American Fashion Podcast

Blair Ethington talks one on one with Charles Beckwith about the Covet Fashion app and the gamification of style and fashion.

Footwear designers Miranda Morrison and Kari Sigerson (formerly of the brand Sigerson Morrison), and Eliza Axelson-Chidsey from Kari’s new brand, Alumnae, are in the studio talking art, business, and politics. Trade policy expert Steven Capozzola calls in to give us the lowdown and scary on the the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

Recording space for this episode was provided by designers Iuri Shubladze and Luba GnaSevych.

references:

• Trans-Pacific Partnership Is Reached, but Faces Scrutiny in Congress (NY Times)
• American Apparel files for bankruptcy, operations to continue (Reuters)
• American Apparel files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (USA Today)

Jessica Hemmer, Senior Designer of Apparel Innovation at Bemis Worldwide, talks about making clothing with adhesives instead of sewing, Sew Heidi talks about making illustrations without pencils, and Patrick Duffy, Fixing Fashion: Rethinking the Way We Make, Market and Buy Our Clothes author Michael Lavergne, Mimi Prober, and Nica Rabinowitz talk about making clothes without wanton destruction, mass human suffering, and the rape of the natural world.

Recording space for this episode was provided by designers Iuri Shubladze and Luba GnaSevych.

references:

• episode 62 – How Techpacker Simplifies Designer-Factory Communication
• episode 44 – Map All The Sources!
• Georgine
• Jay Godfrey
• Julianna Bass
• Intersect Retail conference

We rarely chase breaking news, but this was so big and interesting, Seth and Charles hopped on a Skype call the morning after the story broke for a special episode to talk about the big changes coming at Ralph Lauren Corp., as the designer steps aside from his CEO role to make way for fast fashion executive Stefan Larsson, whom the company hopes will turn their fortunes around.

references:

• Ralph Lauren, Creator of Fashion Empire, Is Stepping Down as C.E.O. (NY Times)
• Ralph Lauren Hands CEO Reins to Stefan Larsson of Old Navy (WWD / paywall)
• Reem Acra

Ralph Lauren steps aside from his CEO role to make way for fast fashion executive Stefan Larsson, whom the company hopes will turn their fortunes around.

Rachel and Marshea Fenderson are in the studio talking about their brand, Pepper Jacques, which makes sizes 0 to 22, and sells exclusively through pop-ups and trunk shows. Seth and Charles debrief on the trade shows. Show floor interviews with Alexa Stark, Christy Lea Payne (CLP Jewelry), Farid Ait Ouabi (Jonathan Cukierman), Lauren Podoll (The Podolls), Suk Chai (Schai), Stephanie Leroux (Totem Salvaged), Wendy Akroyd (Artemisia Handmade), Angie Y (Yangie New York).

Recording space for this episode was provided by designers Iuri Shubladze and Luba GnaSevych.

references:

• threeASFOUR
• Pascale Gatzen
• Robert Di Mauro
• Totokaelo
• Storefront

Rachel and Marshea Fenderson are in the studio talking about their brand, Pepper Jacques, which makes sizes 0 to 22, and sells exclusively through pop-ups and trunk shows. Seth and Charles debrief on the trade shows.

Market Week rages across the West side of Manhattan, burning farms and terrifying falafel vendors. Seth and Charles went out in the chaos and recorded this episode from the Axis Trade Show at Pier 92/94. Guests include Steak, designer of Teenage and Hot Lava; Axis show director Vanessa Chu; Melissa Trovato, CEO of Melt Management and Nightwalker; Ainsley Hutchence, owner of Sticks and Stones Agency; and Helena Stuart, founder of Only Hearts.

Recording space for this episode was provided by designers Iuri Shubladze and Luba GnaSevych.

Check out our fashion trade show guide!

references:

• Capsule Trade Show
• Raleigh Denim Workshop
• Manufacture New York
• Modern Vice

Market Week rages across the West side of Manhattan, burning farms and terrifying falafel vendors. Seth and Charles went out in the chaos and recorded this episode from the Axis Trade Show at Pier 92/94. Guests include Steak,

Backstage with Naeem Khan, Reem Acra, Vivienne Tam, Gant, Josie Natori, Tia Cibani, Hellessey, Michael Costello, and more! - references: Fashion Week, Reinvented (NY Times) Go2Runway Luke Aaron Gen Art Erin Fetherston Desigual