Creating a Meaningful Home—Beyond Furniture and Décor—With Interior Designer and Queer Eye Expert Jeremiah Brent

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Who What Wear Podcast Episode: Creating a Meaningful Home—Beyond Furniture and Décor—With Interior Designer and Queer Eye Expert Jeremiah Brent
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Guest: Jeremiah Brent, Interior Designer and Queer Eye Cast Member

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Introduction to Jeremiah Brent

In this insightful episode, Bobby Schessler, Who What Wear’s Shopping Director, engages in a deep conversation with Jeremiah Brent, a renowned interior designer and newest member of the Queer Eye cast. Jeremiah brings a unique blend of fashion and design expertise, having initially gained fame on the Rachel Zoe Project before establishing his own successful interior design firm, Jeremiah Brent Design, in 2011. His journey also includes the publication of his book, The Space That Keeps You, in 2023, and his impactful role on Queer Eye since 2024.

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Jeremiah’s Journey from Fashion to Interior Design

Jeremiah shares his transition from the fashion industry to interior design, highlighting the serendipitous nature of his career shift. Initially immersed in fashion, Jeremiah realized his true passion lay in the spaces where fashion unfolds.

Notable Quote:
"Rachel Zoe met me at a dinner party and we really hit it off... She gave me the best advice ever, which was, whatever you do, make sure it's something you're passionate about it, because then it's never going to be work for you."
[11:55]

This pivotal advice inspired Jeremiah to leave the fashion world, sell his possessions, and launch his own design firm despite having no initial clients. His dedication and passion for design transformed his career, allowing him to create thoughtful and stunning homes for his clients.

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Experience and Impact on Queer Eye

Jeremiah delves into his experience on Queer Eye, describing it as one of the most authentic and intense projects he has been part of. He emphasizes the emotional depth and genuine connections formed with the individuals he helps on the show.

Notable Quote:
"It was so intense. I did survive it. This is one of the most authentic things that I've ever actually participated in. To actually feel the change that you were a part of for these people was just the wildest thing I've ever gone through."
[03:27]

Jeremiah highlights how the show has enriched his personal life by reconnecting him with his queer community, fostering deep friendships, and reminding him to embrace joy and vulnerability.

Notable Quote:
"My queer has been cracked open... I didn't have a real queer community around. There is something unspoken there with our relationship and the safety of those friendships and the silliness and the fun that we had."
[04:38]

This newfound sense of community has not only enhanced his personal life but also influenced his approach to design and his interactions with clients.

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Design Philosophy: Storytelling Through Space

Jeremiah's design philosophy centers on storytelling and understanding the client's life and experiences. He believes that meaningful design begins not with aesthetics but with the personal narratives and memories that spaces hold.

Notable Quote:
"It's always been the story. It's always been people. You know, even with Queer Eye, the first step of my process is not about what they like visually, but the life that they're living, what they're connecting to about their life, what they're not connecting to."
[07:34]

He emphasizes creating spaces that resonate emotionally with the inhabitants, allowing rooms to hold personal echoes and memories. This approach ensures that each space is a unique reflection of its occupants, tailored to their specific needs and desires.

Notable Quote:
"Creating a space that really holds you. Creating a room that can kind of hold all these memories... it's about creating spaces that can hold those echoes."
[16:40]

Additionally, Jeremiah advocates for mixing different design styles and eras to introduce contrast and depth, making spaces feel evolved and layered without necessarily increasing the budget.

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Navigating Design Under Constraints

Jeremiah discusses the challenges and rewards of working on Queer Eye, where time and budget constraints differ significantly from his typical projects. Despite limited resources, he successfully creates personalized and beautiful spaces by prioritizing meaningful design elements over expensive furnishings.

Notable Quote:
"The question was, how can we create something that's wildly personal but not sacrificing on any of the beauty? And we did it."
[10:31]

He highlights the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness, often sourcing unique materials like marble on short notice to meet the project's needs. This experience reinforced his belief that impactful design doesn't always require a hefty budget.

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Balancing Personal Life and a Demanding Career

Balancing a thriving career with family life is a central theme in Jeremiah's discussion. He shares his strategies for maintaining this balance, emphasizing the importance of self-care and setting aside personal time amidst a busy schedule.

Notable Quote:
"Fill up your own cup so that you can come home and be the best that possible."
[23:24]

Jeremiah maintains his well-being by dedicating time each morning to exercise, ensuring he starts the day with balance and quiet. This routine allows him to stay energized and present both at work and at home.

Additionally, he acknowledges the challenges of parenthood, especially when balancing work commitments, but finds joy and fulfillment in spending quality time with his children and husband.

---

Personal Style and Fashion Insights

Jeremiah’s personal style is a vibrant mix of vintage pieces and high-end brands, reflecting his creative spirit and love for unique fashion statements. He describes his style evolution, especially influenced by his role on Queer Eye, becoming more playful and eclectic.

Notable Quote:
"I like to have a lot more fun now. And we live in New York, so, you know, New York, you get dressed up to go out, and I like it. I'm definitely not meant for the summer. I don't know how to get dressed in the summertime."
[20:36]

He favors vintage finds, such as old Levi jeans, alongside luxury brands like Prada and Saint Laurent, creating outfits that are both edgy and sophisticated. Jeremiah enjoys layering and mixing styles to express his individuality, making fashion another form of personal storytelling akin to his design philosophy.

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Advice for Creating Meaningful Spaces

Jeremiah offers practical advice for listeners looking to personalize their homes without a significant budget. He encourages starting with introspection—identifying the most meaningful aspects of one’s life and reflecting them in their living spaces.

Notable Quote:
"It's about creating a space that really holds you. Creating a room that can kind of hold all these memories."
[16:40]

He suggests affordable methods such as using adhesive wallpaper for a quick aesthetic change, rearranging furniture to breathe new life into a room, and incorporating art and repurposed items to add character. Jeremiah also recommends investing in key pieces like a quality sofa, which serves as a staple in any room and adds lasting value.

Notable Quote:
"If you want to make your space feel elevated, it's really lean into contrast. When you've got contrast in there and you're mixing different design styles and different eras, I think that's when a space really feels evolved and super layered."
[20:10]

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Future Projects and Vision

Looking ahead, Jeremiah is excited about several upcoming projects. He is part of Queer Eye’s nationwide tour with the Fab Five, allowing him to engage with a broader audience and continue promoting queer visibility and meaningful conversations.

Notable Quote:
"We're going on tour in February, six cities... And I get to meet the people. And everyone’s been so nice about the show."
[24:07]

He also mentions forthcoming releases for Jeremiah Brent Design, anticipating innovative projects that will further his mission of creating spaces that reflect personal stories and foster connection.

Jeremiah underscores the importance of cultural representation and compassion, advocating for continued visibility and understanding within the queer community and beyond.

---

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Bobby Schessler expressing gratitude to Jeremiah Brent for sharing his inspiring journey and invaluable insights into design and personal growth. Jeremiah’s blend of professional expertise and personal authenticity offers listeners both inspiration and practical advice for creating homes that truly resonate with their identities and lives.

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Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity in Design: Prioritize personal stories and emotional connections over purely aesthetic choices.
• Community and Vulnerability: Building and nurturing a supportive community enhances both personal life and professional endeavors.
• Adaptability: Effective design can be achieved within constraints by focusing on meaningful elements and resourcefulness.
• Self-Care: Maintaining personal well-being is essential for balancing a demanding career and family life.
• Personal Expression: Fashion and interior design are powerful tools for storytelling and expressing individuality.

---

Notable Quotes:

• "Creating a space that really holds you. Creating a room that can kind of hold all these memories." — Jeremiah Brent [16:40]
• "Fill up your own cup so that you can come home and be the best that possible." — Jeremiah Brent [23:24]
• "We're going on tour in February, six cities... And I get to meet the people." — Jeremiah Brent [24:07]

---

This episode provides a comprehensive look into Jeremiah Brent’s approach to design, his enriching experience on Queer Eye, and his strategies for balancing a multifaceted life—all woven together with heartfelt insights and practical advice.

Transcript

[Nikki]

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[Bobby Schessler]

Welcome to the WhoAware podcast, your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors and tastemakers who are shaping the ever evolving world of fashion. I'm who it wears shopping director Bobby Schessler. And today I have the pleasure of chatting with interior designer and new Queer Eye cast member Jeremiah Brent. Jeremiah got his start in the fashion world. You might remember him from his time on the Rachel Zoe project. But he's always had a passion for design. In 2011, he founded Jeremiah Brent Design, where today he creates the most thoughtful style stunning homes for his clients on top of his bustling interior design business. In 2023, he published a book, the Space that keeps you. And in 2024, he joined the cast of Queer Eye. If you haven't seen the latest season yet, please go watch it now. Jeremiah was the most wonderful addition to the cast. Not only did he create some truly incredible spaces for this season's heroes, but he also brought an amazing sense of heart and care to the show. He joins me on the show today to talk about his career, his style influences, his tips for invigorating and personalizing your space, and of course, how he managed to do a full house makeover in about three days. Spoiler alert. He doesn't get a lot of sleep. It's all coming up on who, what, where? Jeremiah, welcome to the show. I am so excited to chat with you today.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Thank you for having me. I'm happy to be here.

[Bobby Schessler]

Amazing. Okay, so I want to get to a few different topics. Obviously, your design aesthetic, your television career. But right off the bat. As I was watching the show, there was a line you said that stuck out to me, and it was something along the lines of, I'm never going to survive this show. So I have to ask, how did you survive your first season of Queer Eye? Cause I feel like I could barely survive it watching it on my couch. I mean, that emotional journey, it was just wild.

[Jeremiah Brent]

It was so great. It was so intense. I did survive it. I've been on television, obviously, doing various shows for a while now, and this is one of the most authentic things that I've ever actually participated in. To actually feel the change that you were a part of for these people was just the wildest thing I've ever gone through. So I definitely cracked my way through it, but it was, hands down, one of the most beautiful experiences I've ever had.

[Bobby Schessler]

You could definitely see that emotion, and you could just see you poured your heart and soul into it, and it was such a treat to watch.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Well, that means a lot. I think it was such a testament, too, for me, especially with what's going on right now about that connective tissue around people just really talking to one another and showing up with the same vulnerability that you're expecting from people. The show is such a microcosm, I think, with what's going on in the world and the conversations that we can be having with people and we should be having. So that part I was really proud to be a part of.

[Bobby Schessler]

Yeah. That kind of leads to my next question. What did you gain from the show and those relationships both with obviously your new castmates and then the people you worked with? Like, any new perspectives that have kind of shaped how you just operate in your design world, your personal world?

[Jeremiah Brent]

Yeah. Completely changed the way I function. First of all, I'm so much gayer now, which I'm so happy about.

[Bobby Schessler]

My God, that's so fun.

[Jeremiah Brent]

My queer has been cracked open.

[Bobby Schessler]

I love it.

[Jeremiah Brent]

I didn't have, like, a real queer community around. I've never had a group of, like, great queer friends. And there is something unspoken there with our relationship and the safety of those friendships and the silliness and the fun that we had. I haven't laughed so hard. And to have that family around me definitely changed the way I moved through the world and reminded me what I didn't know I needed. It reminded me about parts of myself that I put away. As I'm sure you know, you become a parent, you become a husband, you slip into these roles, and sometimes it's just fun to have fun and Be silly and to lead with joy. And that was really impactful and made a huge difference in my life. And I think also the people that we met snapped me back into a type of consciousness that I had forgotten about. A reminder about what really mattered. Understanding what people are going through and really being able to be there as a lifeline. I think I learned a lot more from the people that we met than they learned from us. But they definitely had a huge impact on me. And I think it'll change me as a person forever.

[Bobby Schessler]

That's amazing. I need to be gayer. I want to do that.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Oh, my God. Stick with me, Bobby.

[Bobby Schessler]

I feel like I honestly have thought about this recently. I'm in these kind of, like, roles now, being a dad, a husband, working. And as I kind of gotten older, I feel like I don't have maybe that queer community as I even did when I was younger. And that's so refreshing to hear that you've kind of found that again.

[Jeremiah Brent]

I don't know about you, but at least for me, when we had children, the calls stopped coming. The Friday night parties, going out on the weekends. You know, to be honest with you, our life changed. Virus responsibility was taking care of these babies. And so that's why I love that I was able to come back and do the show. They had asked me to do it the first time, and our daughter was a year old and I couldn't imagine being gone. But our kids are older now. Life is different now. And I was able to show up and give myself the way I would have wanted to give myself initially. And these four changed my life for sure. With their love and with their joy and with their compassion and their heart and what they do. It was a really beautiful surprise.

[Bobby Schessler]

It's amazing. I mean, and timing is everything. I mean, like I was telling you earlier, I have a one year old and even just going for two days for work project is so challenging. So.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Well, it only gets harder. Just.

[Bobby Schessler]

I know.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Wait, so she looks at you, she's like, dad, I don't want you to go anywhere. It's so dark.

[Bobby Schessler]

I know. It's going to be dark, dark days ahead.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Yeah, but those are good dark days.

[Bobby Schessler]

Those are good dark days.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Exactly.

[Bobby Schessler]

Okay, so anyone that's seen you on TV over the years is familiar. And you kind of mentioned this, how much heart you put into your projects. You care so deeply about making these homes a genuine reflection of your clients. How do you get to know your clients on that level? And how do you find an approach that works for you, especially on such a short amount of time, usually.

[Jeremiah Brent]

I mean, it's the only way I know how to work, to be honest with you. I think there's no shortage of really talented people out there, and there's amazing creatives, and everybody has their own approach. For me, it's always been the story. It's always been people. You know, even with Queer Eye, the first step of my process is not about what they like visually, but the life that they're living, what they're connecting to about their life, what they're not connecting to. Things that spark joy, their childhoods. One of my favorite questions is, what was one of the first homes you were in or the space that you were in that really held you, that had an impact on you? And nine times out of 10, those same spaces are still the most important spaces in their current life. So I think this is this really interesting, psychosymptomatic side to design. One of the things is I wanted you to watch every episode and the design style be completely different. And there may be episodes where you're like, I couldn't never live in this house, but you appreciate what that house says about the person in it. And I wanted you to see, you know, Paula, for example, who's a showgirl, she wanted bunnies and flowers and birds everywhere. And that is not my vibe, Bobby.

[Bobby Schessler]

No. But turns out I didn't think it was.

[Jeremiah Brent]

It wasn't. But you know what? I had a lot of fun doing it, and it was who she was, and it looked like her when she was in the room. And I think that, for me, is what the interesting conversation I'm trying to be a part of with design. It's less how we can make it so prescriptive and formulaic and how we can make it more personal, beautiful, and weird. And you may not love it, and it may not be what you want for yourself, but you'll see things in there that you connect to, that hold you, that matter. And that, for me, is good design.

[Bobby Schessler]

Absolutely. How do you go from meeting someone in, what is it, three days or something? Like, just completely transforming a space and the bunnies and the showgirl. How do you, like, go from hearing and what she loves to creating this beautiful space in a day? I don't understand how that works.

[Jeremiah Brent]

I wish I could say that there's more of a formula to it, but I am kind of a psychopath in the sense that, like, I don't really need a lot of sleep, which is why I told you I'd be a great Night nurse for you right now. And I'm hyper visual and again, hyper intentional. So with every project, the first step is I would have a series of questions that helps me internally suss out creatively where we need to go. Every room, every space. I start with the moments that matter the most to somebody. So if your mornings are super important, if your evenings are important, that really is the beginning of the ripple for me. And I have to draw that out, like, layout wise and then create from there. It was the craziest thing I've ever been a part of. It just didn't stop. I would be sourcing furniture. I'd be out in the morning. I've been to every store within five miles just trying to find the perfect things. But I love it. It's the kind of chaos that I'm built for.

[Bobby Schessler]

Speaking of chaos, did you learn anything? I'm assuming yes, because it's so different from doing this show with the time constraints and budget versus the other shows you've worked on. What was different about this one?

[Jeremiah Brent]

This one's real.

[Bobby Schessler]

Yeah.

[Jeremiah Brent]

On Nate and Jeremiah, the show that we did, we were using people's money, and the budgets were a lot more generous. This show, it was not a lot of money, and it wasn't their money. These were people that really needed just a chance. And by the way, we've all been there. I was living in my car before somebody gave me a chance. Like, we've all had those moments. And it was fascinating to me also how much design has changed. You can live really beautifully and not spend a ton of money. And so the question was, how can we create something that's wildly personal but not sacrificing on any of the beauty? And we did it, and we were lucky. You know, listen, the real magic about Queer Eye, aside from it being the people that we meet, is the crew and the team behind the scenes. The team that was there had been working on the show since day one. And I came in, obviously, with a completely different idea and way that I moved through design and what my process is. And they were super game. I was like, I want marble. We've got to find marble this year. And so we called around every place, you know, all those little details that I'm not sure resonate on camera, but I knew it was going to matter to the people that lived in those homes. So.

[Bobby Schessler]

Amazing.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Yeah.

[Bobby Schessler]

Okay, I want to jump back just a little bit. So you kind of mentioned you lived in your car before someone gave you a chance. You've been on TV now for, I think it was like 2011 or something with the Rachel Zoe project, which is.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Weird because I'm 22. I don't know what the hell happened.

[Bobby Schessler]

Same. How did you initially get into. I mean, that was like fashion based, that show, and then kind of transition into interior design. You launched your own design firm. What did that look like for our listeners?

[Jeremiah Brent]

It was completely by accident. That's the short answer. Design has always been my passion, but I didn't know I could have a career in it before. I mean, before my husband, to be honest with you. He was like one of the first, like, male interior designers on television that I was like, oh, that's okay. Good for him. But I didn't think I was going to happen. I'd always been obsessed with fashion. Still am. And then Rachel Zoe met at a dinner party and we really hit it off, and she was like, come work for me. And then surprised me with the show. The truth is, as much as I loved fashion, I did not like working in fashion. I was much better with the room that the fashion was happening in, the sofa that the model is sitting on, like, that part I could figure out. And she knew right away, too. She's like, you should be doing design. That's what you're passionate about. And she gave me the best advice ever, which was, whatever you do, make sure it's something you're passionate about it, because then it's never going to be work for you. And she's right, you know, to this day, it doesn't matter the stakes or the situation. It never feels like work. Because I love it so much. I left her. I sold everything I had, bought my little llc, my little logo, and started Jeremiah Brint Design. No clients and nothing to do. But I figured it out.

[Bobby Schessler]

What are some of the most valuable lessons you've learned along the way since starting your design firm?

[Jeremiah Brent]

I think organization for anybody is key. And I think the biggest lesson I learned is know what you know and know what you don't. I'm really strong in certain areas, and there are certain things that I just was not good at. And so I worked really hard to get people in place that could fill that void for me. Because I, like, move a thousand miles a minute, and I don't want to stop that. When you start a business, you have to be everything. Every lane is yours, every part of the business is yours. But as you grow and scale, if you want to do it intelligently and in a healthy way, you have to find a way to pull yourself out of Those lanes that you're not the best at and trust the people you put into position. So, you know, the culture, the company, the growth, it's in large part because of the people that I work with.

[Bobby Schessler]

Absolutely. When you look back at your career thus far, now you're on Queer Eye. When you look back at your childhood, even before you started with Rachel Zo, does it make sense to you now why you ended up in homes and interiors and where you are now? Like, were there signs growing up? Is that just always what it's been like for you?

[Jeremiah Brent]

You know what? No.

[Bobby Schessler]

Interesting people always are like, yes.

[Jeremiah Brent]

No. You know, I was really lost when I was young. I was close in a small town. I had a lot of responsibilities put on me and expectations put on me. And I was really numb, I would say, for the first, like, you know, 20 years of my life. I was like a lot of closeted kids, confused. Didn't know what I wanted to do, didn't know who I was. When I look back, you know, my mother, we didn't have any money, but my mother always lived beautifully with the way she showcased things or the way she kept a house. It was always immaculate. And we had our jobs and our chores, and we would go look at open houses, and I loved that and the fantasy of home. So I think that part's always been interesting to me, if I look back. But like I said, I didn't know it was a career. I didn't know something that you could build a life out of. I would say. When I moved to Los Angeles and I really started building furniture for myself out of necessity and redecorating my apartments and doing projects for other people, I was like, wait, this is amazing. Because you're this glorified storyteller, if you're doing it correctly. And I loved that part of it. I loved the challenge of it. I loved surprising people with what I could create. And still, that's my favorite part of my job, is when we sit down with a client and they're like, this is nothing like I expected. I'm like, yes, that's my goal. So I would never have expected. I knew that I wanted to get out of our town. I knew I wanted a big life, that's for sure. But I didn't expect it to look like this or to be what this is.

[Bobby Schessler]

That's very inspiring.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Is it? I feel like I'm like, I had no idea, kids. But you know what? I never said no. The thing is, like, I fail so well. I can fail with the Best of them. And it doesn't affect me, you know, And I think that's the trick. It's just the audacity that you're willing to chew through life and not let your failures hold you down. I mean, that's the only thing when I look back, I'm really good at.

[Bobby Schessler]

Amazing. Jumping then into some more design specifics. You talk about this a lot. You know, making it home meaningful. What advice do you have for listeners who are trying to personalize their space, but they don't know where to start?

[Jeremiah Brent]

That's why I said to you about that question around, like, what was one of the most important rooms to you? I asked myself that the same way when I started building out my own homes. And it was my grandmother's kitchen, and she had this corner where she had a little spot that was just hers. It was in the sunlight. She kind of sat there and looked out. And that spot had such an important value to me. And it's something that I've always created in my home. So I think the first step is really thinking about, where do you feel the most yourself? What space have you sat in that really made an impact on you? For me, it has nothing to do with what you buy initially. It's about what you want that space to be and what's the most important to you when you think about the fantasy of home and where you've been and where you want to go. Beauty in the sense of, like, furniture and things only goes so far. Creating a space that really holds you. Creating a room that can kind of hold all these memories. Like, when you look in this room that you're in now, you're never going to forget this first year with your daughter. All those echoes are in there now. And so I think it's about creating spaces that can hold those echoes. It's just a different way to look at design. It's like starting backwards from the way I think people categorically look at it.

[Bobby Schessler]

Yeah. Amazing. That's great advice for those listeners that want to refresh their home for the new year and all of that. And maybe don't have a ton of budget.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Yep.

[Bobby Schessler]

What are simple ways to elevate your space? Like, what should you prioritize ways?

[Jeremiah Brent]

Well, first of all, there's a lot of great ways that you can do it that don't cost a lot of money. I know this sounds crazy with that adhesive wallpaper that's super affordable that you can throw on. I'm obsessed with, and not just because I have a collection but because I think it's really smart, and especially if you're renting, it's something easy to do on the show. I did kitchen cabinets. I covered them with it.

[Bobby Schessler]

Amazing.

[Jeremiah Brent]

And then you just take them off. I think it's really smart to shift your room around entirely. Something that I used to do when I had limited, you know, back when I was younger is I would take everything out of the room for like two hours. I'd shove it in a bedroom or shove it in a corner, and then I'd bring things back in and just try a completely different layout and live with it and see how it felt. I did that a lot. Curating goes a long way, art. And I think just reusing and rethinking and repurposing your space can really change the way you live too. If there's a dining room in your house that you never go into, but you love to read, get rid of it. Make it a library. Push the table against the wall, put two great lamps on it, stack some books, put a little funny bar in there. Like make it something less precious and something that instead you'll actually use every day. It'll change the way you live, you know, and it'll bring you such different joy.

[Bobby Schessler]

I love it. What are some items? If someone is splurging on something, like, what should you splurge on furniture, decor wise, what should you save on? Is it you're splurging on a couch because that's where you're sitting all the time. What are your thoughts on that?

[Jeremiah Brent]

I like a sofa splurge for sure. It's a staple of the room you're going to have for a long time if you do it correctly. I've had sofas that I've had for older than my children, let's just put it that way. You know, I think vintage is a really great place to splurge. You're never going to lose your value usually on vintage. And I think it brings such a rich history into a home. And I think that contrast is really important. That's another thing. If you want to make your space feel elevated, it's really lean into contrast. When a room feels like one note and one style, it's beautiful. But when you've got contrast in there and you're mixing different design styles and different eras, I think that's when a space really feels evolved and super layered and you don't have to spend a ton of money on that. You can go to the flea market and find really great, amazing things.

[Bobby Schessler]

Totally love it. Okay, so for a little fashion talk, we're gonna derail from the decor for a minute.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Bring it on. Fun.

[Bobby Schessler]

I love it because I love your personal style. You can kind of just see it, like, through your Instagram. Like, you collect great pieces and bags and, you know, all of that. What are your go to pieces right now? Go to brands. What's your approach for putting outfits together? Is it similar to putting a room together? Maybe that's like, a lot of questions all at once.

[Jeremiah Brent]

But, no, I like it. I always describe my style as middle aged lesbian substitute teacher.

[Nikki]

Oh.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Like, that's where I live. My style has changed a lot again, because of the show. And I've had a lot of fun messing around with stuff. I love vintage. Obsessed with vintage finds, like old Levi jeans. But then again, you know, I love Prada and Saint Laurent, and I like everything to look like they don't necessarily go together. And my style's changed a lot. I think it used to be a lot simpler, but I like to have a lot more fun now. And we live in New York, so, you know, New York, you get dressed up to go out, and I like it. I'm definitely not meant for the summer. I don't know how to get dressed in the summertime. But you need me to put a layer on. I'll fuck some shit up.

[Bobby Schessler]

It's hard in the summer. I feel like I've kind of gone into this, like, T shirt, linen trouser kind of vibe.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Yep.

[Bobby Schessler]

But I never really can figure out what else to do beyond that because you can't layer. So it's like. I guess that's just what it is. I don't know.

[Jeremiah Brent]

I have to be careful because I look like such a white guy that like certain styles. I'm like, who is this? This is not the gal I definitely lean towards. Like, edgier, strong, longer silhouettes. I like, you know, jackama. Second layer, I think is a really great brand.

[Bobby Schessler]

For sure.

[Jeremiah Brent]

I love Nanushka. I think they're really so interesting and weird. And my husband always says I look like a lesbian sniper.

[Bobby Schessler]

Oh, my God.

[Jeremiah Brent]

That.

[Bobby Schessler]

That's a vibe.

[Jeremiah Brent]

It is a vibe. Well, he's like, such, like, quintessential classic, like, polo. You know what I mean? That is not my vibe. That is not what I want.

[Bobby Schessler]

Well, I like that you also will wear, like, a cool suit and like, you're kind of wearing now, but like a beanie on it, which feels cool and different and. And I'm into it.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Nothing too serious.

[Bobby Schessler]

No, Fashion's fun.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Yes, but we like it elevated.

[Bobby Schessler]

Love it. Okay, so just maybe this is a personal question, but how do you balance everything? You have two children. You're so busy. You have this new show, was in Vegas this season. How do you balance it all with your husband, your business, your children?

[Jeremiah Brent]

You know, the truth is, I'm still trying to figure it out. My children are my balance, which is probably not the best way to move through the world. I work really hard, but I love what I do, so I'll never complain about it. And I'm so lucky. Get to do it. And then, you know, I love being home with the kids. I carve out an hour for myself to go to the gym every day, which sounds crazy, but it's, like, really important to me. My office had to, like, fight me to do it, and I listened, and it's changed my life. And that's enough for me. I get up really early, and that first two or three hours that are just mine give me a lot of balance and quiet. And I get a lot done just internally. When I talk about Queer Eye and making these friends and creating this family that I have with them is a reminder that I'm so much more fun when I show up for myself in this capacity. I think I've learned a lot over this year that you do have to kind of fill up your own cup so that you can come home and be the best that possible.

[Bobby Schessler]

I feel like I should print that somewhere. Fill up your own cup. Because I feel like sometimes I miss that. And that's great.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Yeah. We gotta get you out, Bobby. You need a mom's night out.

[Bobby Schessler]

Oh, I need a mom's night out so badly.

[Jeremiah Brent]

You need a night out where you don't have to be up in the morning, though. That's the trick.

[Bobby Schessler]

Yes. My husband and I are going to Miami just for two or three days, and the moms are watching just because we need no child and just to wake up. So I'm excited for that.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Yes. Take it from me. You need to do it when you don't have to be home in the morning.

[Bobby Schessler]

Yes, 100%. All right, well, this has been lovely to wrap things up. Obviously, I know you're very busy. You have so much going on the show, your design firm. I actually was just before this, looking at your Crate and Barrel kids collection, which is so cute. What are you most excited about for the rest of the year with all of your projects?

[Jeremiah Brent]

Oh, my God. Well, we're going on tour. The Fab Five. We're going on tour in February, six cities. So I'm really excited about that. I've never done anything like that. But the good news is I'm the quiet one, so I can just sit back and watch these yahoos go crazy. But I'm really excited about that and I get to meet the people. And everybody's been so nice about the show. And I think culturally, there's never been a more important time for our queer community and for visibility. And I think what our show represents, it's so important right now and why I'm so excited to keep doing it, is these conversations need to happen. People need to understand that somebody can sit on camera and tell you that male and female are the only two sexes that exist. But that's not the truth. And we all exist. There's a lot of people out there that need a voice and need compassion and need understanding, and I think that's what the show's about. So I'm excited for the tour. We have a bunch of really exciting projects coming out that will be published this year for the design firm, which I'm excited to share about. So, you know, listen, and I'm ready to disrupt a little bit help being part of the resistance. We're going to need it the next four years, so that's my focus.

[Bobby Schessler]

Absolutely. Well, that is a great way to end it. Well, thank you so much. It was so great chatting with you. I so appreciate you taking the time.

[Jeremiah Brent]

No, I appreciate it, too. Get some sleep.

[Bobby Schessler]

Thank you.

[Jeremiah Brent]

Thank you.

[Bobby Schessler]

A huge thank you to interior design and Queer Eye cast member Jeremiah Brent. Make sure to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode. And while you're there, I'd also be so grateful if you'd rate and review us. If you have guest suggestions or any other feedback, drop us a [e-mail] or you can find us on social @whootware. See you next Wednesday on the who It Where? Podcast. This episode was produced by Hilary Kerr, Summer Hammeris, and Natalie Thurman. Our production assistant is Claire Schmidt. Our editor is Ko Takasugi Chernevan. Our audio engineers are at Glen Canyon Audio, and our music is by Jonathan Lee Leahy.

[Nikki]

This episode was brought to you by ebay. Hi, everyone. I'm Nikki, an associate fashion editor here at who what Where. I love this episode with Jeremiah Brent and our market director, Bobby. I especially enjoyed hearing about Jeremiah's passion for helping others find their style and customize their spaces. It made me realize there's a true correlation between that passion and how I curate my wardrobe, specifically by incorporating vintage items from ebay to help me find and express my personal style. By the way, you can shop my pics at the link in the episode Description for many years ebay has been my go to destination for one of a kind authentic pre loved vintage apparel. Funny enough, I was on the site yesterday evening and within seconds of browsing I I stumbled upon a jaw dropping Christian Dior vintage blazer. It had four stunning brass buttons and scalloped lapels, one of those pieces you dream of finding. I also sifted through ebay selection of vintage designer skirts and came across a beautiful array of pre loved classic pencil skirts. A Gucci by Tom Ford denim style stopped me in my tracks. It's understated and sleek with its dark blue wash and I can already picture myself styling it now with knee high boots or sandals in the summer. A win if I do say so myself because I admittedly have a shopping addiction that wasn't all. Jeremiah's mention of his love for shopping for vintage jeans inspired me to keep scrolling through ebay. While I usually am apprehensive about buying pre loved designer items because I'm unsure if they're authentic, ebay Authenticity Guarantee allow me to shop confidently. So once I typed vintage designer jeans for women into the search bar, I went to the left side of my screen and hit the authenticity guarantee button which filtered my search for the items that would later be verified by experts. I found a relaxed wide leg pair of white Prada jeans that fit my style. They have a lived in vintage feel but are still in great condition, making me sure I'll have them for years. I can't wait to wear them now. With a dark sweater and boots and a lightweight blouse and flats in the spring, I've always found vintage luxury shopping daunting because I wasn't sure how to authenticate those unique finds. However, thanks to the authenticity guarantee service, ebay has made it easy for me. This multi step inspection is performed by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience. They ensure items are authentic. With just a quick filter I can see eligible items and rest assured that what I'm buying is the real deal. I could go on and on about the incredible pre loved vintage treasures I found on ebay and the must have styles for 2025. But to save you time, I've curated all my favorite finds into a collection just for [e-mail] WhoWhatWear Definitely check them out and happy shopping.