The Run-Through with Vogue

Episode: Martha Stewart Is Forever Young | PLUS Demna’s New Gucci
Date: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Chloe Malle & Chioma Nnadi
Special Guest: Martha Stewart
Additional Guests: Liam Hess, Arden Fanning Andrews

Episode Overview

This episode of The Run-Through with Vogue bursts with excitement from the New York and London fashion weeks, drops insights on Demna’s first Gucci lookbook and film, and culminates in a live, candid conversation with the ever-energetic Martha Stewart. Martha reflects on her philosophies of aging, entrepreneurship, viral moments, and life lessons, blending disarming humor, practical advice, and trademark wit. The episode also highlights wedding trends, party tips, and gives listeners an inside look at the latest must-listen music and style buzz.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fashion News of the Week & Demna’s Gucci Debut

Timestamps: 00:28–04:48

• Demna’s New Gucci Lookbook & Film
  • Demna launched his debut Gucci lookbook—a surprise "amuse bouche" of his vision, with callbacks to past creative directors like Tom Ford and Frida Giannini.
  • Spike Jonze and Helena Raine co-directed a short film to launch the collection.
  • Chloe and Liam laugh about the Italian flair for co-opting English words in fashion ("La It Girl, Influencer, Nerd") and discuss the brand’s creative synergy.
  • Quote (Liam Hess, 01:56):
    “It does feel like he’s wiping the slate a little bit while also tipping his hat to all of the Gucci designers who have gone before.”
• Innovative Runway Formats
  • Diesel hosted a scavenger hunt with QR codes and models encased in clear "bubbles" placed around Milan. Inspired by Melvin Sokolsky’s Bazaar shoot—showing how brands are reinventing presentations.

2. Highlights from London Fashion Week

Timestamps: 04:48–08:46

• London’s New Energy & Indie Scene
  • Under Laura Weir, the British Fashion Council is highlighting the importance of giving back and supporting risk-taking indie designers—London’s core appeal.
  • Naomi Campbell walked for various shows, including Richard Quinn and Dilara Findikoglu, boosting younger designers.
  • Chloe and Liam marvel at the visceral, dark theatricality of Dilara Findikoglu’s show—especially the "cherry dress".
    • Quote (Chloe Mel, 07:10):
      "There was something very sensual and perverse about it somehow, even though it was fruit..."
• Burberry’s Big Return
  • Daniel Lee's Burberry show in Kensington Park Gardens signals intent to recapture the label's mid-2010s dominance, fusing Glastonbury/British mysticism, vintage rock, and festival fashion.
    • Quote (Liam Hess, 07:31):
      “You could see Alexa Chung or Kate Moss… rocking one of these looks with a pair of Hunter Wellies trudging through the mud in Somerset, for sure.”

3. Vogue Weddings & Music Buzz

Timestamps: 08:46–14:26

• Vogue Wedding Trends
  • Peak wedding season is September; Liam shares fun anecdotes from recent Vogue-featured weddings.
  • Abby Champion and Patrick Schwarzenegger's wedding had both bride and groom involved in design and decoration choices.
  • Notable fashion-insider wedding: Vogue’s Naomi Elise had a highly personalized, fashion-stacked celebration with nods to Haitian heritage.
• Music: What Vogue Is Listening To
  • Cardi B’s new album and viral court livestreams; her genius at turning everything—"even court"—into album promotion.
    • Quote (Chloe Mel, 13:04):
      “She’s such a marketing genius.”
  • Anticipation swells for Doja Cat’s return-to-pop album and Taylor Swift’s incoming album, signaling a season of major pop releases.

4. Feature Interview: Martha Stewart live at Vogue HQ

Timestamps: 16:16–53:49

Martha’s Life, Wisdom & Style

On Age, Friendship & Staying Young

• Sets the tone by laughing off podcast culture, sharing a story of discovering a partner’s infidelity by spotting iPods, and being mistaken for various blonde icons.
• Age is just a number for Martha, who insists on cultivating younger friendships and learning from youth.
  • Quote (Martha Stewart, 23:58):
    “I don’t think about age, okay? I think one secret of growing old gracefully is not to think about how old you are.”
  • Quote (Martha Stewart, 25:12):
    “If a little 10-year-old wants to hang out, you’re doing something right.”

On Entrepreneurship & Launching Skincare

• Her new line, ELM Bioscience, took years of research and partnership with dermatologist Davil Bonasali—Martha’s joy in chemistry and ingredients shines.
• She’s proud of passing the toughest test: her daughter Alexis's approval.

On Viral "Thirst Trap" & Skincare Routine

• Martha walks listeners through her viral pool selfie and gives a masterclass in taking a flattering photo:
  • Quote (Martha Stewart, 30:16):
    “First of all, feel like you look good and look good. It helps to have a little bit of makeup on...the lighting is all important.”
• Daily wellness: early morning Pilates (bored by it, seeks tips!), green juice (from homegrown produce), homemade yogurt, superb eggs, and protein-light diet.

On Farm to Table & Food Trends

• She remains an East Coast farm-to-table pioneer, recalling an early friendship with Alice Waters.
• Anticipates the next food trend will continue the shift toward organic, homegrown, and toxin-free food, cautioning about the dangers of microplastics and pesticides.
• Anecdote: Battling food contamination after a Wyoming ranch meal—reminded listeners of the importance of food safety.

On Fashion and Iconic Moments

• Started as a teenage model, sewed her own Balenciaga patterns in college, and owned a Chanel coat for her honeymoon.
• Purses: Famed for a well-loved Birkin (carried during her trial), now prefers minimalist, hands-free options.
• Quote (Martha Stewart, 45:54):
  “Just be plain. Anything irritates. Everything irritates somebody.”
• She plans to auction her Birkin for charity.

On Continual Reinvention/Evolution

• Hates the word "reinvention", prefers "evolution".
  • Quote (Martha Stewart, 50:45):
    “I am evolving and I think evolution is… the best thing that one can do.”

On Being a Self-Made Businesswoman

• Differentiates her pioneering trajectory—before social media and accessible funding—from today’s rapid-fire success stories (e.g., Rihanna, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber).
  • Quote (Martha Stewart, 52:01):
    “We didn’t have social media...There were barely computers...Now overnight you can become a success, which is good and also probably bad. But I think it’s more good than bad and it’s exciting.”

On Social Media & Influence

• OG "tradwife" and influencer before the term existed.
• Enjoys TikTok’s sales potential, but disputes claims that she spends hours on Instagram—her grandkids check her screen time, keeping her honest.
  • Quote (Martha Stewart, 42:42):
    “They check all the time to see what I’m spending my time on.”

On Entertaining, Home Life, and Trees

• Still loves entertaining; latest party favorite is smashed potatoes with crème fraiche and caviar.
• Her idea of a break isn’t leisure—it’s planting hundreds of trees, creating a three-acre maze for horses, and designing new products and collaborations ("breaks are a waste of time").

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I found my husband was being unfaithful when he was lying in the garden with ipods and he thought he was covered with leaves.”
  — Martha Stewart, 17:02

• “You get a different point of view... I learn something from [younger friends and kids].”
  — Martha Stewart, 25:01

• “I am evolving and I think evolution is...the best thing that one can do.”
  — Martha Stewart, 50:45

• “Just be plain...Anything irritates. Everything irritates somebody.”
  — Martha Stewart, 45:54 (on trial style)

Important Timestamps

• 00:28–04:48 – Demna’s Gucci debut & Milan/London fashion weeks
• 16:16 – Martha Stewart live interview begins
• 23:58 – Martha on age and intergenerational friendship
• 25:53 – Launching skincare and entrepreneurial spirit
• 30:16 – Martha’s viral "thirst trap": selfie & skincare discussion
• 34:43 – Farm-to-table legacy and thoughts on future food trends
• 37:58 – Food poisoning story & food safety PSA
• 40:00 – Kissing a stranger in the Duomo: iconic documentary anecdote
• 42:01 – Social media habits and being checked by grandchildren
• 45:54 – Trial style wisdom; the legend of Martha’s Birkin
• 50:45 – On evolution, reinvention, and survival in business
• 52:01 – Business then vs. now; the age of social media entrepreneurship

Tone & Style

Candid, witty, and brimming with Vogue’s signature blend of high fashion, culture, and pop savvy. The hosts and Martha Stewart keep the conversation light but unfiltered, with genuine laughter and stories that leap across generations.

Summary

This episode deftly weaves together fashion industry intel, cultural commentary, and the ever-relevant wisdom of Martha Stewart. Listeners walk away with both trend insights and life lessons—from how to pull off a thirst trap selfie to why you should always keep making younger friends. Martha Stewart emerges not just as a lifestyle icon but as a template for personal evolution and fearless entrepreneurial spirit, all while keeping a sense of humor about her legendary past (and present) adventures.