership, whether you're a brand that wants to collaborate with Heaven Mayhem or someone looking to network or find a job. Pia talks about what actually gets her attention in an email and the dos and don'ts of reaching out to founders. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Looks: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Pia Mance: IG: @piamance TikTok: @piamance Follow Heaven Mayhem: IG: @heavenmayhem_ TikTok: @heavenmayhem Shop HERE Follow Bed Sleepwear IG: @maisonbedsleepwear TikTok: @maisonbedsleepwear Shop HERE Thanks for listening! | |||
| Influencer Marketing Masterclass: Partnerships, Events, & Strategy with Nicole Reisman of Dolce Vita | 07 sept. 2025 | 00:56:17 | |
On this episode of Fashion Founders, Victoria Smith interviews Nicole Reisman, Director of Influencer Marketing & Events at Dolce Vita, for a deep dive into the world of influencer marketing and brand partnerships. Nicole shares practical advice for aspiring influencers on how to work with fashion brands, what brands really look for in collaborations, and why engagement matters more than follower count. She also explains how Dolce Vita approaches budgets, campaign strategy, and events, plus how niche creators from florists to bakerscan land brand collaborations. Finally, Nicole opens up about her career journey in fashion marketing, what it takes to build a long-term career at a leading brand, and where she sees influencer marketing heading next. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Nicole Reisman: IG: @nicolereisman Follow Dolce Vita: IG: @dolcevita Follow Ellie G’s Ice Cream IG: @elliegsicecream Thanks for listening! | |||
| The Clueless Closet App with 10 Million Users: Whering | 03 août 2025 | 00:40:18 | |
Hello and welcome back to Fashion Founders The Podcast, my name is Victoria Smith and this week I'm joined with Bianca Rangecroft the founder of Whering. Whering is a UK based but globally used digital wardrobe app that is making it easier than ever for you to finally get that clueless closet. Unlike other wardrobe and digital styling apps, you don't have to take a picture of every piece of clothing in your closet to be able to use this. For example, you can upload a link. Or use their database of millions of products already available. They have 10 million users worldwide and instead of using AI for style combinations, other users and sometimes professional stylists can be the ones helping you come up with new outfits, using items that you already own. We cover a lot of different topics in this episode, like career advice, navigating entrepreneurship, user acquisition and retention, as well as the role of tech in fashion. Bianca is also currently in the middle of fundraising, and she was on Dragons Den, which is the UK version of Shark Tank. I really loved this conversation and I hope you do too. So let's get into the episode. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Whering: IG: @whering__ Download the app HERE TikTok: @whering Bianca IG: @biancarangecroft Follow Jorde Ski: Thanks for listening! | |||
| How to Build Partnerships in Fashion Tech: Optimizing your Digital Wardrobe with Tote and Future Reference Founders | 27 juil. 2025 | 00:31:37 | |
Hello and welcome back to Fashion Founders The Podcast, my name is Victoria Smith, and this week I'm joined with Kathleen Sheppard, the founder of Tote, and Claire Ilmer, the founder of Future Reference. In this episode, we explore their recent partnership announcement and for some background, Tote is a social shopping app and Future Reference digitizes your wardrobe for one click, resale and closet insights. After EDGE New York Fashion Week, a must attend event for fashion tech in February, they began working on a strategic partnership. We talk about what makes a partnership valuable for both parties, steps to take if you want to partner with a company, whether you're a founder, creator, or in another area of the industry. We also explore the question of, as a brand, do you add in multiple features that isn't your core MVP, or do you collaborate with someone who already offers that feature and is the expert in that thing? Learn more about how collaboration like this works in fashion tech, and really just in general I’ll let Kathleen and Claire. Take it from here. So let's get into the episode. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow Tote: IG: @toteapp.ai IG: @trytoteapp Download the app HERE TikTok: @toteapp Kathleen’s TikTok: @katsheppard1 Follow Future Reference: IG: @futurereference.xyz Download the app HERE Substack HERE TikTok: @futurereference.xyz Follow Any Lifetime: IG: @shopanylifetimeWebsite HERE TikTok: @anylifetime Thanks for listening! | |||
| How to Leverage Social Media to Build your Business with Nik Pollina | 29 juin 2025 | 00:32:34 | |
How to grow your business using social media. Free tools for founders. Gary Vee advice for founders. Hello and welcome back to Fashion and Founders The Podcast, my name is Victoria Smith and this week I'm joined by Nik Pollina. Nik used to work at Google and transitioned from tech into fashion after getting laid off. She talks about her journey starting working for herself, and she is now the owner of Seven Moods, the co-owner of Thx its Thrifted, and a content creator. She has so much advice to share on managing these businesses, growing the businesses, and how to build your mindset around the potential you have as an entrepreneur. Although fashion focused, I think the advice she shares could be applied to whatever you are doing. She talks about the two books and beliefs that helped take her from making $10,000 a month to $50,000 a month in the matter of three months, and that she now believes that she can make this a million dollar business. I really wanted to have more conversations about money this season, especially around working for yourself and working in fashion. I just made a TikTok about this, but there's really this belief and narrative that you can't make money in fashion. And I think Nik is an amazing example of proving that wrong. She is so successful, and I'm so excited to share this episode. I felt really inspired after this conversation, and I hope you do too. I'll let Nik take it from here, so let's get into the episode. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Follow Nik Pollina: IG: @nikpollina_ TikTok: @nikpollina Follow Seven Moods IG: @sevenmoodsnyc Website: https://sevenmoods.nyc/ Follow Marmalade Gardens: IG: @marmaladegardens Thanks for listening! | |||
| What do the EU, UK, and USA prioritize in Sustainable Fashion? Takeaways from the Global Fashion Agenda Summit | 22 juin 2025 | 00:21:16 | |
Hello and welcome back to Fashion Founders The Podcast, my name is Victoria Smith, and this week I'm doing a recap episode from the Global Fashion Agenda Summit that I attended in Copenhagen. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to attend and excited to share innovators I met. Hear from the Trailblazer winner Sarika Bajaj, founder and CEO of Refiberd. I go over rental, resale, biomaterials, biodegradable shoes, AI in fashion, Love Island x Ebay, and much more. Follow Fashion & Founders: Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders Podcast Links: Shop My Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias Locker Links: Locker Follow GFA: IG: @globalfashionagenda Website: https://globalfashionsummit.com/ Companies & PeopleMentioned Refiberd HERE Vogue Article HERE Mary G Scully HERE Future Fabrics Expo HERE Biodegradable Sneaker HERE Thanks for listening! | |||