Podcasts about fashion institute

This week, the Hemp Show takes place in New York City, at the intersection of Industrial Hemp and Fashion Avenue. Last month, the National Industrial Hemp Council held its annual Global Industrial Hemp Fiber Summit at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. With two full days of presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities, the "Seed to Style" summit attracted people from all parts of the hemp supply chain, as well as people from the worlds of fashion, design and global textiles. This episode offers a snapshot of what the intersection of hemp and fashion looks like in 2026. We talk to Shannon Mayer, dean of the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology at FIT; Patrick Atagi, president and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council; and Curie Chang, founder and CEO of Ofibera, a luxury hemp apparel company. Learn more National Industrial Hemp Council of America https://nihcoa.com/ NIHC Global Summit https://nihcglobalsummit.com/ FIT's Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology https://www.fitnyc.edu/academics/academic-divisions/business-and-technology/index.php Ofibera https://www.ofibera.com/ Bonus: NIHC Industrial Hemp Annual Market Guide https://nihcoa.com/new-nihc-industrial-hemp-market-guide-now-available-online/ The NIHC's first annual guide to U.S. hemp production and markets, which debuted in print on hemp paper at the Seed to Style summit at FIT, is now available online. ONE PLANT in Lancaster https://www.oneplant.film/lancaster Tickets: ONE PLANT double screening, Oct. 24, Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lancaster-farming-sunflower-present-one-plant-tickets-1998324956739 Thanks to Our Sponsors! Jungmaven jungmaven.com IND HEMP indhemp.com Americhanvre Cast-Hemp americhanvre.com King's AgriSeeds kingsagriseeds.com Forever Green, distributors of the KP4 Hemp Cutter hempcutter.com

The Marvelous McBroom Sisters: Marsha, Dana, Lorelei, Durga...Forces of Nature! Marsha was a model extradinare and is a great educator and humanitarian; Dana an educator at Fashion Institute of Technology in NY, Author of Grace Jones's " Pull Up to the Bumper" and an actress in "Leadbelly"; Lorelei Background Singer with Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and creator of a new YouTube Video Show "Who Influenced You"?; Durga, Background Singer with Pink Floyd, Blue Pearl, Songwriter and an accomplished actress. Simply a marvelous not to be missed episode.

ABOUT ANATOLIY KOROLENKOAnatoliy's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatoliykorolenko/BIO:Anatoliy Korolenko is a retail real estate and development executive with more than a decade of experience leading growth, portfolio strategy, construction, and facilities for some of the world's most recognized consumer brands.Currently leading Real Estate and Development for Nespresso USA, Anatoliy is responsible for shaping the brand's U.S. retail footprint—from market strategy and site selection through lease negotiations, design, construction, and ongoing portfolio optimization. His work combines consumer and market analytics with real estate economics to identify growth opportunities and translate brand strategy into high-performing physical retail environments.Prior to Nespresso, Anatoliy held a senior development and facilities leadership role with EssilorLuxottica, supporting a large multi-brand retail portfolio that included Lens Crafters, Sunglass Hut, and Ray-Ban.Throughout his career, he has focused on the intersection of real estate, customer experience, and business performance—building strategies that treat physical retail not simply as a distribution channel, but as an important driver of customer acquisition, brand engagement, and long-term growth.* * * *SHOW INTRO:Welcome to Episode 92 of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast and my conversation with Anatoliy Korolenko – who leads the Real Estate and Development for Nespresso USA.In every episode we follow our catch phrase about having “Dynamic Dialogues About DATA: Design, Architecture, Technology and the Arts.”And as we continue on this journey, we'll continue to invite guests on our journey that are thought provoking futuris ts, AI technology mavens, retailers, international hotel design executives as well as designers and architects of brand experience places.We'll talk with authors and people focused on wellness and sustainable design practices as well as neuroscientists who will continue to help us look at the built environment and the connections between our mind-body and the built world around us.If you like what you hear on the NXTLVL Experience Design show, make sure to subscribe, like, comment and share with colleagues, friends and family.The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is always grateful for the support of VMSD magazine.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. I think the IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing us to keep on talking about what makes retailing relevant.You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience.SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgToday, EPISODE 92… I talk with Anatoliy Korolenko who leads Real Estate and Development for Nespresso USA … This conversation is effectively based on a tour that we took of the Nespresso flagship store on 5th Ave. at the corner of 16th St. in New York. We cover a lot of ground about how a store is laid out how elements of storytelling merchandising experience and design and construction all come together to make memorable moments of relevant engagement.We'll get into all of that in a minute but first a few thoughts…I've been working in the world of retail design for more than 30 years and there are subjects that have been foundational to my early learning from my first employer Joe Weishar at New Vision Studios, which I've talked about before in previous episodes.Not often do you find most of them beautifully executed in one store. But that was exactly my impression when getting a tour of the Nespresso store on 5th Ave. Corner of 16th St. in New York.Nespresso was founded in 1986 as a Nestlé subsidiary after employee Eric Favre invented a single-serve pressurized coffee system inspired by a popular Roman espresso bar.Favre visited Rome's Sant'Eustachio café and observed how intermittent water pumping created superior aeration and crema, leading him to design a capsule-based extraction prototype.1986 Launch: Nespresso S.A. was officially founded, rolling out its first machine (the C-100) and four coffee blends targeting offices in Switzerland, Japan, and Italy with limited initial success…A Couple decades later Nespresso was a global coffee powerhouse and the company opened its first standalone boutique in Paris in 2000 and later enlisted actor George Clooney as the face of the brand in 2006 to drive global luxury appeal.Now it's great to have someone who is a famous face to help promote a brand but no matter what happens in terms of marketing and advertising if the store doesn't deliver on expectations you're still likely gonna be in trouble in growing your retail footprint.Nespresso sells a considerable amount of their product online but in order to drive brand love a deeper more physical experience is needed and that means store Has to deliver something special if people are making the effort to get off their couch and get on those sales floor.Well-considered physical touchpoints become critical in terms of how the customer journey unfolds and the experience that customers engage in and later talk about after visiting the physical location.People who work there need to be experts since customers are better informed now than they have ever been after deep searches on line .So when customers come in the associate needs to know more and be a welcoming host who acts as a bit of a stage manger who facilitates how the theatre of the store will unfold.Purpose of retail has moved beyond the simple acquisition of goods or services. Retail stores have acted as a place to exchange stories to learn about the news of the day and connect to brands whose ideological orientations you align with.We've clearly moved from a place where retail was transactional into an experience based economy and now as Joe Pine would put it, we have moved into a place call the Transformation Economy.Here, customers expect so much more than just the product or service they're paying for.Experiences need to leave customers with a sense of a transformation. Deeper, more lasting experiences customers engage in while in stores and the memories they leave with are not just a fun story to share, though that is often done too, but a way of seeing themselves perhaps in the world and in relation to that experience that deeply matter.And while it is true that an increasing volume of business is done online, getting a cardboard box delivered to your front door the next day just can't compare to the aroma of delicious coffee in an environment that delights your other senses as well.Sure, if you're interested in a commodity purchase, use an online resource and welcome the cardboard box. On the other hand if you're seeking something more, going to the store cannot be replaced.Of course, once you arrive at the store one of the key components will be interaction with other humans. An AI bot interaction through an online purchase that offers up more opportunities for other things to buy because other people also bought them too,is very different than being greeted with a smile by an expert who knows the world of their brand at both the customer and product level.If I've showed up at the store I'm looking for something more and I will suggest that it's the human interaction you get face-to-face with an sales associate that is one of the key drivers to great brand experiences in retail places.I've often thought of retail stores and hotels like theater performances.A stage with performers but with no audience is called a rehearsaland a theater with no performers is call an intermission.When performers and patrons come together in a place, magic happens. The energy changes and the exchange is much deeper.Actors live on audience feedback and audience members expect performers to bring them into an imagined world were time shifts and for that 2 hour block they are someplace else.The sales associate and customer interaction works much the same way the store then simply as a stage set for the stars of the show customers sales associates and let us not forget products. Everything you do inside the store is geared towards telling the story supporting the actors and audience members and bringing them along on the story that unfolds in chapters or acts.So it's not surprising when you walk into a store like the Nespresso flagship on 5th Ave. at the corner of 16th St. in New York, that the story of Nespresso so comprehensively and confidently comes alive.From interaction stations that are very analog where you can experience the aroma of various coffees from around the world and if you like, free of charge, create your own coffee drink pour it into real glassware that when held in your hand creates a sense of comfort and familiarity.Sure the Nespresso store cells great coffee in a number of variations but the flagship store does much more than that.It welcomes you into a world of surprise and delight where customers interact with both analog and digital touchpoints; where they learn about the making of coffee and Nespresso's extraordinary sustainability program and how their capsules are recycled.And then it takes you off of the main selling floor and allows you to descend the digitally enrobed case staircase walking “into the poor” to a members lounge that is not only for members… it is for everyone.This place is designed to be reminiscent of what your own home may be complete with vinyl record player, a coffee bar where you can pour yourself another - free of charge - drink and spend time simply relaxing or chatting with the throngs of people that seem to always being showing up daily after 5:00 PM.A lot of retailers and hotel brands push designed experiences through a cost benefit analysis.Naturally minding their dollars and trying to understand where intention is being placed to drive impact - which usually translates to thinking about construction cost, altering employment practices and policies, considering the long-term needs of digital content management and a host of other things.The problem is that that ROI spreadsheet often doesn't have other columns on it for the intangibles like Return on Innovation, Return on Creativity, Return on Novelty, Return on Experience and Return on Emotion,all of which have become increasingly important in an experience and transformation based economy.How do you put a number on the intangibles of surprise and delight and the body memory of an experience so well choreographed did it lose you thinking about it and sharing it with friends and family days later.And this is where this episode's guest Anatoly Korolenko comes into our story.Anatoliy currently leads Real Estate and Development for Nespresso USA, He is responsible for shaping the brand's U.S. retail footprint from market strategy and site selection through lease negotiations, design, construction, and ongoing portfolio optimization. His work combines consumer and market analytics with real estate economics to identify growth opportunities and translate brand strategy into high-performing physical retail environments.Throughout his career, he has focused on the intersection of real estate, customer experience, and business performance—building strategies that treat physical retail not simply as a distribution channel, but as an important driver of customer acquisition, brand engagement, and long-term growth.I caught up with Anatoly on a trip to New York where we found the space at the old Pentagram office off of Madison Park that was under renovation by the Porcelanosa company who was turning it into a beautiful new showroom.So, during our conversation we lived through some sounds of circular saws, scaffolding being dismantled and some jackhammers breaking up a floor.And what with it being New York there was the occasional ambulance siren that starts off in the distance and then tends to come up and park right below your window.All good. We made it through. And we just chalked it up to being part of the authentic and unvarnished experience...* * * *ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites: https://www.davidkepron.com (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645 (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is the Retail Studio Principle at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting (Little) and a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore. In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

You can't talk about breasts without talking about bras. So Jessica Cruel, Allure's editor in chief, went to the source: Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Dr. Steele is a pioneer in the field of fashion studies and that the clothes we wear–and what we wear underneath them–merit serious attention. She's also the author of a book tracing the cultural history of the corset and how it influenced the development of other shapewear. Cue: the bra. Bras started to show up in the early 20th century as more women joined the workforce and pursued activities that required a broader range of movement and support. From torpedo-like bras to padded bras to more gamine bralettes, they are, according to Dr. Steele, “always in relation to the style of dress” that's popular at the time and often attempt to balance looking “respectable” with being “sexually attractive.” Women, Dr. Steele notes, have always sought some form of shapewear, even if it's a rejection of the structure (e.g., bra-burning in the '70s). Today, as bra designers focus on balancing comfort with style, Dr. Steele highlights how there is still an impulse to nip, tuck, cinch, and lift the body. Allure's Perspectives is a new series exploring the topics shaping women's lives today through honest, nuanced, and deeply personal conversations. The first season examines the cultural significance of breasts through intimate accounts and expert interviews, hosted by editor in chief Jessica Cruel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julia Molchanova, a Russian woman who met Jeffrey Epstein in New York in 2011 when she was 22, described how he drew her into what she later called a “cult”-like system of control by exploiting her ambitions and vulnerabilities. Epstein initially promised to help her pursue fashion design and attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, paid for classes and helped her move to New York, but the promised career never materialized. Instead, Molchanova said he sexually abused her, pressured her to become one of his so-called assistants, dictated how she dressed, wore her hair, spent money and conducted relationships, and repeatedly demanded that she bring other women to him. She said he also isolated her when she displeased him and used money, housing and employment opportunities to deepen her dependence. Epstein later had a company called JSC Interiors created in her name, which she believed was supposed to support a design career, but she said the company and related accounts were used for transactions she did not understand or control.Molchanova said she finally began breaking away in early 2019 after discovering unfamiliar credit cards and spending on her credit report and realizing that Epstein appeared to be using financial accounts and entities connected to her name without her knowledge. She confronted his bookkeeper, accountant Richard Kahn and eventually Epstein himself, telling him she wanted a normal life and wanted out of JSC Interiors. She refused an invitation to meet Epstein in Palm Beach and never returned to him, escaping only months before his July 2019 arrest. Molchanova later revealed that she was the lead Jane Doe plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit accusing Bank of America of ignoring suspicious transactions connected to Epstein's trafficking operation; that case resulted in a $72.5 million settlement for survivors. Her account presents Epstein's operation not simply as a series of individual assaults, but as a highly organized system of psychological, sexual and financial control in which career promises, money, housing, relationships and even corporate entities were used to keep women dependent and confused about the extent to which their lives had been taken over.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How One Woman Was Caught in Epstein's ‘Cult'—and Escaped - WSJ

Julia Molchanova, a Russian woman who met Jeffrey Epstein in New York in 2011 when she was 22, described how he drew her into what she later called a “cult”-like system of control by exploiting her ambitions and vulnerabilities. Epstein initially promised to help her pursue fashion design and attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, paid for classes and helped her move to New York, but the promised career never materialized. Instead, Molchanova said he sexually abused her, pressured her to become one of his so-called assistants, dictated how she dressed, wore her hair, spent money and conducted relationships, and repeatedly demanded that she bring other women to him. She said he also isolated her when she displeased him and used money, housing and employment opportunities to deepen her dependence. Epstein later had a company called JSC Interiors created in her name, which she believed was supposed to support a design career, but she said the company and related accounts were used for transactions she did not understand or control.Molchanova said she finally began breaking away in early 2019 after discovering unfamiliar credit cards and spending on her credit report and realizing that Epstein appeared to be using financial accounts and entities connected to her name without her knowledge. She confronted his bookkeeper, accountant Richard Kahn and eventually Epstein himself, telling him she wanted a normal life and wanted out of JSC Interiors. She refused an invitation to meet Epstein in Palm Beach and never returned to him, escaping only months before his July 2019 arrest. Molchanova later revealed that she was the lead Jane Doe plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit accusing Bank of America of ignoring suspicious transactions connected to Epstein's trafficking operation; that case resulted in a $72.5 million settlement for survivors. Her account presents Epstein's operation not simply as a series of individual assaults, but as a highly organized system of psychological, sexual and financial control in which career promises, money, housing, relationships and even corporate entities were used to keep women dependent and confused about the extent to which their lives had been taken over.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How One Woman Was Caught in Epstein's ‘Cult'—and Escaped - WSJ

Julia Molchanova, a Russian woman who met Jeffrey Epstein in New York in 2011 when she was 22, described how he drew her into what she later called a “cult”-like system of control by exploiting her ambitions and vulnerabilities. Epstein initially promised to help her pursue fashion design and attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, paid for classes and helped her move to New York, but the promised career never materialized. Instead, Molchanova said he sexually abused her, pressured her to become one of his so-called assistants, dictated how she dressed, wore her hair, spent money and conducted relationships, and repeatedly demanded that she bring other women to him. She said he also isolated her when she displeased him and used money, housing and employment opportunities to deepen her dependence. Epstein later had a company called JSC Interiors created in her name, which she believed was supposed to support a design career, but she said the company and related accounts were used for transactions she did not understand or control.Molchanova said she finally began breaking away in early 2019 after discovering unfamiliar credit cards and spending on her credit report and realizing that Epstein appeared to be using financial accounts and entities connected to her name without her knowledge. She confronted his bookkeeper, accountant Richard Kahn and eventually Epstein himself, telling him she wanted a normal life and wanted out of JSC Interiors. She refused an invitation to meet Epstein in Palm Beach and never returned to him, escaping only months before his July 2019 arrest. Molchanova later revealed that she was the lead Jane Doe plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit accusing Bank of America of ignoring suspicious transactions connected to Epstein's trafficking operation; that case resulted in a $72.5 million settlement for survivors. Her account presents Epstein's operation not simply as a series of individual assaults, but as a highly organized system of psychological, sexual and financial control in which career promises, money, housing, relationships and even corporate entities were used to keep women dependent and confused about the extent to which their lives had been taken over.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How One Woman Was Caught in Epstein's ‘Cult'—and Escaped - WSJBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Julia Molchanova, a Russian woman who met Jeffrey Epstein in New York in 2011 when she was 22, described how he drew her into what she later called a “cult”-like system of control by exploiting her ambitions and vulnerabilities. Epstein initially promised to help her pursue fashion design and attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, paid for classes and helped her move to New York, but the promised career never materialized. Instead, Molchanova said he sexually abused her, pressured her to become one of his so-called assistants, dictated how she dressed, wore her hair, spent money and conducted relationships, and repeatedly demanded that she bring other women to him. She said he also isolated her when she displeased him and used money, housing and employment opportunities to deepen her dependence. Epstein later had a company called JSC Interiors created in her name, which she believed was supposed to support a design career, but she said the company and related accounts were used for transactions she did not understand or control.Molchanova said she finally began breaking away in early 2019 after discovering unfamiliar credit cards and spending on her credit report and realizing that Epstein appeared to be using financial accounts and entities connected to her name without her knowledge. She confronted his bookkeeper, accountant Richard Kahn and eventually Epstein himself, telling him she wanted a normal life and wanted out of JSC Interiors. She refused an invitation to meet Epstein in Palm Beach and never returned to him, escaping only months before his July 2019 arrest. Molchanova later revealed that she was the lead Jane Doe plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit accusing Bank of America of ignoring suspicious transactions connected to Epstein's trafficking operation; that case resulted in a $72.5 million settlement for survivors. Her account presents Epstein's operation not simply as a series of individual assaults, but as a highly organized system of psychological, sexual and financial control in which career promises, money, housing, relationships and even corporate entities were used to keep women dependent and confused about the extent to which their lives had been taken over.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How One Woman Was Caught in Epstein's ‘Cult'—and Escaped - WSJBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Julia Molchanova, a Russian woman who met Jeffrey Epstein in New York in 2011 when she was 22, described how he drew her into what she later called a “cult”-like system of control by exploiting her ambitions and vulnerabilities. Epstein initially promised to help her pursue fashion design and attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, paid for classes and helped her move to New York, but the promised career never materialized. Instead, Molchanova said he sexually abused her, pressured her to become one of his so-called assistants, dictated how she dressed, wore her hair, spent money and conducted relationships, and repeatedly demanded that she bring other women to him. She said he also isolated her when she displeased him and used money, housing and employment opportunities to deepen her dependence. Epstein later had a company called JSC Interiors created in her name, which she believed was supposed to support a design career, but she said the company and related accounts were used for transactions she did not understand or control.Molchanova said she finally began breaking away in early 2019 after discovering unfamiliar credit cards and spending on her credit report and realizing that Epstein appeared to be using financial accounts and entities connected to her name without her knowledge. She confronted his bookkeeper, accountant Richard Kahn and eventually Epstein himself, telling him she wanted a normal life and wanted out of JSC Interiors. She refused an invitation to meet Epstein in Palm Beach and never returned to him, escaping only months before his July 2019 arrest. Molchanova later revealed that she was the lead Jane Doe plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit accusing Bank of America of ignoring suspicious transactions connected to Epstein's trafficking operation; that case resulted in a $72.5 million settlement for survivors. Her account presents Epstein's operation not simply as a series of individual assaults, but as a highly organized system of psychological, sexual and financial control in which career promises, money, housing, relationships and even corporate entities were used to keep women dependent and confused about the extent to which their lives had been taken over.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How One Woman Was Caught in Epstein's ‘Cult'—and Escaped - WSJBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Julia Molchanova, a Russian woman who met Jeffrey Epstein in New York in 2011 when she was 22, described how he drew her into what she later called a “cult”-like system of control by exploiting her ambitions and vulnerabilities. Epstein initially promised to help her pursue fashion design and attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, paid for classes and helped her move to New York, but the promised career never materialized. Instead, Molchanova said he sexually abused her, pressured her to become one of his so-called assistants, dictated how she dressed, wore her hair, spent money and conducted relationships, and repeatedly demanded that she bring other women to him. She said he also isolated her when she displeased him and used money, housing and employment opportunities to deepen her dependence. Epstein later had a company called JSC Interiors created in her name, which she believed was supposed to support a design career, but she said the company and related accounts were used for transactions she did not understand or control.Molchanova said she finally began breaking away in early 2019 after discovering unfamiliar credit cards and spending on her credit report and realizing that Epstein appeared to be using financial accounts and entities connected to her name without her knowledge. She confronted his bookkeeper, accountant Richard Kahn and eventually Epstein himself, telling him she wanted a normal life and wanted out of JSC Interiors. She refused an invitation to meet Epstein in Palm Beach and never returned to him, escaping only months before his July 2019 arrest. Molchanova later revealed that she was the lead Jane Doe plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit accusing Bank of America of ignoring suspicious transactions connected to Epstein's trafficking operation; that case resulted in a $72.5 million settlement for survivors. Her account presents Epstein's operation not simply as a series of individual assaults, but as a highly organized system of psychological, sexual and financial control in which career promises, money, housing, relationships and even corporate entities were used to keep women dependent and confused about the extent to which their lives had been taken over.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:How One Woman Was Caught in Epstein's ‘Cult'—and Escaped - WSJBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

This week on the Industrial Hemp Podcast, we talk to Patrick Atagi, president and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council, the organization that's hosting the Seed to Style hemp fiber summit in conjunction with the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Sept. 16-18. This event is a continuation of the conversations NIHC facilitated in Raleigh, N.C., last summer when they held their fiber summit at N.C. State's Wilson College of Textiles. But this year, the stakes are a little higher and the energy burns a little brighter. Because that's what New York City does: It amplifies everything. "It's building materials, it's clothing — the different parts and pieces of hemp all together, making it all work together. And the culmination is a fashion exhibit," Atagi said. The fashion exhibit caps the summit on Thursday evening — hemp coming off the field and onto the mannequin, the "seed to style" idea made real. Also, one big nugget of hemp news this week: Congress has hit the snooze button on the McConnell deadline that threatens to shut down the vast majority of the cannabinoid hemp industry. Intoxicating hemp products are still out, but the industry has an extra month to fight for its future. The clock is still ticking, but now the alarm is set for Dec. 11, 2026. Learn more NIHC Global Hemp Summit nihcglobalsummit.com Summit Sessions nihcglobalsummit.com/sessions/ The Goodness of Hemp Act thegoodnessofhemp.org Cornell Hemp hemp.cals.cornell.edu Thanks to Sponsors Jungmaven jungmaven.com IND HEMP indhemp.com Kings AgriSeeds kingsagriseeds.com Forever Green hempcutter.com

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Keanna Sanders.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Keanna Sanders.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Keanna Sanders.

One of the biggest challenges that any organization will face throughout its lifetime is conscious evolution. It is imperative to remain purposeful and intentional toward the adoption of new concepts into a system that may have worked yesterday, but – in the words of Bob Dylan, “The times, they are a-changin”. Sure, Nordstrom has won the right to be here for 125 years, but it's not because we've run the same playbook over and over again. If we want to see this thing grow into the foreseeable future, we need to stay curious, and actively listen to fresh ideas from a new generation of eager and ambitious young minds, hungry to make a meaningful impact on our industry. One of the best ways that we've found to do so is by offering these young people – in particular, current college students and recent graduates – an exceptionally appealing work environment through our 10-week corporate internship program here in Seattle. Long-time Nordy Pod listeners will remember that we've featured the internship program before – but that was over a hundred episodes and almost four years ago. So in the spirit of staying current, we've brought in a fresh new crop of interns from this year's program – five of our thirty three summer interns of 2026 – to share their experience, and what they've learned as the summer comes to a close. In this episode you'll hear from rising senior at Texas A&M University, Maci Nash, rising senior at the University of Texas in Austin, Lucia Soldi, rising senior at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Layla Stanfill, rising senior at the University of Washington in Seattle, Madhumitha Gandhi, and graduate of the University of Washington, and experienced Nordstrom shoe-seller, Tony Ha There's no doubt that each of these talented individuals has a bright future ahead of them, and we're extremely proud to have played even a small part in developing those stories. We can confidently say that they've each made a lasting impression on our business, and we're extremely grateful for their unique perspectives and kind words about their time in the Nordstrom internship program. Thanks for tuning in to episode 117. We hope you enjoy it! Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation! And, be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

If you run a slow fashion brand, you've probably experienced this. You saw how wasteful the fashion industry can be and vowed to run your brand differently. You want to pursue quality over quantity, sustainable materials and practices, fair labor, and avoid over-production. But how does this slow fashion intent meet the reality of factory MOQs, wash tests, and production costs for a new brand? Plus, as the brand grows, is there a scale where a slow fashion brand is no longer slow fashion? These are all questions Arianna Levesque considers for her brand Triplicity. Arianna and her triplet sisters create versatile, chic pieces meant for a long-lasting capsule wardrobe. In episode 137, hear what slow fashion values Arianna prioritized as Triplicity started out, how she's planning for the brand's future growth, and how these goals impacted decisions for the Adelaide Adjustable Drawstring Pant. Triplicity was founded by Arianna Levesque, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Arianna began her career designing for a fast fashion company and eventually realized she wanted to do things differently. She saw hundreds of styles produced each month in poor fabrics and likely unethical conditions, in trendy designs that would not carry over to the next year. It felt wasteful, and she wanted to offer styles that were higher quality, and could help people build a capsule wardrobe that they could wear for years to come, which would reduce waste, save people money in the long run, and make deciding what to wear easier. Inspired by growing up as an identical triplet and sharing clothes with her two sisters, Arianna developed a passion for designing basics with extra functional details that make her designs versatile, with flexible sizing on many of the styles. These features turn timeless basics into unique, adaptable pieces. What we learn about fit in this episode: Fitting the people How sharing clothes with her sisters growing up helps Arianna design capsule wardrobe pieces How Arianna incorporates adjustable features in each piece without cluttering the simplicity of the designs Fitting the performance The debate between natural and synthetic fibers and where Triplicity landed on their materials How the flexible designs are made for the lifestyle of the Triplicity customer Fitting the purpose How Triplicity follows a slow fashion approach Why sustainability probably isn't the biggest selling point for your product Fitting the production Why Triplicity doesn't follow a traditional fashion production calendar What Arianna envisions for Triplicity's production model to scale the brand without giving up slow fashion values People and resources mentioned in this episode: Triplicity website Triplicity Instagram Triplicity TikTok Do you want daily advice and explorations on creating clothes that fit your customers and your business sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the How Fitting newsletter to receive new podcast episodes and more.

This week on the Hemp Show we're digging into a few of the calendar items we mentioned on last week's show, specifically the run of events in New York state next month. On September 15, Cornell's 10th Annual Grain and Fiber Hemp Field Day comes to the Cornell AgriTech campus in Geneva. The field day will feature a John Deere combine demonstration that will include harvesting grain, drying the grain and putting the fiber harvest on display — baling it, decorticating it and splitting it into bast and hurds. Register here: https://cals.cornell.edu/events/2026-cornell-grain-fiber-hemp-field-day Then, September 16–18, the National Industrial Hemp Council will hold its Global Industrial Hemp Fiber Summit at the Fashion Institute of Technology. The theme is "Seed to Style." Two days of programming will open with a keynote from NIHC president Patrick Atagi before moving through sessions on reaching the sustainable consumer with the Bezos Earth Fund, hemp biocomposites and bioplastics with Cameron McIntosh of Americhanvre and Greg Wilson of HempWood, USDA research and natural-fiber partnerships across flax, cotton and hemp. Register here: https://nihcglobalsummit.com/ Day two of the event runs from field to fiber through equipment and processing, Latin American fiber opportunities and an international industry panel. The event will closes with "Back to the Future: Bringing Hemp Back to the Textile Mainstream," featuring Maciej Kowalski of Kombinat Konopny and "Concept to Catwalk," a look at hemp luxury moderated by Farm to Fabric's own Jen Adams. The event will be capped by an evening reception and fashion showcase. And that all leads up to Farm to Fabric, a hemp textile symposium running September 18-20 at the Brooklyn Peace Center and on Governor's Island as part of New York Textile Month. It's a free event, open to the public, with NIHC as the title sponsor. On September 18-19, the Brooklyn Peace Center feature a pop-up hemp store, a technology and digital creation room, and the Farm to Fabric Experience, where members of the Tuscarora tribe will show the historical process of pulling fiber from the stalk and turning it into yarn. On September 20, the event will continue on Governor's Island for the Julian Magazine release and a fashion presentation. This episode features a conversation with Jen Adams, organizer of the hemp fashion event in Brooklyn, who said her organization, Choose Your Change, "chose industrial hemp as a subject matter to show the breadth of what we do as an organization, but also to try to elevate and get the stories and voices in the hemp industry." Register here: https://www.fluidforms.co/f/cyc All this and more on this week's show, including a news nugget/calendar item about The Hemp Feed Coalition's upcoming webinar on August 20, a free session on Canada's hemp seed meal feed ingredient application. Register for the webinar here: https://hempfeedcoalition.org/webinar-series/ USDA Germplasm Bonus Event After we made the audio for this episode, we received an email from Zach Stansell, the USDA hemp germplasm curator to invite me to the USDA Hemp Stakeholder Engagement Event on September 10 at Cornell AgriTech's Jordan Hall in Geneva — five days ahead of the Field Day. It's free, no registration, in person or online, with a full day of USDA-ARS talks and a stakeholder roundtable on the future of hemp research. If you're headed to Geneva, get there early. Learn more here: https://hemp.cals.cornell.edu/2026/08/05/usda-hemp-stakeholder-engagement-event-september-10/ Thanks to Our Sponsors Americhanvre Cast Hemp americhanvre.com IND Hemp indhemp.com Forever Green — KP4 Hemp Cutter hempcutter.com

ABOUT HEIDIMARIE KRIZ Heidemarie's profile: linkedin.com/in/heidemarie-kriz-0772177 Websites: positiveaffairs.com (Company) krizh.com (Company) pointofsale.doctor (Company) Phone: +43 676 3026618 (Work) Address: Kohlmarkt 8-101010 Vienna I Austria Email: office@krizh.com AKTUELLER RETAIL NEWSFLASH PODCAST >>> https://fanlink.tv/rnfp13022026 Latest Press releases KRIZH in Forbes Magazine Slovakia :  https://www.forbes.sk/super-retail-club-prichadza-na-slovensko-prvykrat-nan-zavita-expertka-heidemarie-kriz/ BIO: Heidemarie Kriz is among the pioneers who recognized the multi-sensory dimension of retail long before it became a trend. With almost 30 years of international experience, she merges with architecture, design, and commerce to create environments that are both emotionally engaging and commercially effective. She has directed more than 200 retail projects across Europe and the MENA region for global brands such as Nike, Apple, and Levi's. Her Vienna-based studio KRIZH® stands for brand-focused spatial design and holistic retail strategy — from concept development and customer journey mapping to sensory engagement and visual merchandising. Acting as a one-stop shop for retail innovation, her work transforms spaces into immersive brand experiences that engage all five senses and build lasting customer relationships. Before founding her studio, Heidemarie held senior roles at international retail brands, where she developed store concepts rolled out across Europe. (more than 200) Her portfolio extends beyond retail to hospitality and office design — experience that enables her to identify synergies and develop solutions that transcend industry boundaries. In 2020, she founded Point of Sale Doctor®, a hybrid consulting platform optimizing retail spaces both in-store and online. With her rapid analysis method, she provides precise, actionable input-from layout to product presentation- achieving measurable sales growth for her clients. Recognized as a Top Retail Expert 2025 & 2026 by RETHINK Retail in New York City, Heidi is a published author (Stores + Shops, Across Magazine, Deutscher Laden-bauverband, Instore Slovakia, retailmagazin.sk..), speaker at conferences, universities and brands, and since 2021 co-host of the Retail News Flash Podcast. Since 2012, she has curated immersive retail trend tours in cities such as Vienna, Venice, Nice, and New York. Holding a Master of Science in Architecture from Graz University of Technology (she is also Civil engineer in architecture) and additional certifications in Marketing & Sales as well as International Project Management, she continues to shape the future of retail as a holistic sensory experience — seamlessly connecting the analog and digital worlds. Her unique approach with Point of Sale Doctor® combines speed, intuition, and deep expertise. Within minutes, she can evaluate a shop concept and identify potential improvement. Known for her “truffle pig nose,” she instinctively discovers exceptional stores wherever she goes. By linking retail with hospitality, museums, and hotels, she creates environments that speak to all senses and leaves a lasting impress *                     *                          *                          * ABOUT DAVID KEPRON: LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b Websites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website) vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog) Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.com Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/ NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/ Bio: David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe.  David is the Retail Studio Principle at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting (Little) and a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels.  In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies.  As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace.  David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University. He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.   In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

On this episode of The Laws of Style, I chat with the new President of the Fashion Institute of Technology Jason Schupbach. We discuss the future of fashion and design education, FIT's global reach and how art uplifts communities. Listen in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deanna Kei is a NYC based fashion and beauty illustrator, specializing in live event art and detailed fashion branding, blending luxury fashion with New York street style. After a decade as a womenswear designer, she transitioned into illustration, and now works with brands such as Gucci, Dior, Burberry, Givenchy, and more. Her commissioned illustrations have been gifted to celebrities including Gigi Hadid and Blake Lively. Deanna collaborates with luxury fashion and beauty brands to create elevated, storytelling-driven illustrations and imagery that inspire customer engagement while honoring each brand's identity. She is also known for her live guest sketching at NY Fashion Week events, brand activations, luxury retail experiences, galas, corporate events, private parties, and weddings. Her live sketches celebrate guests' unique personal style, capturing the details that make each look memorable. Since her first live sketching event in 2018, Deanna has illustrated thousands of guests. Her work is deeply influenced by her background in fashion design and her upbringing in New York City. She is a Fashion Institute of Technology alumna with over a decade of experience across women's contemporary sportswear, outerwear, athleisure and performance, juniors, childrenswear, and menswear design categories, as well as professional styling roles. Deanna's illustrations have been featured across television commercials, magazines, newspapers, digital platforms, market week promotions, press trip packages, and live fashion week events. Her extensive knowledge of garment construction, fabric, silhouette, and fit informs every project, allowing her to approach illustration, design, and styling with precision and intention. Through her art, Deanna aims to encourage confidence, individuality, and positivity—celebrating personal style as a powerful form of nonverbal communication, always with a distinct New York edge. For more information or to discuss a new project contact Deannakei@gmail.com!

BLUE CAST Ep 605 - Björn BengtssonThis BLUE CAST Episode, Tuncay Kilickan talks with Björn Bengtsson - Chief Product and Supply Chain Officer at Untuckit LLC.Björn BengtssonBjörn Bengtsson has spent the past 35 years in the fashion industry holding various senior management positions. He has worked as a Vice President for Marc O'Polo, Oxford Industries, and Hartmarx Corp. in charge of product development, merchandising, sourcing, and production and for Theory as a Vice President of Design and Creative Director for Menswear. He also operated his own consulting business from 1994 to 1999 working with a variety of clients on new brand initiatives. From 2008 to 2015 he was employed by Greg Norman Collection in charge of Design and Fabric Research for the Men's and Women's collections as well as all licensed products.Björn Bengtsson is currently the Chief Product and Supply Chain Officer at Untuckit LLC, one of the fastest growing Men's ecommerce companies in the US, where he is leading the company's Merchandising, Product Development Design, Technical Design and Production department.For the past 20 years, Björn Bengtsson has also worked as a Part Time Adjunct Professor at Parsons School of Fashion where he teaches in the Fashion Management Master Program and is a prominent member of Parsons Executive Learning team. He has conducted numerous seminars and panels on Fashion related topics for corporations and Educational Institutions based in the U.S, France, Hong Kong, Macedonia and China.He is twice the recipient of the Parsons School of Fashion's “Outstanding Faculty Award.”Björn Bengtsson holds a bachelor's degree in business economics from Lund University, School of Economics and Management (Lund, Sweden) and an A.A.S. degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, NY).Tuncay Kilickan - Highly respected Industry figure, having cut his teeth at Turkish giant ISKO spanning 20 years. Most recently Tuncay was part of R&D team of ISKO. Tuncay has a number of patents under his name. No doubt most of us have worn fabrics developed by him and his team. Tuncay takes on the Head of Global Business Development - Denim at LENZING.BLUE CAST by TENCEL™ / CARVED IN BLUE®   A podcast series created Lenzing's TENCEL™ Denim team. Each month, they will host an in-depth talk with a special guest working in the industry or on the fringes of the denim community. Listen for discussions on sustainability, career trajectories, personal denim memories and more.Find us on Instagram, Linkedin, X, and Facebook @carvedinblue.And get in touch: denim@lenzing.com

Handbags have evolved from everyday essentials into expressions of personal identity—and that shift is transforming the way retailers buy, merchandise, and discover brands. In this episode, Dorothy Belshaw, CEO and co-owner of NY NOW, shares how the wholesale landscape has changed, why trade shows remain essential in a digital world, and how independent designers can stand out with buyers. From the impact of the 2008 recession to post-pandemic consumer behavior, Dorothy explains why human connection, curated experiences, and genuine product innovation continue to drive retail success.Key Takeaways:• Wholesale is evolving, not disappearing — Trade shows and in-person relationships still drive discovery and lasting retail partnerships.• Handbags have become lifestyle purchases — Today's consumers buy bags as personal expressions, creating new opportunities in the gift and specialty retail markets.• Curation wins attention — Focused concepts and fresh merchandising help independent brands stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

What happens when a handbag is designed as a work of art instead of just an accessory? In this episode, Elif Akaydin, founder of Patent of Heart, shares how her journey from Istanbul to New York shaped a brand rooted in craftsmanship, storytelling, and purpose. She explains how hand embroidery, chain stitch techniques, and upcycled leather create bags that feel personal, while balancing one-of-a-kind artistry with the realities of production, pricing, and growth. Alifa also shares why pop-ups and boutiques have been key to building her business, and how producing in Istanbul supports women artisans while giving back to women's education.Key Takeaways:Art creates connection — Handcrafted details transform handbags into meaningful, collectible pieces.Creativity needs structure — Production, pricing, and scalable design are just as important as inspiration.Purpose builds loyalty — Ethical manufacturing and giving back can strengthen a brand when they're woven into the business.

About Christian Giordano: Christian's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/cdgiordano Website manciniduffy.com (Company) theantiarchitect.com (Personal) Christian's Bio: Christian Giordano is President and Co-Owner of Mancini, a110-year-old national design firm, and the host of The Anti-Architect Podcast.  A trailblazer in the architecture and design space, Christian is redefining the industry by integrating cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurial thinking into a traditionally slow-to-evolve field.  Christian's journey includes studying under the iconic Frank Gehry at UCLA, an experience that profoundly influenced his groundbreaking approach to design and leadership.  As a visionary in the field, Christian treats his century-old firm like a startup, drawing inspiration from the forward-thinking companies Mancini works with, such as Google, Peloton, Disney, and Netflix. His work explores how emerging technologies - AI, automation, and immersive digital tools - are transforming the built world.  Beyond pioneering innovation in design, Christian is dedicated to mentoring the next generation, inspiring them to push the boundaries of what's possible in architecture and technology. SHOW INTRO: "...Today, EPISODE 90… I talk with Christian Giordano President and Co-Owner of Mancini who is also the host of The Anti-Architect Podcast – an intriguing name for a pod especially one hosted by an architect and leader of an architecture firm.  The interesting thing about the podcast title, is that I think it aptly describes Christian's personal take on the practice of architecture and leading a group of creative souls into a new future paradigm one and where technology and social media is reshaping engagement in a corporate workplace and the output of their creative endeavors in the built environment. We'll get into all of that in a minute but first a few thoughts…" *                     *                          *                          * ABOUT DAVID KEPRON: LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b Websites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website) vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog) Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.com Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/ NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/ Bio: David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe.  David is the Retail Studio Principle at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting (Little) and a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels.  In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies.  As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace.  David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University. He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.   In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon.  I caught up with Bryan at the SHOP Marketplace event in Charlotte and chatted about his focus on shaping what comes next in digital signage and experiential design.   The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound.  The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too. The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Does "Made in Italy" always mean better quality? In this episode, designer and product development expert Karicca pulls back the curtain on luxury handbag manufacturing, revealing what really determines quality beyond the label. Drawing on years of experience developing handbags and footwear, she explains how global supply chains work, why finishing laws can be misleading, and what designers should look for in materials, construction, and factory partnerships. Karicca also shares her journey of launching her own brand while balancing a full-time career, along with practical lessons on pricing, marketing, and finding the right customer in today's crowded marketplace.Key Takeaways:Quality goes beyond the label — Materials, craftsmanship, and construction matter more than country of origin.Know your customer — Strong pricing and marketing begin with understanding who you're designing for.Build with transparency — Great brands earn trust through honest manufacturing and thoughtful product development.

This week we are joined by Rachel Slade to discuss her book Making It In America which examines the story of the company American Roots which has undertaken the nearly impossible task of manufacturing garments 100% made in the U.S.A. Recorded live at the 18th Annual Sustainability Business and Design Conference at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2024, our discussion centers around the challenges faced by American makers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can a backpack made from ocean-bound plastic become a global accessories brand? In this episode, Kathrin Melchior of Got Bag shares how thoughtful product development, customer insights, and sustainable innovation transformed a crowdfunding idea into one of the most recognizable bag brands on the street. From designing inside a fast-moving global retailer to helping scale a purpose-driven startup, Katrine explains why great products come from constant testing—not just great taste. She also reveals how one surprising customer insight led Got Bag from backpacks into handbags, and why understanding who actually buys your product is often the biggest breakthrough.Key Takeaways:Design with data — Customer feedback beats assumptions every time.Stay open to surprises — Your real customer may not be who you expected.Purpose needs a great product — Sustainability succeeds when design and function come first.

Designed by Alanna Messner-Scholl of Waverly Flower Co., the “Earth Dress” is a slender, floor-length gown that appears to grow from a demure pair of seed-embellished ballet flats. It seems fitting that a sustainable farmer-florist who once attended the Fashion Institute of Technology would conjure up this organic-looking garment using compost, soil, moss, roots, seeds, […] The post Episode 775: The Earth Dress with Alanna Messner-Scholl of Waverly Flower Co., the American Flowers Week Botanical Couture Series, Part Three appeared first on Slow Flowers Podcast with Debra Prinzing.

There was a time when shopping for clothes meant walking into a department store and hoping the limited sizes and styles available at that exact moment might fit. Then, the internet changed everything. Online shopping didn't just make fashion more convenient; it expanded what retailers could offer, what customers could demand and who got to dictate trends.Host Megan McArdle is joined by Shawn Grain Carter, a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology and former Bloomingdale's buyer who helped launch the Macy's website. They discuss the shift from department store floors to the infinite shelves of the internet.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

What separates brands that grow from those that stall? In this episode, growth marketing consultant Alex Greifeld shares why defining your ideal customer is the foundation of every successful fashion brand. Drawing on experience at FIT, Jones New York, Tibi, and Tapestry, Alex explains how leading brands balance creative instinct with real market data. From building a clear unique selling proposition to understanding customer acquisition costs, unit economics, and digital marketing, she offers a practical roadmap for founders looking to grow smarter. Alex also shares her approach to content creation, short-form video, and what unconventional brands like Brandy Melville can teach designers about standing out in a crowded market.Key Takeaways:• Know exactly who you're selling to — Clear customer definition drives every successful marketing decision. • Growth starts with the numbers — CAC, unit economics, and positioning matter as much as great design. • Content builds trust — Consistent, authentic storytelling is one of today's most powerful growth tools.

The business and law of creativity|Gordon Firemark:The Podcast Lawyer™Gordon Firemark  has practiced media, entertainment  and business law in solo practice since 1992.  In podcasting circles, he is known as The Podcast Lawyer™, and is producer and host of the Entertainment Law Update podcast (since 2009), and author of the Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer''s Legal Survival Guide.  His undergraduate degree in radio, television and film  and experience in live theatre production informs his thinking about all things legal.  In addition to a busy law practice,  He teaches Entertainment Law at  Columbia College Hollywood, Intellectual Property and Media Law at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and Contract law at Pepperdine Law School.Look for him on Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin and other social platforms.Links:http://gordonfiremark.com/https://www.instagram.com/gordonfiremarkTags:podcast for creatives,creative podcast,podcast creator interviews,professional podcast,creative podcasts,podcast host interviews,creative podcast ideas,Business,Coach,Entertainment,Intellectual Property (IP),Lawyer,Media,Music Licensing,Podcasting,Professional,TrademarkSupport PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rssSubstackhttps://substack.com/@phantomelectricghost?utm_source=edit-profile-page

What happens when a designer steps inside the Italian luxury manufacturing system and sees how much material never makes it into the final product? In this episode, Cassandra Kane shares how a move to Florence transformed her understanding of craftsmanship, sustainability, and the hidden costs of luxury production. After years designing for major fashion brands, she discovered the staggering amount of leather waste generated during manufacturing and set out to create a different model. The result was Sieme, an upcycled handbag brand that transforms leather offcuts and overstock into modern, luxury-quality accessories. Cassandra also discusses the challenges of building a circular supply chain in Italy, the creation of Zero Lab, and why transparency, education, and thoughtful design are essential to making sustainability more than just a marketing claim.Key Takeaways:• Waste is built into luxury production — Understanding the manufacturing process reveals opportunities for innovation. • Sustainability requires infrastructure — Great intentions aren't enough without systems that support circularity. • Storytelling builds trust — Transparency, education, and product longevity help customers connect with purpose-driven brands.

About Thomas: Thomas' LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/thomas-dijkman Website: qanda.nl (Company), https://www.ebeltoftgroup.com  Phone: +31652656347 (Work) Email: tdijkman@qanda.nl Thomas' Bio: Thomas Dijkman is a Senior Retail Consultant at Q&A Retail, a Netherlands-based retail consultancy. He is Co-chair of the “Young Ebeltoft” initiative, a global collective of next-generation retail thinkers within the Ebeltoft Group.  Thomas specializes in translating insights, market expertise, and creativity into practical solutions that help leading retailers adapt and thrive in a fast-changing retail environment. He has worked with retailers such as SPAR, Action, Nexeye, and A.S. Watson, advising on strategy, positioning, consumer engagement, and store and format optimization.  With a no-nonsense, data-driven approach, he supports retailers in strengthening their concepts and improving performance across channels. Through his focus on generational insights, Thomas helps retailers better understand what young consumers want and how to turn those insights into action. SHOW INTRO: Today, EPISODE 89… I talk with Thomas Dijkman a Gen Z researcher, which is to say that he is part of Gen Z at 28 years old, who was a speaker at Euroshop 2026. Thomas and the company he work with called Q&A Retail, had just published research on Gen Alpha, which was chock full of insights on this emerging generation of global consumers. We'll get into all of that in a minute but first a few thoughts… *                     *                          *                          * ABOUT DAVID KEPRON: LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582b Websites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website) vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog) Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.com Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/ NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/ Bio: David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe.  David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels.  In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies.  As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace.  David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University. He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.   In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon.  I caught up with Bryan at the SHOP Marketplace event in Charlotte and chatted about his focus on shaping what comes next in digital signage and experiential design.   The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production is by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

What drives a generation to skip credit card debt yet confidently spend on a vintage Balenciaga or a Fendi Baguette? In this episode, Hitha Herzog, Chief Research Officer at H Squared Research, breaks down the economic and cultural forces shaping how Gen Z shops today. From the rise of resale and the circular economy to the growing popularity of buy-now-pay-later services, Hitha explains how younger consumers balance aspiration with caution. She also unpacks the concept of the K-shaped economy, revealing why two shoppers can experience the same market in completely different ways—and how that impacts luxury, fashion, and consumer behavior.Key Takeaways:• Gen Z defines luxury differently — Resale, vintage, and experiences often matter more than traditional status symbols. • Economics shape behavior — The K-shaped economy creates vastly different spending realities among consumers. • The experience is part of the product — Packaging, unboxing, and storytelling influence purchasing decisions as much as the item itself.

Irvin Rodriguez is a visual artist whose work offers a synthesis of painting and drawing, inspired by the European masters and 19th-century painters, paired with the narrative influence and aesthetics of illustration and contemporary art. Rodriguez's artistic practice spans multiple disciplines, from analog to digital media, resulting in figurative compositions and portraits that communicate individual and collective experiences. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1988, Rodriguez graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Illustration (2010), while simultaneously studying at the Grand Central Atelier (2008–2010), and later at the Art Students League of NY (2013–2016). Since then, Rodriguez has exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Europe, South America, and the United States, and was also the recipient of the 2016 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, the 2019 John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship, and the 2019 Donald Jurney Travel Fellowship. Over the years, he has developed into a compelling and versatile artist, with works in the film, comic book, publishing, and video game industries for clients like Naughty Dog, Lucasfilm, DC Comics, and Magic: The Gathering. He currently lives and works out of his studio in Los Angeles, California. Irvin was the 2011 recipient of the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Brush Award. He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 2023. In this episode, Irvin discusses his journey in a successful artistic career. Learn more at irvinrodriguez.com.

Irvin Rodriguez is a visual artist whose work offers a synthesis of painting and drawing, inspired by the European masters and 19th-century painters, paired with the narrative influence and aesthetics of illustration and contemporary art. Rodriguez's artistic practice spans multiple disciplines, from analog to digital media, resulting in figurative compositions and portraits that communicate individual and collective experiences. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1988, Rodriguez graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Illustration (2010), while simultaneously studying at the Grand Central Atelier (2008–2010), and later at the Art Students League of NY (2013–2016). Since then, Rodriguez has exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Europe, South America, and the United States, and was also the recipient of the 2016 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, the 2019 John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship, and the 2019 Donald Jurney Travel Fellowship. Over the years, he has developed into a compelling and versatile artist, with works in the film, comic book, publishing, and video game industries for clients like Naughty Dog, Lucasfilm, DC Comics, and Magic: The Gathering. He currently lives and works out of his studio in Los Angeles, California. Irvin was the 2011 recipient of the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Brush Award. He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 2023. In this episode, Irvin discusses his journey in a successful artistic career. Learn more at irvinrodriguez.com.

What happens when a sentimental handbag inspires an entirely new business? In this episode, Penny Crook, founder of Denault Handbags, shares how a purse gifted by her late father sparked the idea for a patented reversible handbag designed to simplify wardrobes and deliver two looks in one. Leaving behind a career in financial advising, Penny entered the world of product development, manufacturing, and patents to create a bag that blends functionality, versatility, and quality. She opens up about costly manufacturing mistakes, the importance of vetting factories, and the lessons she learned rebuilding her business with stronger processes and partners. From tech packs and sampling costs to Amazon, boutiques, trade shows, and influencer marketing, Penny offers a practical roadmap for turning an idea into a marketable product.Key Takeaways:• Do your homework on manufacturers — Research, references, and factory vetting can save years of costly mistakes. • Patience protects your brand — Slowing down during development often prevents expensive problems later. • Innovation needs education — Unique products sell faster when customers can clearly see and understand the value.

In the first part of my interview with Tanqueray, we heard the striking story of Tanqueray's early life – long before she became such as viral sensation on social media as a result of her appearances on Humans of New York. She was called Stephanie and she'd had a tough upbringing, raised by a strict single mother in an all-white upstate New York area, and then a teenage pregnancy, an unfortunate relationship, and a desire to start a new life had somehow conspired to land her in jail as a teenager. When she was released, she moved to Manhattan – and worked in a clothing factory, this was back in the days when the city had a garment district, attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, and ended up appearing as a much in-demand go-go dancer in clubs such as the Peppermint Lounge. It was the 1960s, and she enjoyed a varied and exciting existence: she had a short career as an escort, became a seller of stolen goods, mixed with pimps, mobsters and The Temptations – and fell in love with an Italian called Carmine, who she married before discovering his drug addiction. But as the 1970s dawned, the go-go bars in New York suddenly seemed rather old-fashioned, quaint, and in terms of sexual excitement, tame and unexciting. If you could now see newly-explicit sex films in theaters, well… customers were keen to see something different and more daring in a live environment too. That left Stephanie at a crossroads: there were two options – she could either accept the brave, new world and became more sexual – which she referred to as ‘working dirty' – or she could revert to being a more old-fashioned burlesque performer, and rely on tease, with a less racy act and props. Stephanie decided to follow the burlesque route and become Tanqueray. Stephanie and I recorded many of our conversations, and this is the second and concluding part of her story. This podcast is 40 minutes long. You can listen to the first part of the Tanqueray story here. —————————————————————————————————————————————– Ronnie Bell * The post Tanqueray – I've Always Been Different, Part 2: Podcast 164 appeared first on The Rialto Report.

It's Austen Chat's third anniversary! To mark the milestone, we're delighted to share "Jane Austen: Material Girl"—a conversation between authors Paula Byrne and Hilary Davidson recorded at JASNA's 2025 Annual General Meeting. Both have written extensively about the significance of material objects in Austen's life and work. Tune in for their lively discussion of ordinary things—toothpick cases, lace cards, muslin shawls, flannel waistcoats, and more—and their extraordinary importance.*********Paula Byrne is a best-selling biographer, literary critic, and novelist. She is the author of The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things, which explores her life through the objects around her; The Genius of Jane Austen: Her Love of Theatre and Why She Is a Hit in Hollywood; and the novel Six Weeks by the Sea, which blends fact and fiction to imagine Austen's visit to the seaside in 1801. As an Austen expert, she has also frequently appeared on television, broadcast on radio, and consulted on period dramas. Beyond her Austen scholarship, Paula has written best-selling biographies about Dido Elizabeth Belle, Mary Robinson, Barbara Pym, Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, Evelyn Waugh, and Thomas Hardy.Hilary Davidson is a dress, textile, and fashion historian and curator, and Chair and Associate Professor in the School of Graduate Studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She has curated exhibitions, lectured widely, and published extensively. Her books include Dress in the Age of Jane Austen: Regency Fashion, Jane Austen's Wardrobe, and A Guide to Regency Dress.For an edited transcript and show notes, visit https://jasna.org/austen/podcast/ep36*********Visit our website: www.jasna.orgFollow us on Instagram and FacebookSubscribe to the podcast on our YouTube channelEmail: podcast@jasna.org

What does it take to turn an environmental mission into a scalable accessories business? In this episode, Beth Greenlaw of Seabags Maine shares how she left a corporate career to help build one of the most recognizable upcycled handbag brands in America. By transforming retired sailcloth into one-of-a-kind bags made on Maine's working waterfront, Seabags created a business rooted in sustainability, local manufacturing, and authentic storytelling. Beth discusses the realities behind "Made in USA" production, building a brand around strong values, navigating founder partnerships, and creating an exit strategy that protects both the business and the people behind it. She also breaks down the practical side of growth—from wholesale and trade shows to pricing handmade products and discovering that your best customer may not be the one you originally imagined.Key Takeaways:• Values can drive growth — Sustainability works best when it's embedded in the product, not just the marketing. • Partnerships need structure — Clear roles, legal agreements, and exit plans protect both relationships and brands. • Let customers guide strategy — The market often reveals opportunities founders never expected.

How did black suits become so ubiquitous? Why has men's business clothing been so plain for the last 250 years? How did a style adopted by the Founding Fathers to differentiate themselves from European contemporaries become the dominant style for men around the globe? Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men (Oxford University Press, 2026) traces the shift from the colorful, flamboyant attire of the eighteenth century to the plain dark suit of the nineteenth century, characterizing this style evolution as a "Sartorial Revolution." In this book, American historian and costume designer Chloe Chapin traces the evolution of masculine style from the American Revolution through the Civil War and shows how men's suits shaped relationships of gender and power. Drawing on a wealth of visual and written sources, she shows how the plainness of suits symbolized new ideals of rationality and democracy and played a crucial role in framing the lasting identity and authority of American men. This richly illustrated book analyzes fashion history's impact on gender dynamics and emphasizes the dynamic relationships between bodies, clothing, and personal identity. Suitable demonstrates the significance of fashion beyond mere appearance, illustrating the key role modern men's suits have played in shaping the modern world. Chloe Chapin holds a PhD in American Studies from Harvard University and master's degrees in fashion and textile studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology and costume design from the Yale School of Drama. She has taught fashion history, costume design, gender studies, and anthropology. As a costume designer for over twenty years, her credits include Broadway musicals, opera, and Shakespeare. She works at Harvard University and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

How did black suits become so ubiquitous? Why has men's business clothing been so plain for the last 250 years? How did a style adopted by the Founding Fathers to differentiate themselves from European contemporaries become the dominant style for men around the globe? Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men (Oxford University Press, 2026) traces the shift from the colorful, flamboyant attire of the eighteenth century to the plain dark suit of the nineteenth century, characterizing this style evolution as a "Sartorial Revolution." In this book, American historian and costume designer Chloe Chapin traces the evolution of masculine style from the American Revolution through the Civil War and shows how men's suits shaped relationships of gender and power. Drawing on a wealth of visual and written sources, she shows how the plainness of suits symbolized new ideals of rationality and democracy and played a crucial role in framing the lasting identity and authority of American men. This richly illustrated book analyzes fashion history's impact on gender dynamics and emphasizes the dynamic relationships between bodies, clothing, and personal identity. Suitable demonstrates the significance of fashion beyond mere appearance, illustrating the key role modern men's suits have played in shaping the modern world. Chloe Chapin holds a PhD in American Studies from Harvard University and master's degrees in fashion and textile studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology and costume design from the Yale School of Drama. She has taught fashion history, costume design, gender studies, and anthropology. As a costume designer for over twenty years, her credits include Broadway musicals, opera, and Shakespeare. She works at Harvard University and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

How did black suits become so ubiquitous? Why has men's business clothing been so plain for the last 250 years? How did a style adopted by the Founding Fathers to differentiate themselves from European contemporaries become the dominant style for men around the globe? Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men (Oxford University Press, 2026) traces the shift from the colorful, flamboyant attire of the eighteenth century to the plain dark suit of the nineteenth century, characterizing this style evolution as a "Sartorial Revolution." In this book, American historian and costume designer Chloe Chapin traces the evolution of masculine style from the American Revolution through the Civil War and shows how men's suits shaped relationships of gender and power. Drawing on a wealth of visual and written sources, she shows how the plainness of suits symbolized new ideals of rationality and democracy and played a crucial role in framing the lasting identity and authority of American men. This richly illustrated book analyzes fashion history's impact on gender dynamics and emphasizes the dynamic relationships between bodies, clothing, and personal identity. Suitable demonstrates the significance of fashion beyond mere appearance, illustrating the key role modern men's suits have played in shaping the modern world. Chloe Chapin holds a PhD in American Studies from Harvard University and master's degrees in fashion and textile studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology and costume design from the Yale School of Drama. She has taught fashion history, costume design, gender studies, and anthropology. As a costume designer for over twenty years, her credits include Broadway musicals, opera, and Shakespeare. She works at Harvard University and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/performing-arts

How did black suits become so ubiquitous? Why has men's business clothing been so plain for the last 250 years? How did a style adopted by the Founding Fathers to differentiate themselves from European contemporaries become the dominant style for men around the globe? Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men (Oxford University Press, 2026) traces the shift from the colorful, flamboyant attire of the eighteenth century to the plain dark suit of the nineteenth century, characterizing this style evolution as a "Sartorial Revolution." In this book, American historian and costume designer Chloe Chapin traces the evolution of masculine style from the American Revolution through the Civil War and shows how men's suits shaped relationships of gender and power. Drawing on a wealth of visual and written sources, she shows how the plainness of suits symbolized new ideals of rationality and democracy and played a crucial role in framing the lasting identity and authority of American men. This richly illustrated book analyzes fashion history's impact on gender dynamics and emphasizes the dynamic relationships between bodies, clothing, and personal identity. Suitable demonstrates the significance of fashion beyond mere appearance, illustrating the key role modern men's suits have played in shaping the modern world. Chloe Chapin holds a PhD in American Studies from Harvard University and master's degrees in fashion and textile studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology and costume design from the Yale School of Drama. She has taught fashion history, costume design, gender studies, and anthropology. As a costume designer for over twenty years, her credits include Broadway musicals, opera, and Shakespeare. She works at Harvard University and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

How did black suits become so ubiquitous? Why has men's business clothing been so plain for the last 250 years? How did a style adopted by the Founding Fathers to differentiate themselves from European contemporaries become the dominant style for men around the globe? Suitable: The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men (Oxford University Press, 2026) traces the shift from the colorful, flamboyant attire of the eighteenth century to the plain dark suit of the nineteenth century, characterizing this style evolution as a "Sartorial Revolution." In this book, American historian and costume designer Chloe Chapin traces the evolution of masculine style from the American Revolution through the Civil War and shows how men's suits shaped relationships of gender and power. Drawing on a wealth of visual and written sources, she shows how the plainness of suits symbolized new ideals of rationality and democracy and played a crucial role in framing the lasting identity and authority of American men. This richly illustrated book analyzes fashion history's impact on gender dynamics and emphasizes the dynamic relationships between bodies, clothing, and personal identity. Suitable demonstrates the significance of fashion beyond mere appearance, illustrating the key role modern men's suits have played in shaping the modern world. Chloe Chapin holds a PhD in American Studies from Harvard University and master's degrees in fashion and textile studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology and costume design from the Yale School of Drama. She has taught fashion history, costume design, gender studies, and anthropology. As a costume designer for over twenty years, her credits include Broadway musicals, opera, and Shakespeare. She works at Harvard University and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Caleb Zakarin is CEO and Publisher of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

What happens when the retail world you built no longer works? In this episode, Shy Iland, founder of Daisy Rose and former owner of the indie-boutique chain Big Drop, shares how the 2008 financial crisis reshaped his entire approach to fashion. After watching handbags outperform most retail categories during the downturn, Shy pivoted from brick-and-mortar retail into handbag manufacturing, sourcing, and private label production. He opens up about the realities of running multi-store retail before ecommerce, the pressure of inventory, rent, and shrinking margins, and the difficult decision to walk away from a family business. From traveling to China's Canton Fair to building factory relationships and eventually launching Daisy Rose, Shy breaks down how Amazon FBA, influencer momentum, and disciplined sourcing helped transform his next chapter into a scalable business.Key Takeaways:• Accessories survive downturns — Handbags often outperform trend-driven categories during economic shifts. • Manufacturing is relationship-driven — Strong factory partnerships matter more than chasing the lowest price. • Scale requires adaptation — Moving from retail to sourcing to Amazon selling demanded constant reinvention.

This episode brings you a live recording of the 20th Annual Sustainability Conference at the Fashion Institute of Technology with my panel on Scaling Resale: Circular Business Strategies for a Low-Impact Lifestyle. Sarah Davis the founder of Fashionphile and Samantha Rich the EVP of Retail at Goodwill are my guests. It's an engaging discussion on resale and fashion sustainability. Listen in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a strong handbag concept collides with the realities of pricing, production, and scale? In this episode, Alexandra Satine—former handbag designer and founder of YourCohort—shares her journey from creative ambition to business reinvention. From moving from Venezuela to the U.S. and breaking into fashion, to launching her own line and facing the hard lessons of trademarks, sourcing, retailer expectations, and margin pressure, Alexandra unpacks what founders often learn too late: taste may spark a brand, but financial strategy keeps it alive. She also opens up about stepping away from her namesake business, navigating venture-backed environments, and why understanding operations, investor expectations, and fractional financial leadership became the foundation for her next chapter.Key Takeaways:• Creativity needs business discipline — Great products fail when pricing, margins, and operations don't support them. • Pivoting is part of growth — Letting go of one version of success can create space for a smarter one. • Finance protects creativity — Strong financial strategy gives founders the freedom to build sustainably.

Iran says US has responded to its latest peace proposal. Iran says President Trump must now choose between an impossible military operation and a bad deal if he wants to end the war. We hear from the brother of the jailed Iranian Nobel peace laureate Narges Mohammadi. He says she and other prisoners are dying as a result of deliberate medical neglect.Also on the programme: Ukraine's been stepping up its offensive against Russia's oil infrastructure in recent days; and ahead of the 2026 Met Gala, British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes and Elizabeth Way, curator at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, discuss if fashion is art. (Photo: Iranians walk past a huge anti-US billboard referring to US president Donald Trump and Strait of Hormuz at Valiasr square in Tehran, Iran, 02 May 2026. Credit: ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA/Shutterstock)

Knitters and crocheters know Angela Tong as a designer with hooks and needles, while weavers recognize her work in rigid-heddle and pin looms. Visitors to galleries and artisan markets know her as a potter. Angela thinks of herself simply as a maker, always drawn to creating beauty with her hands. Her first professional job set the tone: after earning a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, she produced fine platinum jewelry for Tiffany & Co. But beginning in her teens, she keenly felt the urge to learn to knit. A colleague at that first job taught her the knit stitch—just the knit stitch—and opened the world of fiber arts for her. Discovering a talent for clarifying instructions while test knitting other designers' work, she began submitting designs for publication. Although she had not initially pictured herself as a teacher, that skill of clear explanation led her to teaching, and she eventually became a certified knitting instructor. Angela discovered another fiber-arts love in PieceWork March/April 2010, which featured pin looms on the cover. She tracked down a handmade pin loom from a small maker, wove a doll blanket, and never looked back. Her pin-loom and rigid-heddle designs regularly appear in Little Looms, and she is a popular instructor at Weave Together events. In each of her crafts, Angela's style is symmetrical and refined, with an emphasis on finishing that she describes as a through line in everything she makes, from pottery to pin-loom blankets. Whatever the medium, Angela brings the same exacting eye and genuine delight in craft — whether she's warping a loom, trimming a pot, or teaching a roomful of students to hem stitch. Links PieceWork March/April 2010 featured a pin-loom blanket on the cover. Angela's pin loom videos Creative Pin-Loom Designs and Weave Patterns on the Pin Loom are available from Long Thread Media. Angela was featured in the pilot episode of the proposed Swatch series. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com. You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you'll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed.