Podcast Summary: Style-ish Episode - "Is the Australian Open our Biggest Fashion Event?"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Style-ish
• Host/Author: Shameless Media
• Description: Style-ish is the podcast for all things fashion, brand, business, and beauty.
• Episode: Is the Australian Open our Biggest Fashion Event?
• Release Date: January 14, 2025

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of Style-ish, hosted by Madison Sullivan Thorpe alongside co-hosts Annika Joshi Smith and Joanna Fleming, the team delves into the intersection of fashion and major events, with a particular focus on the Australian Open (AO). Released on January 14, 2025, the episode navigates through topics ranging from the AO's burgeoning status as a fashion hotspot to current makeup trends and a controversy surrounding The RealReal. Additionally, the hosts engage in a lively debate about the popularity and implications of Cool Cabanas at Australian beaches.

The Australian Open: Ascending as a Premier Fashion Event

Key Discussions:

• Growth and Influence: Madison highlights the AO's remarkable growth, noting that in 2024, the event attracted over a million fans with expectations for continued expansion. The surge in fashion influence is attributed to long-standing and new partnerships with brands such as Kia, Ralph Lauren, New Balance, and Mecca.

  Madison Sullivan Thorpe [02:28]: "I just think it's phenomenal the fashion influence that we have seen come through and I think it can be attributed to a lot of things."

• Fashion and Players: The hosts discuss how player and their partners' outfits have become central to the AO's appeal. Joanna points out the rise of influencers among players' partners, exemplified by figures like Morgan Riddle, enhancing the event's lifestyle appeal.

  Joanna Fleming [02:43]: "Players' partners' outfits have also become huge... Morgan Riddle, who we've probably all seen all over our feeds already."

• Global Partnerships: Madison elaborates on the strategic partnerships that span multiple grand slam events, mentioning Ralph Lauren as a global partner appearing at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the AO. Additionally, luxury brands like Louis Vuitton collaborate directly, such as being the "official trophy trunk partner."

  Madison Sullivan Thorpe [04:07]: "I think your trophy comes in a trunk and not just any trunk now. It's a Louis Vuitton trunk."

• Fashion Trends and Personal Style: Annika expresses excitement over the chic aesthetics introduced by brands like Ralph Lauren, incorporating preppy and nautical styles into the event's fashion landscape.

  Annika Joshi Smith [04:15]: "I just love how chic the tennis is, everything about it. Like, I think it could be arguably one of the most stylish sports."

• Comparison with Other Sports: The discussion extends to other sports, such as Formula 1, highlighting how figures like Lewis Hamilton are celebrated for their fashion sense, drawing parallels to the AO's influence on style.

  Madison Sullivan Thorpe [05:02]: "I think we've seen it not only with the tennis, but with F1 as well. I mean, you only have to look at Lewis Hamilton."

Notable Quotes:

• Madison [05:02]: "Lewis Hamilton's fit checks as I am for a Met gala."
• Annika [04:27]: "Talking about the fisherman aesthetic, I see a lot of stripes, a little bit of nautical..."

Makeup Trends: From Splurge-Worthy to Minimalist

Key Discussions:

• Declining Sales: Joanna introduces the topic by referencing a WWD article highlighting a 1% drop in makeup sales from January to October 2024, a significant change given makeup's historical resilience during economic downturns.

  Joanna Fleming [10:27]: "According to data from niq, total makeup sales dropped 1% from January to October 2024."

• Shifting Consumer Behavior: The hosts share personal insights into reduced makeup spending, with a pivot towards skincare and wellness. Annika emphasizes investing in products she trusts and sticking to basic makeup essentials.

  Annika Joshi Smith [10:22]: "I've been so much more invested in my wellness journey... I'm less inclined to take risks and try new makeup products."

• Minimalist Beauty Routines: Madison and Joanna discuss the rise of minimalist beauty routines, where consumers prioritize skin health over extensive makeup collections. They highlight trends like the "no makeup makeup" look, influenced by social media aesthetics.

  Joanna Fleming [12:49]: "Consumers are prioritizing skin health and adopting a more minimalist beauty routine."

• Generational Shifts: There's an exploration of how different generations approach beauty, with Gen Z demanding transparency about product ingredients and brands needing to innovate their marketing strategies to stay relevant.

  Annika Joshi Smith [13:36]: "Gen Z... they're so transparent. They wanna know who made my products, what's in my products."

• Economic Influences: Madison draws parallels to past economic challenges, suggesting that current shifts in beauty spending mirror previous trends like the "lipstick effect," where consumers opt for more affordable indulgences.

  Madison Sullivan Thorpe [11:10]: "I think the hair care is what I thought would be our generation's equivalent of lipstick effect."

Notable Quotes:

• Annika [10:22]: "I'm less inclined to take risks and try new makeup products."
• Madison [12:19]: "I was there today and it was one pumping. I was like, wow, what do you guys all do for work to be at the tennis?"

The RealReal Controversy: Authenticity Under Scrutiny

Key Discussions:

• TikTok Drama: The hosts discuss a recent controversy involving TikTok creators Kylan and Izzy Darnell, who showcased luxury Christmas hauls featuring designer items bought from The RealReal—a marketplace touted for authenticated pre-owned luxury goods.

  Madison Sullivan Thorpe [17:19]: "The girls did come back with some commentary and said, I don't know what to say because I don't really owe y'all an explanation."

• Authenticity Concerns: Concerns arose when the sisters admitted that some items were fake, directly challenging The RealReal's credibility as an authenticated seller. This revelation ignited discussions about the platform's authentication processes.

  Annika Joshi Smith [20:18]: "People come to them, they trust them. I've shopped The RealReal so many times..."

• Brand Response: The RealReal responded by addressing the issue directly, emphasizing their rigorous authentication process. They engaged with the Darnell sisters to clarify the situation and reinforced their commitment to authenticity.

  Madison [21:13]: "They came back and said that they'd reached out to the Darnells directly to clear up the confusion."

• Influencer Responsibility: The conversation shifts to the responsibility of influencers to maintain transparency and authenticity, especially when promoting luxury products. The hosts stress the importance of honesty to maintain audience trust.

  Annika [20:25]: "If you're promoting a product or a lifestyle, then you should be authentic and transparent about what that product is."

• Consumer Trust: The incident raises broader questions about consumer trust in second-hand luxury marketplaces and the due diligence required by both platforms and influencers to ensure authenticity.

Notable Quotes:

• Annika [20:21]: "I feel like you owe your audience a level of transparency in that regard."
• Madison [22:07]: "If you are promoting a product or a lifestyle, then you should be authentic and transparent about what that product is."

Cool Cabanas Debate: Sun Safety vs. Beach Space Reservation

Key Discussions:

• Defining Cool Cabanas: The hosts explain Cool Cabanas as portable shade structures used at beaches to reserve space, emphasizing their role in promoting sun safety.

  Joanna Fleming [26:02]: "There's a huge divide between the community on Cool Cabanas."

• Personal Experiences: Annika shares observations from St. Andrew's Beach, expressing frustration over the monopolization of prime beach real estate by multiple cabanas, questioning the etiquette behind claiming beach spots.

  Annika Joshi Smith [26:40]: "How do people think by pegging into the beach that they claim that real estate and that's theirs?"

• Sun Safety vs. Accessibility: Joanna acknowledges the importance of Cool Cabanas for sun protection but criticizes their overuse in crowded areas, advocating for respectful use that doesn't impede others' beach access.

  Joanna Fleming [29:02]: "It's a great example of how much our generation are aware of sun safety and how important that is."

• Listener Poll Results: The hosts reveal that 85.13% of listeners support Cool Cabanas, while 14.88% oppose them. Despite the majority's approval, the hosts maintain their critical stance, highlighting the conflict between sun safety and beach space availability.

  Madison Sullivan Thorpe [31:08]: "Our polls revealed that a staggering 85.13% of you said yay to the cool cabana and 14.88 said no."

• Humorous Takeaways: The conversation includes light-hearted remarks and pop culture references, such as mentions of Kath and Kim and Real Housewives, to illustrate the ubiquity and sometimes absurd application of Cool Cabanas.

Notable Quotes:

• Annika [26:40]: "How do people think by pegging into the beach that they claim that real estate and that's theirs?"
• Joanna [29:02]: "It's a great example of how much our generation are aware of sun safety and how important that is."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the vibrant discussions, teasing future topics, and encouraging listener engagement through emails and social media. They express gratitude towards their sponsors and the Shameless Media team, hinting at upcoming content that continues to explore the dynamic worlds of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

Madison Sullivan Thorpe [32:00]: "If Cool Cabanas don't sponsor next week's episode, you'll be livid. I will. I'll contact them myself."

Additional Segments

• Sponsored Messages: Throughout the episode, sponsorship segments from Upstate and promotional content for upcoming shows like Inherited are interspersed. These segments are seamlessly integrated without disrupting the main content flow.

• Humorous Banter: The hosts infuse humor and personal anecdotes, creating an engaging and relatable atmosphere for listeners.

This detailed summary encapsulates the multifaceted discussions from Style-ish's latest episode, providing insights into how major events like the Australian Open are reshaping fashion norms, shifting consumer beauty behaviors, navigating brand controversies, and balancing sun safety with beach etiquette.