Fashion critic Rachel Tashjian joins Amy Odell to unpack the biggest shifts happening right now in fashion media. From Vogue’s future to the creator vs. critic debate, AI-generated fashion models, $26,000 Versace dresses, and why fashion discourse seems to be getting meaner.
Rachel, formerly the Fashion Critic at the Washington Post and now Senior Style Reporter for CNN, breaks down:
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Amy Odell welcomes Rachel Tashjian
00:21 – Rachel’s new role at CNN
02:34 – Why video matters in fashion journalism
03:54 – Are people still reading? Changing media habits
04:22 – Amy on books, audiobooks, and audience shifts
05:49 – The rising tension in fashion discourse online
07:16 – When commentary overshadows the clothes
08:22 – Algorithms flatten expertise in fashion
09:29 – Creators vs. traditional editors: a 15-year evolution
10:43 – Substack, TikTok, and where fashion criticism lives now
11:35 – Access, honesty, and the cost of true criticism
12:46 – Do creators need editors? The “no safety net” problem
13:19 – Dior controversy: when brands exclude influencers
14:31 – Should influencers follow critic standards?
15:35 – Does Vogue still matter in 2025?
17:06 – Why Vogue covers still trigger huge reactions
18:33 – Anna Wintour’s influence across culture
19:32 – How AI is about to transform fashion media
20:55 – Performative fashion vs. post-Instagram design
22:33 – Can AI replace fashion creators?
23:54 – AI’s role in fashion advertising and image-making
24:43 – Will AI replace human fashion voices?
25:31 – The future: will Vogue become just covers?
27:14 – The price conundrum: $26,000 dresses and who they’re for
28:55 – What fashion brands really want from the public
30:49 – TikTok’s misinformation problem in fashion
31:49 – The Vogue rumor and how fake fashion news spreads
31:57 – Three fashion creators Rachel loves
33:29 – Three fashion creators Amy loves
Links & resources:
Back Row newsletter
https://amyodell.substack.com
Amy Odell Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/instamyodell/
Rachel Tashjian
CNN announcement: https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2025/10/07/rachel-tashjian-joins-cnn-as-senior-style-reporter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprophetpizza/
Creators mentioned
Kim Russell @TheKimbino: https://www.instagram.com/thekimbino/
Jay Tibbits: https://www.instagram.com/jaytibbitts/
Rashida Renée @:howtobeafuckinglady: https://www.instagram.com/howtobeafuckinglady/
Mandy Lee @OldLoserinBrooklyn: https://www.instagram.com/oldloserinbrooklyn/
Timothy Chernyaev @relaxitsonlyfashion on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@relaxitsonlyfashion?lang=en
Fashion Roadman: https://www.youtube.com/@FashionRoadman/videos
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