Raw Talent with Fiona Abrahams

In Series 5 Episode 2 of Raw Talent, I am joined by Alice Heusser, the Founder & Creative Director of Kitani London. Alice is a dynamic and business-savvy individual focused on achieving results. She possesses a global perspective and an entrepreneurial drive that will shape our discussion as we look at her experience at the helm of two successful fashion labels and the evolution of her stunning new brand, Kitani London, launched in June 2024, born from a deep-seated passion for wellness, sustainable clothing, homeware and conscious living.The Raw Talent podcast series. Sharing career stories from across the fashion, beauty and creative industries.

We are kicking off Season 5, Episode 1 of Raw Talent with a compelling chat with educator and coach Sasha Damjanovski. Sasha has enjoyed a multifaceted career as an award-winning writer, director and producer in film, TV and theatre, he has also cultivated a career in business communications and as a psychological counselling and CBT coach, as well as an educator at Central Saint Martin's in Applied Imagination, which is a research degree.The Raw Talent podcast series. Sharing career stories from across the fashion, beauty and creative industries.

In Series 4 Episode 9 of Raw Talent, I am speaking with Katrina Armitage who is the vision behind Fashion Desk UK an initiative she has set up inspired by the needs of brands in today's fashion industry reinforced by 26+ years in the business. Fashion Desk UK facilitates and supports retailers and brands in relocating some of their manufacturing to the UK in order to establish a transparent supply chain and improve sustainability, offering flexibility, creativity and speed to market.

In S4 Episode 8 of Raw Talent, I am speaking with Erica Horne founder of CAD For Fashion. Erica and her team teach the most effective steps for computer and iPad based Photoshop and Illustrator. They offer group sessions and one-to-one lessons with a step-by-step watch, learn and do approach for students, graduates and established designers of all levels. Erica believes iPad Illustrator launched in 2020 will revolutionise fashion CAD with its speed, accuracy and ease of use. It makes light work in enabling a designer to create highly professional CAD's and illustrations to a professional standard a skill we see people continually honing throughout their fashion careers. 

In Series 4, Episode 7 of Raw Talent we are exploring how psychology can make fashion better with Professor Carolyn Mair, Author of 'The Psychology of Fashion'. Carolyn Mair is a Chartered Psychologist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Her professional experience spans consultancy, academia and early careers in visual merchandising, graphic design, dressmaking and portraiture. During her 20 years in academia, she was promoted to full Professorship at two universities and established a Psychology Department at University of the Arts London (UAL) pioneering the world's first Psychology for Fashion Masters degrees (MA and MSc).Carolyn left academia in 2017, established her consultancy and wrote a book, The Psychology of Fashion, published in 2018.In the first of a 3 part series, we are going to explore why the psychology of fashion matters and it's impact on society and the industry.

In Series 4, Episode 6 of Raw Talent I am joined by sustainability and raw materials expert Kavita Dass. With a solid history in raw material sourcing and technology, Kavita combines both industry experience and study to offer an authoritative grasp of the latest innovations, sustainable sourcing and circular economy challenges and solutions faced and on offer within the industry. Her unique selling point is the ability to help implement and embed sustainability with a systemic approach, so that a business remains agile and in step with its customers. Implementing changing practices is a gradual process that should not impede or disrupt but instead be a smooth transition.

In Series 4, Episode 5 of Raw Talent I am speaking with Rebecca Rodden founder of Eluroom. Rebecca's career evolved in a 21-year stint at Ted Baker rising from Receptionist to Buying Director across two decades during which we have experienced the evolution of technology making a revolutionary impact on the way in which fashion is consumed and experienced. During her time at Ted Baker, Rebecca worked across men's and women's clothing, accessories, footwear and licensed product with the mission of continually evolving the Ted Baker brand through innovation and diversification in response to the ebb and flow of a changing global consumer.2020 has shaken many established businesses and stepping out into a brave new world, Rebecca is embarking on a new chapter inspired by a desire for balance expressed in her about to launch brand Eluroom.

In Series 4, Episode 4 of Raw Talent I am speaking with luxury brand consultant Michelle Mahlke. After graduating with Degrees in Art History and Fashion Design, her career started in 2006 with iconic designer Roland Mouret and progressed through several roles from EA / Office Manager (2006 – 2007) to PR, Event Management and Special Projects (2008 – 2009), General Manager (2009 – 2013) and ultimately Managing Director (2013 – 2018). This breadth of knowledge and expertise positioned Michelle with the opportunity to understand the successes, challenges and growing pains of the business and how to get past them. She is fascinated by making a dream become reality and has the imagination, determination, and experience to build this synergy within a developing business. As a consultant, her goal is to help founders and owners build successful and dynamic companies that inspire both teams and consumers to carve out new niches within their respective industries.

In Series 4, Episode 3 of Raw Talent I am speaking with Tanya Robertson Founder of Womanhood, an online store showcasing a curated collection of lingerie by female founders offering multiple sizes and styles, creating a positive underwear shopping and wearer experience.Womanhood reflects representation, authenticity and women reclaiming their bodies. It is a joining of forces showcasing brands that share the aligned values of diversity, inclusion and body positivity.The aim is to build a community of confident, empowered women whilst championing diverse, ethical and independent brands, who create their products with love. 

Welcome to Series 4, Episode 2 of Raw Talent, where we are off to the Netherlands and getting all summery with sustainable swim & resort wear brand Bower. As soon as we head to the website, we want to book a holiday and buy everything! Bower offers modern design-led beautifully constructed swimwear for men and women that retains functionality and ease of wear. 1% of profits are donated to the Healthy Seas initiative and all swimwear is created from fabrics produced with ECONYL®, a yarn created from post-consumer plastic waste including discarded fishing nets.

In Series 4, Episode 1 of Raw Talent we're heading to Ipswich to chat with Matthew Rawlings Retail Director of Coes, one of the UK's largest independent fashion retailers. Matthew has extensive expertise across all aspects of retail operations including product, high-end store management, area management, buying, merchandising, financial planning and team development. He brings a warm and engaging leadership style that gets the best out of individuals and creates happy high performing teams. Exactly what you'd expect at a business at the forefront of style that is constantly pushing for innovation. Where service excellence and selecting the best styles with customers in mind is at the heart of what they do.

Welcome to Series 3, Episode 10 of Raw Talent where we are back in London diving into brand development, communications and investment with John Hoffman, Partner at the New Spirit Group and ex-Chairman of The Communications Store, now Science Magic Inc.  John was at the helm during the evolution of The Communications Store into Science Magic Inc. with the mission of building, partnering with and investing in the brands and people of tomorrow using Science, Magic and Experience.

Welcome to Series 3, Episode 9 of Raw Talent, where we are back in London sneaking a peek behind the scenes at emerging menswear brand Basic Rights with MD Jack Gove. Basic Rights was founded in New York and launched in Electric Lady Studios in 2016 by guitarist Freddie Cowan of The Vaccines, before relocating to East London in 2018. They believe in style combined with fabric, fit and finish. Ethical transparency and sustainable practices are at the forefront of the brand's values in creating elevated essentials, designed as off-duty uniforms for modern creatives. The message is about getting the basics right.

Welcome to Series 3, Episode 8 of Raw Talent, where we are hanging in London and experiencing a French twist with footwear designer Léa Zana who is also the founder of emerging homeware brand Vaisselle Boutique, founded during lockdown as a homage to all the favourite restaurants and bistros Léa is missing. Léa confesses that the food she cooks is terrible and she had to find a way to make it tasty and yummy.So she designed a range of kitchen and decoration essentials inspired by Spanish antique ceramics with a colourful twist. All the items are interchangeable so you can create your OWN tablescape. By the way, in case you're wondering what Vaisselle means... it's the French word for crockery.

Welcome to Series 3, Episode 7 of Raw Talent, where we are back in London exploring the world of brand consultancy with Erin Mullaney whose experience has been honed in luxury fashion working at Selfridges, Browns Fashion, Avenue32 and Tom Ford before stepping out as a luxury fashion consultant guiding brands on PR, marketing & creative direction, buying & merchandising, product development, range planning, global pricing, digital strategy and distribution channels.

Welcome to Series 3, Episode 6 of Raw Talent, where we are heading to Ireland and jumping into the world of AR with Allen Wixted and exploring how Augmented Reality is helping bring furniture to life inside your home, which is an ideal solution for brands with physical stores impacted by lockdown, online brands and consumers looking for new furniture and homeware items.Plop have harnessed ingenious technology that allows you to place an item of furniture in your home on your mobile so that you can see what it looks like before you buy. 

Welcome to Series 3, Episode 5 of Raw Talent, where we are heading into the world of design with Creative Directors Rob Warner and Craig Buglass founders of Spark Design Academy. Rob and Craig have amassed 45 years experience between them and are proud owners of the award-winning design agency Spark. Together, they have designed a series of courses that can fast-track your career, built from the knowledge they have of working at the highest level in the field. Spark Design Academy has been crafted to provide you with everything you need to develop your core design, presentation and business skills with a window into the world of luxury, fashion and sportswear industries, giving you the advantages you need to forge a successful career.

In S3 Episode 4 of Raw Talent, I am speaking with Elodie Carpentier founder of Le Rouge Francais the first vegetable based ethical cosmetics brand inspired by a search, whilst pregnant for chemical free cosmetics that would not harm the baby.Le Rouge Francais is blazing a trail in ethical make-up innovation using pigments derived from plants. Dyer's madder, alkanet, achiote (ah-chee-oh-tah), red radish, elderberry, hibiscus, sweet potato, purple corn, tomato lycopene are all sources of inspiration infused to reveal their natural, colours. As a bonus they also boast extraordinary biological properties that nourish, hydrate, repair and protect the skin. Forging a path in natural, responsible and sustainable cosmetics, Le Rouge Francais collaborate with pioneers and artisan communities in sourcing fair trade certified, ethical, sustainable, organic ingredients.

In S3 Episode 4 of Raw Talent, I am speaking with Keiran Hewkin founder of Swyft Home. Keiran is revolutionising the home furnishing market with great quality sofas that do not require an enactment of a sketch from Friends to get them through the front door. Over plenty of cups of tea and lots of brainstorming, the Sofa In A Box was born; a sofa which could be delivered to your door in 48 hours through the tightest of entranceways and assembled in minutes. Built in their own factory by highly skilled craftsmen Swyft have created a seamless, effortless product offering which is not only convenient, but also incredibly comfortable and meets the needs of the modern consumer, which is the philosophy at the heart of every decision they make as a people-first company.

Welcome to Series 3, Episode 2 of Raw Talent where we're heading to Newcastle to explore the world of affordable rental fashion with Isabella West founder of Hirestreet. When it comes to fashion rentals, Isabella discovered people worry about damage, late fines and affordability. As consumers, they were spending around £25-30 on an outfit they'd wear once and throw out when they stumbled across it again in the future. Through focus group studies, she discovered people want newness and access to the styles they are already buying at an affordable price. With inclusivity, sustainability and empowering women at the foundation of their values, Hirestreet, offers outfits for all occasions including new, pre-loved, modelled by you and a try on service.

 Welcome to Series 3, Episode 1 of Raw Talent where we're heading to Sweden for an educational chat with Linn Frisinger founder of Swedish Stockings. It all started after watching the 2010 documentary The Light Bulb Conspiracy which uncovers how planned obsolescence has shaped our lives and economy since the 1920's, when manufacturers deliberately started shortening the life of consumer products to increase demand. The film also profiles a new generation of consumers, designers and business people like Linn, who have started challenging planned obsolescence as an unsustainable economic driver. Linn explains that tights are made from petroleum which shocks most people. She saw many areas for improvement in design, quality, sustainability and packaging and has set about rewriting the rule book to create the first sustainable worldwide hosiery brand made from fully recycled nylon. 

Welcome to Series 2 Episode 10 of Raw Talent where we're heading to Spain and joining Laura Lamarca Head of PR at fashion and footwear brand Alohas. Alohas are amongst a new wave of brands blazing a trail in sustainable fashion by combining style, local craftsmanship and a pre-order business model aimed at making goods to order to help reduce oversupply and landfill, whilst actively engaging with their customers on the aftercare of their made-to-order purchases.

In Season 2, Episode 9 of Raw Talent, I am speaking with Shirley Billot founder of Kadalys. The story of Kadalys is an inspiration for entrepreneurs around the world. In 2010, Shirley began a research project fuelled by her passion for plant research and a desire to enhance the ancestral cosmetic virtues of the Banana tree which led to the creation of Kadalys in 2012, the first eco-conscious brand to harness expertise in banana science aimed at preserving the youthfulness of the skin. 

In S2 Episode 8 of Raw Talent, I am speaking with Jo Foster founder of Kiss The Moon and boom Innovation. Based in the English countryside next to an ancient woodland, Kiss The Moon is driven by a passion to help us enjoy a beautiful night's sleep inspired by Jo's realisation that she needed to get her own sleep back on track and counter the effects of a life full of deadlines and jet lag inducing travel, (which is temporarily a thing of the past but hopefully not for much longer). Selling at Kiss The Moon.com and speaking with me today from her home town of Richmond, Yorkshire, Jo shares her story. 

Founded in 2018 by Rosie De Malmanche in Australia, Our Closet offers an endless closet at your fingertips. Rosie was renting out her extensive wardrobe as a way to make some extra money when a few of her friends started asking to rent out their clothes as well and she saw an opportunity to create a platform where clothes could be rented in a safe and secure way whilst still being available for the owner to wear too. Our Closet is a way to make some money back on your purchases which rent for around 20% of the purchase price, rent them out 5 times and you've made your money back. Rent them 6 times, you're making money!! It is also an opportunity to rent a gorgeous designer outfit for a fraction of the retail price, take that killer Insta snap and move on to the next outfit, which helps cut down on the fast fashion going straight to landfill. Before buying a new outfit, Rosie wants us to consider: Will I wear this again? Would someone else want to wear it? For this price, could I rent something from my favourite luxury designer instead? 

Amandine Furhmann and Mériadek Caraës, met 10+ years ago, both are trained in Plastic Arts and Art History and have always worked together in the creative industries. They founded Datcha design studio in 2016, creating handcrafted useful and decorative objects for the home presented in two annual collections comprising dishes, linens, lights and decorative objects designed in their Paris studio. They seek out artisans to realise their creations preserving handmade and endangered heritage, traditions and techniques freeing them from folklore to create modern pieces that meet the expectations of our modern lifestyles. Exuding clean lines, natural materials (wood, wool, glass, earthenware) traceability and authenticity: behind each object, there is a meeting, a craftsman and a story. Datcha produce objects that make sense.

Today I am exploring life through the eyes of Chloe Tupper and the ingredients that contribute to success. Chloe is a do-er. She says you can't think your way into change, she's tried. Change requires action. Having worked in the Fashion, Wellness, Skincare and Lifestyle industries for the past decade, she has built extensive knowledge in brand coordination, marketing initiatives and operations. From NYC's Big Apple to the traditional Mews of London, she has experience working with corporate and private companies producing positive results in a changing world. Chloe offers real life solutions for living well, which requires us to roll up our sleeves by building and implementing a framework for living with ease and clarity. She incorporates some necessary maintenance tools for optimal physical, emotional and professional functionality that tweak your internal mechanisms and help you perform better with less effort. She doesn't promise transformation. And transcendence is intangible. But living well doesn't require fairy dust. Just a toolkit, a steady hand, a deep breath and some practical guidance. 

We first started working with Rapha back in 2014 when the brand was beginning to scale. We were tasked, by the then CEO with finding a production manager and set a very specific brief resulting in a successful hire.Fast forward 3 years and Ashley Marsh joined the HR team and is my guest on Raw Talent, here to inspire us with his birds-eye view from inside the cycling revolution, which has been gripping our screens, streets and outdoor spaces and is being championed by the UK government, who are on a mission to promote healthy active lifestyles by improving road safety for cyclists. Amsterdam is coming to the UK!One of the questions I will be asking is how the culture at Rapha has been impacted by the pandemic and how they are managing to keep the company cycling?

Our paths first crossed back in 2009 as the global financial crash was biting and the job market was in turmoil, similar to today, Russell and I independently of one another, set up businesses and he approached me to help find him a business partner. I was super busy at the time in a one person business and completely forgot to get back to him! However, our paths crossed again a couple of years later and we have been regular collaborators since. Fast forward 10 years and a global pandemic later and we are both in a rebuilding phase as the fashion industry shakes itself down and maps new pathways aimed at addressing sustainability, purpose and impact. 

Today I am talking with the inspirational Lisa Miller who brings us hope and excitement with teasers of some of the innovation going on within the European apparel industry and the opportunities these will create as we navigate through the impact of Covid. Lisa is a pioneering Fabric Technical Manager with global experience in yarn and fabric development and sourcing and manufacturing processes. She specialises in functional sportswear, athleisure, outerwear and garment innovation and has lived and worked in Morocco, Central America, Asia & Canada amassing a vast library of contacts throughout the world. Lisa is a results focused, commercially minded, leader and motivator.

In part-two of my conversation with Constantinos Tsikkos, he walks us through his thoughts on how the post COVID-19 fashion landscape is evolving. We discuss how retailers can seamlessly merge offline and online experiences as showcased by Swedish streetwear brand Très Bien, through their virtual store tours on Zoom. And we explore the importance of brand messaging; being informed, being agile and showcasing sustainability, prioritising your community and harnessing consumer loyalty. 

In Episode 9 of our Raw Talent series Alice walks us through her career as a Senior Technical Product Developer and how she brings a design to life by guiding the vision from sketch to sample. We hear how her career path started off unconventionally and evolved through her different job roles driven by strong organisational skills, excellence in garment construction and costing with positive communication being a notable feature in liaising internally and externally, enabling timely achievement of critical path milestones. 

In Episode 8 of Raw Talent Alexander inspires us with his 9 year journey starting out at Mary Katrantzou soon after finishing university, jumping in at the deep end he worked across design and sales to help support the growth of the brand ultimately going on to lead the sales team as the brand gathered momentum. In the last two years, as a consultant he has been helping luxury brands plot their overall strategy and execution whilst guiding focused merchandising and global sales plans.

Inspired by his dad, Naeem started out in the family clothing business learning the art of manufacturing completing a 3 year college course in just over a year, before embarking on a global journey where he shares inspiring insights from his experiences at Li & Fung, Adidas, John Smedley and Prevayl where his mission has been to enhance, reinvent and evolve both sampling and manufacturing processes with lasting results. 

Kate is one of those naturally stylish individuals with an aptitude for putting a look together. She was always the one to watch at University and has gone onto to build a career in women's fashion, footwear and accessories, honed by her university experience at Epsom and two fascinating internships, where she soaked up the mechanics of how the industry works laying the foundation for a highly successful career with Miss Selfridge, Etam, M&S, Tesco and Debenhams. 

Clemency draws us into the world of luxury fashion and her passion for tailoring. From St Martins School of Art she interns and takes her first role at Giorgio Armani in Italy learning from the master over a 6 year period before moving on to Calvin Klein in New York and embracing the art of minimalistic design. Before heading back to the UK to work at Burberry, followed by Joseph and the genius that is Karl Lagerfeld.

Diane shares with us her journey from the factory floor in the North of England to HR and compliance in London and Bangladesh. The thread that links her experience is camaraderie and the importance of relationships that value and empower, motivate and reward. When businesses get the balance right, they achieve results faster by consolidating the expertise in their businesses to work towards a common goal. 

Constantinos walks us through his buying and sales background and how his analytical training in social anthropology has led him to the world of trend forecasting. Over a two-part episode we explore the pre and post COVID-19 world of fashion and how the old must make way for the new. 

Melda takes us on a journey from LA to London telling us how she got started in PR and about her agency experience as the influencer phenomena was emerging. Seeking adventure, chance created a window, and Melda took a leap of faith and crossed the pond establishing herself in London. It is a story inspired by serendipity and a healthy dose of determination. 

My goal with this podcast series is to bring you first hand insights into the lives and professions of the individuals, who make up the complex network of interdependent businesses that form the global fashion and creative industries. COVID-19 is having a deep impact. My business along with many others has taken a significant hit and we find ourselves unable to trade due to the ricochet effect across the industry. This has prompted me, and others to seek alternative ways of staying connected, by deepening our digital footprint, and creating new initiatives that enable us to share our stories, and experiences, with the aim of inspiring, connecting and making you laugh. 

Claire brings a wealth of experience in product development and sourcing from her commercial roots at Next Sourcing, George at Asda and Saltrock to start a number of entrepreneurial ventures. Social Starters supports a new wave of entrepreneurs who see beyond the basics of profit. Cirkiit is a lifestyle clothing brand for people who love to express themselves through workout and leisure clothing and with Hemptex she is working with Governments in under-developed countries to develop Eco fibre industries from Hemp with the goal of creating opportunities for farmers, employment for skilled workers, social & economic growth and global export markets.