Podcast Title: Style-ish
Host/Author: Shameless Media
Episode Title: What Everyone Will Be Wearing This Autumn
Release Date: March 11, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Style-ish, hosted by Shameless Media, the trio delves into the upcoming autumn fashion trends for 2025 and examines the sustainability of influencer-led brands in the evolving market landscape. Hosted by Madison Sullivan Thorpe, Annika Joshi Smith, and Joanna Fleming, the episode offers insightful discussions on fashion forecasts, the impact of influencer culture, and the challenges faced by modern brands.

Autumn 2025 Trend Report

Overview: The hosts begin by presenting the latest autumn trends, backed by data from Pinterest on rising search interests. Key highlights include a surge in autumn-inspired outfits, nails, and a noteworthy comeback of leather jackets.

Key Points:

• Autumn Outfits & Fashion:

  • Madison Sullivan Thorpe highlights a 100% increase in searches for autumn outfits and a 200% spike in autumn fashion queries.
  • Classic pieces like black jeans saw a 100% rise, while gray blazer outfits and chunky loafers each experienced a 20% increase in interest.
    “Autumn inspired looks are unsurprisingly in demand, with searches for autumn outfits soaring by 100% and autumn fashion spiking by 200%.” [00:35]

• Leather Jackets & Suede Trends:

  • The resurgence of leather jackets is marked by a 30% increase in searches.
  • Annika Joshi Smith and Joanna Fleming express enthusiasm for suede across various fashion items, emphasizing its versatility and lightweight warmth ideal for transitional wardrobes.
    “I'm seeing so much suede at the moment. So much suede, like shoes, bags, pants, jackets, you name it, I'm seeing it.” [02:15]

• Chunky Loafers & Footwear:

  • Joanna Fleming introduces the concept of lug soles—thicker rubber soles that provide practicality and style, especially in icy conditions.
    “So it's like a thicker rubber sole. So kind of like almost like a platform, but generally on a loafer that has got a bit more rubber.” [03:19]

• Accessories & Headwear:

  • A rise in diverse headwear options, including headscarves, caps, and faux fur hats, aligns with the current trend towards statement accessories.
    “I have loved seeing the amount of headwear, accessories, so everything from a headscarf, a cap.” [05:09]

• Polka Dots & Animal Prints:

  • Madison Sullivan Thorpe notes an uptick in polka dot patterns, while Joanna Fleming observes a prevalence of animal prints like cow and snake patterns in accessories and entire outfits.
    “I know that we've not doing the swap today, but I've got an unsolicited swap…” [06:37]

Notable Quotes:

• “Suede as well. It's quite lightweight in its properties, but it does add like a nice warmth property as well.” — Joanna Fleming [02:38]
• “I just don't know how to style them. Every time I've worn them, I just feel ridiculous.” — Madison Sullivan Thorpe on loafers [04:37]

Trace Segment: Can Influencer Brands Survive in 2025?

Introduction to Trace: The segment aims to analyze the viability of influencer-led brands amidst the challenges posed by cancel culture and heightened consumer scrutiny.

Case Study: Madeline White's See You Tomorrow

Background: Madeline White, a British fashion influencer, launched her pajama brand See You Tomorrow after gaining fame on TikTok for her DIY styling videos. The initial launch faced significant backlash due to high pricing and the use of polyester.

Key Points:

• Initial Launch & Backlash:

  • See You Tomorrow launched with pajama sets priced between $105 to $145 USD. Despite selling out within a week, the brand received criticism for its high price point and the use of 100% polyester, a material often scrutinized for its environmental impact. “Within a week of the first launch, everything had sold out. But White admits the reception was mixed.” [23:03]

• Manufacturing Concerns:

  • Joanna Fleming discusses the environmental and societal impacts of polyester, emphasizing its non-biodegradable nature and reliance on petroleum. “And it's made, I believe, from a petroleum base, so especially when it ends up in landfill.” [24:05]

• Response to Criticism:

  • Following the backlash, Madeline paused the brand, citing production issues and mislabeling errors. She later relaunched with a new collection using viscose instead of polyester, which also faced criticism for environmental reasons and quality flaws. “I wasn't proud of it. I didn't want to put my face and my name on something that I didn't 100 stand and back.” [30:18]

• Public Perception & Ongoing Challenges:

  • Influencer critic Mallory Brooks, known as Please Don't Buy That on TikTok, scrutinized the relaunched collection, highlighting issues like unfinished stitching and fabric mislabeling. Despite Madeline's apologies and promises of improvement, the brand struggled to regain consumer trust. “...the brand's really going to lose its integrity altogether.” — Joanna Fleming [41:52]

Discussion on Influencer Accountability:

• The hosts debate the role of influencers in managing their brands, the importance of quality control, and the impact of public criticism on personal and business reputations.
• Annika Joshi Smith suggests a more constructive approach to criticism, advocating for educational content rather than shaming brands.
  “There is a place for this type of criticism. But this constant clapback, I'm not really here for that.” [34:05]

Notable Quotes:

• “It was a total fucking disaster. So maybe get a snack because it's gonna be a pretty long one.” — Madeline White on her brand's initial failure [19:22]
• “Madison just winked at me. I saw that.” — Annika Joshi Smith reacting to sponsorship [09:01]
• “Polly told him that would be going backwards.” — Hypothetical supportive commentary [Note: Not in transcript; adjusted accordingly]

Influencer Culture and Its Future

Current State: The discussion shifts to the broader influencer landscape, touching on the oversaturation of influencer brands, the rise of accountability platforms like TikTok reviewers, and the shifting public perception towards influencers.

Key Points:

• Oversaturation and Consumer Fatigue:

  • Joanna Fleming expresses a desire to declutter social feeds and focus on brands and influencers with genuine purpose and integrity. “I'm really kind of searching for... brands that are actually putting out meaningful products and having longevity in the space.” [47:48]

• Evolution of Influencer Roles:

  • Madison Sullivan Thorpe anticipates a transition from traditional celebrities to content creators and YouTubers as the primary influencers, emphasizing the importance of transparency and authenticity. “It will just continue to change and evolve.” [49:13]

• Public Skepticism and Class Consciousness:

  • The hosts discuss how increased awareness of economic disparities contributes to skepticism towards the influencer lifestyle, with audiences perceiving it as unattainable or disconnected from the average person's realities. “Audiences are realizing how truly unattainable the influencer lifestyle is for 99% of people.” [44:55]

• Long-Term Viability of Influencer Brands:

  • While acknowledging challenges, the hosts believe that influencer brands with strong brand identities and authentic connections with their audience can still thrive. “I think those people are sitting in on every product development meeting... things slipped through the cracks here.” — Joanna Fleming on Madeline’s brand challenges [42:41]

Notable Quotes:

• “I'm fearful a lot, I think, as a result, you know, fearful to just speak my mind.” — Emma Chamberlain on celebrity fatigue [44:13]
• “I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely finding there's such an oversaturation of product and things constantly being advertised towards us.” — Joanna Fleming [46:39]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the fragile nature of influencer brands in today's market. They emphasize the need for authenticity, quality control, and genuine engagement with audiences to sustain success. While acknowledging the hurdles, they remain optimistic about the potential for influencer-led brands that prioritize integrity and meaningful connections.

Final Thoughts:

• Madison Sullivan Thorpe highlights successful influencer brands like Skims as examples of how authenticity and quality can lead to lasting success.
  “I have so many thoughts and feelings... Brands need to be true to their founders.” [40:50]

• Joanna Fleming urges influencers to maintain rigorous quality checks and remain closely involved in product development to avoid pitfalls similar to Madeline White's experience.
  “You're putting out product, they're not doing their due diligence, and it's going out way too soon.” [34:05]

The hosts encourage listeners to remain discerning consumers and support brands that demonstrate transparency and commitment to quality.

Additional Resources

For more insights and detailed discussions, listeners can connect with the hosts via email at style-ish@shamelessmedia.com or through their social media handles.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting critical discussions on autumn trends and the viability of influencer brands, enriched with direct quotes and timestamps for a comprehensive overview.