FashionTalks – Details, episodes & analysis

Presented with the CAFA Changemaker Award in 2023, Amber-Dawn Bear Robe is a curator, art historian and Fashion Show Program Director for the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Born in Alberta, Canada, and a member of the Siksika Nation, Bear Robe has spent her career working and lecturing in Native art institutions. Through her work and advocacy, she has played a pivotal role in the representation of Indigenous designers on a national platform. She has demonstrated profound dedication to empowering Indigenous talent, art, and design history and has set the stage for a more inclusive and culturally rich fashion landscape.

Vanja Vasic founded Fashion Art Toronto (intentionally called FAT) in 2005 making it the longest running fashion event in Toronto (Canada's largest city).

In this episode Vanja and Donna discuss:

• Vanja's history and how her artistic, rebellious parents helped shape her creative spirit
• the tie between fashion and art
• the "naughty" origins of Fashion Art Toronto
• key milestones throughout the past 18 years
• the importance of the runway show and why it is still the anchor of Fashion Art Toronto
• the surprising impact of Covid/ lockdowns and how it positively impacted the event

The next FAT is Nov 16 - 19, 2023 in Toronto, ON.

To learn more about Fashion Art Toronto - http://fashionarttoronto.ca/

On IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashionarttoronto/

Founder Vanja Vasic - https://www.instagram.com/_vanjavasic_/

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

Evan Biddell has been designing clothes since his teens. Before he became a viral sensation with The Playsuit, he talked with Donna Bishop in an early FashionTalks episode.

In this episode you will hear Evan talk candidly about:

• His upbringing in the Canadian Prairies
• Being on, and winning, the first Project Runway Canada
• His commitment to sustainability, the 81 Pound Challenge and this collection being on display in the Vancouver Museum
• His long relationship with super model Stacey McKenzie
• His thoughts on style, why fashion kids love Norm Core, how he works with clients and more, including what he has in common with Alexander McQueen

To learn more about Evan Biddell - https://biddell.shop/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/biddell/

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

Mina Gerges is known for his fearless self expression, ground breaking modelling gigs and plus size and LGTBQ2S+ advocacy.

In this episode you will hear Mina share:

• His Egyptian heritage and how it has shaped him
• How he started creating the videos he became known for
• His journey to discovering his authentic self
• What is means to him to be a plus sized, male model
• The massive ad campaign that changed his life

Learn more about Mina Gerges - https://www.itsminagerges.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/minagerges/

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

FashionTalks for Industry Midroll

Making your side hustle your full time gig is one of the most common goals any entrepreneur has. Catherine Addai knows what it means to HUSTLE!

In this episode you will hear:

• Catherine talk about what her days looked like working her side hustle, her full time job and living her life
• What supports and lessons she learned as a side hustle designer that have been instrumental in her success
• How she honours and incorporates her Ghanaian roots into her designs
• How she got her "big break"
• The walls she hit as a Black designer then moving through and around them
• Her thoughts on the power of colour

To learn more about Catherine and her brand Kaela Kay - https://kaelakay.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/kaelakayonline/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thecatherineaddai/

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

Jeanne Beker is a fashion icon and Canadian treasure. As the host of the ground breaking FashionTelevision Jeanne brought new fans to fashion, opened a portal to the otherwise unseen magic of runways shows and witnessed the entire fashion industry respond to new media.

In this episode you will hear Jeanne share stories about:

• how she became the host of FashionTelevision
• meeting designers Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and many more
• the moment she literally handed her mic over to someone else
• the lasting impact of FashionTelevision on her life and career

To learn more about Jeanne Beker - http://www.jeannebeker.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thejeannebeker/

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

That's a wrap on season 4! But don't worry - FashionTalks isn't going anywhere.

We will return in September with a special series, FashionTalks for Industry. Host Donna Bishop will interview experts in legals, grant writing, thought leadership, financing, marketing, managing burnout and more. A host of topics to support you and your business whether you are a designer, entrepreneur, creative director, freelancer - any. career that touches fashion.

Until then, enjoy some favourite episodes from the vault throughout the month of August.

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

Izzy Camilleri is a big deal. As one of Canada's most celebrated fashion designers she has dressed A list celebrities from David Bowie to Meryl Streep. In 2005 her world and career changed when a woman living with paralysis asked Izzy to design some custom clothing that would work with her power wheelchair. This entry into adaptive clothing pivoted her career in a profound way.

In this episode:

• Izzy shares her meeting and designing for David Bowie
• Her career shift to a focus on adaptive clothing, the fashion industry's reaction (spoiler, it wasn't great) and how she stayed the course of her vision
• Insight into the size, perspective and future of adaptive fashion
• Her proprietary innovation and how it is revolutionizing the adaptive fashion market and beyond

To watch Izzy's Ted Talks - https://www.izzycamilleri.com/galleries/ted-talk/

To learn more about Izzy and IZ Adaptive - https://www.izzycamilleri.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/izzy.camilleri/

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

Fashion intersects with some surprising places! Case in point, tarot reader Lori Simeunovic has a ton of experience harnessing and acknowledging the power of adornment as it pertains to empowerment, manifestation and more.

In this episode Lori and Donna discuss:

• The photoshoot that had a profound impact on Lori's life and career
• How fashion plays into manifestation and showing the universe what you are ready for
• How Lori uses fashion in her business
• The events that lead to Lori's multiple book deal
• How she cultivated her signature style and why it matters
• The power of rituals, and how they relate to fashion

The jeweller who made the necklace Lori mentioned - https://katekingjewellery.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/katekingjewellery/?igshid=Y2IzZGU1MTFhOQ%3D%3D

Wendy Alana, photographer Lori did the boudoir photoshoot with - https://wendyalanaphotography.com/portfolio-item/boudoir/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/wendyalanaphoto/?igshid=Y2IzZGU1MTFhOQ%3D%3D

To learn more about Lori - https://www.tarotlori.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/tarot.lori/

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

Lisa Corbo has been around the fashion block. She has been a textile designer, fashion designer, interior designer, buyer, retail entrepreneur, stylist and most recently has added digital creator to her incredible career. Lisa has so much to share and a ton of amazing stories, experiences and insights.

In this episode Lisa talks about:

• Her vast and varied career
• What authenticity means to her
• Her thoughts on aging
• Her thoughts on the power of aesthetics
• How she is more than fashion

To learn more and follow Lisa Corbo on IG - https://www.instagram.com/lisacorbo/

Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/

Follow the podcast

IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/

To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/

This episode was produced by Jason Perrier

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/

Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/