Changing Room Thoughts

Today’s guest speaker is the zenith of corporate baddie on TOP turned fashion tech startup founder. A former Blackstone employee, our esteemed guest speaker today left the trillion-dollar asset manager to start Pickle, a peer-to-peer clothing rental app, that allows users to rent out their closet to people who live nearby and favorite of enterprising fashion girlies nationwide. Though born in New York City in 2021, Pickle has more than half of its new users come from other parts of the country.

In the sea of startups vying for the all elusive venture capital funding — she and her cofounder Brian McMahon has raised $8 million in funding from FirstMark, Craft Ventures and others in 2023, giving it a $30 million valuation. An all the more incredible feat given that only 2% of venture dollars goes to women founders.

Fashion nerds I hope you enjoy this episode with the inspiring, Forbes 30 under 30, Julia O’Mara. We get INTO it from her most worn pieces, Pickle's incredibly cost-effective marketing strategy, and the creative features which this startup has developed to help fashion lovers across the US try beautiful clothes in an environmentally and fiscally sustainable way.

Have you given Pickle a try? If not, would you? As a renter or as an owner? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Threads of Tech IG

Download Pickle and get $20 off your first rental

What's a fashion podcast without a scathing review of top trends, looks, and designers of the year? Grab a drink/joint/vice of choice and join me and Mars Scott (AKA @mars.0rbit on TikTok) in our roundup of the year's biggest flops and most iconic moments in fashion. From Anok Yai's goddess-like appearance at the MET Gala to Muni Long's unfortunate Mugler ensemble we get intoooo it. Let us know what your favorite (or least favorite) takes were!

Welcome back to Changing Room Thoughts! In this episode, recorded at the fabulous P&T Knitwear studio, I dive into the transformative practice of reinvention and finding personal style for the upcoming year. As 2024 approaches, I want to curate a wardrobe with intentionality, ethical consumption, and sustainability. In this episode we explore what the meaning of personal style even is--and how it's discourse on TikTok can be a bit misleading sometimes. Lastly I break down a step-by-step guide on how I plan to develop and refine my own in preparation for 2024. From setting budgets to creating mood boards, I hope today's episode offers a thoughtful approach to fashion, ensuring your style reflects your unique identity.

I'm excited to welcome my second guest ever, Kristie Chow, on Changing Room Thoughts. Together we explore how to balance tech and fashion and sustainability. We discuss Hauteline, Kristie's curated rental platform bridging sustainability and style. The episode dives into Kristie's journey, her elevated and exclusive curation of high-end fashion, and a vision for a future where renting reshapes our closets. Tune in for an enlightening conversation. 🛍️✨

Happy Cyber Monday! Today, I discuss the TikTok-fueled boycott around companies tied to the Israel-Palestine conflict. I question its practicality, urging you to explore and support local businesses. Join me for a unique take on conscious consumerism in a global crisis.

Boycott list here: https://boycott.thewitness.news/browse/1

After a brief hiatus, we're back with an episode that delves deep into our connection with clothes.

In this episode, I dissect Black Friday mind-games, consumption, and our intricate relationships with our wardrobes. We explore the highs of love, the pitfalls of failure, and the rocky road of ambivalence in our fashion choices.

I share many insights from Alec Leach's eye-opening book, "The World Is On Fire, But We're Still Burning Shoes." Ever wondered why we're hooked on fashion despite its environmental toll? Alec Leach breaks it down, offering hope and a way out.

As a thank you for your unwavering support, I'm running a giveaway for a fabulous fashion history coffee table book! Details on how to participate are in the episode—don't miss out!

To share my gratitude for this nerdy fashion community -- I'm doing a giveaway of Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style Today we delve into various types of "fashion girlies" based on accessibility. Covering finance girlies, tech girlies, thrift everything vintage queens, luxury fashion lovers, financially sustainable fashion girlies, and nepo babies. Karina shares insights and anecdotes about each category while emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in fashion.

In this episode, we dive into the Matilda Djerf controversy, which I refer to as "DjerfGate." We explore the nuances of intellectual property in fashion, influencer branding, and the challenges small creators face. While the situation is complex, it raises questions about protecting originality in the digital age and the blurred lines of inspiration.