Electric Runway Podcast

In this episode, fashion and beauty futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with record-breaking entrepreneur, founder, and CEO Kendra Bracken-Ferguson. Kendra is a thought leader, founder, venture capitalist and the CEO of BrainTrust Founders Studio. She is someone who has witnessed—and been a part of—the changing landscape of digital media over the past decade. Her recent book “The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow, and Accelerate Your Brand” is a tell-all about how she built her business from scratch as well as a workbook for those who want to make things happen for themselves in the beauty industry and beyond. Kendra also has a podcast called The Business of the Beat Podcast. This episode is sponsored by U.S. Soy. To learn more about how soy is showing up in fashion, beauty, and beyond, visit ussoy.org.Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/Subscribe on Substack: The Electric Runway Report (Substack)https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Amanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Kendra Bracken-Ferguson: https://kendrabracken-ferguson.com/Kendra's Book, The Beauty of Success: https://kendrabracken-ferguson.com/beauty-of-successSponsor Links: Visit U.S. Soy: https://ussoy.org/

When we think of soy, we often think of candles or an alternative to milk, but what about the role the crop plays in the business of fashion and beauty? In the US, soy is second only to corn in crop size, and it's playing a significant role in transforming many industries.  My guest today is Carla Schultz. She's a soy farmer from Michigan and a United Soybean Board Director, and she's here to tell us all about the links between soy, fashion, beauty, and beyond. This episode is sponsored by US Soy. To learn more about how the organization is growing solutions for every life, every day,  visit: https://ussoy.org/Links: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/Subscribe on Substack: The Electric Runway Report (Substack)https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Amanda Cosco on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/Follow Amanda Cosco on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:U.S. Soy: https://ussoy.org/Connect with Carla Schultz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-schultz-a92754243/

Biotechnology is an exciting frontier in fashion and beauty because it presents a new way forward. Most products on the market today rely on extraction for their ingredients, whether that's from plants, animals, or petrochemicals. Each of these options has a footprint. With biotechnology, there's the opportunity to create new sustainable supply chains with new levels of performance for consumers.Today on the show I'm speaking with a scientist and creative who is inspired by biology and biotechnology to create advanced, sustainable innovations for wellness and beauty. Alison Cutlan is the VP of Innovation at The Rootist, a new biology-based haircare brand that's changing the game when it comes to haircare by treating the hair like the living organism it is. Full disclosure: The Rootist did send me a free sample of their haircare kit as a basis for this conversation. This episode is not sponsored, but as you'll hear, I ended up really loving the products as well as the ethos behind the biology-based brand. Our conversation covers the products under the Rootist haircare system, what makes them different, and how biotechnology is the new design tool of the future. Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/Subscribe on Substack: The Electric Runway Report (Substack)https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Amanda Cosco Social Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:The Rootist: https://therootist.com/Alison Cutlan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-cutlan-1aba368/

From leather grown from mushrooms to sequins made from plants, biomaterials is an exciting area of innovation that is projected to reach almost $50 billion by 2025. Briefly put, biomaterials combine science and technology to engineer new ways of producing materials. Biomaterials are rapidly gaining popularity with brands and consumers alike due to their ability to address the fashion industry's urgent environmental and ethical challenges. Our guest today is Laura Hayes. She's the Senior Brand Partnerships Manager at Keep Labs, a company that describes itself as a platform for innovation. They believe the ocean has the potential to accelerate our planet's development to a more sustainable future. The company's flagship product, Kelsun fiber, has a significantly lower environmental footprint than conventional fibers. Links Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/Subscribe on Substack: The Electric Runway Report (Substack)https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Amanda Cosco Social Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Keel Labs website: https://www.keellabs.com/ Keel Labs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramariahayes/?locale=fr_FRKeel Labs Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/keel.labs/

In today's episode fashion and beauty futurist Amanda Cosco sits down with Heather Lipner, the Head of Product Design + Creative and Geenee AR. Geenee enables high-quality web AR virtual try-on for eCommerce and In-feed Ad experiences to increase sales conversions, reduce return rates and drive return on ad spend performance.Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/Sign up for the Electric Runway Report on Substack: https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on X:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on X: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Geenee AR: https://geenee.ar/Heather Lipner: https://www.heatherlipner.com/

Recently, black beauty influencers have taken to TikTok and other social media channels to call out brands that don't have inclusive shades.  Today's podcast features a conversation with Balanda Atis, a L'Oréal chemist, and their Chief Scientific Communications Officer. We spoke with her in May in Toronto at the launch of L'Oréal's True Match Foundation to understand how she has been advocating for shade inclusivity for years as a black woman in STEM.This episode contains audio from Imran Chaudhri's TED talk: https://youtu.be/gMsQO5u7-NQ?si=15ZJcdV-M9LrdT0jAs well as from golloria on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@golloria?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcAnd @yoursisbillie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoursisbillie/Subscribe to the Electric Runway Report on Substack: https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Follow Electric Runway on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySubscribe to the Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Subscribe to the Podcast on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=79038295cb954a57 

Snap has come a long way from puking rainbows. The company has been steadily developing its artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies for years, and is now rolling out a B2B SaaS offering for retailers and merchants. ARES, or Augmented Reality Enterprise Services, enables clients to leverage Snap's 3D viewer, virtual try-on, and fit-finder solutions into their brand-owned apps and platforms. This suite of services is already reducing return rates, decreasing cart abandonment, and increasing purchases. In this episode, Fashion Innovation Journalist Amanda Cosco takes audiences to Snap's Partner Summit in Santa Monica, California for intimate conversations with some of the key people at Snap working on apparel, retail, and digital identity.  In this episode: Carolina Arguelles Navas - Head of Global AR Product Strategy & Product Marketing at Snap Rajni Jacques - Global Head of Fashion & Beauty at Snap David Rosenberg - Director of Strategy for Bitmoji Subscribe to the Electric Runway Report on Substack and receive new episodes directly to your inbox: https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Show Links Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Snap: https://www.snapchat.com/ARES: https://ares.snap.com/

Advancements in science have opened up new possibilities for fashion manufacturing.  One promising application of biotechnology in the textile industry is the development of lab-grown or "cultured" materials such as leather and silk. These materials are created by growing cells in a lab, without the need for animal agriculture or the use of harmful chemicals. By doing so, they offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional textile production methods, which often have significant environmental impacts. And, if you can grow proteins for making alternative leather, turns out there's other use cases too, including producing collagen for beauty products and supplements. Our guest today in this episode is Catherine Roggero-Lovisi, the CEO of Modern Meadow, a company that is revolutionizing the fashion industry by creating sustainable, biofabricated materials. With Modern Meadow's drop-in green technology platforms, companies in the textiles, materials, and personal care industries no longer have to compromise between sustainability and performance. At a time when greenwashing is at its peak, Modern Meadow is making a difference, and they have the data to prove it.Electric Runway Links: Subscribe to The Electric Runway Report on Substack: https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayAmanda Cosco Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Modern Meadow: https://www.modernmeadow.com

When we think of smart fabrics, we often think of fabrics with sensors inside them meant to monitor our body's activity or temperature, but not all innovations in fabrication are digital. In fact, most of the time they're chemical. Today's guest on the Electric Runway Podcast is Fi Paziana, a Milan-based ex-investment banker-turned fashion designer who is launching her debut collection featuring a patented, lab-verified smart fabric. This fabric acts as a filter, protecting the sun from harmful UV rays while still allowing UVB rays through in order for the body to produce Vitamin D. This fabric is a breakthrough when you consider that one billion people worldwide suffer from a deficiency of Vitamin D. Fi is on a mission via social media, with her 2.5 million views on TikTok, to help correct it, starting in the realm of modest fashion.LinksSign up for Electric Runway on Substack to never miss an update: https://electricrunwayreport.substack.com/Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Fi Milano on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fi.milano

By now,  we're all a little weary of talking about digital fashion, and the trend has certainly seen its peak in the hype cycle of emerging technology. By digital fashion, we're talking about fashion that exists only digitally and not physically, and is meant to be worn on social media, on platforms like Zoom, and inside games. Our guest today is Amber Jae Slooten, the co-founder and creative director of the Fabricant. The Fabricant is a fashion studio that collaborates with brands and communities to design digital-only items that can be worn on avatars and in augmented reality. If The Fabricant sounds familiar that's because we had Kerry Murphy, the company's founder and CEO, on the show, on back in 2021 at the peak of the digital fashion and NFT hype cycle. Our conversation with Amber touches on where the market is today and how The Fabricant is engaging with brands and consumers to build a lasting business model for digital wearables. We connect on their new project, Wholeland,  how their business model differs from competitors like DressX, and how AI will play a role in scaling digital fashion. Show LinksVisit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:The Fabricant: https://www.thefabricant.com/Amber Jae Slooten on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-jae-slooten-103a8978/?originalSubdomain=nlAmber Jae Slooten on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberjaeslooten/?hl=en

During the pandemic, retailers and brands had to transition quickly to digital to continue to do business, and the fashion industry was no exception. A number of brands like Puma and retailers like Selfridges experimented with virtual showrooms—which are defined by Shopify as:  an innovative solution that lets brands and retail buyers engage and sell products through an online platform. It replaces physical showrooms and trade shows, eliminating the need for a physical location and physical samples to show new collections.It's important to note that virtual showrooms aren't just about virtual reality, they're also changing the eCommerce and online shopping experience. Here to talk more about it is Olga Dogadkina, she's the founder and CEO of Emperia VR, a company that's bringing the qualities of online gaming to shopping.  In today's episode, we'll talk about what it's like to build online spaces for fashion, and she'll tell us more about her company's recent $10 million raise.Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Emperia VR: https://emperiavr.com/

The Electric Runway podcast is taking a break for the summer. We'll be back in the fall with more episodes covering the future of fashion. Have an idea for an episode, or know someone who would make a great guest? Email amanda@electricrunway.com and follow us on social media @Electric_Runway.

If you've been following fashion innovation for the past year, it seems you can't open up Instagram or read an article without hearing about The Dematerialised. And probably for good reason.  The brand is on a mission to create a new reality for fashion through experimentational collaborations and campaigns involving digital lifestyle assets, including digital outfits, accessories and footwear.  Recently, the company teamed up with contemporary designer Rebecca Minkoff to offer a number of fashion NFTs. They also partnered with Twig, a FinTech platform and Certified B Corporation to allow people to exchange fashion goods for credits that can be used to shop digital assets. Our guest in this episode is Adriana Goldenberg, the head of Growth and Metaverse Partnerships for The Dematerialized. Our conversation touches on some of the brand's recent activations that make up the gray space between digital and physical. The Electric Runway Podcast is brought to you by ThreediumLearn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/ Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329 Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724e Amanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacosco Guest Links:The Dematerialised: https://thedematerialised.com/

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, which may explain why a crop of emerging fashion designers who were just starting out at the onset of the pandemic were able to innovate the way they reach their community in a Web 3 environment.My guest today says that her brand is not about the clothes, but that the clothes are an entry point into the brand, which is all about harnessing the imagination. Other entry points include augmented reality filters, digital wearables, and collectables that share the same aesthetic sensibility. Anya Ayoung-Chee is the founder and director of WYLD FLWR, a festival fashion apparel brand inspired by carnival culture and burning man. Anya is also the winner of Project Runway Season 9, as well as a former Miss Universe representing Trinidad and Tobago, so someone who is no stranger to entertainment. Our conversation takes you through how she entered the world of NFTs and crypto out of necessity after WYLD FLWR's launch was overshadowed by COVID-19. Anya also shares how she's bringing her community together through a shared vision of global women's empowerment through fashion. The Electric Runway Podcast is brought to you by ThreediumLearn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:WYLDFLWR website: https://www.wyldflwr.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearewyldflwr/Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearewyldflwr

Our guest today is Christine Marzano, a fashion-tech entrepreneur who just raised $5.6 million in funding for her startup BODS. She counts celebrities and activists like Karlie Kloss as investors. BODS is on a mission to transform online shopping into a personalized and immersive experience that's inclusive and fun. She shares how her background as a model and working in the film industry in Los Angeles led her to bridge visual effects with image processing to create an eCommerce experience that feels like magic. The Electric Runway Podcast is brought to you by ThreediumLearn more about our sponsor, Threedium. Electric Runway: Visit Electric RunwayMore podcast episodesSubscribe on SpotifySubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast on Apple PodcastsSocial Links: Follow Electric Runway on InstagramSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow Electric Runway on TwitterSign up for our email newsletterAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter Instagram LinkedInGuest Links:BODS websiteBODS InstagramBODS LinkedinChristine Marzano LinkedIn

There is no shortage of software trying to serve the fashion industry, but few products really understand the industry itself.  A crop of startups throughout the world are all trying to solve the problem of fit when it comes to shopping for apparel. If you're a regular listener to this podcast, you know the challenge of fit is something we've talked about again and again and will likely continue to talk about until one company dominates this category. Fit matching tools—that is, tools that help shoppers find their size in apparel items when shopping in-store or online—vary in their approach, but they have one thing in common; they're all jockeying to become the standard for shopping. My guest on the show today is Haniff Brown. He's the Founder and CEO of FIT:MATCH, a startup that uses machine learning technology to eliminate friction in the shopping experience for hard-to-fit categories like intimates and swimwear. As you'll hear in our conversation, they've caught the attention of business billionaire Rihanna, and the brand has since launched in Savage Fenty stores across the USA and are planning on rolling out the experience online.Learn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/ Electric Runway:Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329 Social Links:Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724e Amanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacosco Guest Links:Fit:Match Website: https://www.fitmatch.ai/Fit:Match LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fit-match/Haniff Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haniff-brown-09802289/

Here's a question for apparel retailers: how do you close more sales with shoppers and ensure they don't return the items they purchase from your store? Answer: make sure they're happy with the experience and the product they ended up with. For a long time, an easy way luxury department stores and some high-end retailers ensured customer satisfaction was by offering free tailoring. But with more people shopping at different locations and even shopping online, how can tailoring be optimized for the modern world?  Enter Hemster, a tailoring business that merges style and science to bring traditional customization to today's consumers. They work with apparel retailers who sell in-store and online to capture and store a customer's perfect measurements and ensure that customer is always ordering the right size and receiving an item that's made to fit them. Our guest today is Allison Lee, the CEO & Founder of Hemster. In today's episode, you'll learn how her B2B2C business ends up creating a better experience for the end-user of the apparel product, i.e. customers like me, by providing the last mile of customization-as-a-service. It's an interesting business model, which makes for an interesting conversation. The Electric Runway Podcast is brought to you by ThreediumLearn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Hemster website: hemster.coHemster LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hemster/Allison Lee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonhyeinlee/

The metaverse continues to present narratives of transcendence, where people can be whoever they want to be despite their physical limitations. But as we continue to build the internet of tomorrow, it's important to pause and ask, who is being afforded these narratives of transcendence, and who isn't?  And perhaps more importantly when it comes to disability, how can we incorporate disability instead of trying to ascend it? My guest today is Natalie Trevonne, a disability advocate and consultant for media and fashion. She shares her story of blindness and blackness, and what the fashion industry needs to know about accessibility. Natalie designed a dress for the upcoming Metaverse Fashion Week, which will take place this week in Decentraland. So how exactly does a blind person design a dress? Tune in to find out. The Electric Runway Podcast is brought to you by ThreediumLearn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Natalie Trevonne IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9661346/Natalie Trevonne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalietrevonne/?hl=enFashionably Tardy Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1149473Fashionably Tardy Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ftonthescene/?hl=en

Lately, it seems conversations everywhere end up at the metaverse and web 3. And while fashion is definitely playing in this space, we're starting to see metaverses emerge that are specifically for fashion. My guest today is Badrriya Henry,  the co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Semblance World. Semblance World is a 3D world built in Unreal Engine. It aims to be the premier destination for fashion runway shows, networking events, and luxury retail. Badrriya makes the case for a fashion-focused metaverse and shares some of the opportunities for how brands can reach consumers in this nascent space. The Electric Runway Podcast is brought to you by ThreediumLearn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Semblance World: https://semblance.world/semblance/

We've been hearing about 3D in digital fashion, in creating the metaverse, and even in augmented reality. 3D is defined as photorealistic representations of real-world objects that can be used for a variety of purposes, including retailing, merchandising, assisting sales, and of course entering the metaverse. According to Shopify, merchants who add 3D content to their online stores see a 94% conversion lift, on average. Our guest today is Lode Groosman, the co-founder of Threedium. Threedium is the fastest and most affordable way to create high-quality 3D assets. We're going to get into the different use-cases and opportunities in just a moment. But for those of you who have been listening, you may have heard of Threedium because they're our new sponsor for the podcast. The Electric Runway Podcast is brought to you by ThreediumLearn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/Electric Runway: Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Social Links: Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eAmanda Cosco Social Links:Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links:Threedium's website: https://unlimited3d.com/Connect with Threedium on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/threediumConnect with Lode Groosman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lodegroosman/

As the metaverse takes up more cultural capital than ever before, several upcoming events will explore the implications on the fashion industry. Most prominent among them is Digital Fashion Week New York, a three-day part digital, part physical experience that will include educational seminars, digital screenings, and even an augmented reality art walk. On this week's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, host and Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Claire Tattersall, the Founder and Director of Digital Fashion Week New York to find out what makes this event more than just a webinar.Learn more about Digital Fashion Week NYC hereLearn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/Visit our website: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0L?si=62e6b01855c643acSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eFollow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_coscoConnect with Amanda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacosco

The global pandemic has disrupted supply chains all over the world and the fashion industry is of course no exception.  Global manufacturing and distribution is a much bigger challenge than ever before. Our guest today is Tricia Hoke, the founder and CEO of Modern Brands. Modern Brands is a membership program for apparel companies that helps streamline the production process using a variety of tools, widgets, and plug-ins that bring the open-source mentality of the internet to fashion design.  Visit Modern Brands: https://modernbrands.com/Learn more about our sponsor, Threedium: https://unlimited3d.com/Visit our website: http://electricrunway.com/More podcast episodes: https://electricrunway.com/the-podcast/Follow Electric Runway on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Follow Electric Runway on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySign up for our email newsletter: https://electricrunway.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=c19c412b7bb4d91525f92fa00&id=65332c724eFollow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_cosco Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacosco

Virtual fashion, NFTs, and crypto clothing have all become hot topics during the pandemic, with brands such as Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, and Karl Lagerfeld stepping into the space. But how will digital clothing impact the way we present ourselves online? Just as face filters have transformed the way we (especially women) see ourselves, so too will digital fashion. In episode 130 of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion futurist Amanda Cosco continues her exploration of virtual dressing and digital fashion with Emily Rosa Shahaj, the co-founder and CEO of Gravity The Studio. Gravity the Studio is a virtual fashion house designing 3D clothes for digitized identities. Emily's research focuses on expanding cross-platform interoperability of digital assets using blockchain technology and open-source formats, improving real-time virtual fit techniques, and framing the implications of technologically-mediated human interactions.This episode touches on fashion's long-standing relationship with gaming, virtual dressing as a pandemic trend, and the new frontiers of augmented reality and artificial intelligence for digital fashion. Visit Gravity the Studio's websiteFollow Gravity the Studio on Instagram Subscribe to the Electric Runway podcast on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the Electric Runway podcast on Spotify  

Virtual showrooms- 3D clickable, user-centric branded spaces—were once a nice-to-have, a way of testing out futuristic experiences in a way that complements a company's physical retail footprint. But with the ongoing pandemic, virtual showrooms are becoming a meaningful way of extending the customer experience, especially ahead of the holiday season. In episode 129, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Sean Newmarch, the Global eCommerce Director at the household appliances technology company, Dyson. Recently, Amanda had the opportunity to step into one of Dyson's virtual showrooms using the Oculus Quest to find out first-hand how the company is leveraging technology to increase engagement and conversion beyond just the holidays. 

At the beginning of December of this year, I'm attending my first conference since Covid, but I won't be leaving the comfort of my couch. I'll be strapping on an Oculus Quest 2—a virtual reality headset produced by Facebook— to attend one of the first fashion metaverses. Inside, my avatar will brush digital elbows with Vogue editors and network with other fashion professionals; I'll explore exhibition booths and attend workshops and panels led by some of the industry's most innovative thinkers and changemakers.The Circular Fashion Summit is an annual event produced by lablaco. While the conference was scheduled to take place earlier this year, supply chain disruptions caused shortages in headsets, which is the main gateway to the event in this case. CFS will now move forward on the 9th thru the 12th of December, 2021.In episode 128 of the Electric Runway podcast, I speak with Paula Vega, Founding Member and Global Partnerships Manager at Circular Fashion Summit. Our conversation touches on everything from the opportunities of social VR to the importance of diversity in the metaverse. She also shares how the summit is walking the talk when it comes to activating a more circular fashion industry through partnerships like their recent pilot with H&M.

Get ready for the Metaverse. No literally, get ready. Like, what are you going to wear? The reality of virtual fashion is here, and we're not just talking skins in gaming. Whether it's choosing a Snapchat filter for your Zoom meeting or deciding what to wear to the digital Met Gala, dressing our digital selves is an increasingly important part of everyday life. My guest today is Kerry Murphy. Kerry is the founder of the Fabricant, a fashion house that produces only digital and never physical clothing. He's here to take us through the digital fashion space and the rise of digital-only fashion. We'll also cover NFTs as well as digital collectables and how they relate to the fashion industry.Social Links:Visit Electric Runway: http://electricrunway.com/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/electricrunway?sub_confirmation=1Twitter: https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayTikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSxuBvsC/Amanda Cosco Social Links: Follow Amanda Cosco on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_cosco Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_cosco/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoscoGuest Links: The Fabricant: https://www.thefabricant.com/

Consumers and the fashion industry alike are realizing that sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it needs to be a way of life and a way of business.  Our guest today is a sustainability advocate and an internationally recognized leader in social impact. On Instagram, he's known as "The Swap King" where he encourages a new generation of fashionistas to trade clothes rather than purchasing new ones. Patrick Duffy is the founder of The Global Fashion Exchange as well as the global partnerships manager for Common Objective, an intelligent business network for the fashion industry.  In this conversation with Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco, he speaks about sustainability beyond the buzzwords and how to be a conscious consumer. 

Lately, we've been hearing a lot about digital fashion. Whether we're talking about augmented reality try-on in Snapchat or digital clothing that's created and sold as art objects and minted as NFTs (that's non-fungible tokens), the fashion industry is looking more pixellated than ever before. While the pandemic has caused us to find new use-cases for digital fashion, the truth is that the design process has been digitizing for years. In this episode, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Avihay Feld and Osnat Lidor, Browzwear's CEO and VP of Marketing respectively. Browzwear is the leading provider of 3D fashion software that offers solutions for design, development, and merchandising. Since 1999, Browzwear has been driving digital transformation in the apparel industry through the power of true-to-life 3D prototypes that make it easy for everyone involved in the creation and production of garments to collaborate, iterate, and get items to market faster than ever before. 

It's 2020, and if you're an online retailer not already thinking about the implications of artificial intelligence on your business then allow today’s episode to provoke your consideration: Our guest today is Ashwini Asokan, the CEO and founder of Vue.Ai, a US/India-based startup that has developed an AI platform to help online retailers increase sales and work more efficiently. They do this by automating simple yet important tasks such as product tagging and personalized recommendations. Vue.AI also help fashion brands leverage artificial intelligence to generate images of models in clothes and provide personal style recommendations to customers while shopping online. It’s a robust offering in a market that’s used to doing things the old fashioned way, which may explain why Vue.AI has secured $17 million in venture capital funding. We’ll talk about how a fashion startup managed to get the attention of Silicon Valley, as well as the limitations of AI for online retailers.

It's 2020, and if you're an online retailer not already thinking about theimplications of artificial intelligence on your business then allow today’s episode to provoke your consideration: Our guest today is Ashwini Asokan, the CEO and founder of Vue.Ai, a US/India-based startup that has developed an AI platform to help online retailers increase sales and work more efficiently. They do this by automating simple yet important tasks such as product tagging and personalized recommendations. Vue.AI also help fashion brands leverage artificial intelligence to generate images of models in clothes and provide personal style recommendations to customers while shopping online. It’s a robust offering in a market that’s used to doing things the old fashioned way, which may explain why Vue.AI has secured $17 million in venture capital funding. We’ll talk about how a fashion startup managed to get the attention of Silicon Valley, as well as the limitations of AI for online retailers.

In episode 123 of the Electric Runway podcast, we're talking about how technology is changing bespoke apparel. The word “bespoke” is derived from the British word “bespeak” which means to discuss in advance or to order or reserve something. You can see here why the word has had a long-standing relationship with tailoring and tailor-made clothing. At one time, garments were created based on consumer demand and to their measurements and specifications. While the industrial revolution may have moved us towards mass manufacturing, we may be returning to an era of highly customized clothing—only this time, technologies including software, 3D body scans, and artificial intelligence are making it easier and more efficient than ever to scale the bespoke experience. Our guest today is Marc Close, the co-founder and CEO of Bespokify. Bespokify is a fashion-tech company that creates customizable and bespoke-fitting apparel patterns instantly. Bespokify enables custom fashion to be made as efficiently and affordably as mass-production, and in the process, it eliminates returns because of poor fit, helps build inventory-less fashion brands, and opens the door to AI-driven design.Blog post for this episode:Listen on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329?mt=2Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15F6eMSFReREEp8fVgNA0LFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/

Electric Runway has returned from Barcelona where founder and FashionTech journalist Amanda Cosco was taking part in Reshape. As you heard in last week's episode, Reshape is an exhibition and content series that explores the future of fashion through the lens of innovation. This week, we hear from Miquel Serrano, the Events Director at Fira de Barcelona. Fira de Barcelona has a portfolio of 70 international trade shows and over 4.4 million square feet of show space. Each year, Fira gathers over 35,000 companies and 3 million visitors, making it one of Europe’s largest trade and convention organizations.In this episode, you'll learn more about how European infrastructure supports emerging design, and why Barcelona seems to be a breeding ground for innovation over the years.

In this week's episode, fashion futurist Amanda Cosco sits down with Aldo Sollazzo, the founder of Noumena and organizer of the Reshape Conference. Taking place October 29th thru 31st in Barcelona, Reshape is a part of Industry Arena 19 at Fira Barcelona in coordination with IoT Solutions World Congress. Tune in to learn more about what to expect from Reshape and how the event aims to bridge innovation and industry.

From eCommerce to wearables, digital innovation has greatly impacted the fashion industry, but how can technology empower a more sustainable fashion future? FashionTech journalist Amanda Cosco sits down with Mikhail Damiani, the CEO and co-founder of Blue Bite. Blue Bite connects brands and consumers by waking up products and bringing them to life with digital technology. In doing so, they transform items like handbags, sneakers, apparel, and even signage into a new channel that engages consumers in ways current channels can’t. Today we delve into how the company is collaborating with brands like Adidas, Bulgari, and Ocean Bottle to help further sustainability efforts. This episode is part of Electric Runway’s ongoing pre-coverage of WEAR—that’s the World Ethical Apparel Roundtable, taking place October 7th-8th in Toronto. To learn more about WEAR, and to receive 15% off your tickets, visit the link below and use the discount code ER15.Blog post for this episode --> electricrunway.com/how-blue-bite-t…into-platforms/Learn more about Blue Bite --> www.bluebite.com/Check out WEAR Conference --> wear.fashiontakesaction.com/Follow us on Instagram --> www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow us on Twitter --> twitter.com/Electric_Runway

Fashion futurist Amanda Cosco interviews Chris Homer of ThredUp to discover how the California company is bringing Silicon Valley innovation to the $24 billion resale market in order to drive a more sustainable and circular fashion future. All over the world, the Climate Crisis is on everyone’s mind; Last week, millions of activists and concerned citizens took to the streets for a global climate strike, urging leaders to take meaningful action towards curbing catastrophic climate change. So what does this have to do with the fashion industry, you may be asking? Well, a lot. It’s widely known that fashion and apparel manufacturing is the second-largest polluter in the world next to oil and gas. From the chemicals it takes to transform raw materials into textiles to the amount of water required to produce a single t-shirt, fashion’s dirty secret is no longer a secret.This episode is a part of our ongoing pre-coverage of WEAR—that’s the World Ethical Apparel Roundtable— taking place October 7th to 8th 2019 in Toronto. Hosted by non-profit Fashion Takes Action, WEAR aims to bring together sustainability experts, thought-leaders, and decision-makers in apparel to uncover how the industry can improve practices to move fashion towards a more conscious and circular future.Blog post for this episode--> More on ThredUp--> https://www.thredup.com/Discover Fashion Takes Action--> https://fashiontakesaction.com/Check out WEAR Conference October 7-8 2019 in Toronto --> wear.fashiontakesaction.com/Subscribe on iTunes --> podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/elec…st/id1064514329Follow us on Instagram --> www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow us on Twitter -->twitter.com/Electric_Runway

Today we’re continuing our coverage of WEAR Conference—that’s the World Ethical Apparel Roundtable—taking place October 7th-8th in Toronto. Fashion futurist Amanda Cosco speaks with Stephanie Benedetto, the CEO and Founder of Queen of Raw. Queen of Raw is a global online marketplace to buy and sell sustainable and deadstock fabrics and textiles. Stephanie shares more about her long family history in apparel as well as how Queen of Raw is saving billions of gallons of water by rescuing textiles from landfill. Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/the-startup-thats-saving-the-world-one-yard-of-fabric-at-a-time/Learn more about Queen of Raw --> https://www.queenofraw.com/Check out WEAR Conference October 7-8 2019 in Toronto --> https://wear.fashiontakesaction.com/Subscribe on iTunes --> https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/elec%E2%80%A6st/id1064514329Follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow us on Twitter -->https://twitter.com/Electric_Runway

It’s September, which means it’s officially fashion season, but before the runway shows kick off in New York we’re bringing you a conversation about sustainability in the fashion industry. When it comes to sustainability, it seems as though the fashion industry is experiencing a kind of reckoning. According to a recent article from Fast Company, the fashion sector is accelerating the pace of the predicted climate disaster. In 2015, fashion and manufacturing generated 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas and is responsible for a fifth of global water pollution and a third of microplastics in the ocean. So what are fashion brands doing about it? As a consumer, it’s difficult to wade through the array of information that’s out there. Fast fashion chains like H&M and Zara are making efforts towards using more responsible materials and recycling through take-back programs, but how are you truly supposed to know who made your clothes, and which ones are truly sustainable? At the same time, new business models like clothing rental services that are popping up seem to be a reaction to mass consumption, but can they really thrive? Here to help us sort through it all is Kelly Drennan. Kelly has been an advocate for sustainability in the fashion industry for more than a decade. She is a sustainable fashion expert and advocate for the circular economy, as well as the founder of Fashion Takes Action, the only non-profit in Canada dedicated to creating a conscious fashion future.Electric Runway is proud to be a supporting media partner of WEAR 2019. As such, we’ll be bringing you conversations from key thinkers at WEAR leading up to the October event, so stay tuned for that. If you’d like to attend, use the discount code ER 15 to receive 15% off your tickets, just head to Electric Runway for more details. We’ll also be covering WEAR live from the show floor, so stay tuned to us on socials, we’re @Electric_Runway.Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/sustainabilitys-golden-age-in-conversation-with-kelly-drennan-of-fashion-takes-action/Learn more about Fashion Takes Action here --> https://fashiontakesaction.com/More about WEAR Conference here --> https://fashiontakesaction.com/Follow Electric Runway on Instagram --> www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes --> podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/elec…st/id1064514329

An update from Electric Runway founder Amanda Cosco

On this week's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, fashion-tech journalist Amanda Cosco interviews Kunal Amalean, the co-founder of Runway Kit. Runway Kit is an end-to-end digital platform that democratizes the design and manufacturing process for fashion startups and design entrepreneurs. By leveraging the expertise and facilities of its parent company (MAS Holdings) Runway Kit levels the playing field for small to medium fashion enterprises and provides them with everything they need to start-up and scale up. **This episode was brought to you by Runway Kit**Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/start-up-and-scale-up-with-runway-kit/Learn more about Runway Kit here --> http://bit.ly/2X5j0yCFollow Runway Kit on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/runwaykitbymas/Follow Electric Runway on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes --> https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/electric-runway-podcast/id1064514329

FashionTech Journalist Amanda Cosco welcomes Poshmark back to the show. This time, we're speaking with Maria Morales, the Director of International Expansion. She's here to tell us about Poshmark’s venture into Canada

Fashion futurist Amanda Cosco takes you inside Collision 2019, North America's fastest-growing tech conference. Collision took place May 19th thru 23rd at the Enercare Centre in Toronto. More than 25,000 participants from 125 countries ascended on the city to check out hundreds of exhibitors and 730 speakers across 15 tracks.Collision’s success underlines what we’re already seeing across Canada—that is, a boom of interest and investment in technological innovation. In fact, according to IT World Canada, as the tech industry expands, Canada is predicted to have 216,000 tech positions filled by 2021. With so much activity surrounding the Toronto-Waterloo corridor, it’s no wonder the area has quickly earned the nickname Silicon Valley North.There was so much to do and see at Collision, but at Electric Runway we’re focused on fashion, retail, and consumer product innovation, so those are the stories we’re bringing to you from this inaugural event. Tune in to hear conversations from the show floor and learn about emerging startups changing the way we buy and sell.Blog post for this episode--> https://electricrunway.com/collision-conference-toronto-round-up/Follow Electric Runway on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow Electric Runway on Twitter --> https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwaySubscribe to our YouTube channel --> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIRvsPmkLt4FSzR3ouEnbkQ?view_as=subscriber

Our guest today is Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, a designer, researcher, and professor, as well as the founder of Interwoven Design Group. Interwoven is a New York-based innovative design studio specialized in wearable technology and textiles. Pailes-Friedman shares her experience working with a diverse array of clients— from NASA to the Brooklyn Ballet. Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/what-else-can-your-clothing-do-for-you/Follow Interwoven Design Group on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/interwoven_design/Visit Interwoven Design Group's website--> https://www.getinterwoven.com/Buy Rebeccah's book on Amazon--> https://www.amazon.ca/Smart-Textiles-Designers-Inventing-Fabrics/dp/1780677324Follow Electric Runway on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow Electric Runway on Twitter --> https://twitter.com/Electric_Runway

Although hemp was one of the first plants to be spun into a useable fiber 10,000 years ago, it was made illegal to grow without a permit in the USA in 1970 under the Controlled Substances Act. Now with legalization underway across parts of North America, hemp is being revisited for the miracle plant it was once known as so long ago. And, with advances in science, there are new ways to treat hemp that can transform it from a high-performance fiber into a smart one. On today's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, host Amanda Cosco chats with Mark Sunderland. Mark has over 30 years of experience in the field of engineered advanced textile materials and apparel products. He’s also an accomplished professor and academic, as well as the Chief Innovation Officer at Hemp Black. Hemp Black is a company aiming to drive the next generation of advanced sustainable textiles by blending science and nature like never before.

Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco discusses the Met Gala 2019 and how wearable tech showed up on the red—er, pink carpet this year. Our guest today is Alexander Ingram, the Head of Communications and PR for North. North is a Canadian startup that wants to sell you your first pair of smart glasses. Their fashion-first approach to facial computing has investors like Amazon paying attention. Tune in to find out how North's signature product, called Focals, was the result of a pivot from a previous gesture-control product. Alex shares more about the high-tech features in Focals and helps us imagine what the future of digital interactions could look like.

Soha Yasrebi is an electrical engineer-turned Venture Capitalist for Omers Ventures, as well as a member of New York Fashion Tech Lab’s expert network. In today's episode of the Electric Runway podcast, she shares with us the trends in the marketplace she's keeping an eye on as they pertain to changing consumer behaviour. Soha is chatting with us in advance of her appearance at FashionTech Toronto. For those not in-the-know, FashionTech TO is a meetup in Toronto taking place at the Design Exchange Wednesday, April 24th, 2019. Audiences will have the opportunity to hear from international leading experts from the London College of Fashion, Shopify, Style Canada, Specsy, and more. Learn more about FashionTech Toronto here --> https://www.fashiontechtoronto.com/next-event-1Learn more about Omers Ventures--> https://www.omersventures.com/Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/understanding-investment-from-a-vc-perspective/Follow Soha on Twitter --> https://twitter.com/sohaaConnect with Soha on LinkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohayas?originalSubdomain=caFollow @Electric_Runway on Instagram for your chance to WIN two free tickets to FashionTech Toronto --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/

Steve Martell is the VP of Creative Technology at Current Studios, an award-winning agency focused on connecting digital and physical experiences that push the boundaries of technology. Current Studios has done work with well-known consumer brands and retailers, including Walmart, Cover Girl, and Samsung. In his conversation with Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco, Steve shares what it was like to bring cutting-edge technology like AI and AR to retail experiences. Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/shopping-with-robots-with-steve-martell/Learn more about Steve here --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/martellsteveFollow Steve on instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/thestevemartell/?hl=enFollow Steve on Twitter --> https://twitter.com/stevemartellLearn more about Current Studios --> https://www.currentstudios.com/Follow Electric Runway on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Folow us on Twitter --> https://twitter.com/Electric_Runway

Anouk Wipprecht is an internationally recognized fashion tech designer known for fusing couture fashion with robotics and artificial intelligence to create garments that move, breathe, and react to the environment around them. Anouk has produced innovative work in collaboration with some of the biggest technology and entertainment companies, including Intel, Audi, Disney, and Cirque du Soleil. In her second appearance on the Electric Runway podcast, Anouk shares what she has been working on since we last spoke, including a prosthetic leg for bionic pop artist Viktoria Modesta, as well as a playful medical wearable designed to help children with ADHD or autism.Blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/designing-the-future-of-fashion-with-anouk-wipprecht/Follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow Electric Runway on Twitter --> https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayLearn more about Anouk here --> http://www.anoukwipprecht.nl/#intro-1

In this episode, Fashion Futurist Amanda Cosco interviews Steve Statler, the SVP of Marketing and Business Development at Wiliot. Wiliot is an Israel-based startup that aims to switch on the fashion industry and enable a whole new digital life for apparel, accessories, and footwear. They’re doing this by integrating into products a paper-thin, battery-free Bluetooth chip that harvests energy from radio frequencies in the air. It’s a small and simple solution that has tremendous implications for manufacturing, distribution, retail and beyond. In this episode, Statler will share the many use-cases for Wiliot and share why the young startup has already raised $50 million in funding from companies like Amazon, Samsung, and Qualcomm.View the blog post for this episode -->https://electricrunway.com/connecting-people-with-products-wiliot/Follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Connect with us on Twitter -->https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayLearn more about Wiliot here --> https://www.wiliot.com/Listen to the Mr. Beacon Podcast here --> https://www.mister-beacon.com/interviews

Today's episode of the podcast is a live recording from a panel Electric Runway founder Amanda Cosco recently moderated focused on augmented reality for retail. The panel took place Thursday, March 21st at Startwell, a co-working and meeting space on King Street West in Toronto, as a part of a meetup group called AWENite TO. For those who don’t know, Augmented World Expo is the largest conference in North America for those involved in augmented reality, and their satellite events take place throughout the year and throughout the world. AWENiteTO is a free meetup that regularly features presentations from thought-leaders, panel discussions, and demos from those innovating in the mixed reality space. In this panel discussion, you’ll hear from Charles Bern, the CEO of Patio Interactive, a technology-driven design and marketing agency. You'll also hear from Fareena Contractor, Head of Walmart Innovation Community, and Matt McPherson, the COO of Quantum Capture. Quantum Capture is a company that uses AR to bring artificial intelligence to life with virtual human avatars capable of two-way conversations and dynamic body gestures. Blog post for this episode--> https://electricrunway.com/augmented-reality-for-retail-live-recording-from-awenite-toronto/Follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow Electric Runway on Twitter--> https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayMore on AWENite Toronto here--> https://www.meetup.com/AWENiteTO/

From buying the perfect present to finding the right outfit for the occasion, weddings are expensive to attend, especially if you’re in the wedding party. According to Global News, 30% of Canadian bridesmaids spend more than $500 on a friend’s wedding, and 20% have spent more than $1000. To us, these estimates seem low, especially once you factor in destination weddings or the cos of bridal showers and the bachelorette party. Today, we’re speaking with an entrepreneur who aims to make weddings more affordable. Her business combines formalwear with the ease of ordering online. Mallory McKewen is the founder and CEO of BridesMade, a Canadian startup that enables wedding parties to rent and return bridesmaids dresses as opposed to purchasing them outright. In this episode, we continue our conversation on the sharing economy, our changing attitude towards ownership, and the generational differences in wedding culture.Follow Electric Runway on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Follow us on Twitter --> https://twitter.com/Electric_RunwayBlog Post for this Episode --> https://electricrunway.com/rent-dont-buy-your-bridesmaid-dress/More info on BridesMade --> https://bridesmade.ca/Follow BridesMade on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/bridesmade.ca/

In today's episode, we're taking you to the show floor at Dx3, that's Canada's largest retail, marketing, and technology event and trade show. Having covered Dx3 for a few years now, we've found it's always a good place to check out what's new and next, and to find out how Canadian businesses and retailers are thinking about digital innovation. In this episode, we speak with: Rod Davis of Davis XM Solutions: https://www.davisxmsolutions.com/Roland Memisevic of TwentyBN: https://20bn.com/Louise McMullen of LG Electronics Canada: https://www.lg.com/ca_enMark Shaw of Upcoming Media: https://upcomingmedia.com/More on Dx3 Canada here --> https://www.dx3canada.com/View the blog post for this episode --> https://electricrunway.com/inside-dx3-2019-canadas-retail-marketing-and-tech-event/Follow Electric Runway on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/electric_runway/Connect with Electric Runway on Twitter--> https://twitter.com/Electric_Runway