Style-ish Podcast Summary

Episode: The trends that will define summer

Host: Madison Sullivan Thorpe
Co-hosts: Joanna Fleming, Annika Joshi Smith
Date: September 23, 2025
Podcast by: Shameless Media

Episode Overview

This Style-ish episode dives into fashion's upcoming summer trends, gives a firsthand New York Fashion Week report, analyzes industry headlines (like Vogue’s new editor and the fall of fashion's “first couple”), and shares fresh recommendations for beauty and lifestyle swaps. The hosts combine lighthearted banter with timely industry insights, exploring what’s defining the conversation in style, beauty, and the business of fashion right now.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal News & Warm-Up

[00:41 – 02:34]

• Annika’s Big Announcement: Annika shares she is 15 weeks pregnant—her first time revealing it on the podcast after announcing on socials.
  • “It’s honestly been so hard to hide…hiding it from you guys on the podcast has been, like, such a challenge.” —Anika Joshi Smith [01:04]
• Fun banter around double-barrel surnames, family updates, and playful takes on evolving podcast intros.

2. New York Fashion Week Trends: Summer 2026

[02:37 – 08:51]

Annika gives her NYC trend report, fresh from Fashion Month:

Major Style Trends

• Florals & Color: Florals are still strong (“Florals for spring—groundbreaking!” [03:01]), but cerulean blue makes a major comeback.
• Color Bombs: Pops of blue praised for versatility.
  • “It does suit most palettes…such a nice way to kind of adapt a trend into your wardrobe with that pop of color.” —Annika Joshi Smith [03:11]
• Wearability & Practicality: Runways featured more flat shoes and foundational pieces, a shift attributed to economic uncertainty:
  • “…with everything going on in the world…the luxury market decline…the cost of living crisis, I think brands are trying to be a little bit more practical and play it safe.” —Annika Joshi Smith [04:15]
  • Denim continues as a seasonal wardrobe staple.
• Monochrome & Classics: Black and white looks dominate, especially at Ralph Lauren, Toteme, Khaite, and Michael Kors.
• Girly Details: All shades of pink paired with neutrals, animal prints, and even playful modern touches.
• Silhouettes: Peplums, structured tailoring, and waist-cinched looks.
  • “We're still seeing peplums…a lot of tailoring…anything that nipped in at your waist.” —Annika Joshi Smith [05:44]
• Preppy Attire: Tartan, polos, pencil skirts, old school argyle knits return.
  • “That's so a bit of me!” —Madison Sullivan Thorpe [06:33]
• Textures: More focus on tactile elements; pom poms, fringing, tassels, feathers, faux fur, and animal print as texture.
• Playful Accessories: Gigantic belt buckles and functional pendant necklaces—think actual combs and glasses hanging from chains.

Hosts’ Personal Picks

• Annika loves Kate’s modern, fluid dressing and plans to incorporate stripes, scarf dresses, and maxi dresses into her summer wardrobe.
  • “I really love the Kate Show. They do just modern effortless dressing so well…doing a full head to toe ensemble.” —Annika Joshi Smith [08:03]

3. Quick Pop Culture: The Summer I Turned Pretty Red Carpet

[09:09 – 12:47]

• Hosts share reactions to cast’s red carpet looks—general consensus: underwhelming.
  • “I was just underwhelmed by all the looks.” —Annika Joshi Smith [11:11]
• Notable mentions: Bola’s (“Belly”) style evolution appreciated; Chris Briney (“Conrad”) and others seemed uncomfortable in their fashion choices.
  • “He had a handbag…I don’t think he was wearing it confidently like Jacob Elordi would.” —Joanna Fleming [10:45]

4. The Swap: Recommendations Roundtable

[12:52 – 18:25]

Madison’s Swap (Spring Cleaning/Donations) [12:56]

• Features two recommended organizations for donating workwear:
  • Fitted for Work
  • Dress for Success
• Emotional listener story about how second-hand donations help women entering the workforce.

Joanna’s Swap (Creator to Watch) [14:26]

• Recommends Gemma Adby (“Gemma with a G”)—a disabled creator with innovative, inspiring short hair tutorials.
  • “She describes herself in her bio as a one armed girl in a two armed world.” —Joanna Fleming [14:26]

Annika’s Swap (Rhode Beauty Glazing Milk) [16:05]

• Annika raves about the Rhode Glazing Milk by Hailey Bieber, “actual glass skin…glows and radiates.”
• Madison offers a tip for Australians: use a US forwarding service; Joanna suggests TBH Skin Milk as a local alternative.

5. Main Industry Story: Vogue's New Editor and the Outfit Uproar

[19:45 – 26:55]

Chloe Marl’s Appointment & the Fashion Backlash

• Chloe Marl steps in as head of editorial content at American Vogue, succeeding Anna Wintour.
• Internet is divided over Chloe’s casual, understated style—think black singlet, crocheted skirt, and flat sandals.
• Backlash: Critics ask whether she “knows she works in fashion.”
  • “Some took aim at what they saw as a lack of polish compared with Anna Wintour's never wavering armor of sunglasses and Chanel tweed.” —Joanna Fleming [20:24]
• Defense: Others call Chloe’s look “refreshing and radical.”
• Host reactions:
  • Admire Chloe’s nonchalance and relatability; compare her to Anna Wintour’s mythical, “untouchable” personal brand.
    • “Do we admire her nonchalance? Because I really do.” —Annika Joshi Smith [21:28]
  • “Maybe she doesn’t want to be a cultural figure…she is there to produce the magazine, not be the conversation.” —Madison Sullivan Thorpe [26:08]
• Debate on whether it’s possible in this era to lead Vogue without being a visible style figurehead.

6. Headline Watch: The Messy, Public Split of Fashion’s ‘First Couple’

[27:45 – 38:15]

Natalie Massanet & Erik Tortensen’s Breakup

• Natalie (Net-a-Porter founder) and Erik (Frame co-founder) are in a public legal battle:
  • She alleges he conned her out of $95 million, cheated, suffered from addiction.
  • He countersues, alleging she’s an unfit parent due to drugs, alcohol, and violence—all unsubstantiated, per the NYT reporting.
    • “All of their dirty laundry. Alleged dirty laundry.” —Joanna Fleming, Annika Joshi Smith [31:59]
  • Both lawsuits are filled with unflattering claims; hosts stress that these are allegations.
• Why is this story so compelling?
  • Power, money, fashion world clout attracts public attention; some discomfort expressed over voyeuristic nature.
    • “There is a portrait of perfectionism that is painted…that looks like they have everything together.” —Madison Sullivan Thorpe [33:24]
• The business context:
  • Their split could impact Frame, Skims, and related fashion investments.
  • “There are a lot of question marks on what this divorce…will mean for these businesses.” —Madison Sullivan Thorpe [35:22]
• Reflection on broader industry image: The “polished” world of luxury fashion vs. the messiness behind the façade.

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It's honestly been so hard to hide because I just started showing really early.” —Annika Joshi Smith [01:04]
• “Florals for spring—groundbreaking!” (Miranda Priestley reference) —Annika Joshi Smith [03:01]
• “Chloe Marl’s look…so relatable to a lot of people…I really love this attitude.” —Annika Joshi Smith [21:38]
• “I think Anna Wintour has built that [role] to be unavoidable.” —Madison Sullivan Thorpe [26:41]
• “All of their dirty laundry. Alleged dirty laundry.” —Joanna Fleming, Annika Joshi Smith [31:59]
• “It's funny to me because fashion and luxury fashion are supposed to be polished and pristine. And this all feels so messy in stark contrast.” —Madison Sullivan Thorpe [37:15]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Personal News & Banter: [00:41–02:34]
• NYC Trend Report: [02:37–08:51]
• Pop Culture Fashion – "The Summer I Turned Pretty": [09:09–12:47]
• The Swap (Listener Recs, Creators, Beauty): [12:52–18:25]
• Vogue’s New Editor Outfits Debate: [19:45–26:55]
• Net-a-Porter/Frame Messy Breakup: [27:45–38:15]

Tone & Style

Warm, conversational, insider-y, with plenty of wit and occasional honest vulnerability. The hosts blend fashion expertise with relatability, making high-fashion accessible and discussing serious industry moments alongside trending styles and beauty favs.

For New Listeners

This episode delivers a thorough guide to summer 2026’s biggest style trends, an articulate discussion on the evolving expectations around fashion’s power players, timely reactions to industry headlines, and clever recommendations to refresh your beauty and life routines. Whether tuning in for practical inspiration or a peek behind the glossy fashion curtain, Style-ish offers both substance and fun.