What if one of the coolest fashion stores in NYC was built by walking up to strangers on the street and asking, “Where’d you get that fit?”

In this episode of Through the Back Door, Claire sits down with Sophia Boli, founder of Retail Pharmacy — a cult-favorite boutique in the Lower East Side that’s become a hub for underground fashion and emerging designers. From chasing down fits on the street to curating one of the coolest stores in NYC, Sophia shares how personal taste, community, and creative grit shaped every step of her journey.

They talk about how the post-COVID era gave space for real artistic expression, the role of Dime Square in shaping a new downtown aesthetic, and what it actually takes to run a store, day in and day out.

This conversation is funny, sharp, and full of fashion deep cuts — a must-listen for anyone building something real in NYC or chasing creative freedom.

Key Takeaways:This episode dives into how self-image is shaped by our digital presence, and how Sophia turned a pop-up into a lasting retail space by staying rooted in community and personal taste. We talk about the evolution of Dime Square as a cultural force, the financial and emotional realities of running a fashion business in NYC, and how Fashion Week has shifted into a more accessible yet oversaturated space. Sophia shares why storytelling matters more than ever in a crowded industry, how authenticity cuts through the noise, and why building a career in fashion is less about virality and more about consistency, connection, and grit.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Navigating Self-Image and Media Perception
00:02:51 Sophia's Journey into Fashion
00:05:33 Influences and Inspirations in Fashion
00:08:40 The Birth of Retail Pharmacy
00:11:10 Building a Brand Identity
00:13:58 The Aesthetic of Retail Pharmacy
00:16:45 Curating Unique Fashion Pieces
00:19:49 The Challenges of Running a Store
00:22:41 The Reality of Retail Success
00:25:34 Balancing Work and Personal Life
00:28:31 Seasonal Challenges in Retail
00:30:10 The Evolution of Dime Square
00:37:53 Post-COVID Fashion Trends
00:44:57 Fashion Week Dynamics
00:58:33 The Future of Fashion Shows
00:59:18 Fashion Week Aspirations
01:00:18 Breaking into the Fashion Industry
01:03:40 Experiences at Paris Fashion Week
01:05:37 Future Plans and Community Engagement
01:14:10 Advice for Aspiring Fashion Entrepreneurs

Follow Sophia:Instagram: @retailpharmacy_

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📡 Follow host Claire Vastola: @girlintofashion
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💌 Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode — more fashion deep dives coming soon.

If you’re into fashion on social media, there’s no doubt you’ve come across @notsoquietluxury either it is the content, accent or the topics. I always find myself coming back for Nikesh’s pov becuase he isnt always pointing out the obvious—the kind of stuff you don’t see from a lot of other fashion commentators. I stumbled across NotSoQuietLuxury a few fashion weeks ago, and ever since, I’ve been following his content and knew I had to have him on the podcast.

I’m always curious how people get into the things they love in fashion—how they learn and come to really know it. To my surprise, this isn’t even Nik’s main job. He’s actually a pharmacist in real life, which I think adds to the sincerity of his fashion commentary and criticism—because he isn’t “owned” by any brands.

We talk about fashion’s intersection with social media, influencers, and how his content has gotten him into some of the hardest-to-access spaces. But it’s not always greener on the other side. I feel like having a point of view like Nik’s in the fashion world is honestly rare and lucky.

He’s been called overly critical—but in a world where it feels like everyone is a yes-man for a brand deal, we need more people like Nik. People who can speak thoughtfully and clearly about what’s really going on in fashion—who actually provoke conversation. Because isn’t that why we came to social media in the first place?

—

Follow Nikesh: @notsoquietluxury
Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify and other streaming platforms
Follow the host, Claire Vastola: @girlintofashion
For fashion networking: @workinginfashion
Read more on Substack: workinginfashion.substack.com

Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode. More fashion deep dives coming soon.

I spoke with Molly Rooyakkers (@style.analytics) about how trends can sometimes feel huge online—but don’t always show up in real life. We got into the nuance of interpreting digital trend cycles and how sometimes what looks like a viral trend is really just a curated moment that doesn’t break through beyond the screen.

We also talked about sustainability—how her platform walks the line between showing trends people are drawn to (often through fast fashion) while still encouraging mindful consumption. Molly emphasizes using what you already have, repurposing existing wardrobes, and building a personal style narrative instead of constantly chasing the next new thing.

What really stood out to me was how she translates raw data into thoughtful storytelling. Whether it’s recession-core theories like “the big bag” making a return or why skinny jeans come back around, she’s not just presenting numbers—she’s giving them context. That’s the real art of Style Analytics: turning charts and numbers into culturally relevant, useful insight for people who just need a little inspiration.

This episode also gets real about content creation. We talked about the balance of working a 9–5 while building an online presence, the creative burnout that comes with constant production, and the tension between monetizing a platform and keeping it passion-driven. Molly’s in a space a lot of creators can relate to—loving her current career while still wanting to explore the possibilities of what her online voice can become.

Follow Molly Rooyakkers / Style Analytics: Instagram: @style.analytics Substack: styleanalytics.substack.com

Find the host Claire Vastola and the podcast online:Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify and other streaming platforms.Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@girlintofashion⁠For fashion networking, follow ⁠@workinginfashion⁠Read more on Substack: ⁠https://workinginfashion.substack.com/⁠

Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode. More fashion deep dives coming soon.

In this episode, Claire talks with Rebecca-Jo about her journey through the fashion world—from modeling in Asia to becoming a content creator known for her bold, unfiltered take on style. Rebecca shares how she broke into modeling in the early aughts, a completely different world from today. She lived in model houses, traveled to places like China with nothing but a flip phone, and had to quickly learn how to navigate intense and often isolating situations. Working in Asia opened up new opportunities and gave her cultural insight, but also revealed the limitations of the industry—especially when trying to move from high fashion to commercial work. The pandemic hit hard, forcing her to adapt and find new ways to express herself creatively, like self-photography and online content. Through it all, she embraced her identity as an “unhinged fashion girly,” using social media to spotlight sustainable fashion, Canadian designers, and the emotional side of style. Claire and Rebecca-Jo also dive into the differences between fashion and shopping influencers, the power of authenticity, and the need for a stronger Canadian fashion identity. They reflect on how fashion can be a political and emotional tool, pushing back against perfectionism, societal norms, and the polished "clean girl" aesthetic. Rebecca-Jo shares advice for creators trying to find their voice, emphasizing the value of community, creative growth, and being true to yourself—even in a world that rewards conformity shorten this to be a instagram post saying tht there is a new episode out add allthe call outsn the bottoms

Follow Rebecca-Jo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthin.asia/

Find me and the podcast online:Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify and other streaming platforms.Follow me on Instagram: @girlintofashionFor fashion networking, follow @workinginfashionRead more on Substack: https://workinginfashion.substack.com/

Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode. More fashion deep dives coming soon.

In this episode, Claire talks with Rebecca-Jo about her journey through the fashion world—from modeling in Asia to becoming a content creator known for her bold, unfiltered take on style. Rebecca shares how she broke into modeling in the early aughts, a completely different world from today. She lived in model houses, traveled to places like China with nothing but a flip phone, and had to quickly learn how to navigate intense and often isolating situations. Working in Asia opened up new opportunities and gave her cultural insight, but also revealed the limitations of the industry—especially when trying to move from high fashion to commercial work. The pandemic hit hard, forcing her to adapt and find new ways to express herself creatively, like self-photography and online content. Through it all, she embraced her identity as an “unhinged fashion girly,” using social media to spotlight sustainable fashion, Canadian designers, and the emotional side of style. Claire and Rebecca-Jo also dive into the differences between fashion and shopping influencers, the power of authenticity, and the need for a stronger Canadian fashion identity. They reflect on how fashion can be a political and emotional tool, pushing back against perfectionism, societal norms, and the polished "clean girl" aesthetic. Rebecca-Jo shares advice for creators trying to find their voice, emphasizing the value of community, creative growth, and being true to yourself—even in a world that rewards conformity.

Follow Rebecca-Jo:Instagram: @youthin.asia

Follow the Host:Instagram: @girlintofashionPodcast: @throughthebackdoor.pod

Through the Back Door is an extension of Blossom Nite, our real-life space for connection, collaboration, and celebration in fashion.

Want to be part of the next Blossom Nite?
Follow along: @blossom.nite

In this episode of Through the Back Door, Claire sits down with Amelie Stanescu, the voice behind The Fashion Archives, for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation about fashion, identity, and finding your place in a shifting industry. Amelie shares her journey from Romania to Berlin and even Paris, where she carved out a space for herself in the fashion world. She reflects on the contrasts between Berlin’s experimental, open-minded energy and Paris’s structured, legacy-driven scene, and how each city shaped her creative perspective.

Amelie opens up about how her academic background in business continues to inform her approach to content, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. Claire and Amelie dive into everything from the pressure of follower counts to the challenges of gaining access to fashion shows, and the realities of building a personal brand in the age of Instagram. They discuss the rise of fashion as entertainment, the transition from visual content to podcasting, and what it really means to create something with substance in a trend-chasing world.

Their dialogue touches on the emotional complexities of being a content creator—navigating imposter syndrome, embracing vulnerability, and learning to speak with conviction in an industry that often rewards conformity. From Copenhagen Fashion Week to the politics of invitations, to what it means to add real value as a designer or storyteller, this episode pulls back the curtain on the multifaceted realities of working in fashion today.

Follow Amelie:
YouTube: The Fashion Archives
Spotify: The Fashion Archive – The Podcast
Instagram: @chez.amelie

Follow the Host:
Instagram: @girlintofashion
Podcast IG: @throughthebackdoor.pod

Through the Back Door is an extension of Blossom Nite, our real-life space for connection, collaboration, and celebration in fashion.

Want to be part of the next Blossom Nite?
Follow along here: @blossom.nite
RSVP for the next event: Eventbrite

In this episode:
Mary Korlin-Downs — product designer, creative director, and founder of All Things Fashion Tech — shares her journey into the world of fashion tech, her inspirations, and her vision for the future. We dive into the intersection of fashion and technology, emerging career paths, and the role of sustainability and AI in shaping what's next. Mary also emphasizes the importance of building community and staying consistent when growing an audience, offering personal insights and real talk about navigating the fashion tech landscape.

💻 Explore All Things Fashion Tech:

• Substack: allthingsfashiontech.substack.com

• Website: allthingsfashiontech.com

• Instagram: @allthingsfashiontech

Follow Mary:

• Instagram: @marykorlindowns

• TikTok: @marykorlindowns

  
  

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Don’t forget to follow and share with a friend who’s building their own path in fashion.
Through the Back Door is an extension of Blossom Nite — our real-life space for connecting, collaborating, and celebrating the creatives shaping the future.
We’re continuing the conversation over on Substack — subscribe to Working in Fashion for behind-the-scenes insights, fashion industry deep dives, and stories from the people pushing fashion forward.
Follow @blossom.nite for updates, and we’ll see you at the next Blossom Nite.

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In this engaging conversation, Hanna and Claire explore the intersection of makeup artistry and photography, discussing Hanna's journey from a photographer to a beauty influencer. They delve into the impact of social media, the evolution of trends in the beauty industry, and the role of AI in creative processes. Hanna shares her experiences with viral content and the challenges of maintaining authenticity in a fast-paced digital landscape, while also reflecting on the personal growth that comes from embracing change and creativity. In this engaging conversation, Hanna shares her journey from personal struggles to launching her own lipstick line, emphasizing the importance of creativity, community, and authenticity in the beauty industry. The discussion touches on overcoming self-doubt, the significance of finding balance to avoid burnout, and the joy of creating art. Hanna expresses her desire to build a supportive community for beauty creators and highlights the transformative power of makeup as a form of self-expression.Follow them on instagram and tiktok and youtube!

https://www.instagram.com/not_another_hanna/

https://www.tiktok.com/@not_another_hanna

https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherHanna