Threads of Conversation

Season 4's first guest is none other than @brendahashtag (real name Brenda Weischer), fashion’s favourite monochrome multi-hyphenate. She’s the founder of secondhand fashion platform Disruptive Berlin, the fashion editor at 032c, and a tastemaker to thousands thanks to her ever-expanding social media following. She’s also the keeper of the keys to one of Europe’s most enviable archives, featuring rare pieces from Rick Owens, Margiela, Helmut Lang, Tom Ford, Chanel and more.

On a chilly Berlin morning, Brenda welcomed me into her infamous closet, where we talked through the eight items of clothing which define her life and career. Click here to see pictures of her pieces, and subscribe to the newsletter for more Threads of Conversation.

My guest this week is the director and writer Caleb Femi. As a filmmaker, Femi has produced numerous short films, including Giraffe, which was selected for this year’s Sundance Film Festival. He’s also directed episodes of the HBO show Industry, and BBC’s Champion. Femi’s filmmaking work has also caught the fashion industry's eye - he was a frequent collaborator of Virgil Abloh during the designer’s Louis Vuitton tenure, and has worked with Bottega Veneta. His debut book, Poor, was released in 2020 to huge critical acclaim. The book is an anthology of poems about growing up in Peckham, covering themes of youth, love, race and class. As a lover of words and clothes, I’ve been a big fan of Femi’s work for many years. Here, we cover Orange Wednesdays, cursed shirts, freezing film shoots, and a suit so good he picked it twice. Click here to see pictures of Caleb's pieces in the accompanying newsletter.

In this episode, I interview Lauren Sherman, one of the fashion industry’s most respected journalists. Lauren cut her teeth at Forbes, before moving on to publications such as Fashionista.com, Lucky magazine, and Business of Fashion, where she spent seven years as one of their chief correspondents. A few months ago, Lauren announced her departure from Business of Fashion, joining the newsletter platform Puck as their first fashion writer. Lauren now publishes a weekly Puck newsletter, Line Sheet, a mixture of industry analysis and piping hot tea. As a journalist, her beat is explaining how the business works - who is spending money where, and what it all means. She’s one of my favourite fashion writers and I continue to learn so much from her work. Whether you work in fashion or simply enjoy getting dressed, I can guarantee you’ll learn something from her too.

See pictures of Lauren's pieces in the accompanying newsletter.

In this episode I chat to Claire Burman. You might not know her name, but you’ve definitely seen her work. As a producer extraordinaire, Claire is the person that - in short - makes cool stuff happen. In 2014, Claire co-founded the creative agency Babyface, a collective of women who pioneered feminism in fashion way ahead of the Millenial pink chokehold. After shuttering in 2019, Claire founded her own production agency, CEBE studio. Her roster of clients reads like a who’s who of the fashion industry. From Bottega Veneta to Martine Rose to artists like Shygirl, CEBE produces parties, fashion shows, store openings, music videos, photo shoots and more. What’s more, in 2022 Claire also produced a baby. Here we discuss Claire’s impressive career journey, what makes a good party, modern motherhood and why her friends call her “Lil’ Bag”.

See pictures of Claire's pieces in the accompanying newsletter.

Introducing the first guest of Season 3 - Alva Claire. As a model, she’s walked for some of the world’s hottest designers, everyone from Versace to Ludovic de Saint Sernin and Luar. She’s appeared in Vogue, i-D, Elle and more, and is a regular in Rihanna’s Savage Fenty shows. Outside of work, her style speaks for itself - a mashup of mini skirts, strong-shouldered jackets and enviable vintage pieces.

In this episode, we talk about her journey to becoming one of fashion’s favourite faces. From abandoning a horrible polyester blazer in London in search of new adventures in New York, to the one surprising item of clothing that accompanies her on every job. Without meaning to get syrupy, I think Alva is one of the coolest, smartest people in the industry - a lover of fashion with a critical lens, and someone whose individuality and self-possession shines through in every image she creates. I hope you enjoy her Threads of Conversation as much as I did.

For more Threads of Conversation, subscribe to the newsletter. And don’t forget to leave a (5 star) rating!

Special thanks to The Standard London where this episode was recorded.

Host Georgia Graham meets Willy Ndatira aka. @williamcult. An enigmatic figure despite his 100k Instagram followers, Willy’s astute perspective on fashion has made him one of the industry’s most respected critical voices. He invites dialogue with an open mind, offering a rare blend of insight, wit and authenticity. From making gowns in Johannesburg to starting a streetwear label in London, Willy’s Threads of Conversation cover culture, addiction and some very good clothes.

Recorded in April 2022 at The Standard London.

In this episode host Georgia Graham meets Lynette Nylander, the Executive Editorial Director at Dazed. Based in New York but originally from London, Lynette began her career at Industrie magazine, going on to work at titles such as Teen Vogue and i-D, before landing her current role at Dazed. She’s also interviewed the likes of bell hooks, Solange Knowles and Vivienne Westwood. In this episode we turn the tables, asking Lynette about her impressive career in journalism, catching indie sleaze first time round, and what it takes to create one of the world’s most culture-setting media publications.

Recorded in December 2021 at The Standard London.

In this episode host Georgia Graham heads to Paris to meet Agathe Rousselle, star of Titane, the stunning body horror film which scooped the Palme D’Or prize at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. Here, we cover Agathe’s fascinating creative journey, from writing poetry as a teenager to trying out different careers in her twenties and finding acting in her thirties. From a pair of plastic boots to a mesh dress to a Louis Vuitton gown, Agathe’s Threads of Conversation are a reflection of her fearless individuality and unique creative spirit.

Recorded in collaboration with The Standard London in January 2022.

If laughter is the best medicine, then Raven Smith is big pharma. The author of two books (Raven Smith’s Trivial Pursuits and Raven Smith’s Men), a Vogue columnist, and everyone’s favourite Instagram follow, Raven is as beloved for both his way with words and his impeccable style. Here he joins host Georgia Graham to talk about an unforgettable Gucci suit, dressing like a writer™ and the dance moves that split his favourite Acne Studios pants.

Recorded in December 2021 at The Standard London.

In this episode, host Georgia Graham meets Ronan Mckenzie, the London-based photographer and creative. She’s also the designer behind Selasi, a fashion line she began during lockdown, and the founder of HOME, a gallery and community space which champions the work of POC artists. What’s inspiring about Ronan is not only her flawless taste and impressive career, but also her bravery and determination. Ronan's Threads of Conversation cover her upbringing in Walthamstow, her first major designer purchase, the birth of Selasi, and the hunt for a very elusive pair of Telfar Uggs.

Recorded in October 2021 at The Standard London.