Style-ish Podcast Episode Summary
Title: The Fashion Week Trends That Are Worth Knowing
Host/Author: Shameless Media
Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Style-ish, host Madison Sullivan is joined by co-hosts Joanna Fleming and Annika Joshi Smith. The trio delves into the latest trends showcased at the Australian Fashion Week (AFW), discusses the controversies surrounding Vox Pops during the event, and concludes with practical advice on packing for an extended European summer trip.

Fashion Swaps

The episode kicks off with the hosts sharing their latest fashion swaps:

• Annika Joshi Smith (00:02) introduces her unique hack for covering gray hair using "beauty dust," likening it to eyeshadow for hair. She humorously remarks, “I identify more as a boomer now” (02:44).

• Madison Sullivan (03:12) shares her excitement about the Tony Bianco cosmic heels, highlighting their practicality and chic design. She notes, “They look super chic. A slightly squared toe, which I like, but still a point” (03:16).

• Joanna Fleming (04:33) discusses a PR gift from Adrian, praising its effectiveness: “It's magnesium and melatonin. That's why they actually knock you out” (04:52).

Australian Fashion Week Trend Report

Annika Joshi Smith provides an in-depth analysis of the Australian Fashion Week, emphasizing its new direction under the Australian Fashion Council (AFW) after IMG's exit.

• Organizational Shift (06:14): Annika explains, “This event this year, obviously it's a week long and it went off with a bang,” highlighting the shift towards a business-centric approach to boost press and sales exposure.

• Trade Shows and Inclusivity (07:52): She highlights the introduction of trade shows like Splash, which focus on resort-driven brands, giving non-runway brands significant exposure.

• Standout Trends (09:52): The key trends included:

  • Opulent Elegance: A blend of AM and PM fashion, featuring effortless elegance suitable for summer (09:53).
  • Sheer Dressing: Prominently featured in collections by Albus Lumen and Bianca Spender, incorporating prints like sexy polka dots (10:14).
  • Sequins Everywhere: Once reserved for evening wear, now seen in daytime outfits, mini dresses, and clutches (10:54).
  • Texture and Denim: Use of feathers, tassels, fringing, and versatile denim styles showcased by designers like Courtney Zhang (12:05).
  • Belts as Accessories: Stacking belts became a popular street style trend, allowing for creative outfit enhancements (12:28).

• Color Trends (14:38): Annika advises integrating trend colors like powdery soft pinks and teal into everyday wear, noting, “Chartreuse was very much in Bear Park” (15:18).

Vox Pops Controversy at Fashion Week

A significant portion of the episode addresses the backlash against Vox Pops conducted during AFW.

• Negative Experiences (17:00): Influencers like Sofa Doefa criticized the invasive nature of Vox Pop questions aimed at generating viral content. Sofa stated, “I feel like the interviewer’s sole purpose this year... is just to catch people out with tricky questions” (18:32).

• Media Pressure and Tall Poppy Syndrome (21:25): Madison discusses the cultural undercurrents in Australia, particularly Tall Poppy Syndrome, which fuels negativity towards successful influencers: “There is without a doubt an undercurrent that is prevalent in Australia... we want to bring them right back down to reality” (22:30).

• Balanced Approaches (19:40): Joanna highlights that not all Vox Pops were intrusive, citing Popsugar’s lighthearted question about washing legs, which maintained engagement without crossing boundaries.

• Podcast's Response (27:24 - 30:31): The hosts defend their own Vox Pop efforts, explaining their intention to create engaging yet respectful content. Madison emphasizes, “There is a very fine line between engaging content and what is just rude and inappropriate” (28:34).

• Humorous Takeaways (23:58): Abby Butler’s comedic Vox Pop questions, such as “Who’s the stinkiest?”, showcased moments where invasive questions were reframed humorously (23:58).

Opinions Please: Packing for a European Summer

The final segment offers listeners practical packing advice for an extended European trip, inspired by listener Talia’s query.

• Packing Cubes and Organization (34:15): Joanna advocates for using packing cubes to organize clothing, stating, “I put activewear with my pajamas because that makes sense to me” (34:15).

• Pre-planning Outfits (35:13): Both Joanna and Annika recommend pre-planning outfits to streamline morning routines. Annika shares, “I literally took polaroids of every single look and styled them differently” (35:45).

• Weather Considerations (36:08): Madison advises checking long-range forecasts to pack appropriately, avoiding mismatches between expected and actual weather.

• Luggage Recommendations (37:34): Joanna recommends using high-quality suitcases from brands like July, emphasizing durability and functionality: “I got the three suitcases and I use them so much” (37:24).

• Essential Tips:

  • Carry-On Essentials: Include a few outfits, essential toiletries, and underwear in your carry-on in case of lost luggage (38:40).
  • Decanting Products: Transfer larger skincare products into smaller containers for convenience (40:27).
  • Limiting Shoe Count: Stick to five pairs of shoes to save space (41:35).

• Personal Hacks:

  • Magic Erasers for Suitcases (38:21): Joanna suggests using magic erasers to clean scuffed luggage.
  • Carry-On Organization (39:28): Annika emphasizes packing a few cute outfits and essentials in your carry-on to mitigate the impact of lost luggage.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating their gratitude to contributors and sponsors, while encouraging listeners to engage via email or social media. They express excitement over upcoming episodes and anticipate future trend discussions.

Notable Quotes

• Annika Joshi Smith (02:34): “There is this thing called beauty dust... It’s like eyeshadow for your hair.”

• Madison Sullivan (03:16): “They look super chic. A slightly squared toe, which I like, but still a point.”

• Sofa Doefa (18:32): “The questions they’re asking are trying to get tea, they’re trying to get juicy answers.”

• Madison Sullivan (21:25): “There is without a doubt an undercurrent that is prevalent in Australia... we want to bring them right back down to reality.”

• Joanna Fleming (34:15): “Packing cubes. Absolute. Must preach.”

Key Takeaways

• Australian Fashion Week is evolving under the Australian Fashion Council, focusing more on business and commercial exposure alongside creative runway shows.

• Key fashion trends from AFW include opulent elegance, sheer dressing, versatile sequins, textured fabrics, denim versatility, and innovative use of belts.

• Vox Pops at AFW sparked controversy due to invasive questions aimed at generating viral content, highlighting cultural issues like Tall Poppy Syndrome in Australia.

• Practical packing tips for extended trips emphasize organization, pre-planning, quality luggage, and essential carry-on items to ensure a smooth and stylish journey.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the main discussions, insights, and trends from the episode, providing a useful overview for those who haven't listened while maintaining an engaging and structured format.