Mary Katrantzou is a London-based independent designer who has designed her namesake business for nearly 20 years and recently appointed Bulgari's first-ever Creative Director of Leather Goods and Accessories. Her story is an incredible lesson on focus, creativity and being responsible to your talent and your own voice.

Melissa Morris is the founder of a luxury leather goods company, Métier. Her unique way of coming to fashion through sculpture and business has created a completely innovative handbag.

Find us on Instagram: 

@whatweworepodcast 

@shopcapitol 

Or on the web: 

www.shop-capitol.com 

Brett Heyman of Edie Parker is an energetic entrepreneur who started with handbags and is now passionately forging her way into the cannabis business.

This special episode was recorded live from the Capitol courtyard with host Laura Vinroot Poole and designer Carolina Castiglioni. Carolina shares her incredible fashion industry legacy - her family started and later sold Marni - and how they are forging into the future with her collection Plan C.

Trish Wescoat Pound founded TWP after a winding journey through the fashion industry from Theory to her first brand, Haute Hippie. She is a testament to the full circle nature of life now partnering with Andrew Rosen of Theory, 30 years later.

Find us on Instagram: 

@whatweworepodcast 

@shopcapitol 

Or on the web: 

www.shop-capitol.com 

Clare Vivier of Clare V is a remarkable designer and entrepreneur who shares her journey from making bags out of her home to running stores across the country. She still runs her business out of Los Angeles, now with a team of 140 people.

Find us on Instagram: 

@whatweworepodcast 

@shopcapitol 

Or on the web: 

www.shop-capitol.com 

On this episode, Laura learns how Georgia Dant took her experience with iconic brands like Burberry and Rag & Bone and poured it into creating Marfa Stance, a revolutionary outerwear collection.  

Find us on Instagram: 

@whatweworepodcast 

@shopcapitol 

Or on the web: 

www.shop-capitol.com 

Nili Lotan is an Israeli born, New York based designer. She climbed the ranks at Liz Claiborne, Ralph Lauren, and Nautica over 23 years before she began again, creating her namesake collection.

Find us on Instagram: 

@whatweworepodcast 

@shopcapitol 

Or on the web: 

www.shop-capitol.com 

Josh Patner has touched every part of the fashion industry. He has been a fashion journalist, a store owner, a designer, buyer, and even a professor. Josh’s story includes creating one of the most coveted brands of the 2000s, Tuleh.

Find us on Instagram: 

@whatweworepodcast 

@shopcapitol 

Or on the web: 

www.shop-capitol.com 

Stephanie Danan is a film producer turned fashion designer. With a little bit of money and no experience, she designed her collection, Co, that was quickly embraced by her clients and the fashion industry. 

Find us on Instagram: 

@whatweworepodcast 

@shopcapitol

@stephaniedanan

@co 

Or on the web: 

www.shop-capitol.com