Podcast Summary: Let’s Get Dressed – Madeleine White on DIYing Her Dress for the CFDAs, Viral Fashion, and Relaunching Her Brand 'See You Tomorrow'
Introduction
In this episode of Let’s Get Dressed, hosted by Liv Perez from Dear Media, fashion enthusiast and DIY queen Madeleine White joins the show to discuss her journey in the fashion world. From her viral Prada jumpsuit transformation to relaunching her own fashion brand, Madeleine shares invaluable insights, tips for budding fashion DIYers, and her experiences navigating high-profile fashion events.
1. Madeleine’s Journey with DIY Fashion
Madeleine White has carved a niche for herself in the fashion industry through her innovative DIY projects. Liv Perez kicks off the conversation by reminiscing about a viral moment where Madeleine transformed a $2,000 Prada jumpsuit into a unique ensemble, sparking her rise to fame as the DIY queen of TikTok.
Madeleine White [02:30]: "I’ve never made anything more than a thrift flip before, so deciding to DIY a dress from scratch was a huge step for me."
She elaborates on the meticulous process of transforming high-end garments, emphasizing the importance of quality and creativity over mere cost-cutting hacks.
2. Experience at the CFDA Awards
A significant highlight of the episode is Madeleine’s recent appearance at the CFDA Awards, a prestigious event celebrating American designers. Madeleine discusses the challenges and triumphs of showcasing her self-made dress on such a prominent platform.
Madeleine White [04:44]: "Walking the CFDA red carpet was nerve-wracking but incredibly rewarding. It was essential to create something unique that stood out amidst so many talented designers."
Madeleine shares her strategy of painting her dress with a floral motif, drawing inspiration from classic designs while infusing her personal touch. She candidly talks about the technical challenges she faced, such as preventing paint spillage and ensuring the durability of her artwork.
Madeleine White [05:38]: "Hand painting the dress was daunting. Testing different techniques on swatches was crucial to ensure the paint wouldn't bleed through or cause wrinkles."
Her innovative approach not only garnered attention but also cemented her reputation as a creative force within the fashion community.
3. DIY Fashion Tips and Insights
Throughout the episode, Madeleine offers practical advice for listeners interested in embarking on their own DIY fashion projects. She emphasizes the importance of starting with the right tools and learning the basics of sewing.
Madeleine White [27:31]: "Get a nice sewing machine, preferably a beginner Singer. Invest in quality tools because they make the process much easier."
Madeleine advocates for utilizing online resources, such as YouTube tutorials, to gain foundational skills. She encourages aspiring DIYers to begin with projects they are passionate about to maintain motivation and achieve satisfying results.
Madeleine White [28:00]: "Find a tutorial for something you genuinely want to create. Whether it's a shirt, skirt, or hemming jeans, having a clear goal keeps you motivated."
4. Relating to the Audience and Collaborations
A standout segment of the podcast delves into Madeleine’s collaboration with Amazon. She discusses how partnering with a major retailer allowed her to creatively engage her audience by integrating DIY fashion into accessible platforms.
Madeleine White [06:32]: "I wanted to create something relatable for my audience. Most of them aren't purchasing $15,000 dresses, so using Amazon's tools to DIY a moment made sense."
This collaboration highlights Madeleine’s ability to merge high fashion with everyday accessibility, making fashion creativity attainable for a broader audience.
5. Wedding Dress Hunt and Personal Insights
Madeleine opens up about her personal experience searching for the perfect wedding dress, offering relatable tips for listeners navigating the same journey. She shares the emotional challenges of receiving overwhelming opinions and the relief of trusting her mother’s judgment.
Madeleine White [08:27]: "I ended up trusting my mom to choose my dress because everyone's opinions were clouding my judgment. It’s important to rely on someone you trust."
Liv Perez reciprocates by sharing her own wedding dress experience, reinforcing the value of having a decisive and honest person to assist in such significant decisions.
6. Daily Fashion Routine and Closet Organization
The conversation transitions to Madeleine’s daily approach to dressing and her struggles with closet organization. She candidly discusses the chaos within her closet and offers humorous anecdotes about her attempts to manage it.
Madeleine White [16:19]: "My closet is a disaster. I've tried organizing it with IKEA stuff, and it was the biggest mistake of my life."
Madeleine provides actionable advice for maintaining an organized wardrobe, emphasizing the mental health benefits of a well-structured closet and offering tips to make the process enjoyable.
7. Starting Her Own Brand: 'See You Tomorrow'
One of the most exciting segments covers Madeleine’s venture into entrepreneurship with her brand See You Tomorrow. She explains how her passion for pajamas, a staple in her daily content, naturally evolved into a fashion line.
Madeleine White [34:18]: "People always asked about my cute pajamas, and it felt natural to start my own brand focused on sleepwear. It's something I use daily and integrate seamlessly into my content."
Madeleine outlines her plans for relaunching the brand, including upcoming monthly drops and a bridal collection scheduled for December.
Madeleine White [36:49]: "We are relaunching on December 4th, with monthly drops until next summer. We’re excited to introduce our bridal collection as well."
She shares the challenges of scaling from DIY to mass production, highlighting the importance of due diligence and learning from past mistakes.
Madeleine White [36:13]: "Learn not to trust the first quote you get. Always get second and third opinions and thoroughly scout different factories."
8. Thoughts on the Fashion Industry
Towards the end of the episode, Madeleine offers her perspective on the fast-paced nature of the fashion industry. She advocates for a slower trend cycle, encouraging consumers to value and creatively wear existing wardrobe pieces.
Madeleine White [37:31]: "I would slow down the trend cycle and appreciate what you already have. Find new ways to wear your existing clothes instead of constantly buying into every new trend."
This philosophy aligns with sustainable fashion practices, promoting mindful consumption and creativity over impulsive purchasing.
Conclusion
In this insightful episode of Let’s Get Dressed, Madeleine White provides a compelling look into the world of DIY fashion, the challenges and triumphs of high-profile events like the CFDA Awards, and the journey of launching her own fashion brand. Her practical advice, combined with personal anecdotes, offers valuable lessons for both fashion enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs. Madeleine’s passion for creativity and her commitment to making fashion accessible shine throughout the conversation, inspiring listeners to embrace their unique style and pursue their fashion dreams.
Notable Quotes
- Madeleine White [02:30]: "I’ve never made anything more than a thrift flip before, so deciding to DIY a dress from scratch was a huge step for me."
- Madeleine White [04:44]: "Walking the CFDA red carpet was nerve-wracking but incredibly rewarding. It was essential to create something unique that stood out amidst so many talented designers."
- Madeleine White [28:00]: "Find a tutorial for something you genuinely want to create. Whether it's a shirt, skirt, or hemming jeans, having a clear goal keeps you motivated."
- Madeleine White [36:13]: "Learn not to trust the first quote you get. Always get second and third opinions and thoroughly scout different factories."
- Madeleine White [37:31]: "I would slow down the trend cycle and appreciate what you already have. Find new ways to wear your existing clothes instead of constantly buying into every new trend."