← The Run-Through with Vogue
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- [00:01]
A
This episode of the Run through is brought to you by Bumble. I love seeing my friends get excited about meeting someone new. And I have to say, I have a lot of friends who have met their partners or friends on Bumble. And I always, whenever I am introducing two friends to each other who I know they both met their partner on Bubble. I'm very excited to lead with that. You both met on Bumble other people and it sounds confusing but everyone's excited about it. Bumble is designed to bring people closer with updated features such as verification tools, an advice hub and more in depth profiles helping to make dating a fun and empowering experience. So if you or one of your friends are looking to make a connection, download Bumble today.
- [00:50]
B
This is the Run Through. I'm Nicole Phelps. Today I'm joined by Adam Selman, the newly appointed senior VP and creative director of Victoria's Secret. Adam ran his own eponymous brand, worked as costume designer for stars from Britney Spears to Lady Gaga, and famously collaborated very closely with Rihanna on everything from her tour outfits and red carpet looks to her savage Fenty line. Tomorrow is Adam's first Victoria's Secret fashion show. He dropped by the studio to share with us his vision for the brand, why this role is a dream come true for him, and of course, a few Rihanna stories. Adam Selman, congratulations on your new role at Victoria's Secret.
- [01:33]
C
Thank you so much. It's a dream come true.
- [01:36]
B
Thank you for joining us on the Run through. This episode is going live a day before your first ever Victoria's Secret fashion show. So there's a lot to talk about.
- [01:46]
C
No pressure. The. The emotions are high.
- [01:49]
B
Tell us what it was like stepping into this role.
- [01:54]
C
To be completely honest, I think, like, stepping into this, it was so unexpected, actually. Like, I never really, like, saw myself doing this, but it's actually such a joy and it makes so much sense if, like, I mean, you know my career pretty well.
- [02:08]
B
Well, tell the listeners, please, about my career. Yes.
- [02:12]
C
Well, I started as a handyman, which is like the funny part, but then I was a pattern maker and then I was a costume designer. I worked for someone named Zaldi for 10 years. Love him. In the Chelsea Hotel. So we go way back. And Zaldi actually did the costumes for the show last year. And then I broke off from Zaldi. I did world tours with Zaldi, like over Michael Jackson and Britney Spears and we did RuPaul, like all the, you know, the beginning of the show. So, I mean, incredible history there. And then, and then I branched off And I started working with Rihanna and I started with her world tour. So I built all of her world tours with her since Only girl in the world. So I did that. And then I started my own brand, Adam Selman. And then I switched that into Adam Selman Sport. And then after that, I went to Savage X Fenty and was chief design officer there. And then now I am at Victoria's Secret.
- [03:05]
B
So, I mean, it's perfect training. So why. Why didn't you expect something like this? Or why. Why is it a surprise to yourself that you've landed here?
- [03:14]
C
It's just so, like, I guess I just never saw it, you know, and maybe it was right in front of me the whole time, but, like, I just never saw it. So whenever the opportunity came to me, I was like, wait, yes, this makes all the sense in the world. So I seize the opportunity.
- [03:28]
B
So going back to your Texas upbringing, I mean, what are your. I have my own memories of Victoria's Secret. What. What are yours?
- [03:37]
C
You know, I was raised in quite a religious household, right. And so we weren't really, like, at the mall. And if we were at the mall, you know, it's like, do not look in that direction growing up. And so then it really was more when I was, like, 16, 17, with, like, my girlfriends at the mall. And then I really remember, like, that the panty table with, like, the kind of washed, floral and like that waistband that would peek out of, like, my girlfriend's jeans. So it really started with my girlfriends in high school more so than, like, like, my family or my mom or, you know, things like that. So. But I love that Victoria's Secret is so unique and that everybody has, like, a particular memory like that panty table or, you know, with their mom or their sister or their friends. So I love that I spent a.
- [04:22]
B
Lot of my first paychecks. I was a dishwasher at an old folks home, and I spent a lot of my first paychecks at Victoria's Secret.
- [04:29]
C
That's incredible. What were you buying?
- [04:33]
B
I liked the, like, the satin pajama sets. And I mean, that was my, you know, sort of lingerie store for, I mean, throughout high school and college, I would say.
- [04:46]
C
I love that.
- [04:46]
B
Yeah.
- [04:47]
C
Do many people know that you started as a dishwasher? There's this, like, am I breaking news here?
- [04:52]
B
It was a very good paying job in late 1980s Connecticut, actually.
- [04:56]
C
I love that I actually worked in a cafeteria. And I was the trash boy in, like, a college, like, during a summer camp. So maybe one step below you but.
- [05:07]
B
We'Ve both come a long way. So as you said earlier, you worked with Zaldi at the beginning. What did you learn from Zaldi?
- [05:17]
C
I started as an intern at Zaldi's, and there were three of us, and then he was doing his fashion line at the time, and we never produced anything for Zaldi's. Like, it was all one offs. And so I started off making one of everything. And he has such an impeccable eye and for proportion, right? Because I think given his history with drag and club kid culture, he has that. And. But he did it and he elevated it. He told me he was like, adam, I really, really like you. I would love for you to work more, but you have to be better. And he sat me down. He was really direct, and he was a kind, direct person. And I really took a lot from that and building my sort of family around myself and kind of being kind, but also being direct, trying to hone that in. I took that from him. And then also, whenever he told me that I had to be better, I sat down for six months. I wasn't going out. I was, like, super young, and I just sewed every single night. I honed my skill. I was like, in pattern make. I was like, I made this. I made this. Here's a sample. Here's this. And by the end of it, I really felt like I had. Like, I already knew how to sew, but, like, I did. I wasn't perfect at it. And then from there, I was able to, like, work. And now I can kind of make anything because I took that time to really, like, do it, do it again, make it better, make it better. And it was a good crash course for me.
- [06:49]
B
I took a seamstress class at FIT when I moved to New York. For a minute, I thought I was.
- [06:55]
C
Going to be amazing.
- [06:57]
B
I was going to. Going to do it. And I might have told this story on the podcast before, but the second I had to do, like, a. Like, a trouser pocket, I was, no, this is not for me. It requires an incredible sort of perfection to be. To sew.
- [07:16]
C
Oh, yeah. It's an immense skill. And pattern making is, you know, it's all math. And so it's. Yeah.
- [07:23]
B
What prepped you for that? I mean, how young were you when you knew you wanted to pursue this?
- [07:29]
C
My mom taught me how to sew when I was 12. I wanted a vest, and so she was like, let's make you a vest. And so, like, so she taught me how to sew at an early age. And then I was also in theater, and so then I was like, let me costume design for that, you know, So I think it was always sort of intrinsic to my wanting to do it. But then I wanted to go to school to be a sculpture major. And then my parents were like, you have to have some sort of business. And I was like, I'll do fashion instead. So then I think that was, like, sort of like the next natural progression. Yeah.
- [08:04]
B
And you put that to work for a long time for Rihanna, right?
- [08:08]
C
Definitely.
- [08:09]
B
Obviously, we all would love to hear some anecdotes about Rihanna. What was it like working with her as closely as you did?
- [08:17]
C
I mean, I can't say enough good things about her. She's incredible. She's an incredible supporter of mine. And the first thing that I made was so Mel Ottenberg had. I'd made a panty, and I made a panty, and he used it in a purple magazine shoot. And then part of that shoot was what got him the job to style with Rihanna. And then. So then whenever we started, it was like, can I make this panty for Rihanna? And then he's like, okay, sure. And then next thing, you know, like, I'm, like, traveling around the world with her. And she was incredible because it was Mel. And I had this idea to take her street style and translate it for stage. And at the time, brands weren't making clothes for celebrities in the way that they are now. It was more like red carpet or this. But it wasn't as, hey, we'll make things for stage. So then I was hired to sort of be like, okay, we're doing a music video, show up with a rack of clothes, you know, and, like, here's the brief. But then I would just sort of, like, make extra things and show up. And it was uncanny because she would, like, walk up to it and, like, pick this thing off the rack. Like, in the We Found Love video, like, she, like, in the middle of, like, a trailer in the middle of Ireland, she, like, walked up and, like, plucked this T shirt, and I was like, oh, I had, like, patched it together from, like, old T shirts. She's like, I love this. I'm gonna wear this. And she did it almost every single time. So it was almost like we had this, like, underlying shorthan, like, from when we first started working together. And then it just kind of kept growing. And then she's like, hey, can you help me on this? Hey, can you help me on this? And so it just kept going, and, you know, it's Just been an amazing collaboration.
- [09:58]
B
You are the man behind that iconic Swarovski crystal dress, the very skin bearing, revealing dress that she wore, I think when she got her Fashion Icon award from the cfda. Talk about being in that moment and sort of the ripple effect of those photographs going around the world.
- [10:20]
C
I told this story the other day, you know, because it was, it was such a giant moment and I wanted it, you know, like, I'm a very ambitious person. And so it was like whenever, you know, it was like, hey, she's getting this dial Icon award. I felt like I was like, she has to wear me. Like she has to wear me. And I was like, how am I going to convince her to wear me?
- [10:37]
B
Right. Because there's a lot of other people lining up to do it.
- [10:40]
C
Right, exactly. And so it was like. And then, so I had this idea and then made samples, made thing. And she was gracious enough to go with me along the way. And then at the end she did choose it. And it was such a huge moment for me. I was so poor. I was pouring everything into my brand. I was doing everything possible to keep it alive and do that. So then that happened that night. My name is splashed everywhere across the world. I'm on the COVID of every single newspaper around the world. And it was a surreal moment. And then I had a 5:30am call time to be a tailor on a Nike job that next morning because I had to pay my bills and because I had to keep my business going. And that was something I was doing at the time to keep the lights on and to pay my people that were helping me make it happen. But it was just like it's such a. The duality of everyone thinks you're having this moment and you are on the top. And I was, it was like incredible. And I'm like sitting there sewing, you know, altering, you know, leggings and bras and stuff and then and like also getting like tons of alerts and like, congratulations, congratulations. But I'm like toiling away like at like a sewing machine, like tailoring for Nike. So pretty surreal.
- [11:59]
B
Okay, we're going to take a quick break. Foreign.
- [12:11]
A
This episode of the Run through is brought to you by Bumble. I love seeing my friends get excited about meeting someone new. It is so much fun to help them pick a great first date outfit and location and then hear all about it over coffee the next day. There is nothing better than watching people find their perfect match. And recently it feels like so many people I know have found their partners through Bumblebee So mazel tov to Bumble and those finding people. Bumble is designed to bring people closer with updated features such as verification tools and advice hub and more in depth profiles helping to make dating a fun and empowering experience. So if you or one of your friends are looking to make a connection, download Bumble today.
- [12:58]
B
So Victoria's Secret Fashion show has gone through, you know, a great metamorphosis since the late, late 2000 and tens. And it was back for the first time after many years. Last year. This is your first time. What. What should we expect from you tomorrow?
- [13:15]
C
So if you know my career, I think you'll. You'll see a certain playfulness, definitely, like a lot of joy. I definitely wanted to elevate it as well. And I think I went into this really wanting to tell stories, right. Like, at the end of the day, I think, like, over my career, I feel like that's an important thing to me is to try to tell stories. And I had this deep passion of, like, really wanting to make the audience, like, feel something. And I think that the show is so big, it's so big, it's so powerful. Everyone wants it to be something, you know, and I can't be everything to everyone and neither can the brand. But I think to me, it's about telling those bigger stories. But you might have to look in the quieter moments to, like, really see them come to fruition, you know, And I think that you'll probably feel more of a connection as well. Like, I know so many of these, you know, like the talent and the models and stuff like that. And so I definitely want to, like, try to tell their stories and have them help bring it to life, but then also tell new stories and push this forward. So I'm hoping that that comes across.
- [14:18]
B
Hmm. Well, I guess the story that the show has told, you know, for decades, since it became sort of central in the public consciousness, is like a fantasy story. Is that the direction we're going or.
- [14:32]
C
Well, you know, everything's a fantasy, right. And it's more about how you contextualize the fantasy. I'm really contextualizing it in showing the idea of day to night. Like, the show is set from day to night in different chapters. You know, it starts with morning and it ends at black tie. Right. And so, like, it sort of takes us on this journey of day to night and, like, what her day could look like and maybe even like the memories that she had. Right. I think like, even, like pink, you know, it's maybe more of a memory that she had. And. And so I really wanted it to tell that story, and I also wanted it to be really fast because we live in this culture of, like, excess and immediacy, so I really wanted it to feel fast. So I'm hoping that that comes to life. But that Day to Night really grounded the show and gave me permission to tell stories, to also tell product stories, to highlight different fragrances that we carry as well. So each chapter is tied to a fine fragrance, which is sort of built off of the idea of an archetype of. Of the woman who's wearing it. So trying to tie that into the whole thing, and that's hopefully what's gonna happen.
- [15:39]
B
It sounds. It might be more fashiony. You're putting the fashion in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show?
- [15:44]
C
Definitely. I'm approaching this like, a house, you know, like a true maison. Right. Like, we have such a rich history. We've been around for 50 years. We innovate. We have so much to offer. Right. And I'm really taking this as, like, I think as any other designer would do, and, you know, pull from some of the archives without being weighted by it. And then, you know, what does that look like as far as, like, my stamp and Hillary's stamp, the CEO, like, and, you know, all the people, you know, Ann and Ally and Elizabeth, like, the cmo, like, what does this chapter look like for Victoria's Secret?
- [16:22]
B
Recently, the fashion show has come under scrutiny. Is it modern? Is it relevant? Is this how, you know, women should be perceived in the media today? So how do you address those observations, and how are you thinking about making it feel modern and relevant and really talk to the young women and older women who are you're targeting as your customers now?
- [16:47]
C
Definitely. I think I'm trying to show a range. Right. I think it's, like, super important for me. It's still a lingerie show. Like, we, you know, we make lingerie, so. And I think it's more of, like, an invitation. Like, I think it's maybe, you know, less about dictating what sexy is or what sexy needs to be or this sort of ideal, but really, like, propelling into, like, an offering. Right. And hopefully people will see themselves in it. Hopefully, people will start to talk about the brand more and really, you know, go in and experience it in a new way. Right. Like, I'm a big proponent of making things fun. Right. Like, and I think sometimes whenever, like, a measuring tape comes out or women, you know, think about getting, like, fit for a bra or things like that. Like, to recontextualize that. That could be a fun experience. Like, get your girl, get your gay, get your husband, get your boyfriend, like, whatever it is, and make it a good time, as opposed to something that's daunting. And find the right solution, because we have experts that can help women find that. And if that helps make their day a little bit better, that is really what the goal is here and what we're trying to say, right.
- [17:56]
B
One of the things that you were known for at Savage Fenty is that there was a real size inclusivity there. And Victoria's Secret in the past has not necessarily tackled that the way it should have. How are you approaching that issue?
- [18:11]
C
Yeah. So, I mean, like, obviously, I'm very inclusive size, you know, like, all the above. Right. Like, that's part of my past, my history that I'm going to bring forward. But it has to be authentic, right? I think people are sick of seeing, you know, brands and people sort of tick boxes. So it has to feel authentic. It has to be right. I also think it has to be the right product for the right size. I think, like, with my history with working in size, inclusivity, that's the most important thing, because I think lingerie is illusion. You know, it's illusion and solution. And so, to me, that's, like, the most important thing as opposed to, like, this one thing has to fit everyone. You know, I think, like, finding the right thing for the right people is what works best.
- [18:55]
B
Well, you're a fashion watcher, as you say, you had your own brand. It feels that after several years of improvements, the runways have sort of reversed, and size and clivity is not something that your fellow designers. Designers seem to be focused on. Do you have any theories about why that might be?
- [19:15]
C
I mean, the system isn't set up for it when it comes to sampling. It's a very challenging thing to be like, hey, let's put on this Runway show. Hey, let's put on this lookbook. And then you have to order it in multiple sizes. And I think it's particularly hard for smaller brands. Like, take in my brand in Adam Zellman Sport. We win double extra small through double extra large. And it was a hard thing to be. Like, we have to order all these samples to then be able to show all the different sizes. It added an extra cost. And I think that at the end of the day, the business of fashion is a bottom line, and so it's a challenge. And I think that it's probably something that the industry hasn't quite figured out. Numbers matter to the business. So the more the. That people show up to buy it to the brands that are offering it is so, so, so important.
- [20:09]
B
So they're going where the. Where they're. They're following the dollar, is what you're saying. Yeah. Another thing going back to. To last year, remembering the. The comeback show, is that the brand talked a lot about that it was a women for women brand, that the. That everybody behind the scenes is. Is a woman. And of course, you are a man. So how are you trying to hold onto that sensibility that this is a company that is run by women and it's sort of for women by women?
- [20:41]
C
I mean, I'm sort of trying to do an 8020 rule, you know, and, like, try to really hire 80% women, 20% men. Is that a perfect formula? No. Right. Like, but I am a big believer in women. I think if you look at my history, I'm like, I love powerful women. Women have always inspired me. They have championed me to be in the place now that I'm able to do what I love and be able to do it well, because they've been lifting me up for years. Right. And I'm now doing the things that I always thought that I could do and said I could do. And I think it's mostly in part because of women. So I'm really in, like, a steward of women more than anything.
- [21:22]
B
Too bad the rest of the fashion industry doesn't follow that rule. Right. I mean, that's another situation in fashion right now where there's all of these new designers came on the scene for spring 2026, and it was basically 80 20. In the opposite direction.
- [21:40]
C
In the opposite direction, correct. Yeah. I mean, luckily, like, at Victoria's Secret, like, all of my counterparts are women in, like, the executive part. So, like, we have three new presidents because I oversee Victoria's Secret, pink, and beauty on the creative side. But, you know, there's women presidents over all that, so. So I answer to them. There's the new cmo. Elizabeth is a woman, and then she's my boss, and then her boss is Hilary super, who's the CEO. So I think it's having powerful women around me, too, to help guide and shape and make sure that we're all aligned. That's really the story.
- [22:19]
B
So let's talk about Victoria's Secret. For many years, the focus was, you know, what is sexy? We're gonna show you. What do you think is sexy? And how, if at all, are you sort of reshaping what Victoria's Secret says and thinks is sexy.
- [22:38]
C
I think like whenever I first came in the door, I was really like, what do I wanna tackle first? And usually this was like four months ago, so, you know, it's been really fast. And the day two, they were like, what do you wanna do with the show? But I was also like, usually I would sort of fact find, but this was like, I gotta do it now and I gotta do it fast. And I think the biggest thing is like, I wanted to show more joy. I wanted to show more range of emotion, like within the creative, like how we show up to the customer and then also within the show too, and have that translate a little bit more. So it's like less idealized version of sexy and more of like a range of what that could be. And I think going back to my roots, it's like playful, joyful, you know, fun. Like I wanna see women having fun. And I would certainly hope that as you're putting lingerie on, you're having a good time.
- [23:28]
B
M One thing I remember reading at the time, you know, to show angel wings or to not show angel wings, is that, you know, maybe us fashion critics, you know, poo pooed angel wings, let's say. But it seems like the customer really wants the angel wings. The viewers want dying for it, the angel wings. Why do they want the angel wings? And what do you, you know, broader picture. What does the Victoria's Secret customer want from the brand now?
- [23:57]
C
I mean, I think that, that I think the angel wings, we cannot. It's synonymous with the brand at this point. So it's a code of the house. Right. So I have to run with that Also. At the same time, if you look all over the fashion shows, like the ballet, Iris Van Herpen is doing angel wings too. Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing it on the red carpet. You look at the runways and there's angel wings coded everywhere in the new Mugler. So it's sort of like in the zeitgeist as well, which we very much want to be there. So it's kind of an amazing place to be. But to me it's all about recontextualizing like the wings. And I think it's about more about her journey. I think everybody can wear the wings if they want to wear the wings, then it's more about where do you want those wings to take you? And that's really probably more my job to show different options of where those wings could take you.
- [24:47]
B
We've talked a lot about the show, but of Course, your job at Victoria's Secret goes way, way beyond the show. Earlier, you mentioned fragrances, which are beauty, which must be a new thing for you.
- [24:59]
C
Definitely.
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B
So talk more broadly about what your mission at the brand is and what you wanna achieve.
- [25:06]
C
Definitely. So I think I have a robust roadmap for what I wanna tackle next. I think the show is sort of the big one that we knew needed to happen and around with the holiday offering. But the point of the show is I wanna play in culture more. And so even what you'll see on the Runway, I'm hoping that you'll start seeing some of those looks show up, up in culture, around, you know, like, could it be on red carpets? Could it be an event dressing, you know, or music videos? So I want to play more in that ball game because that's my past, and I think I'm good at that game. So I definitely think that's a goal of mine to do that. And then I'm really, you know, thinking a lot about, like, what the Victoria's Secret look is, you know, and that if you close your eyes or you see something out and about, like, you almost don't even need to see the codes of the house, you know, or like, what are those codes? So you start to see the silhouette, you start to see those codes show up and it's instantly recognizable.
- [26:03]
B
You talk about the codes of the house. I mean, this always happens in the spring fashion shows, but I'm just back from them in Milan and Paris, and there were a lot of lingerie references.
- [26:14]
C
Right.
- [26:15]
B
You know, there's also this idea of wrapping your bed clothes around you, like your sheets, and going out. Going out on the town in those. So how does Victoria's Secret sort of define itself or stand apart from all of the other sort of ideas about lingerie dressing that are. That are in the culture right now?
- [26:36]
C
Well, I think that's like, the joy of it, right, Is like, we. We have that, and I would like to lean more into it. And like. And part of the show is to be able to show how to lingerie dress, right. And how the customer can see themselves doing it in their own life. But then I would like to push more into that for the brand in general and be able to offer that because. Because that's such an opportunity, you know, it's such a. Such a huge thing for us. We could really own that space. So. So it's something I would definitely want to play more in.
- [27:09]
B
We're going to take a quick break.
- [27:18]
A
This episode of the Run through is brought to you by Bumble. I love seeing my friends get excited about meeting someone new. And I have to say I have a lot of friends who have met their partners or friends on Bumble and I always, whenever I am introducing two friends to each other who I know they both met their partner on Bubble, I'm very excited to lead with that. You both met on Bumble other people and it sounds confusing but everyone's excited about it. Bumble is designed to bring people closer with updated features such as verification tools, an advice hub and more in depth profiles helping to make dating a fun and empowering experience. So if you or one of your friends are looking to make a connection, download Bumble today.
- [28:04]
B
There are other celebrities that you have worked with too. Lady Gaga, Britney Spears. How did working with them on these spectacular outfits, you know, for the stage or for tour, how did it prep you for what you're doing at Victoria's Secret?
- [28:23]
C
Well, I mean that's, you know, someone told me the other day, like I don't think anybody else could be doing what you're doing. Like I'm like the one, the one person right now like overseeing the clothes for the show, you know, that will show up on the Runway. The celebrities, you know, like the performers that will be happening, I'm involved in their looks, I'm involved with their stylist, I'm involved with getting them on boarded and like how they're showing up in the show. And then I'm involved in the stage design, you know. You know, so every single part of it, like I sort of in that conduit for everything. And then also within Victoria's Secret to keep those stories going to make sure we're showing up in the right way. So I'm the one conduit to make sure that that's all happening with an incredible team behind me obviously. But I think that that sort of preparation and it's the stuff that makes champions. It's like if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Sort of mentality was the sort of driver that led me to be able to do this today.
- [29:24]
B
And this role, I'm, I'm not 100% sure if it's a newly created role, but the way it feels to me is, is that you are a creative that is very front facing at, at Victoria's Secret in a way that they might not, have, might not have had before the brand. And is that a fair, I think.
- [29:43]
C
So, fair way to put it for sure. And I, you know, I think it's for I guess for me, like, I really take. I took a step back, you know, like, after I shut my business down, which was really, like. Like, emotional and a heavy thing to do. Right. And I sort of. Like, I took a few years to really, like, understand what that means to me and what I want my life to look like and where I feel like I want to show up in my best state and my most, like, natural state. Because I felt like with my brand, it was like, all of it, right? Like, I had to be the person to keep it going, and I almost had to put on, like, a different side of myself. And now I don't feel that pressure. I feel like I get to show up where I want to show up. I get to show up like how I want to show up. And navigating that within this role is probably more powerful for me than anything else.
- [30:31]
B
But I think it could be powerful for Victoria's Secret, too.
- [30:35]
C
Oh, I mean, definitely. And I think it's. Listen, I wouldn't be here if that wasn't part of the job. So that's not to go without saying that that's part of my job. And I think making sure that I have a lot of connections, right? I can bring people into the brand, and it's also convincing them that this is a new chapter, this is a new era, this is a collaboration. I think that's a huge part of what I bring to the table.
- [31:02]
B
And famously, there's a lot of prep work involved in a Victoria's Secret fashion show. So how are you personally prepping for the big night?
- [31:17]
C
I mean, I'm trying to keep my peace, for sure. I love working out. I'm a big fan of that. I do take lots of supplements, like I was telling you earlier, so I'm on that. And then I do tm, so I'm a meditator, so I do that twice a day. And I just try to surround myself with the people that can finish my sentences. And I think I've been looking for that within this industry for a long time, and this is probably the first place that that seems to actually be happening, and that I'm surrounded by incredible people that I can sort of say one thing, and then they're able to, like. Like, why not me? Or make it like, yes, I get what you're saying. Let me take it away and make it happen. So that's been a big part of it too.
- [32:01]
B
When did you start meditating?
- [32:03]
C
I started, like, four years ago.
- [32:06]
B
So not long after you closed your brand.
- [32:08]
C
Yeah, that was part of sort of finding myself and understanding what I want and what I don't want. And it's been game changer for me.
- [32:15]
B
I'd love to hear more about that. I mean, what was the precipitating thing that got you started and how did you. I've, you know, tried over the years. It's sort of hard to develop a practice. How did you find yourself building your practice?
- [32:30]
C
I think it was, like, hungry for it. I also love that you're saying practice because it is a practice. Right? Like, it's not perfect, and so it kind of evolves. But, you know, I went to classes. I really wanted to, like, I wanted to meditate because it was, you know, great clearing of the mind and to understand what's really important, you know, and like. Like, I have lots of thoughts. I think we all do. And to be able to clear some of those, it's been really eye opening for me. And I think it's. It's found me in a deeper, better place. I think I'm, like, very soulful as a person. And. And so that was an important part of my journey. You know, I think I have, like, an army of coaches and therapists too, that helped me get there, but. And I think that that helps. It helps me and like, be to able to dream bigger, you know, take more exquisite risk, you know, And I think that that's. That's an important part of how I'm able to be here and feel really good about what I'm doing and be able to, like, chart a path forward.
- [33:29]
B
Hmm. So all of us are gonna go to the show tomorrow. Tomorrow night cannot thank you enough. And will we be surprised? And if so, how do you think we'll be surprised?
- [33:41]
C
I mean, I think you'll see some things that, like, you know, are very familiar on one hand, but I'm hoping that, you know, you'll really be able to tell that story, you know, or see that story and, like, feel that story that I'm trying to tell. And also feel like this is a step up for the brand that, like, it really is more of, like a fashion point of view, that it's. There's real craftsmanship that goes into how this all comes together. And it's still a spectacle. It's still the biggest fashion show on earth. So I'm just hoping you catch the joy of what it took to build it.
- [34:13]
B
You've announced the performers?
- [34:15]
C
Yes.
- [34:17]
B
Can you share with our listeners a little bit about them and why you chose who you chose?
- [34:22]
C
Definitely. So, you know, obviously we're an incredible American heritage brand, but we have a worldview. So I really wanted to take that approach with the performers. So we have Madison Beer is incredible. We have Twice K Pop group, who we announced it, and the fans are losing their minds. So they're gonna be performing in the pink section. And then we have Carol G, who I'm obsessed with. And then we have Missy Elliott icon. So that's sort of like the approach that I took, and it really is just, like, an incredible mix of women making this happen. Yeah. So fun.
- [35:02]
B
I remember back to last year's show and the Instagra that was built around it. I just remember noticing it. I mean, how. How will people watch this show? And when you think about the reaction from the fans and from the customers, what do you think they'll go away with?
- [35:21]
C
You know, I didn't want it to feel like a heritage show. Like, it's going to be interesting because we've been listening. You know, I read the comments, like, I think, you know, to hear, like, no slick backs, no ponytails, you know, like. And so I got it, like, loud and clear. So I also want to, like, have that dialogue with the F. What's the.
- [35:41]
B
Problem with slicked backs and ponytails?
- [35:42]
C
They want those blowouts. They want the bombshell hair. They want the glitter. They want the thing that Victoria's Secret is so known for. So it's also that play. And there's a few winks and nods to that, too.
- [35:54]
B
So it sounds like people are hungry.
- [35:56]
C
For glamour, dying for glamour. And the fans wanted.
- [36:02]
B
And I got an email in my inbox this morning. Angel. Angel Reese.
- [36:06]
C
Angel Reese. How exciting is that?
- [36:08]
B
Very exciting.
- [36:09]
C
Again, like, recontextualizing, like, what an angel is. Right? And I think angel is. It's the first pro athlete that we have walking the Runway. It's incredible. I think she's the perfect brand ambassador to really show, like, strength and grace. And it's really exciting. I got really emotional meeting her and talking to her about it. She's just incredible.
- [36:30]
B
Going back to the Adam Sellman brand, as you said, you paused it. Do you ever see yourself returning to that at some point?
- [36:38]
C
I don't know, to be totally honest. You know, closing it was really, really hard for me. It was a hard decision. It was a hard journey. And. And that's not. I don't. I don't say that in a heavy way. I say that in, like, you know, I was able to have a rebirth and, like, you know, figure it out. And I felt, like, almost burdened by the brand for so long because I was the person keeping it going. But it was, it was also a dream come true. Like it was like that thing, you know, that 16 year old version of myself. And I did so many dreams for him, right. And having my own brand was part of that. And then now it's a little bit more about like, what does dreaming mean again for me as I become, you know, more of a man? So I think, like, I don't know. I don't know the answer to that. I'm not saying no. But I think it would have to be under very different circumstances. Usually, like if I've done like college talks and things like that. And people are like, I'm dying to start my own brand. And I'm like, don't do it. Like, I'm like, learn, like gather, you know, keep doing it. And then like, some people are really meant to do it and then other people, I think it's like there's no rush to do it.
- [37:48]
B
We always ask our guests about the advice that they would give to our young listeners because we have a lot of young listeners at the Run Through. So lay it on me.
- [38:00]
C
I actually don't like to give advice. I've found that like, you know, everybody's on their own journey and like the advice that I would give might not work for somebody else or like, that could be really bad advice for someone. So it's sort of like this blanket advice. But I do think that like, do good work and people will notice is something that has like always shown up for me and I think that that rings true. And I think that the more you do good work, the more people will notice and people will cling onto that.
- [38:29]
B
Right, well, that is a good note to end on. Thank you, Adam for coming on the Run Through.
- [38:34]
C
Really appreciate you you having me.
- [38:48]
A
The Run through is produced by Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma and Stephanie Kariuki with help from Emily Elias. It's engineered by Pran Bandy and James Yost. It is mixed by Mike Kutchman. Chris Bannon is Conde Nast's head of Global Audio. This episode of the Run through is brought to you by Bumble. I love seeing my friends get excited about meeting someone new. It is so much fun to help them pick a great first date outfit and location and then hear all about it over coffee the next day. There is nothing better than watching people find their perfect match. And recently it feels like so many people I know have found their partners through Bumble. So mazel tov to Bumble. And those finding people. Bumble is designed to bring people closer with updated features such as verification tools and advice hub and more in depth profiles helping to make dating a fun and empowering experience. So if you or one of your friends are looking to make a connection, download Bumble today.
- [40:01]
C
From prx.