Explore every episode of the podcast OLISE Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Thinking, Local Sensitivity: MAWD on Designing for Emotion | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:45:51 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with James White and Elliot March, founders of the internationally renowned studio MAWD (March and White Design). Together, they explore how design creates emotional impact, what it means to build hospitality spaces with soul, and how a global perspective influences their work across London, Dubai, New York, and Los Angeles. James and Elliot talk openly about the creative process, the value of collaboration, and why the most successful interiors are the ones that make people feel something. In this episode: Headline Sponsor: Perfect for: architects, interior designers, students, and anyone curious about the thinking behind world-class spaces. Listen & Watch: Guest Links: Follow OLISE Magazine: | |||
| Revolutionising an Industry: Farshid Tafazzoli Talks Innovation, Sustainability & Design Access | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:52:40 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White speaks with Farshid Tafazzoli, Co-Founder of Material Bank, about the future of material sourcing, sustainability, and the technology reshaping the design industry. From simplifying the sampling process to building smarter circular systems, Farshid shares how Material Bank is transforming the way architects and designers work and whatās next as the platform expands across Europe. In this episode: Headline Sponsor Discover more at parador-interiors.com Perfect for: architects, designers, specifiers, suppliers, product companies, and anyone curious about how innovation is changing the industry. Listen & Watch: Guest Links: Follow OLISE Magazine: | |||
| No Permission Needed: Annie White on Building OLISE, Breaking Rules, and Backing Yourself | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:41:14 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down for a candid conversation about her journey from luxury fashion at Dior and LVMH to founding OLISE Magazine. From cold-calling her way into the industry to managing high-pressure fashion shows, relocating between Paris, New York, and London, and ultimately creating her own platform, Annie shares the realities behind ambition, resilience, and creative leadership. She reflects on building OLISE without permission, trusting her instincts, assembling a high-performing team, and staying focused in the face of doubt. Along the way, she opens up about motherhood, marriage, competitiveness, and the personal drivers behind her success. Together, the conversation explores what it really takes to build something meaningful in the creative industries. In this episode: Headline Sponsor: Perfect for: Listen & Watch: Guest Links: Annie White El Hachem Follow OLISE Magazine: | |||
| The Power of Determination: Alex Dauley on United in Design and Owning Your Creative Path | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:47:52 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with interior designer and founder Alex Dauley for an honest conversation about identity, ambition, and building a career with integrity. Alex shares her journey from a small village in Wales to creating a thriving design studio in London, and how she entered the industry later in life with no network, no portfolio, and a decision to back herself anyway. She speaks candidly about motherhood, the reality of āhaving it allā, and why boundaries, honesty, and kindness matter in an industry that is often more polished than transparent. The conversation also explores the creation of United in Design, the charity Alex founded in response to the lack of access for Black and Brown designers, and what real change looks like when the next generation is supported from education through to employment, and ultimately, ownership. Alex also reflects on her WOW!house 2025 moment, designing the first ever media room, and how it became a turning point in her confidence, creativity, and future direction. In this episode: Headline Sponsor: Perfect for: Listen & Watch: Guest Links: United in Design Follow OLISE Magazine: | |||
| Fighting Injustice, Building Standards: Vanessa Brady OBE on Leadership, Legacy and Design | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:52:53 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with Vanessa Brady OBE, founder of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID), to explore her extraordinary journey through the design industry, from its unregulated early days to todayās global, professionalised landscape. Vanessa reflects on resilience, integrity, and the importance of standing up for yourself in business. She shares candid stories from working with global clients, navigating cultural complexity, and building an organisation that protects and elevates designers worldwide. Together, they discuss why boundaries matter, how the industry has evolved, and what young designers need to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment. In this episode: ā¢ Vanessaās unconventional path into interior design ā¢ Building SBID and professionalising the industry ā¢ Navigating power, culture, and global clients ā¢ Women in leadership and industry inequality ā¢ Why boundaries protect creativity ā¢ Advice for young designers and growing studios ā¢ The importance of standing up for your value Headline Sponsor: This episode is supported by Moroso, the luxury Italian design house renowned for turning furniture into works of art. For over 70 years, Moroso has collaborated with leading designers to create bold, expressive pieces that define contemporary interiors. https://www.moroso.it Perfect for: Interior designers, architects, students, studio founders, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in leadership, resilience, and building a meaningful career in design. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) https://www.sbid.org Vanessa Brady OBE https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-brady-obe Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/ | |||
| Fighting Racism in Design: Toni Black on Resilience, Identity and Building House of Black | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:52:31 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen Zeremariam sits down with interior designer and founder of House of Black, Toni Black, for a candid and powerful conversation about fighting racism in the design industry. Toni shares what it was really like trying to break into interiors as a young Black woman, including the bias she experienced during recruitment and interviews, and the resilience it took to keep going when doors repeatedly closed. She reflects on how prejudice shaped her strength, why representation still matters, and what it means to stand firm in your identity while building a business in a competitive industry. Alongside this, Toni talks about pivoting into lighting design, what it taught her about mood and atmosphere, and how her work evolved into hospitality projects shaped by emotion, memory, and the senses. She also introduces House of Black, a brand and interiors agency āwhere stories are lived,ā bringing together strategy and design to build fully immersive concepts, from narrative and naming to scent, service, and spatial experience. In this episode Headline Sponsor Perfect for: Listen & Watch Guest Links: House of Black Follow OLISE Magazine: | |||
| Cultural Luxury and Global Vision: Clint Nagata on Building BLINK Design Group | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:49:55 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with Clint Nagata, Founder and Creative Partner of BLINK Design Group, for an in depth conversation about global hospitality design, cultural luxury, and building an international studio without ego. From leading iconic projects for One&Only, Six Senses, and Banyan Tree Dubai, to growing BLINK into a 120 person practice across Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai, and London, Clint shares what it really takes to scale a creative business while protecting its culture. Born in Hawaii and now based in Bangkok for over 20 years, Clint reflects on how travel shaped his worldview, why he believes luxury is no longer singular, and how cultural luxury designing through the lens of place has become central to Blinkās philosophy. He speaks candidly about walking away from projects when visions do not align, why losses can be more valuable than wins, and how humility, transparency, and friendship underpin his leadership style. Clint also shares the story behind A Wish to Remember, Blinkās internal travel award created in memory of a beloved team member, and explains why exposure to the world is essential if designers are to create meaningful hospitality experiences. This is a conversation about resilience, perspective, mentorship, and what it means to design for the next generation of global luxury travellers. In this episode Headline Sponsor This episode is supported by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high end homes. Their goal is not just temperature control, it is creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions. Perfect for Interior designers, architects, hospitality professionals, studio founders, creative directors, and anyone interested in global design leadership, cultural storytelling, and building a values led business. Listen and Watch Full video available on YouTube Guest Link: Follow OLISE Magazine: | |||
| Design Without a Rulebook and the Power of Saying Yes: Brian Woulfe on Global Interiors and Building Designed by Woulfe | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:55:23 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with Brian Woulfe, founder of Designed by Woulfe, for a candid conversation about building an international interior design studio without a traditional path. Brianās journey into design was anything but conventional. Originally trained as a musician, he found himself unexpectedly working on luxury properties in Thailand during the global recession, an experience that would shape his practical, on-site approach to design and business. Since then, Brian has completed projects across five continents and built Designed by Woulfe into a globally recognised studio known for richly layered residential interiors and deeply personal client relationships. In this conversation, Brian reflects on how saying yes to opportunities helped launch his career, why he believes trends are often misunderstood, and how great interiors are created through interpretation rather than imitation. He shares honest insights into running a design studio, from the realities of entrepreneurship and hiring the right team, to managing complex client relationships and navigating the pressures of creative leadership. Brian also discusses the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in design, why luxury will always depend on human connection, and how personal passions such as polo have helped him rediscover balance and avoid creative burnout. This episode explores the realities behind the images: the risks, resilience, and relationships required to build a global design practice. In this episodeā¢ How Brian moved from music into interior design This episode is supported by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Their goal is not just temperature control, but creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect forInterior designers, architects, studio founders, creative directors, and anyone interested in the realities of building a global design practice, navigating entrepreneurship, and balancing creativity with business leadership. Listen and WatchFull video available on YouTube Brian Woulfe Designed by Woulfe Website: https://olisemagazine.com | |||
| Design, Motherhood and Creative Leadership with Rose Murray of These White Walls | 18 May 2026 | 00:42:59 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with Rose Murray, founder of These White Walls, for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about creativity, identity, and the evolving role of the designer. Roseās path into interior design was anything but traditional. With a background in anthropology and early experience in editorial, she began her career working alongside Nigella Lawson before moving into festival spaces, scenography, and hospitality. This organic journey shaped her belief that space is never neutral, it is a powerful tool for storytelling, identity, and human connection. Since founding These White Walls, Rose has built an award-winning studio known for its highly personalised, narrative-led approach across both hospitality and residential projects. Her work moves fluidly between public and private spaces, often blurring the line between the two. In this conversation, Rose reflects on the importance of relationships in design, the role of emotional intelligence in working with clients, and why interiors are about far more than aesthetics. She shares how her studio has evolved, from early micromanagement to creating a collaborative environment where creativity can flourish. Rose also speaks candidly about motherhood and leadership, and how becoming a mother has expanded her capacity, sharpened her vision, and reshaped her understanding of legacy. She challenges the lack of visibility for women in business during pregnancy and advocates for a more open, human conversation around creativity, leadership, and life. The episode also explores the future of design, from the impact of AI and technology to the increasing importance of human connection, cultural awareness, and meaningful dialogue in shaping spaces. This is a conversation about intuition, courage, and the belief that design is not just about what we see, but how we live, feel, and connect within a space.
ā¢ Roseās unconventional path from anthropology to interior design
This episode is supported by Moroso, the luxury Italian design house renowned for turning furniture into works of art. For over 70 years, Moroso has collaborated with leading designers to create bold, expressive pieces that define contemporary interiors.
Interior designers, architects, creative founders, and anyone interested in the emotional and human side of design, building a studio with purpose, and balancing creativity with leadership, identity, and life.
Full video available on YouTube Rose Murray https://www.instagram.com/rose_murray/ These White Walls https://www.thesewhitewalls.com/ Follow OLISE Magazine Website: https://olisemagazine.com | |||
| From Fashion to Fine Art: Caroline Chinakwe on Identity, Culture, and Building a Lifestyle Brand with Purpose | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:42:17 | |
In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with artist and founder Caroline Chinakwe for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about identity, creativity, and building a brand that reflects culture and truth. Caroline shares her unconventional journey from a 20-year career in fashion into the art world, a transition that was never planned, but driven by a desire to represent Black women with authenticity, strength, and beauty. She speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, starting again later in life, and why she refused to follow the narrative of the āstruggling artist.ā The conversation explores the meaning behind Chinakwe, not just as a name, but as a legacy, and how Caroline has built a lifestyle brand rooted in Afrofuturism, storytelling, and emotional connection. From her early experiences growing up between Nigeria and the UK, to creating work that celebrates colour, identity, and culture, her perspective is both honest and empowering. Caroline also opens up about motherhood, risk-taking, and resilience, sharing how being a young mother shaped her independence and drive, and how her work today is not only about creativity, but about visibility, representation, and creating space for others. This episode is a celebration of courage, reinvention, and the power of owning your story.
Caroline Chinakwe
| |||