In this episode of the Fashion is Cool podcast, host Dwight Carter reflects on the recent visit of Wes Gordon, the creative director of Carolina Herrera, to St. Louis. He discusses the profound impact of mentorship, the importance of building a supportive community for designers, and the need for investment in local fashion initiatives. Carter emphasizes that creativity and opportunity can thrive anywhere, not just in major fashion capitals, and highlights the role of his platform, Brainchild, in amplifying designer narratives. He concludes with a call to action for continued support and belief in local talent.

@carolinaHerrera

@brainchildnext

Join host Dwight Carter as he interviews fashion historian and educator Carmela Spinelli on The Fashion is Cool Podcast. Together, they discuss alternative fashion career paths, the importance of historical context, and how creativity thrives in challenging times. From museum exhibitions to the evolution of retail, Carmela shares invaluable insights for aspiring designers and fashion professionals alike.

In this episode of The Fashion Is Cool Podcast, host Dwight Carter sits down with multifaceted artist Brock Seals to explore his dynamic creative journey. From his roots in music to his success in painting murals and designing fashion, Brock shares how he balances these outlets to stay inspired. He dives into the importance of imperfection in creativity, the connection between art and fashion, and the value of in-person community engagement.

Listeners will gain insights into Brock's approach to preserving history through art, the impact of collaborations on his work, and how his St. Louis roots fuel his creativity. Plus, hear about his exciting new projects, including an upcoming shoe line.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about art, fashion, and finding your unique voice as a creator!

Summary

In this episode of the Fashion is Cool podcast, host Dwight Carter interviews Audra Harrold, VP of Partnership Development and Education at Stars Design Group and Executive Director of the St. Louis Fashion Alliance. They discuss Audra's non-traditional journey into the fashion industry, her experiences with Sassy Bowl Equestrian, and the importance of community in St. Louis fashion. Audra shares insights on the role of nonprofits, the Fashion Alliance's initiatives to support local fashion professionals and students, and the significance of grants for fashion education. The conversation also covers the custom apparel solutions offered by Stars Design Group, the value of internships, and advice for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs. The episode concludes with personal insights and fun questions about Audra's life outside of fashion.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Audra Harrell and Her Journey

02:10 Audra's Non-Traditional Entry into Fashion

08:02 Building Community in St. Louis Fashion

11:41 The Role of Nonprofits in Fashion

15:52 Fashion Alliance's Programming and Impact

21:51 Grants and Support for Fashion Education

28:19 Audra's Role at Starz Design Group

31:58 Internship Programs and Their Importance

37:26 Advice for Aspiring Fashion Entrepreneurs

42:10 Personal Insights and Fun Questions

48:49 E0F28239-2D37-4850-8F1B-8DC19BE41678.mov

#FashionPodcast #StLouisFashion #AudraHarrell #FashionEducation #CommunityInFashion #NonprofitFashion #FashionIndustryInsights #CustomApparel #InternshipAdvice #FashionEntrepreneurs #FashionAlliance #StarsDesignGroup #FashionCareerTips #DwightCarter #FashionIsCoolPodcast

In this episode of The Fashion Is Cool Podcast, host Dwight Carter sits down with Caira Butler, the Brand Experience Lead at Neiman Marcus - St. Louis. Caira shares her inspiring journey from a family-rooted love for fashion to a career leading exceptional customer experiences. Discover her tips on networking, community engagement, and making the most of local opportunities in St. Louis. Plus, hear her advice for students on starting out, leveraging social media, and the value of mentorship in building lasting careers in fashion.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kyra Butler and Her Journey in Fashion

02:46 The Role of Brand Experience Lead at Neiman Marcus

05:44 Event Planning and Community Engagement

08:40 Balancing E-commerce and In-store Experiences

11:34 Fashion Futures: Connecting Students with Opportunities

14:13 The Importance of Networking for Students

17:06 Internship Programs and Volunteering in Fashion

20:02 The Journey to Neiman Marcus

22:46 Finding Out About Events at Neiman Marcus

25:36 Passions Beyond Fashion

28:29 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Summary

In this episode of the Fashion is Cool podcast, host Dwight Carter interviews Laura Sawyier, a psychology expert and wardrobe consultant. They discuss Laura's journey into the fashion industry, the psychology of style, and how clothing choices impact confidence and behavior. Laura shares insights on her styling process, the importance of personal style, and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. The conversation also touches on networking, the benefits of staying in St. Louis, and advice for aspiring fashion professionals.

Website: https://lauraksawyier.com/

Instagram: @lauraksawyier

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laura Sawyer and Her Journey

03:02 The Psychology of Style and Its Impact

05:57 Client Transformations Through Style

08:52 Understanding Personal Style and Confidence

12:03 The Closet Editing Process

14:55 Virtual Closet Consultations

17:56 Insights from Workshops and Seminars

20:58 Advice for Aspiring Fashion Entrepreneurs

23:59 Challenges in the Fashion Industry

26:46 Networking and Building Relationships

29:59 Staying in St. Louis: Opportunities and Challenges

33:09 Final Thoughts and Personal Insights

#FashionPsychology

#StyleAndConfidence

#PowerOfFashion

#DressForSuccess

#ConfidenceThroughStyle

#PsychologyOfStyle

#FashionAndPerformance

#PresenceAndStyle

#WhatYouWearMatters

#FashionScience

#StyleExpert

#LauraSawyier

#FashionConsulting

#StyleImpact

#FashionPodcast

Summary

Lisa Hu, the owner of Lux and Nyx, shares her journey from the finance world to starting her own brand of multifunctional bags. She discusses the challenges she faced in finding functional and stylish bags for professional women and how that led her to create her own. Lisa emphasizes the importance of balancing personal and professional life and how Luxe and Nix aims to serve women who are trying to do it all. She also talks about the company's commitment to sustainability and incremental improvements in their practices. Lisa Hu, the founder of Lux & Nyx, shares her journey as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry. She discusses the motivation behind starting a unisex line and the importance of serving professional women with functional and stylish bags. Lisa talks about the challenges she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how she adapted her business strategy. She also shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights the significance of having a purpose beyond oneself.

Takeaways

-Lisa Hu transitioned from the finance world to starting her own brand of multifunctional bags, Lux and Nyx.

-Lux and Nyx aims to serve professional women who are trying to balance their personal and professional lives.

-The company focuses on creating functional and stylish bags that meet the needs of busy women.

-Lisa emphasizes the importance of incremental improvements in sustainability practices.

-Lux and Nyx uses a 3PL (third-party logistics) partner for warehousing and shipping to ensure efficient operations. Starting a business requires a strong sense of purpose and a willingness to persevere through challenges.

-Understanding unit economics and continuously testing and iterating are crucial for success in the fashion industry.

-Being open to opportunities and preparedness are key factors in seizing retail partnerships.

-Favorite restaurants in St. Louis: Little Saigon and Forks and Sticks.

-Favorite colors: black, yellow, red, and green.

-Favorite animals: dogs and bunnies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and How They Met

01:55 Lisa's Journey from Finance to Fashion

06:50 Creating Functional and Stylish Bags

10:26 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

13:54 Empowering Professional Women with Lux and Nyx

20:53 Sustainability and Incremental Improvements

25:11 Efficient Operations with a 3PL Partner

35:46 Expanding into a Unisex Line

36:03 Technical Difficulties

40:12 Empowering Professional Women with Functional and Stylish Bags

48:06 Navigating Challenges and Adapting During COVID-19

57:27 Advice for Aspiring Fashion Entrepreneurs

01:04:47 Favorite Restaurants, Colors, and Animals

Socials and Website

https://luxandnyx.com/

Instagram: @luxandnyx 

Facebook: @luxandnyx 

In this episode of the Fashion is Cool podcast, host Dwight Carter speaks with Paul Gibson, the founder of Paulie Gibson, about his journey in the fashion industry. They discuss their early days in St. Louis fashion, the transition to menswear, the challenges of building a brand, and the importance of connecting with customers. Paul shares insights on the state of fashion shows, the birth of his new venture Gent, and offers valuable advice for aspiring designers. The conversation highlights the transformative power of fashion and the significance of self-expression.

In this conversation, Dwight Carter interviews Jill Manoff, the editor-in-chief of Glossy. They reminisce about their early days working together in the fashion industry and discuss Jill's career journey. They also talk about the role of Glossy in covering beauty and fashion for industry insiders, the challenges of writing timely and compelling content, and the importance of honesty and transparency in interviews. In this conversation, Jill Manoff and Dwight Carter discuss the challenges and excitement of working in the fashion industry, particularly in fashion journalism. They talk about the behind-the-scenes aspects of fashion shows and events, the transition from behind-the-scenes to being on a podcast, and the importance of being authentic and prepared in interviews. They also share advice for aspiring fashion professionals and reflect on their favorite moments and experiences in the industry.

Host Dwight Carter interviews Ayo Adeniran, co-owner of Vaps Dynasty Clothing.