We have finally wrapped up the first season of Creative Conversation and have started to do work on the second. This is a short reflection of what I have learned so far along with giving you an inside peek on what is to come.

This week we are so thrilled to have Naomi Stein of Design Manifest on the show. Naomi has an amazing design sense and makes every interior design project she works on picture perfect. Her style fuses modern and glamour with a hint of bohemian. When I first met Naomi, I was fascinated by the fact that she is self-taught. She joined her father’s contracting business, learned the ropes, and eventually began doing interior design projects. She helped grow the business into what it is today, and is seen as a tastemaker in the greater Philadelphia community. I loved hearing about her journey and what she learned along the way.

This week we have on DC Boyd of Neutral States Clothing. Neutral States Clothing was born out of a desire to see knit and woven fabric come together in one garment. The main goal of Neutral States is to bring knits and wovens to a neutral zone where they can coexist together in a beautiful and complimentary way. DC designed and creates all clothing and accessories in Philadelphia who has been hand knitting for fourteen years. She is also the proud mother of two.

My guest today is my good friend Pia Panaligan. Pia has worked in a lot of different spaces within the creative community: designing, styling, art directing and producing. We got to talking about her career and launching her collection Senpai + Kohai which she ran with Melissa Choi. Along with working full time as a stylist, Pia decided to launch Humanitas Movement. With Humanitas Movement She has been putting together a diverse range of thoughtful events and talks focused on social impact. She has culled some of Philadelphia's coolest designers, makers, and collectors and wants to give them a platform to talk about complex ideas within the industry. It was so much fun to wit with her and talk about her journey.

This week we are so excited to have the multi-faceted Tim Eads on the show. Tim Eads has worked as a graphic designer, art instructor, master printer, and artist for over 20 years. He was a Master Printer and Project Manager at The Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia from 2009-2015 and he’s called Philly home ever since. He currently works with talented artisans in his low-waste, sustainable workshop to bring his vibrant designs to life. I delved into his latest project of creating abstract wall art that he creates with tufting guns. It was an amazing conversation about how you can continue to evolve as an artist.

This week I am so excited to bring you a conversation with my close friend Ivy Thompson, designer and creative director of Visantine Collective. I met Ivy while we were both living in NYC. At the time, Ivy was dreaming about starting her own line, and I was at my first job in the industry and could not fathom going out on my own. Through the years we have become close friends and fashion business confidant. Ivy took some time to travel the world and work with indigenous artisans in both Peru and Indonesia. It is fascinating to hear what she has learned about the process of creating and her commitment to sustainable clothing. I admire her ambition and rethinking of what the fashion industry should be. I was so happy to get to sit down and do this interview. Ivy has so many great stories and insights and I wanted to share all these gems with you, my listeners.

This week we have Collen Wyse on the show to talk about her business the Philadelphia Trunk Show. Colleen is one of the sincerest people I know, and she has really made it her mission to champion small, local designers. She hosts one-of-a-kind selling events that are also mini fashion shows and video presentations where she introduces influential Philadelphian’s to up and coming designers. I have gotten the chance to watch the magical experience Colleen creates. Before this Colleen worked at Vogue, In Style, and W Magazine and took those experiences and used them when she started her own small business. I also love this because Colleen demonstrates that you don’t have to stay in one lane, she has experienced so much in her life and each job got her to a new opportunity. I really loved sitting with her and talking about her evolution and all she learned along the way.

This week we sat down with Nicole Haddad, founder and creator of Lobo Mau. Along with running her own business, Nicole has been an instrumental part in nurturing the Philadelphia design community. Whenever I step into the Lobo Mau studio I know I am going to see great friends, amazing hand-pressed screen prints and an exchange of ideas on how to excite the customer about clothes made locally in Philly. Nicole has been running her brand for over 10 years and is very committed to slow fashion. Over the last year, it has been exciting to watch Nicole’s brother, Jordan Haddad join the business and watch how this brother and sister team continues to grow and evolve their business I got to chatting with Nicole and I am so excited to share this exchange.

Before I ever met Alana Oates, I was dazzled by her shoe collection: Llani Shoes. Some of my favorites from her collection are delicately embroidered slip-ons or shearling and cheetah haircalf moccasins that look so comfortable. Meeting her was also an absolute delight. Before launching her own line, Alana worked for some big brands where she learned how to design, how to work with vendors and how to create something her customers would love. She launched Llani with a Kickstarter and then grew the brand from there. It was great to hear how she figured it out and how much she values the relationship she has created with the craftsmen and women who create her shoes.

This week we got to talking with Rachel Ford, founder, and creator of Made Institute. Made started as a way for Rachel to teach sewing lessons out of her apartment and has grown into a full-fledged institute and working fashion studio. We chat about Rachel’s experience working in the fashion industry and her time learning couture techniques at the Philadelphia Opera. What drove Rachel to create Made Institute is her love of the craft of sewing and a desire to revitalize the independent designer scene in Philly. Rachel is so warm and giving and it is great to talk with her about her inspiring journey.