Fashion Business Mindset

The fashion brands cutting through today are not simply producing more content or investing in more platforms. They are developing a deeper understanding of their customer and using those insights to create marketing that feels timely, distinctive and genuinely relevant.

In this episode of the Fashion Business Mindset podcast, Elizabeth Formosa speaks with Josh Henry-Hicks, Founder and CEO of Insightly Media, about what fashion and ecommerce businesses need to understand as marketing becomes increasingly complex.

Josh explains why Meta, Google, TikTok and Pinterest should implement a brand’s strategy, rather than create it. The real work begins with understanding the customer, defining the brand’s differentiation and developing a clear messaging hierarchy that connects creative, media and commercial objectives.

Drawing on his experience across Australian retail, US ecommerce and agency leadership, Josh shares practical insights into customer psychology, creative strategy, analytics, AI and taking Australian brands into the US market.

They also explore the significant shift happening in content. Beautiful product imagery remains important, but relevance, authenticity and a genuine understanding of what is happening in the customer’s life are increasingly determining which brands earn attention.

ABOUT JOSH HENRY-HICKS

Josh Henry-Hicks is the Founder and CEO of Insightly Media, a consumer psychology-led marketing and creative agency working with fashion and ecommerce brands across Australia and the US.

Josh began his career inside Australian retail and ecommerce, including leading marketing at City Beach. He later joined MuteSix as an early team member and progressed to VP of Paid Social as the agency grew to approximately 450 people.

He founded Insightly Media to bridge the gap between platform-focused advertising and the broader customer, marketing and business strategy required to generate sustainable growth.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Josh’s journey from Australian retail and ecommerce to building Insightly Media

• Why media platforms should implement your strategy, not create it

• How customer psychology shapes creative, messaging and media decisions

• The content shift from product promotion towards cultural and customer relevance

• What Australian fashion brands need to consider when entering the US market

• Why successful US expansion requires localised operations, experiences and creative

• How to connect Meta, Google, TikTok, Pinterest and organic content around one strategy

• Using first-party data and market signals to better understand the customer

• Where AI is strengthening marketing research, analysis and decision-making

• Why human judgement remains essential when using AI

• The routines, boundaries and support systems that help Josh operate as a CEO

• Why authenticity, micro-niches and live shopping may shape the next era of fashion marketing

CONNECT WITH JOSH AND INSIGHTLY MEDIA

Josh Henry-Hicks on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-henry-hicks-32102951

Insightly Media:
Insightly Media | Industry Leading Marketing & Creative Agency.

LISTEN NOW

Listen to the full conversation to discover how fashion and ecommerce brands can build a more connected, customer-led and commercially effective marketing strategy.

Follow the Fashion Business Mindset podcast for more conversations with leading founders, executives and industry experts shaping the future of fashion business.

CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH FORMOSA

Website: Strategic Advisory for Fashion Founders | Fashion Equipped
Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Formosa

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Fashion Business Mindset and share it with someone who would find this conversation valuable.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What began with a sold-out Melbourne pop-up has evolved into an international luxury resale business, pioneering a new way for customers to discover and shop pre-loved luxury.

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa is joined by Danielle Goodwin, founder of Hawkeye Vintage, Australia's pioneering luxury live-stream shopping platform.

Danni's entrepreneurial journey began in 2012, fuelled by her passion for discovering extraordinary vintage pieces and recognising their value. Her first Melbourne pop-up sold out in a single afternoon, setting the foundations for what would become a very different kind of retail business.

Today, Hawkeye Vintage is headquartered in Tokyo, delivering live shopping experiences for up to 18 hours a day across Australia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Dubai. Featuring coveted luxury brands including Hermès, Chanel, Rolex, Cartier, Gucci and Fendi, the business has built a loyal international community through an innovative approach that combines luxury resale, entertainment and real-time customer connection.

In this conversation, Danni shares the evolution of Hawkeye Vintage, the growing global appetite for pre-loved luxury and the opportunities emerging through live-stream shopping.

We also explore the commercial realities of building and scaling an international retail business, from global sourcing and inventory management to technology, logistics, customer insights and the importance of building trust.

Beyond the business, Danni reflects on her entrepreneurial journey, navigating growth, leading an international team and balancing the demands of business ownership with raising a young family.

During this conversation, we explore:

• Danni's entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of Hawkeye Vintage.

• The changing luxury resale market and what's driving demand for pre-loved designer fashion.

• The rise of live selling and how it's transforming the retail experience.

• Global sourcing, buying strategies and inventory management.

• Building customer trust, community and long-term loyalty.

• The team, technology and logistics required to operate live shopping internationally.

• Using customer data and insights to inform buying, marketing and commercial decisions.

• Leadership, entrepreneurship and navigating the challenges of business growth.

• The future of Hawkeye Vintage and opportunities for further international expansion.

HAWKEYE VINTAGE POP-UP EVENTS

Experience Hawkeye Vintage in person at their upcoming Australian pop-ups:

Melbourne: Thu Oct 15, 2026 – Sun Oct 18, 2026

10am–7pm | 362 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Sydney: 22–25 October 2026

10am–7pm | 300 Oxford Street, Paddington, Gadigal Country, Sydney, NSW

Visit Hawkeye Vintage for further information and event details.

CONNECT WITH DANIELLE & HAWKEYE VINTAGE

Website: Hawkeye Vintage
Instagram: @‌hawkeyevintage

CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH FORMOSA

Website: Strategic Advisory for Fashion Founders | Fashion Equipped
Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Formosa

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Fashion Business Mindset and share it with someone who would find this conversation valuable.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joshua Nunan is the Director of Platform Media & Services at THE ICONIC, where he leads the company’s retail media, partner marketing and fulfilment services.

Since joining THE ICONIC in 2018, Josh has progressed through several roles, from Senior Buyer to General Manager of Sports, Beauty and Home, before stepping into his current position.

In this episode, Josh takes us inside the evolution of THE ICONIC and the rapidly changing relationship between brands, retailers and platforms. He explains how THE ICONIC is helping its brand partners reach customers, create more seamless experiences and fuel mutual growth through media, marketplace and fulfilment solutions.

We discuss:

• Josh’s dynamic career journey and the experiences that shaped his approach to retail

• THE ICONIC’s evolution from start-up to scale-up and its continued focus on profitable growth

• Why customer obsession must be lived throughout an organisation—not simply written on the wall

• How THE ICONIC works with brands to create memorable physical and digital campaigns

• The growing importance of data, real-time insights and measurable marketing

• The differences between wholesale, marketplace, dropship and fulfilment models

• How brands can combine marketplace reach with greater control over pricing and assortment

• Why faster, consolidated delivery can strengthen trust and improve the customer experience

• How retail media can support customers from discovery and consideration through to conversion

• The changing customer journey and why the phone remains some of the world’s most valuable retail real estate

• Why AI is foundational—not optional—and how it is accelerating content, personalisation and decision-making

• What THE ICONIC’s B Corp certification represents for the business and its brand partners

• The role of trusted leaders, mentorship and curiosity in Josh’s career progression

• Josh’s approach to wellbeing and the routines that help him perform as a leader and working parent

• What excites him about the next evolution of THE ICONIC and the future of retail

Energetic, insightful and generous, Josh shares a fascinating perspective on the future of retail and the opportunities ahead for brands willing to embrace change.

CONNECT WITH JOSH

Joshua Nunan Linkedin

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About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

WORK WITH US

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. 

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Explore here:

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped

Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC

Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

To learn more, reach out via email at [email protected] or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to build two fashion brands while protecting their creative identities, commercial foundations and long-term value?

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa speaks with Laura Liles, founder and creative director of Australian fashion labels Kinga Csilla and Ciao Ciao Vacation.

After spending a decade working across the Australian fashion industry, Laura launched Kinga Csilla in 2017 with a small collection, a $5,000 investment and a desire to create a more considered fashion business and workplace.

Laura shares the realities of building the brand through years of reinvestment, family sacrifice and what she describes as blind faith. She reflects on the early production challenge that forced her to strengthen the business, the importance of learning through difficult moments and the confidence that comes from experience.

The conversation explores Laura’s creative process and how she balances design instinct with customer feedback and commercial performance. She also takes us behind the scenes of her production network across India, Indonesia and China, sharing how she has built long-term relationships while maintaining quality, transparency and artisanal craftsmanship.

Laura discusses the inspiration and strategy behind launching Ciao Ciao Vacation, how she maintains a distinct identity for each label and the different roles wholesale and ecommerce play across the two businesses.

Elizabeth and Laura also explore selecting the right retail partners, supporting independent boutiques, protecting brand value, founder-led marketing and what is connecting with customers in the current fashion landscape.

They also discuss how Laura and her team are using AI across data analysis, reporting, technical processes and supplier communication, while protecting the human creativity at the heart of the brands.

The episode explores:

• Laura’s decade of industry experience before starting her own brand

• Launching Kinga Csilla with a $5,000 investment and no formal business plan

• Building a self-funded fashion business through reinvestment and resilience

• Learning from production challenges and strengthening quality-control processes

• Balancing creative instinct with customer insight and commercial performance

• Building production partnerships across India, Indonesia and China

• Preserving artisanal craftsmanship as the business grows

• The inspiration and strategy behind launching Ciao Ciao Vacation

• Managing two brands with distinct identities, customers and price points

• Balancing wholesale and direct-to-consumer growth

• Choosing retail partners and protecting long-term brand value

• Founder visibility, storytelling and what is working in fashion marketing

• Using AI to support fashion operations, data and production

• The mindset and support systems behind Laura’s journey

• What excites Laura about the future of her brands and the fashion industry

CONNECT WITH LAURA AND HER BRANDS

Laura Liles on Instagram: @‌laura_liles_

Kinga Csilla: kingacsilla.com

Kinga Csilla on Instagram: @‌kinga_csilla

Ciao Ciao Vacation: ciaociaovacation.com

Ciao Ciao Vacation on Instagram: @‌ciao.ciao.vacation

WORK WITH US

––––––––––––––––

Upcoming Online Masterclass — Register Now

Join our upcoming AI for Fashion Masterclass

AI for Fashion E-commerce | Practical AI Systems to Create, Convert and Grow — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting  

About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. 

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped

Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC

Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

To learn more, reach out via email at [email protected] or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are plenty of external pressures impacting fashion businesses right now. Rising costs, cautious consumers, increasing competition and the growing cost of customer acquisition are all very real.

But what if some of the biggest threats to profitability are actually coming from inside the business?

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa looks at the decisions and behaviours that can quietly erode profit in founder-led fashion businesses.

From overbuying, poor merchandise planning and unplanned markdowns to margin erosion, marketing inefficiency, warehousing costs, data hygiene and operational cost creep, Elizabeth explores some of the profit leaks she sees most consistently across the industry.

She also looks at the responsibility of the founder as the business grows. You don't need to know everything, but when you find yourself acting as the buyer, merchandise planner, marketer or commercial leader without the necessary knowledge or training, how are you building that capability and getting the right support around you?

The episode explores:

• Merchandise planning, inventory and open-to-buy

• Protecting intake margin and reducing margin erosion

• The true commercial impact of markdown and promotional activity

• Sourcing, supplier terms and cash flow

• Marketing efficiency, customer acquisition and lifetime value

• Warehousing, technology and operational cost creep

• Data hygiene and the numbers you should understand

• AI, technology and productivity as part of the profitability equation

• Training, upskilling and knowing when to seek external support

• Founder accountability and stronger commercial decision-making

With the final months of the year still ahead, Elizabeth challenges fashion business owners to identify the biggest profit leaks in their business now, rather than waiting until year-end to ask where the profit went.

Because profit isn't just what happens at the end of the year.

It's the outcome of the decisions you make all year.

WORK WITH US

__________

Upcoming Online Masterclass — Register Now

Join our upcoming AI for Fashion Masterclass

https://fashionequipped.com.au/ai-for-fashion-e-commerce-register-now

About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. 

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped

Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC

Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

To learn more, reach out via email at [email protected] or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enjoy this Impact Edit with Jack Rivera, Creative Director of Commonry.

Jack has over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, across a range of roles and brands that have shaped her leadership and management style.

Her expertise spans across strategic leadership, team development, and driving forward-thinking initiatives that prioritise diversity and sustainable growth.

Jack's commitment to creating meaningful change is at the heart of everything she does, making her a dynamic force in the industry.

Tune in for your dose of business optimisation!

If you enjoy this impact edit, you can listen to the full episode with Jack here.

________

Over the past four years, I've had the privilege of chatting with some of the most inspiring thought leaders and change makers in the fashion industry.

From highly successful entrepreneurs and founders to those on their exciting start-up journey, my guests have shared their stories, insights, and strategies for making an impact while shaping the future of fashion.

Thanks to you, our audience is growing rapidly, with new listeners joining us every week. To help you gain the most out of our conversations, we're excited to introduce our Impact Edit, which showcases the most powerful insights from our previous longer-form episodes.

These are the golden nuggets – the ideas, strategies, and perspectives that can help you learn something new, spark a new idea, or solve a challenge you're facing in real-time in your business. And best of all, we've purposefully kept these episodes short – minimum time for maximum impact!

So whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out on your journey, our aim is that you end each Impact Edit, with new information that will help you make a lasting impact in your business, with your team and your community.

_________

WORK WITH US

__________

Upcoming Online Masterclass  

Join our upcoming AI for Fashion Masterclass  

https://fashionequipped.com.au/ai-for-fashion-e-commerce-register-now

About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. 

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped

Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC

Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

To learn more, reach out via email at [email protected] or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa sits down with Bridget Veals, General Manager of Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories at David Jones.

With more than 25 years of experience across some of the world’s leading fashion brands, Bridget has built an extraordinary career at the forefront of fashion buying, retail leadership and commercial strategy.

Together, Elizabeth and Bridget explore how the buying function has evolved, what it takes to lead high-performing teams through change, and the trends shaping the future of Australian fashion retail. Bridget also shares her leadership philosophy, the importance of balancing creativity with commercial performance, and why curiosity and continuous learning remain essential throughout every stage of a career.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Bridget’s 25-year career journey in the fashion industry.

• The evolution of fashion buying and the changing role of the modern buyer.

• Leading high-performing teams through growth, transformation and change.

• Balancing commercial outcomes with creativity in today’s retail environment.

• How customer expectations continue to reshape fashion retail.

• The future of Australian fashion retail and the opportunities ahead.

• Leadership lessons from one of Australia’s most respected retail executives.

• Why curiosity, adaptability and lifelong learning are essential for long-term success.

Whether you’re a fashion founder, buyer, retailer, merchandising professional or emerging leader, this conversation offers valuable insights into the realities of leading at the highest levels of the fashion industry.

_________

WORK WITH US

__________

Upcoming Online Masterclass  - Register now 

Join our upcoming AI for Fashion Masterclass  

https://fashionequipped.com.au/ai-for-fashion-e-commerce-register-now

👉 Register Here

CLAUDE FOR FASHION A Two-Hour Practical Masterclass for Fashion Business Professionals - Register Now — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. 

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped

Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC

Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

To learn more, reach out via email at [email protected] or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this solo episode, Elizabeth Formosa unpacks what it actually looks like to use AI with intention in a fashion business. She talks honestly about the pace of change many founders are feeling right now, why workflow has to come before technology, and where she's seeing Claude AI add real, practical value across fashion operations.

The six areas she covers:

• Founder productivity and leadership thinking

• Financial visibility - margin, sell-through, inventory cover

• Product and supply chain decisions

• Marketing and content

• Customer experience

• Market intelligence

She's also candid about where AI falls short and why judgment and context still matter most. A clear, grounded look at AI for fashion founders who want to move forward without losing sight of what makes their business work.

Claude for Fashion Masterclass — Register Now

Join our upcoming Claude for Fashion Masterclass.

Elizabeth will be joined by an AI expert, Brooke Wright, and together they’ll bring both sides of the equation: fashion workflow and business solutions lens, plus technical AI expertise.

The topics covered will be shaped directly by what you tell us you need. Your signup genuinely contributes to how the workshop is built.

Workshop landing around mid-July. Date and spots to be announced.

👉 Register Here

CLAUDE FOR FASHION A Two-Hour Practical Masterclass for Fashion Business Professionals - Register Now — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. 

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped

Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC

Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

 To learn more, reach out via email at [email protected] or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really mean to build a fashion brand around a woman the industry has spent decades ignoring?

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa is joined by Fleur Richardson, founder and creative director of Fleur Collective, a 100% Australian-owned, female-founded womenswear brand built on a simple belief: clothing should move with you, not against you.

Fourteen years in business. 95% made in Australia. Sizes 8 to 24 from day one. And a direct-to-consumer model built on genuine community and customer closeness.

Fleur shares the real story behind those numbers. The design decisions, the sourcing challenges, the commercial pivots, and the personal discipline required to build and sustain a purpose-led fashion business in 2026.

This is a grounded and commercially honest conversation for founders navigating growth, manufacturing complexity, and the challenge of serving a customer who deserves better.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Fleur’s career across swimwear, menswear tailoring, raw materials and women’s wear shaped her commercial and creative lens

• The design philosophy behind Fleur Collective, and why fit, fabric and function drive every decision

• What inclusive sizing from 8 to 24 actually requires technically, and how the brand approaches grading across a diverse female body

• The decision to shut down wholesale and go direct-to-consumer, and why owning the customer relationship changed everything

• Live selling before it was a trend, and how the brand’s content model has evolved over nine years

• The realities and risks of sustaining 95% local manufacturing in Australia, including ageing maker networks and fabric supply challenges

• Why Fleur moved a small percentage of production offshore and how she approached that transition consciously

• Buying out a business partner and going all in, and what that decision unlocked

• What Fleur is building towards next, including an adaptive clothing project inspired by her brother

• Where AI sits in the business right now and the reality of adopting it as a small independent brand

Key Takeaway

Building a fashion brand with genuine commercial integrity means making decisions the outside world doesn’t always see.

Fleur Richardson has spent fourteen years making those decisions. Quietly. Consistently. With her customer at the centre of every one.

About the Guest

Fleur Richardson is the founder and Creative Director of Fleur Collective — a 100% Australian-owned, female-founded womenswear brand crafting small-batch, considered collections for women who are done with compromise. Built on a belief that clothing should move with you, not against you, Fleur Collective has spent over a decade redefining what it means to dress with ease, confidence, and intention. With a 99% female workforce and most pieces made right here in Australia, Fleur has built more than a brand — she's built a community where every woman belongs.

Explore Fleur Collective here.

Watch behind the brand on Instagram here.

Claude for Fashion Workshop — Join the Waitlist

In this episode, you’ll hear Fleur and Elizabeth talk about AI and what it really means to start adopting it in a fashion business.

If that conversation resonates with you, join the waitlist for our upcoming Claude for Fashion workshop. 

Elizabeth will be joined by an AI expert, and together they’ll bring both sides of the equation: fashion workflow and business solutions lens, plus technical AI expertise.

The topics covered will be shaped directly by what you tell us you need. Your signup genuinely contributes to how the workshop is built.

Workshop landing around mid-July. Date and spots to be announced.

👉 Join the waitlist here: CLAUDE FOR FASHION A Two-Hour Practical Masterclass for Fashion Business Professionals — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. 

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped

Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC

Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

 Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

 To learn more, reach out via email at [email protected] or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to build a fashion brand from the ground up and scale it into a globally recognised, multi-channel business?

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, I’m joined by Kiki Keysers, Founder of KIVARI, to unpack the journey behind one of Australia’s most successful contemporary fashion brands.

What started with just $200, a handmade product and a market stall has evolved into a thriving business spanning retail, eCommerce and wholesale, with a loyal global customer and a strong, recognisable brand identity.

Kiki shares the real story behind that growth. The risks, the decisions, the mindset shifts and the discipline required to build a brand that not only scales, but sustains.

This is an honest and highly practical conversation for founders navigating growth, complexity and the next stage of their business.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Kivari began, from a spontaneous idea in Bali to a market stall in Australia

• The early decisions that shaped the brand’s trajectory, including retail, hiring and investment

• The reality of scaling a fashion business across retail, eCommerce and wholesale

• Why every channel must have a clear purpose in a multi-channel strategy

• The importance of discipline across margin, product and operations in today’s market

• How to evolve your product offering while staying true to your brand DNA

• Building and leading a high-performing team as the business grows

• Founder visibility and the role it plays in modern brand building

• The mindset required to navigate growth, uncertainty and leadership

• Why “confidence comes by doing” and how to move forward before you feel ready

Key Takeaway

Building a successful fashion brand isn’t about having everything figured out from the start.

It’s about taking action, backing yourself and building the confidence along the way.

About the Guest

Kirstin-Lee “Kiki” Keysers is the Founder and Creative Director of KIVARI, one of Australia’s leading women’s fashion and lifestyle brands. What began as a small market stall on the Gold Coast has grown into a multi-million-dollar global business, known for its timeless design, effortless femininity and strong brand storytelling.

Today, Kiki leads a fast-growing team while continuing to shape the creative direction of the brand, building a business grounded in freedom, intuition and purpose.

Explore KIVARI at KIVARI | Elevated & Effortless Resortwear For Your Everyday

About Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.

Work with Fashion Equipped

Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution.

Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

Interested in Strategic Advisory?

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth.
Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

Connect with us:

Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fashionequipped
Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

Interested in Sponsorship?

We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

To learn more, reach out via email at [email protected]
or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

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