In this episode luxury handbag designer, Alexandria Alli, shares how she started her chic and colorful brand F & W Style. She gives insightful details about her humble beginnings and her path to having her handbag brand sold in over 90 stores. In this episode, Alexandria, talks about the manufacturing process for handbag design, materials sourcing, choosing the right manufacturer, how to get around small minimum orders, working with clients, and so much more.

Tonya Faulkenberry, film costumer for Tyler Perry Studios, has a unique eye for artistic storytelling. She is able to make clothing come alive to tell the stories of characters on film and models on editorial shoots. She credits her years of professional modeling experience, networking, and pure instinct for her success.

In this episode, Tonya shares insider information about the job of film costuming and what its like being on set. She also shares how she developed her unique styling perspective for editorial styling, as well as, advice for those looking to do the same. Check it out!

Chante Dyson is not your average go-getter. She is a rockstar professional who understands the power of networking and creating opportunities. This 2017 graduate of Rutgers University has already worked with Harper's BAZAAR, Instyle Magazine, Tommy Hilfiger, and Nylon Magazine and has built an extensive professional network. The key... it was not by chance; it was by design. Chante is open and transparent in this interview as she shares her perspective on the power of choice and connection. Listen to Chante's story and learn how you too can network your way to the top!

Ayanna Card has been an apparel technical design professional for over 15 years specifically in children's wear and women's wear. Her technical design career includes working with companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister Co., Carters and OshKosh B'Gosh.

As a technical designer, Ayanna is the architect. The architect is the one who creates the blueprint for every stitch, seam, measurement, and notion placement on every garment that you wear. Technical designers use the sketches drawn by creative designers and develop detailed instructions for garment construction.

Not only is Ayanna a skilled technical designer, she is also a professional graphic design artist and entrepreneur who owns two companies, Need that Tee and Plain Jane Visuals.

In this episode, Ayanna gives an insightful view into her career journey and makes it very clear that finding success doesn't always happen in a straight line. Anyone who listens to Ayanna's career journey will undoubtedly walk away with the courage to follow their passion, protect their values, and define what success means for themselves.

Our guest today is Boaz David, Founder of Human B. Human B is a New-York based consulting and production company offering a one-stop solution for emerging designers and established fashion brands.

Today, Boaz is sharing insider information from over 20 years of experience as a designer on how to start and grow a profitable fashion design business. He gets down to the nuts and bolts of things such as: start-up planning, market positioning, sourcing, product development, production, costing, pricing, and working with buyers. You’ll want to take notes on this one!

Which is more important getting paid or being popular? I think we all know the answer to that question.

Today on the Fashion Alumni Podcast, International Publicist, Yetunde Shorters shares proprietary information about how to pitch your fashion product to top fashion mags and make your business a success.

She also shares wisdom about the mindset needed to be a successful business owner. One tip that she shares: Fame and popularity don't matter if you're still broke. If your business is being strategic and making the kind of money that meets your goals, it doesn't matter if people don't know your name, yet.

In this episode, Yetunde tells you how to make bank instead of being popular and broke!

Yetunde's clients pay thousands in consulting fees to get the insider information that she shares with us today. If you are a designer or any type of fashion entrepreneur and you're ready to make bank...listen NOW,

Christine Miller was denied her dream of getting into FIT's Fashion Merchandising program after high school. But, that didn't stop her grind. She went on to double major in Geography and Fine Arts and had planned on working at the Census Office after graduation. But, things quickly changed after networking at a Geography conference and realizing she could still be in the Fashion Industry after all. Listen as Christine tells her amazing story of timing, networking, and finding the RIGHT opportunities.

I remember the day very vividly when an uncommon book summary on Amazon caught my attention. It went like this:

"Forget everything you think you know about branding and “starting a business,” and throw out your “how to write a business plan” workbook. It’s never been easier to capitalize on the knowledge and expertise you already have, and with a few simple steps you can start making more doing what you love like the Badass that you are. Whether you are still employed and dream of being your own boss, or you’re self-employed but have always struggled to find clients, Badass Your Brand is the quickest way to start attracting high paying clients and building a reputation that will afford you the freedom of lifestyle that you want— without the startup costs..." ~Badass Your Brand: The Impatient Entrepreneur's Guide to Turning Expertise into Profit

I was intrigued and knew that I had to meet this author, Pia Silva, to hear more about her story and her process. Today on the podcast, you're going to hear from Pia as she shares how she and her business partner and husband, Steve, got out of debt and turned their struggling creative business into a money making machine just by doing what they loved. Pia's tips and advice are transferable and for anyone who's willing to do the work! Listen as Pia shares how you too can build a lucrative business that you love.

Arian Simone is no stranger to hard work and hustle. After moving across the country to take a job after college and losing that job after only 30 days, she found herself homeless. But, that wasn't the end of her story, it was only the beginning! You don't want to miss this!

When it comes to manufacturing an apparel product, it’s hard to know where to start. Physical products are one of the hardest things to bring to market -- but now they don’t have to be.

Factory45 is a start-to-finish accelerator program that takes aspiring entrepreneurs from idea stage to launching an apparel product.

On today's podcast episode, the Founder of Factory45,Shannon Lohr, shares how her company can help you get your product to market in 6 months.

*Fashion Alumni is an affiliate of Factory45 because we think what Shannon does is awesome and you should know about. We never share things we don't believe in. If you apply for Factory45 make sure to mention Fashion Alumni as your referral.

APPLICATIONS OPEN WEDNESDAY, May 17th

Factory45 website: www.factory45.co

Application page: www.factory45.co/apply-to-join

Alumni Stories: www.factory45.co/alumni-stories