Podcast
Fashion & Founders The Podcast
Hosted by Victoria Smith · EN
Fashion & Founders is a media platform exploring how fashion is actually built. Hosted by Victoria Smith, the show sits at the intersection of fashion, technology, and capital spotlighting the founders, investors, and operators shaping the industry’s next era.
Through long-form conversations, we go beyond trends to unpack fundraising, manufacturing, resale, AI, sustainability, career, and the evolving business of fashion. This is where fashion’s builders speak, share, and connect.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Hervé Léger Creative Director Michelle Ochs: How She's Bringing the Brand Into a New Era
6d ago00:51:26Tap to summarizeWhat does a creative director in fashion do? How do I get a job in fashion? What is fashion school actually like? Hear from Michelle Ochs, the Creative Director at Hervé Léger. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build a career in fashion from landing an internship at Marc Jacobs before even starting Parsons to navigating the job market during the 2008 financial crisis. After co-founding Cushnie et Ochs and spending more than a decade building the brand, Michelle made the decision to close that chapter of her career. Today, she's the Creative Director of Hervé Léger, where she's reimagining one of fashion's most recognizable brands for a new generation. Michelle also shares the strategy behind Hervé Léger's resurgence, why runway shows aren't always worth the investment, how Gen Z is rediscovering the brand, what she actually looks for when hiring designers, and why she still wants candidates to bring a printed portfolio to interviews. Whether you're hoping to work in fashion, build your own brand, or simply love hearing the stories behind iconic fashion houses, this episode is full of practical advice and an honest look at what it takes to evolve throughout your career.In this episode, we discuss:What fashion school is really likeGetting her first fashion internshipNavigating the fashion hiring landscapeStarting a fashion brandBecoming a creative directorFashion marketingRebuilding an iconic fashion brand for a new generationWhat fashion hiring managers actually want to see in interviewsFollow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow Hervé Léger:IG: @hervelegerRihanna’s Iconic DressFollow Michelle:IG: @ochsmichelleTikTok: @mrsmichelleochsRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!Glamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offThanks for listening!
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Morgan Riddle and Cherry Beagles: The Female Fan Economy and 400 Club
3w ago00:59:07Tap to summarizeThis week on Fashion and Founders, I'm joined by Morgan Riddle and Cherry Beagles, co-founders of The 400 Club, a community redefining sports through the lens of fashion, culture, and female fandom.Morgan Riddle was called “The Most Famous Woman in Mens Tennis” by the New York Times and now she is moving her focus to female fans in all of sports. Cherry Beagles founded The 400 Club in 2024, a community reimagining what sports fandom looks like for women, gaining recognition and named Forbes 30 Under 30. Together, they're building one of the most exciting brands at the intersection of fashion, sports, culture, and community. We discuss their experiences at F1, Wimbledon, the US Open, the Super Bowl and more. At The 400 Club they’re brining women together for the biggest live sporting event watch parties and industry events. We talk about why women's sports is far bigger than a trend, how social media has transformed the fan experience, why brands are still missing the mark with female consumers, and the enormous opportunity at the intersection of sports, fashion, and community. If you've ever wondered where the future of sports is headed or why fashion brands, founders, and creators are paying so much attention this episode is for you. Female sports fans aren't new. They're finally being seen.Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow The 400 Club:IG: @the400clubJoin the 400 Club HEREFollow Morgan Riddle:IG: @moorrgsFollow Cherry Beagles:IG: @cherry.beaglesRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!Glamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offThanks for listening!
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Make a Career out of Taste with VP of Partnerships at ShopMy
4w ago00:57:07Tap to summarizeThis week on Fashion and Founders Podcast, I’m joined by Caley-Rae Pavillard, VP of Partnerships & Business Development at ShopMy. If you've spent any time around creators lately, you've probably heard the same thing: "Get on ShopMy." But why has it become such a powerful platform for creators, brands, and tastemakers?In this episode, we discuss why creators are becoming the new retailers, how affiliate marketing is reshaping the industry, and why follower count matters far less than most people think. Caley shares what brands are actually looking for, how creators can turn recommendations into recurring revenue, and why human taste may become even more valuable in an AI-driven world. Consider this your ShopMy Success Guide and Masterclass in Influencer Marketing. We cover: How creators are making millions through affiliate revenue The shift from attention to influence What brands really want from creator partnerships Why authenticity still wins The future of shopping, discovery, and personal brandsWhether you're a creator, founder, marketer, or simply curious about where commerce is headed next, this episode is packed with insights.Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow ShopMy:IG: @shopmyJoin ShopMy as a creator HEREJoin ShopMy as a shopper HEREFollow Caley-Rae:IG: @heycayraeCaley’s ShopMyRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50and get 50% off your first month!Glamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offThanks for listening!
Transcribe →Answering Your Biggest Fashion Career Questions: Solo Episode
Jun 1400:23:28Tap to summarizeThis week, I’m answering your questions in a solo episode. I asked you to send in your biggest questions about working in fashion, founder tools, networking, fashion tech, and building a career you actually love, and we're covering all of it. From how to pivot into fashion from a different industry or degree, how to attend New York Fashion Week, the tools I’ve used to grow on social media, and the fashion tech companies and trends I'm watching closely right now. Whether you're trying to land your first fashion job, grow your platform, or simply understand where the industry is headed, I hope this episode gives you a few practical takeaways you can use immediately.Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyLinks for mentioned items in the episode:Fashion Career PlaybookCopenhagen Fashion BrandsDressing Professionally on a BudgetFlatter BlazerNo Blister FlatsEarringsRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50and get 50% off your first month!Glamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offThanks for listening!
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LoveShackFancy: Fashion Editor to Empire with Rebecca Hessel Cohen
May 2400:41:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Victoria sits down with Rebecca Hessel Cohen, founder of LoveShackFancy. They discuss how Rebecca went from working as a fashion editor at Cosmopolitan to building one of the most recognizable brands in fashion. Rebecca shares the story behind the original bridesmaid dress that launched the company, the early years before opening a retail store, and how LoveShackFancy evolved from a niche aesthetic into a full lifestyle universe. They also discuss the viral ruffle skirt that became one of the most copied fashion pieces online, navigating dupes and copycats, scaling without diluting the brand, building immersive retail experiences, and what makes collaborations actually work. Plus Rebecca’s advice for standing out in fashion, building a recognizable point of view, and turning aspiration into community.Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow LoveShackFancy:IG: @loveshackfancyTikTok: @loveshackfancyShopFollow Rebecca:IG: @becknycTikTok: @becknyc_Glamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!Thanks for listening!
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The Brand Behind Acquired Style’s Viral Bachelorette Trip: Swan Beauty
May 1000:24:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Victoria sits down with Colby Mitchell, founder of Swan Beauty, the AI beauty tech startup that went viral after sponsoring Acquired Style’s bachelorette trip. They discuss the strategy behind the partnership, the inbound after the trip, and the theories circulating the internet. The conversation explores the intersection of beauty and technology, the future of AI-powered skincare, and the journey to building Swan Beauty. If the bachelorette trip content left you wondering what is Swan Beauty, listen here and learn what’s next for them after their viral moment.Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow Swan:IG: @swanbeauty_usSwan Beauty WebsiteTry the appFollow Colby:IG: @colbytmitchellFamily Office Episode Mentioned HEREGlamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!Thanks for listening!
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The Future of Beauty with Glamsquad founder Giovanni Vaccaro
May 300:44:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Victoria sits down with Giovanni Vaccaro, co-founder of GlamSquad, to talk about the future of beauty and how access is changing everything. What used to be reserved for celebrities and top influencers, getting your hair and makeup done at home, is now available on demand. Giovanni breaks down how GlamSquad made that shift possible, turning luxury beauty into something people can actually use in their everyday lives. They discuss the rise of convenience-driven services, the connection between beauty and confidence, and how platforms like GlamSquad are redefining both access and the way creatives work. If you’ve ever wondered how people always have glam for events, shoots, or fashion week this is how.Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow Glamsquad:IG: @glamsquadFollow Giovanni:IG: @giovannivaccaroGlamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!Thanks for listening!
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Building a Brand That Means Something: Sali Christeson Founder of Argent
Apr 2600:46:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Victoria sits down with Sali Christeson, founder and CEO of Argent, to discuss what it really takes to build a fashion brand over the long term. Sally shares her path from tech to launching Argent, and how a gap in the workwear market led her to create a brand rooted in both function and purpose. They get into raising venture capital in fashion, navigating the “messy middle” of growth, and why most brands don’t make it past the early years. Sally also shares how Argent went from strong growth to zero revenue during COVID and the unexpected moment that turned things around. The conversation covers hiring, trusting your instincts as a founder, evolving workwear culture, and why there’s no shortcut to building a brand that lasts.Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow Argent:IG: @argentShop ArgentFollow Sali:IG: @salichristesonBrand Highlight: Alexandra MadisonGlamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!Thanks for listening!
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Vestiaire Collective: the $1 Billion Resale Platform
Apr 1300:37:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Victoria sits down with the Chief Business Officer of Vestiaire Collective, Klemen Drole. They discuss how the company evolved from a niche resale platform into a global leader in secondhand luxury. He was previously the Chief Technology Officer and shares the tech innovations Vestiaire is implanting to keep up with demand. They break down the realities of building a fashion resale company over 15+ years, from overcoming early stigma around secondhand to reaching profitability and scaling globally. The conversation explores how Vestiaire balances supply and demand, pricing millions of unique items, and the keys to their growth. They also dive into how trends emerge in real time on resale platforms, the role of AI in authentication and curation, and how luxury brands are increasingly partnering with resale platforms. Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow Vestiaire Collective:IG: @vestiairecoShop: vestiairecollective.comBrand Highlight: MelisseGlamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!Thanks for listening!
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The Business of Being an Influencer with Hannah Lizzy
Apr 500:36:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Victoria sits down with Hannah Krohne, Hannah Lizzy on TikTok, a fashion creator who turned TikTok into a launching point for her career. Landing roles at David Yurman, Danielle and Alix in styling, and ASOS in merchandising and trend analysis before ultimately going full-time as an influencer. They discuss her path from posting in her college dorm to building a platform that now functions as both content and portfolio. Hannah shares what it really looks like to balance a 9–5 with content creation, from filming multiple videos a day to navigating the transition out of corporate. They also get into the financial realities of influencing, including inconsistent income, brand deals, and the unexpected costs behind “free” product.The conversation breaks down how brands actually choose influencers, the behind-the-scenes of Fashion Week dressing, and why so much of what you see online isn’t as it seems. They also explore the role of content in building a career in fashion, why you don’t need a traditional fashion background, and how to position yourself for opportunities in the industry.Follow Fashion & Founders:Podcast IG: @fashionandfoundersPodcast Substack: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Website: fashionandfounders.comPodcast TikTok: @fashionandfoundersPodcast LinkedIn: Fashion and FoundersPodcast YouTube: Fashion and FoundersPodcast Links: Shop MyFollow Hannah:IG: @hannahlizzy_TikTok: @hannahlizzy_Brand Highlight: Paris64Glamsquad:Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 offRent the Runway:Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!Thanks for listening!
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