The Buyers Club

Welcome to The Buyers Club with your host, Cliff Rodriguez! Joining him today is Rich Oliver Lewis, the founder of Oliver Lewis Hats, a Brooklyn-based hat company renowned for its craftsmanship. Rich, a Brooklyn-born and -raised artist, was deeply influenced by his father's love for Westerns stories. This sparked his fascination with hats, which he began wearing at the age of 12, ultimately leading him to develop his own modern take on Western style. After spending eight years immersing himself in the film and music scene in Toronto, Rich returned to New York City, where a friend from the Hasidic community introduced him to his true creative passion: hat-making. Richard's craftsmanship flourished as he mastered the art of creating 'Shtreimels,' the elegant fur hats worn by Jewish men for Shabbat, weddings, and holidays. In 2022, Richard embarked on his entrepreneurial journey and founded Oliver Lewis Hats with a mission to create unique pieces that seamlessly blend with casual attire as well as formal suits. He challenges the notion that hats are limited to selective or festive occasions. Each Oliver Lewis Hat is meticulously handcrafted, ensuring a one-of-a-kind creation that embodies classic elegance with a contemporary twist. Join Cliff and Rich in this captivating conversation as they explore Rich's remarkable journey and unwavering dedication to his craft. Rich Oliver Lewis is a visionary in the world of hats, and you'll undoubtedly witness his influence in the future. Don't forget to leave a review, share, and subscribe if you're enjoying the conversations on The Buyers Club. Please see below if you would like to follow more of Rich Oliver Lewis Rich (@richoliverlewis) • Instagram photos and videos Oliver Lewis Hats (@oliverlewishats) • Instagram photos and videos

Welcome back to The Buyers Club with your host, Cliff Rodriguez! Today's guest is Emma Schulz, the founder of Blistered Peppers, a popular food blog. Emma's unique approach to food and her valuable tips on finding and making incredible meals inspire people to explore new culinary experiences. During this engaging conversation, Emma shares her journey, starting from her early career in fashion and transitioning into the tech industry. She takes us back to the beginning of Blistered Peppers and provides insight into her vision for its future. Emma's story serves as a reminder that it's never too late to change careers and pursue your passions, even when it means starting from scratch. Her success at her current full-time job and the thriving Blistered Peppers are testaments to the power of taking that leap of faith. Join Cliff and Emma as they dive deep into her career journey, exploring the lessons learned and the fulfilling experiences she has encountered along the way. This episode is filled with valuable insights and inspiring anecdotes, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance in finding their true calling. Thank you for tuning in to The Buyers Club! We appreciate your continued support and invites you to leave a review, share, and subscribe to the podcast. grateful for your enthusiasm. Please see below if you would like to follow more of Emma Schulz Blistered Peppers (@blisteredpeppers) | Instagram Blistered Peppers (theblisteredpeppers.com)

Welcome to The Buyers Club with your host, Cliff Rodriguez. Cliff is joined by Jian Deleon, the Men's Fashion Director at Nordstrom and Co-Creator of Mule Boyz. In this episode, Cliff has an engaging conversation with Jian, who exemplifies the qualities of a curious and well-thought-out individual. They discuss his journey in the fashion industry and the importance he places on collaboration with friends and colleagues. Jian's passion and knowledge about all things fashion are truly impressive, and he constantly seeks to learn from others. We explore how he has navigated his career thus far and the valuable insights he has gained along the way. It was a great pleasure to sit down with Jian and have him share his experiences. He has been a tremendous source of support, not just to Cliff, but for many others in the industry. Jian is an exceptional individual, and his dedication and drive will undoubtedly continue to yield great work. Join us for this episode of The Buyers Club podcast as we delve into the world of fashion, collaboration, and personal growth, guided by the inspiring journey and wisdom of Jian Deleon. See below if you would like to follow more from Jian Deleon Jian DeLeon (@jiandeleon) • Instagram photos and videos Muleboyz (@muleboyz) • Instagram photos and videos Other half of Mule Boyz Noah Thomas Noah Thomas (@noahnoahthomasthomas) • Instagram photos and videos

Welcome to The Buyers Club with your host, Cliff Rodriguez. Cliff is joined by Ahna Han, a remarkable Brooklyn-based wedding florist and entrepreneur who has carved out a prominent place for herself in the New York's wedding industry. Ahna's talent and distinctive approach to design left Cliff (And his Wife) inspired when they had the privilege of working with her for their own wedding. During their conversation, Cliff and Ahna delve into her journey, tracing her beginnings in the fashion world and the pivotal moment when she made the bold leap into owning her own business. Ahna candidly shares the early challenges she faced and the strategies she employed to establish herself in a new and unfamiliar industry. Her stories offer a fresh perspective on how to approach life and business. The experience of sitting down with Ahna is a testament to Cliff's insatiable curiosity about industries that may seem unexpected at first glance, and the extraordinary individuals associated with them. Ahna's path to success serves as an inspiring example, and her determination guarantees that her future endeavors will continue to flourish. See below to follow more of Ahna Han's story! Ahna Han | NYC Wedding Florist (@dearbayard) | Instagram Home - Dear Bayard - New York City Wedding Florist

Cliff sits down with the founder of Alfargos Marketplace, Stephon Carson. Alfargos Marketplace is a unique and vibrant gathering for menswear enthusiasts, often referred to as "The Menswear Garage Sale" by Stephon himself. However, it's much more than that—it's a genuine community. Over the past year, Alfargos Marketplace has gained significant momentum and become a must-attend event. During our conversation, Stephon takes us on a journey through his fashion background, sharing how he initially ventured into the industry and what inspired him to create Alfargos Marketplace. We delve into the significance of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals and how that has been a game-changer in all of Stephon's endeavors. We also explore NYC-based menswear clique known as Team Cozy Boys, a group of his closest friends, and discuss the immense value they have added to his life. Additionally, we touch upon the exciting sponsorships that Stephon has secured for his recent events, highlighting the support he has received within the industry. It's truly fascinating to witness how Stephon's passion for fashion has blossomed into a thriving community, with influential figures rallying behind his vision. Having the opportunity to sit down with Stephon was a real pleasure. Not only is he an incredibly supportive and talented individual, but also now a close friend of the pod. As we conclude our conversation, it becomes evident that this is just the beginning of Stephon's journey, and we can expect even greater things from him in the future. Tune in to Episode 2 of The Buyers Club and join us as we explore Stephon Carson's journey thus far. See below if you would like to follow more of future events from Stephon Carson. @stephoncarson • Instagram photos and videos The Menswear Garage Sale (@alfargosmarketplace) • Instagram photos and videos

Cliff sits down with celebrity stylist & friend Miso Dam. Based in Los Angeles, Miso has shattered industry norms and defied the traditional hierarchy that once dominated the fashion scene. From her humble beginnings, Miso's innate talent and relentless drive propelled her to the forefront of the styling world. Returning to her roots in LA after Barneys New York, she quickly became the go-to stylist. In this episode, we explore Miso's rise in the industry, despite her relatively short time as a professional stylist. Discover how she earned the trust of notable figures like Lil Uzi, Karol G, and Dixie D'Amelio, while also curating editorials for esteemed publications. Get ready to be inspired by Miso's tenacity, unique vision, and impeccable taste as she shares her secrets to success, the challenges she's overcome, and her boundless creativity that continues to push the boundaries of styling. Whether you're an aspiring stylist or simply fascinated by the world of fashion, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of celebrity styling with Miso Dam.

Justin Felizzari is the owner of Cueva, a menswear multi brand retail shop based in West Village New York. In this conversation Cliff & Justin unpack exactly where the idea of opening up a menswear shop came from. Justin goes into detail on the challenges he faced starting this venture right before the pandemic. Also, we cover Justin's first crack at being a designer and traveling to Italy. Many lessons are learned throughout the episode on how to stay resilient, and how to keep pushing ahead when the going gets tough. Really enjoyed catching up with a force to be reckoned with for years to come in this industry! Here is Justin's Instagram below if you would like to give him a follow! Justin Felizzari (@justinfelizzari) • Instagram photos and videos Also follow Cueva for upcoming drops!! Cueva (@cueva_shop) • Instagram photos and videos Cueva (cuevashop.com)

Julien Decanali is a Luxury Menswear Buyer from New York that specializes in buying iconic designer brands. In this conversation Cliff & Julien uncover how he started in the fashion industry, best places to travel abroad, fatherhood and his experience in buying his first house with his wife during the pandemic. Julien offers up some great advice on how to crack into the industry. Some great stories are told in this Episode! Here is Julien's Instagram if you would like to give him a follow below! Jules (@juliendecanali) • Instagram photos and videos

Freddy Rodriguez known as "Blue Perk" is a lifestyle content creator, who currently lives in California. We deep dive into how Freddy had the ability to break into the fashion industry through blogging in 2011. He provides a ton of insight on his tactics in starting his own business, and how important networking can be to the overall success of a career early on. This episode has many gems on how planning ahead can shape your future in a positive trajectory. Here is Freddy's Instagram if you would like to give him a follow below! His Name is Freddy

Dominic Stewart is the founder & creative director of "Merc," a New York based menswear brand. In this episode Dom provides insight on how to break into the fashion industry and how building authentic relationships can lead to greater things in the long term. He goes into detail on his humble beginnings and how it shaped his future. Here is Dom's Instagram & website below if you would like to give him a follow! Dom's Instagram: MERC (@dom.merc) • Instagram photos and videos MERC Instagram: MERC (@merc.chapter) • Instagram photos and videos Website below: MERC Chapter

Chelsea Sutrisno is the buying Director for Five Story NY, a multi-brand luxury boutique that specializes in luxury women's ready to wear. Formerly known for working at Barneys New York & Net-A-Porter, Chelsea has a unique perspective on working in luxury fashion. In this episode Cliff & Chelsea unpack how pivotal she was in the growth of his career. We also touch upon the early stages of Chelsea's career moving to New York from California. Chelsea provides advice on the do's and don'ts of how to break into the fashion industry, while still being able to keep this conversation super casual and lighthearted. As always, there are a ton of things to take away from this conversation: one thing being to "go with the flow". Chelsea's free spirit is super refreshing in this episode. I hope you guys enjoyed this one as much as I did. Here is the Instagram of Chelsea Sutrisno if you would like to give it a follow! Chelsea Amanda Sutrisno (@chelseasutrisno) • Instagram photos and videos

Justin Keller is the owner of "2448 Agency" a curator of men's & women's luxury brands based out of Los Angeles & New York. Justin has represented some of the top brands in the fashion industry for over a decade. Cliff & Justin discuss how they originally met at Barneys New York, and how that time period shaped part of Justin's career. He explains the ins and outs of the wholesale business and how it has evolved over the years. Also, provides great insight on how to have longevity in the fashion industry by forming authentic relationships. There were a lot of laughs and real moments in this episode!! Here is the Instagram of 2448 Agency if you would like to give them a follow! 2 4 4 8 (@2448agency) • Instagram photos and videos

Michal Kurtis is a consultant for major brands in the fashion world, formerly known for being the Director of the Fashion Office at Barneys New York. During the pandemic she started a book club called "Read the Room," which has become a thriving community in its own right. During this episode Cliff and Michal cover her time she spent in Germany, how you can make great connections through social media, and talk strategy on what to look for when partnering with brands. I had an amazing time catching up with a friend that truly gives amazing advice in this episode on "How to get comfortable, being uncomfortable". Here is Michal Kurtis Instagram if you would like to give her a follow! Michal Kurtis (@mkurtis) • Instagram photos and videos

Victor Lytvinenko is one of the co-founders of Raleigh Denim Workshop, along with his wife Sarah Lytvinenko. In this episode Vic and Cliff discuss how they met back in 2016 on the sales floor of Barneys New York. Victor goes in depth on how tricky it can be to start a denim brand and gave a step-by-step synopsis on how him and his wife got started in North Carolina. Victor covers everything in this episode from his early career moves to the very humble beginnings he had when starting this company. There are a ton of gems that can be taken away from this conversation on how to get started on buying into your dreams. Hope you enjoy this one as much as we did! Here is Raleigh Denim Workshop's Instagram and Website below if you would like to give him a follow! Raleigh Denim Workshop (@raleighdenimworkshop) • Instagram photos and videos RALEIGH DENIM WORKSHOP | American-Made Raw Denim Jeans & Clothes – Raleigh Denim Workshop

Justin Rigney is the President of Sales for Monfrère a California-based denim brand. He speaks on his experience moving to California (From New York) over year ago, and being able to adapt to a new way of life. Cliff catches up with his long time friend, covering everything from fashion, food and stories from their past. Justin provides insight on how to make it in the denim industry or really any industry. Here is Justin Rigney's Instagram below if you would like to give him a follow: https://www.instagram.com/th1s_just_in/?hl=en

Richard "XX44WoodWorks" Smith a super talented woodworker that currently runs his own small business, while simultaneously managing a luxury retail store in New York City. He learned his craft through watching videos on YouTube and putting in countless hours to become one of the best in the business. Fast forward four years later, Rich is completely booked month to month with clients ranging from the fashion industry, to all creative industries. In this episode Rich goes into detail on what it takes to succeed when owning a small business, and maps out a blueprint on how to make your dreams come true. Here is Richard Smith's Instagram & Website below: https://www.xx44woodworks.com https://www.instagram.com/xx44woodworks

Darlene “Dee Nasty” Demorizi is an Actress, Comedian, and host on Vice News. We discuss what lead her to her current career, how she and Cliff became friends, fashion, and most importantly— Is Cliff a true Dominican!? This episode has more than a few entertaining stories and advice for anyone looking to make it in comedy or news media.

Joe Wakile is our old Barneys coworker, a designer, photographer, and most importantly our friend. We chat about the future of the fashion industry, COVID, music, his career, and future projects he's working on. Listen in for all industry insider info, hot takes, and more than a few laughs. We'll give you one hint on his music preference -- RUFUS