Grit & Glamour

One model for ethical and sustainable fashion is the collaboration between brands and artisans, which can be a mutually win-win situation—if done correctly. But fostering this co-creation isn’t as simple as choosing artisans and contracting them to do the work. There are many factors to take into consideration, including how to foster community, handling intergenerational trauma with care, creating an infrastructure for an ethical supply chain and compensation, and how to tell their stories from a lens of cultural sensitivity and appreciation versus appropriation. Anya Lim, Founder and Managing Director of social enterprise Anthill guests on this episode to share her knowledge on how to co-create with artisans ethically and respectfully.

Whether you’re a model or an industry professional, one of the crucial keys to success in the fashion world is cultivating a strong inner foundation of self-belief and confidence. Mafae Belasco, Miss World Philippines 2003, fashion model, entrepreneur and personal development coach shares the grit behind the glamour of her journey on and off the runway. We talk failures, insecurities, and how every challenge led to a knowledge of self that shapes inner strength and courage.

In a post-Covid world, sustainability is no longer an option, but an urgent necessity. How can the next generation of fashion designers address the need to reform the fashion cycle, and slow down its massive human and environmental impact? On this episode of “Grit & Glamour”, I sit down with Paris-based, Puerto Rican designer and fashion lecturer @lemloren to discuss what next gen fashion designers need to know, and their role in designing change. We also discuss whether the industry actually needs more fashion designers, and get real about economic sustainability too.

What does it mean to build a conscious wardrobe, and why should consumers care? Regionally speaking, why is prioritizing sustainability crucial for the South East Asia region? Susannah Jaffer, founder of Singapore based platform Zerrin, joins us to talk about the relevance of sustainable fashion in our daily lives, and how everyone (regardless of budget) can participate in the movement.

What is the connection between spirituality and social justice? In this episode, I interview Lola Vinson, Personal Development Coach & Communications Director for Faith in Texas, on how her faith refills and restores her to continue executing her divine purpose as a social justice warrior and empowerment leader. We know that the fight for Black Lives Matter and justice take a lot out on the spirit. But in this conversation, we will talk about the role faith (regardless of spiritual or religious affiliation) can serve in strengthening us individually, so we can move with a higher power collectively.

How do you develop resiliency not only as a business owner, but as someone who has dreams and a core mission to serve others? In these tough times, cultivating resilience helps us to weather the storms, allowing us to navigate and steer through uncertainty. But how do you continue filling up your resilience along the way when your business continues to encounter near-death experiences? Tune in to my conversation with Gelaine Santiago, founder of Cambio & Co, a sustainable shopping platform featuring Filipino brands, on how she rises above life’s currents to continue being of service.

Being a Black American Artist in Paris: The Privileges Abroad vs. the Setbacks at Home

As it is, Paris is a highly romanticized city. Given the well-known history of Black American artists like James Baldwin and Josephine Baker who sought to escape the racism in America and thrived in Paris, it’s tempting to view Paris as a paradise for Black creatives. But what is it really like behind the veneer of its glamourous reputation?

In this episode, I speak with singer and former Paris resident (of 8 years!) Shola Adisa-Farrar to illuminate what exactly Black freedom, mobility, and expression means in the City of Lights. In this conversation, we will pull the veil back on race relations in France, and the advantages of being an American woman of color abroad, while connecting it to the setbacks at home in American soil.

With shared roots in Oakland, CA, Shola was also my closest friend in Paris before she moved back to NYC!  Tune in to hear our conversation as we reflect on our shared experience as women of color abroad.

When you’re working towards something, it’s natural to withstand a few obstacles. But let’s be real. Sometimes, they aren’t just obstacles, but catastrophes. It’s natural to want to give up and/or question if the path you’re on is in fact, the right one. When nothing seems to be working out, it’s tempting to wonder if you’re trying to open the wrong doors. But Paloma B. Concordia has never faltered in her decision to become an entrepreneur. Through the ups and downs of business and birthing 3 kids (who are practically triplets), and now homeschooling through a pandemic, you would think Paloma would get too tired to keep pushing. But she just doesn’t! In the 12+ years I’ve known her (disclaimer: she's my BFF!), Paloma has never faltered in her conviction. She is the one person I know who is an entrepreneur through and through. Her secret? Patience and Persistence. Tune in to learn how she wields both not only in her mindset, but to execute effective PR strategies!

If you’re like me, you may have developed an unshakeable addiction to Korean Dramas during quarantine. Or, maybe you’re part of the BTS army and can’t get enough K-Pop into your playlist while you blissfully ride the Hallyu wave. Before you move to Korea in an attempt to find your ‘Captain Ri’ (aka ultimate love story), join my conversation with Michelle “Mush” Lee, Korean-American Storytelling Expert & Cultural Affairs Commissioner for the City of Oakland to help us discern between fantasy & reality when it comes to Korean storytelling.

Why is it that K-dramas (and the celeb crushes that come along with it) hit so differently in comparison to Western films and shows? What about the cultural context feeds into common K-drama narratives, and what are the dark sides of Korean celeb culture? And let’s be honest, the real question we want to know is: why are the men so dreamy, and are they like this in real life? Join me and Mush as we breakdown socio-cultural contexts of Korean pop culture, as we celebrate the sexiness of Asian men worldwide.

On this episode of "Grit & Glamour", I chat with Nutritionist, TV Host, & Sustainability Advocate Charlotte Mei on the theme, "Soul Food vs. Eye Candy: Staying Grounded & Mission-Driven in the World of Media & Influencer Culture". Over the last few years, Charlotte has built up her platform and her community, and while her platform now allows her to inspire thousands of people every day, she had to start somewhere. If you're a creative, content creator, or simply someone with a message who is often tempted to worry about how many "likes" you get, or overthinking how perfect things have to be before you launch it, or falling into the comparison trap, this conversation is for you. We'll also talk about the internal struggles of what it's like to work in media, the reality of life in Singapore, and inspiration on all the ingredients to embody "soul food" on the very crowded internet buffet!