STYLE AS IDENTITY

Who are we? Some of us look to our past as well as our present to answer that question. We spoke to four brands (UnoEth, Nazzal Studios, House of Aama, and Dendezeiro) who are adding to the public archives with creations rooted in history, heritage, identity, and most of all, power. If fashion is a language (and we believe it is), their output is expanding our lexicon of self-expression and our collective understanding of the experiences that ripple across generations and make us who we are. Join us to see how stories are spun into style. Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazilian born-and-blessed brand Dendezeiro represents the lesser acknowledged narratives of Bahia. Through the lens of Hisan Silva and Pedro Batalha exploring their family roots, they use fashion to redefine the narrative of sertão the dry backlands of Brazil. Where some say local fashion is corny or ‘brega’, Hisan and Pedro say it’s chic. Meet Hisan, Hypebeast’s next 100 and Forbes the 30 under 30, to hear how they are flipping the script, and their secret to using social to drive sales, hype and authenticity. Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Akua Shabaka, along with her mother, Rebecca Henry, established House of Aama in 2015. Akua and her mother are world builders and weavers of visual stories. They create stunning, often ethereal collections like Salt Water, that introduced a fictional Black resort called Camp Aama, and like Sun Records, inspired by Akua’s father’s life. House of Aama is the output of Akua digging into her past (culture, identity, heritage) and sitting in her present. The brand and the pieces become a form of spiritual expression that add to the public archive. Hear how Akua and her mother quickly grew their personal project into an in-demand business. You’ll be as in awe as we were.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although Sylwia Nazzal dreamt of one day launching her own brand, her first goal after graduating from Parsons Paris in 2023 was to gain in-house experience. However, no one would hire the Palestinian Jordanian, Arab designer, citing her as talented but too political. When they said no, she said yes. Sylwia moved home to Jordan and started Nazzal Studio, debuting her first hit-collection ‘What Should Have Been Home’, a dozen-piece ode to ancestors, honoring of resistance, and urge to reflect on the future. From hijab hoodies to camel shaped shoes, hear how Sylwia creates these heirlooms at first stitch and produces profound pieces placed in closets and museums alike.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever had a truckload of product catch fire just before it reaches its destination…then you can relate to UnoEth. If you haven’t experienced this feeling, tune into this episode to hear how Xiomara Rosa-Tedla and her dad Dagne Tedla made it through, with help from the strength of their partnerships and vendors.Their father-daughter business UnoEth (one Ethiopia) offers signature, handcrafted leather bags, totes, backpacks and accessories by reaching back to their roots and partnering with Muzeyen Siraj and his team of artisans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Find out how they started their brand by accident (read: friends and strangers alike were clamouring for these bags), what lessons Xiomara has learned through working with her Dad, and why building a business alongside trusted community like artisan-partner like Muzeyen Siraj will help you get through flames.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Innovative products can change our lives. We spoke to four brands (Evelyn & Bobbie, Crave, For Them and CuteCircuit) whose patented products grant us permission to choose ourselves - and not settle for products that don’t. But applying for a patent takes time and money - precious resources for emerging brands. In this Reflections episode, we take what we learned from these guests and form our own opinion. Are patents worth it? Is there a better way for brands to protect their IP? Join us.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CuteCircuit was the first fashion company to create smart textile-based garments that create an emotional experience for their wearer. Like their Hug Shirt™ that can send people a hug, or The SoundShirt™ that allows deaf and hearing audiences to experience music and sports more intimately through transmitting sound into touch. Meet Francesca Rosella and learn how she brought these inventions to life and hear why she thinks it’s as important to trademark as it is to patent. Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queer people have been using DIY techniques to present more fully as themselves since the first baby gay was born. Recently brands have started to build products safely, stylishly serving this need. For Them is *the most* innovative name in the game, offering two binding options with their Binder All Day and the Binder Max. They also debuted the first-ever Jockless Strap, a pouchless jockstrap, Trad Boxers that offer a pouch for packing, and underwear with a tucking channel. If that wasn’t enough, they also own queer-canon media company Autostraddle. Find out why its mission critical for them to be both product and media company, and how their membership community fuels - and - flourishes because of it. Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2008 Ti Cheng went searching for an enjoyable pleasure product. All she saw were lazily made, anatomical parts. As an industrial designer, she set out to create the products she wanted. What happens when you create something no one asked for? For Ti, this was a vibrator on a chain. Find out how she brought it to life and created a net-new category: pleasure jewelry. What’s her POV on patents? Mixed reviews. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the US, only 12% of patents are granted to women. Evelyn & Bobbie founder, Bree McKeen, has six of them. With their biomimicking bras, Evelyn & Bobbie offers the world the first true underwire replacement. In exploring this theme of patents we’re focused on fashion innovations that give us permission to be our unequivocal selves. Let’s meet Bree and find out how she went from idea to patented invention - and why utility AND design patents are critical for protecting your brand. Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Made in Portugal. Designed in NY. How do we define where a brand is ‘from’? Its origin? Is the answer straightforward, or nuanced, like our very own origin stories? We met with four brands whose genesis is heavily intertwined with their own origin story to dig deeper. Sit with us, Lola and Frankie, as we unlock how the origin stories of The Øther, Sheila Rashid, Savant Studio and Bhavya Ramesh are also what makes them non replicable. Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bhavya Ramesh and her namesake brand are expanding the audience for Indian jewelry both globally (outside of India) and locally (beyond Indian weddings). Bhavya creates time-transcendent pieces rooted in culture: sunglasses, rings,… you name it, Bhavya is designing it, and pushing the boundaries to give us experimental self-expression. Bhavya says she always goes a step too far when imagining her designs. The result is a brand narrative that is undiluted and as strong as a snake grip, echoing the exterior of her Bombay store that is turning heads and drawing all kinds of people in. Hear how Bhavya takes the right risks to realize her vision. You don’t want to miss it!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Graham is the curious, romantic magic behind Savant Studios. The brand that produced the Brooklyn *it* trucker hat and 700 original pieces for Olympic athletes. The brand that puts on Sunday Vibes, the weekly place to catch that creative spark only caught when sharing space. The brand that travels every other month to Mexico to hand select leather. How does Savant Studios create throughlines and narratives that create cohesion across their whole canon of creation? Spoiler alert - it’s not by pumping money into marketing.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago is the third largest city in the US but had its first ever fashion week this year. Brands like Sheila Rashid are putting it on the map by representing Chicago style with collections referential to blue-collar work through their own local fashion dialect (hello monochrome fits). Being so representative of a place while appealing to a global audience AND landing on the highest of profiled celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper and Lena Waithe is no easy feat. Learn how Sheila gets it done while leaning into her superpowers of storytelling, signature pieces and relationships with stylists (ahem, Law Roach). Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Through her brand The Øther, Nyla Hasan is connecting craft to identity. Using artisan-made, small batch garments she explores her experience and the tension of feeling like an “other”, hoping to use clothes as a way to build connection and belonging. Hear how she builds The Øther within the vision and values that push back on fashion industry norms and conventions.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders evolving the style-status-quo. Style as Identity is a podcast by @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's unpack what we learned from the previous four collaboration-focused episodes Dinner Service NY, KSENIASCHNAIDER, Zipeng Zhu and Tala Barbotin Khalidy. Ranging from collabs with Adidas Originals, Allbirds, rappers and artists we reflect and marinate on the difference between a dream collab and the right collab to drive success for your brand. Listen to get the tips you don't want to miss.  Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision. IG: @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tala Barbotin Khalidy pieces aren't just fashion - they change the lens through which we view Lebanon and Syria. They change our relationship with clothes. For her, collaborations are a way to practice self care through community, honor craft and preserve culture. Hear how she defines collaboration and the ways it manifests into partnerships with jewelry makers, illustrators, animators, and rappers.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision.IG: @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best way for a brand to know how to create a successful collaboration is by listening to the people we collaborate with. Today we sit with Zipeng Zhu and get his perspective on how to bring a collaboration to life so everyone benefits - especially the consumer.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision.IG: @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most brands know who their ‘dream collab' would be. But is it the right collab? Sometimes - but not always. Today we sit with Ksenia and Anton Schnaider, founders of Ukraine-based brand KSENIASCHNAIDER to hear about when their dream collab - with Adidas Originals - was also the right collab, and what made it a success.  Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision. IG: @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most designers have a dream collab. But would they be the right collab? What defines success and how do we measure it? Today we learn from Dinner Service NY - a brand that views collabs as their primary marketing engine to fuel demand for their sustainably-minded pieces.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision.IG: @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If size is the rubric, fit is what affirms us. Fit determines whether we buy - or bypass. Join Lola & Frankie as they talk about what they learned about fit from the last four episodes with guests Sene, Naito, 2wo+1ne=2 and Wide the Brand. Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision. IG: @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Inclusive sizing is one of the biggest trends in retail” reporters proclaimed in 2022. Hmm. We had questions. Why is this a ‘trend'? Like really which part. And why do conversations typically start and stop at womenswear? We scoured, and there aren't many brands solving for the male figure. This episode with Mahrzad Lari, co-founder of Quebec-based, Wide the Brand starts to unpack why. Meet Mahrzad with us and find out how his brand is distinctly positioned to offer wide men a highly considered, curated aesthetic line of clothes in extended mens sizes.  Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision. IG: @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Standard sizes aren't a shortcut for convenience, rather a conundrum for customers. What is a Small? A size 6? A size 30? The standard leaves us in a headspin. Enter 2wo+1ne=2, a brand from Athens, Greece that is solving for this – their pieces come with a ‘fit to size' option. Their garments are literally made to fit our distinct measurements. The result? Unsurprisingly, customers so loyal they send the brand gifts like honey and treats. Meet co-founders and creative duo Stella Panagopoulou and Valisia Gotsi to hear why - and how - they do it.  Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision. IG: @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandal size guides now go beyond your foot length to include your personal ‘active vs relaxed' preference thanks to Naito, a 150 year-old, sandal maker in Gion, Japan producing one of the most modern sandal designs of today.Let's meet Seiji Naito, the 5th generation shoemaker, and learn how an earthquake inspired his new type of sandal using innovative materials that provide comfort, water resistance, and fit preference without compromising on its sleek design.*Note - this episode is in both English and Japaneseサンダルのサイズが、“足の大きさのガイド”という機能を超えて、“アクティブvsリラックス”という個人の用途や好みをも提供する。京都祇園に150年続く老舗草履屋「祇園ない藤」は、もっとも現代的なサンダルデザインの一つのカタチを生み出しました。今回は、五代目当主、内藤誠治さんをお招きし、日本に起きた震災を契機に、革新的な素材を使用して、快適さ、防水性、そしてフィット感の好みを提供するこのサンダルがいかに生まれてきたのか？詳しくお話しいただきます。*このエピソードは、英語、日本語どちらの言語でもお聞きいただけます。See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How are ‘size' and ‘fit' different? Meet Mark Zheng, co-founder of Sene, to get his take on the difference, and learn what it means to run a sizeless brand at scale. We talk about what going sizeless means for inventory, marketing and supply chain — and about how Sene's AI-enabled SmartFit quiz, informed by art and science, truly fits their consumers' preferences. Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision. IG: @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The theme is price and the mood is reflection. Join Lola & Frankie as they talk about what they learned from the last four episodes with guests Nia Thomas, Naomi Nomi, Capable Design, and Wolven.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision.IG: @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Lapham and the Wolven team build for a consumer with an ethos of care. So it's fitting that they allocated their brand resources early on to building a community of people that are still engaged with the brand today. Sit with us as Amanda gives a behind-the-scenes tour of Wolven's working model with climate partners, their Wolven Pre-Loved program, and everything in between that resulted in a climate-positive brand.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision.IG: @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you put a price on a garment that protects what is priceless? Capable Design uses fashion styled with the boldest patterns to protect our biometric data from facial recognition technology – enabling us to protect that which defines us. Rachele Didero walks us through her vision for giving us a choice in when we share our data, and how Capable's creative approach makes the result a little fun too.  Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision. IG: @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Naomi Nomi defines success of their brand based on their ability to create financial, emotional and creative value. Making a business that is profitable (and therefore sustainable) in order to keep making creative things. Learn how Naomi Nomi's mission is to help people feel capable of anything - and about their big swings that ended up paying off.Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision.IG: @themajoritygroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainability of self, identity and longevity. That's how Nia Thomas defines the success of her namesake brand. Learn how she went from wanting to be in Vogue and being accepted by the industry - to getting it - and realizing that being cool? It's death. So we had to ask her the question of questions: how DID she shed superficial cues for a sustainability of self?Like and subscribe to join hosts Lola Catero and Frankie Ikwuazom as they meet the founders building fashion brands within their values and vision.IG: @themajoritygroup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Use materials to showcase Loved getting to go deeper with Yevu, Been London, Maydi and Fatra as they use materials to showcase their values and literally embody the impact (or change) they want to see in the world. Next episode - you know what it is. Reflection time. Frankie and I reflect on the last four conversations and discuss how our perspectives have expanded, and what questions we now have. See you there. IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “materials” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When designing clothes, deciding which materials to use and where to source them are choices that impact all aspects of our lives. Hear from Akilah Stewart, founder of FATRA, a creative waste management company, as we discuss how we've been collectively trained to view waste as an output, and how we can re-train ourselves to utilize it as a resource - especially in fashion.  IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “hifatra” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yevu's vibrant Ghanian wax print fits are the result of efforts by Anna Robertson and Felicia (Fili) Asetsiwah and their team of seamstresses, tailors, procurement officers, and textile vendors. Hear from Anna and Fili as we learn why their business is structured both as a brand and a foundation, and why wax is their print-of-choice and how they use it to create iconic, ethical and undeniably Yevu pieces.   IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “Yevuclothing” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubbed 'One of the most innovative fashion companies in the world' by British VOGUE, BEEN London's founder Genia Mineeva is on a mission to shift perspectives on waste. Hear about why she forwent VC funding and built BEEN off of community investment, and focused on scaling a brand where waste isn't a taboo topic - it's the focus.   IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “BEENLondon” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide  PS. The documentary that changed Genia's mission in life is called ​​Hugh's War on Waste - and the newsletter she recommends reading is from @materialdistrict on IG.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to María Abdala Zolezzi, founder of Maydi on why Argentina was the first country to export the best merino wool - and how her brand is building ethical, sustainable systems that raise the standard for harvesting and sourcing quality, natural materials in Argentina.  IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “holamaydi” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special *reflections* episode, your hosts Lola and Frankie take the stage – and take a beat – to reflect on the last four conversations (eps 6 - 9) with the brands setting these new standards. We ask ourselves, what new perspectives did we gain? What new questions do we now have? Join us. IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “Heritage” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide                 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While it may be one of the world's largest fabric producers in the world, with the US being a top export location, India's fashion design influence doesn't yield the same power. Well New Delhi-based brand Prxkhxr with its high-key but casual silhouettes, is flipping that narrative. Meet founder Prakhar Chauhan and learn how, through collabs with brands like The Hundreds, he's elevating Indian culture and design leadership to the global stage. IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “Prxkhxr” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jaywalking is lauded as India's hottest streetwear brand, with hyped drops that sell out too fast for us to catch. Their limited pieces and approach to DIY brand building  encourage a work-in-progress attitude, embodying the brand's ‘Not the Final Logo' tagline. Meet Jay Jajal, founder of Jaywalking, and hear how he's shaping the early days of India's streetwear culture while challenging traditional notions of building a fashion brand. IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “Jaywalking” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carla Fernández is a Mexico City-based fashion house with global influence. Through collaborations with indigenous and mestizo communities, the work has led to the Western re-education of artisan techniques as luxury fashion and shifted public policy to better serve and protect these talented artists and designers. Meet Carla herself and hear why she believes fashion is not ephemeral, but rather a language we use to communicate across time, cultures and experiences IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “Carla” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Someone Somewhere is focused on decreasing the number of artisans living in poverty, starting with the 12 million living in Mexico. By collaborating with artisans to incorporate their original craft into lifestyle products, Someone Somewhere built a scalable system to meet the demand of 10 million products (each signed by the artisan that made it) this year alone. Meet Antonio Nuño, co-founder of Someone Somewhere as we learn how they've built a sustainable system that equitably and ethically employs artisans and uses materials that reduce the environmental impact of fashion.  IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “Someone” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where mainstream fashion has historically thrived off of perpetuating gender constructs, emerging brands like HOMOCO, Argent, Lilith NYC and Stuzo are setting new standards, building towards a future where fashion serves our identity rather than forcing us to fit theirs.  In this special *reflections* episode, your hosts Lola and Frankie take the stage – and take a beat – to reflect on the last four conversations (eps 1 - 4) with the brands setting these new standards. We ask ourselves, what new perspectives did we gain? What new questions do we now have? Join us.  IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “gender” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stoney Michelli Love, creator of Stuzo Clothing shares what it's like to build one of the first gender-free brands. Learn with us as we hear how Stuzo did the work to help pave the way and normalize what it looks like to serve our gender spectrum through apparel. IG: @themajoritygroup Text “stuzo” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Sukumaran shares her journey to founding Lilith NYC, a Queens-based sneaker brand, with women, femmes, and underrepresented people in mind. An avid sneakerhead since birth, Sarah experienced firsthand shopping for styles and silhouettes that were not designed for her. Learn with us as we hear how Lilith NYC creates footwear that gives our feet the respect and aesthetic they deserve. IG: @themajoritygroup Text “lilith” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women are judged based on appearance, and it impacts their bottom line 20-40%. This HBR stat prompted Sali Christeson to found women's workwear brand Argent and dedicate her days to supporting all women and nonbinary people with the workwear and tools that generate the equity we deserve in the workplace. Listen to Sali talk about her journey launching Argent and her approach to achieving collective change. IG: @themajoritygroup Text “argent” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel DuGoff shares how the history of queer travel in the US influenced the making of HOMOCO, a brand that embodies summer joy. Discover the core brand tenets that anchor decision making and result in versatile tops & power bottoms that enable queers & their friends to show up & show out.  IG: @themajoritygroup  Text “homoco” to (833) 495-4773 for a visual guide  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.