Style-ish Podcast Episode Summary Episode Title: Would you plan a wedding without a proposal?
Host/Author: Shameless Media
Release Date: November 26, 2024

1. Documentary Recommendation: "Buy Now"

Madison Sullivan Thorpe kicks off the episode by recommending the newly released Netflix documentary, "Buy Now". She highlights its focus on the environmental impact of overconsumption and its relevance to the episode's discussions.

"This documentary is just so interesting and I think it really ties into what we're going to be talking about today..."
[00:33] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

Anika Joshi Smith expresses interest, adding it to her January watch list despite a busy schedule.

"I might put that on my January watch list. I feel like the silly season has just packed my car."
[01:45] – Anika Joshi Smith

Madison emphasizes the documentary's eye-opening perspective on marketing tactics in beauty retail and sustainability concerns.

2. Headline 1: Wicked's Grand Promotional Tour and Brand Collaborations

The hosts delve into the extensive promotional tour for "Wicked", focusing on its Media Impact Value (MIV) and numerous brand collaborations.

Joanna Fleming introduces the topic, emphasizing its significance.

"Have you been following this?"
[02:41] – Joanna Fleming

Madison admits a lack of familiarity with musicals but acknowledges the massive marketing efforts behind "Wicked".

Anika compares the strategy to the successful Barbie marketing blueprint, noting over 60 brand collaborations ranging from Rebecca Minkoff to Crocs.

"It's just Barbie all over again, the amount of collabs that came out of that, it's just the same thing."
[05:02] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

Joanna and Madison discuss the authenticity of collaborations, critiquing partnerships with brands like Betty Crocker as money grabs rather than genuine alignments.

"When you start getting into, like, ice cream brands, Betty Crocker, I don't know. For me, that feels like a little bit of a money grab."
[10:05] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

Madison further critiques the saturation of brand partnerships, questioning the sustainability of such strategies.

"But I think the whole piece of this is the psychology behind halls and even the fact they've put it in their names, they've called it exactly what it is."
[25:00] – Anika Joshi Smith

3. Headline 2: Amazon Launches Amazon Hall to Compete with Shein and Temu

Madison introduces Amazon's new low-cost storefront, Amazon Hall, aiming to rival Shein and Temu by offering products priced at $20 or under.

"Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, has launched a low-cost storefront called Amazon Hall to compete with Chinese founded e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein."
[21:40] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

Joanna discusses the environmental and ethical concerns, highlighting the lack of transparency in product sourcing and manufacturing.

"You don't know where these products are coming from. How has it been made? Are there fair work conditions?"
[23:14] – Joanna Fleming

Anika explores the psychological aspects behind the allure of Amazon Hall, especially in the context of instant gratification and economic constraints.

"Yes, we live in a climate of instant gratification and we're living in that climate adjacent to a cost of living crisis."
[24:28] – Anika Joshi Smith

Madison underscores the sustainability issues, referencing the documentary "Buy Now" and Shein's massive production scale.

"Shein's producing like 1.3 billion garments."
[22:53] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

The hosts agree that while cost drives consumer behavior, the environmental and ethical ramifications pose significant concerns.

4. Headline 3: Planning Weddings Without Proposals

The conversation shifts to evolving engagement practices, citing a New York Times article by Sadiba Hassan on couples booking weddings before formal proposals.

Madison presents startling statistics from a Zola survey:

"89% of couples had already begun the wedding planning process before they were formally engaged."
[27:42] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

Anika finds the trend alarming, referencing a scene from Friends where pre-wedding planning leads to misunderstandings.

"If they've had the discussion, two people as a couple and they're doing that play on, if it is one member of the couple going ahead and doing that without conversation..."
[28:28] – Anika Joshi Smith

Joanna shares personal anecdotes about the unpredictability and risks of planning weddings prematurely, emphasizing the importance of traditional engagement milestones.

"To actually go ahead and commit to something without even having a proposal, an engagement, all of those things. It just seems like very, very high risk to me."
[31:02] – Joanna Fleming

Madison suggests that shared finances and modern relationship dynamics contribute to this shift, making traditional proposals less central.

"There's probably a hundred years ago you would know each other for two weeks and then get a proposal. So it's very, very different now."
[29:26] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

5. Verdict: The Return of Isabel Morant Wedge Sneakers

In the concluding segment, the hosts revisit the resurgence of Isabel Morant wedge sneakers, reminiscing about their past popularity in the early 2010s.

Joanna shares her personal experience wearing them to "Wicked" in 2014, highlighting their comfort and style.

"I thoroughly loved them so much when I had them."
[34:03] – Joanna Fleming

Anika remains skeptical about the comeback, declaring a straight-up pass.

"So that's a hard no for me."
[34:32] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

Madison reveals that only 12.85% of their surveyed audience is excited about the sneakers' return, aligning with the hosts' sentiments.

"We stand in solidarity with you and 87.15% of you were with all three of us."
[34:41] – Madison Sullivan Thorpe

Despite mixed feelings, Joanna notes her mother's continued love for the sneakers, suggesting a generational divide in fashion preferences.

"She's got three pairs... she's too small. She's really short. So they give her great height, which she loves."
[34:03] – Joanna Fleming

6. Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to share their experiences, especially regarding pre-planned weddings without proposals. They also acknowledge the podcast team and promote Shameless Media's other projects.

"If you've got a story for us, send it through."
[31:16] – Joanna Fleming

Notable Quotes

• Madison Sullivan Thorpe:
  "This documentary is just so interesting and I think it really ties into what we're going to be talking about today..."
  [00:33]

• Anika Joshi Smith:
  "I might put that on my January watch list. I feel like the silly season has just packed my car."
  [01:45]

• Madison Sullivan Thorpe:
  "It's just Barbie all over again, the amount of collabs that came out of that, it's just the same thing."
  [05:02]

• Joanna Fleming:
  "To actually go ahead and commit to something without even having a proposal, an engagement, all of those things. It just seems like very, very high risk to me."
  [31:02]

• Madison Sullivan Thorpe:
  "I think that body image piece is still very much an issue for teens and tweens."
  [18:57]

This episode of Style-ish offers a comprehensive exploration of current trends in fashion marketing, sustainable consumerism, modern relationship dynamics, and the cyclical nature of fashion preferences. By intertwining personal anecdotes with industry insights, the hosts provide a nuanced perspective valuable to both fashion enthusiasts and casual listeners.