Episodes
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This week on Fashion and Founders, I'm joined by Morgan Riddle and Cherry Beagles, co-founders of The 400 Club, a community redefining sports through the lens of fashion, culture, and female fandom.
Morgan Riddle was called “The Most Famous Woman in Mens Tennis” by the New York Times and now she is moving her focus to female fans in all of sports. Cherry Beagles founded The 400 Club in 2024, a community reimagining what sports fandom looks like for women, gaining recognition and named Forbes 30 Under 30. Together, they're building one of the most exciting brands at the intersection of fashion, sports, culture, and community. We discuss their experiences at F1, Wimbledon, the US Open, the Super Bowl and more. At The 400 Club they’re brining women together for the biggest live sporting event watch parties and industry events.
We talk about why women's sports is far bigger than a trend, how social media has transformed the fan experience, why brands are still missing the mark with female consumers, and the enormous opportunity at the intersection of sports, fashion, and community. If you've ever wondered where the future of sports is headed or why fashion brands, founders, and creators are paying so much attention this episode is for you. Female sports fans aren't new. They're finally being seen.
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Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow The 400 Club:
IG: @the400club
Join the 400 Club HERE
Follow Morgan Riddle:
IG: @moorrgs
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IG: @cherry.beagles
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This week on Fashion and Founders Podcast, I’m joined by Caley-Rae Pavillard, VP of Partnerships & Business Development at ShopMy. If you've spent any time around creators lately, you've probably heard the same thing: "Get on ShopMy." But why has it become such a powerful platform for creators, brands, and tastemakers?
In this episode, we discuss why creators are becoming the new retailers, how affiliate marketing is reshaping the industry, and why follower count matters far less than most people think. Caley shares what brands are actually looking for, how creators can turn recommendations into recurring revenue, and why human taste may become even more valuable in an AI-driven world. Consider this your ShopMy Success Guide and Masterclass in Influencer Marketing.
We cover:
How creators are making millions through affiliate revenue The shift from attention to influence What brands really want from creator partnerships Why authenticity still wins The future of shopping, discovery, and personal brandsWhether you're a creator, founder, marketer, or simply curious about where commerce is headed next, this episode is packed with insights.
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Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
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Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow ShopMy:
IG: @shopmy
Join ShopMy as a creator HERE
Join ShopMy as a shopper HERE
Follow Caley-Rae:
IG: @heycayrae
Caley’s ShopMy
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Missing episodes?
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This week, I’m answering your questions in a solo episode. I asked you to send in your biggest questions about working in fashion, founder tools, networking, fashion tech, and building a career you actually love, and we're covering all of it. From how to pivot into fashion from a different industry or degree, how to attend New York Fashion Week, the tools I’ve used to grow on social media, and the fashion tech companies and trends I'm watching closely right now. Whether you're trying to land your first fashion job, grow your platform, or simply understand where the industry is headed, I hope this episode gives you a few practical takeaways you can use immediately.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
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Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
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Podcast Links: Shop My
Links for mentioned items in the episode:
Fashion Career PlaybookCopenhagen Fashion BrandsDressing Professionally on a Budget
Flatter BlazerNo Blister FlatsEarringsRent the Runway:
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Glamsquad:
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Rebecca Hessel Cohen, founder of LoveShackFancy. They discuss how Rebecca went from working as a fashion editor at Cosmopolitan to building one of the most recognizable brands in fashion. Rebecca shares the story behind the original bridesmaid dress that launched the company, the early years before opening a retail store, and how LoveShackFancy evolved from a niche aesthetic into a full lifestyle universe. They also discuss the viral ruffle skirt that became one of the most copied fashion pieces online, navigating dupes and copycats, scaling without diluting the brand, building immersive retail experiences, and what makes collaborations actually work. Plus Rebecca’s advice for standing out in fashion, building a recognizable point of view, and turning aspiration into community.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow LoveShackFancy:
IG: @loveshackfancy
TikTok: @loveshackfancy
Shop
Follow Rebecca:
IG: @becknyc
TikTok: @becknyc_
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Colby Mitchell, founder of Swan Beauty, the AI beauty tech startup that went viral after sponsoring Acquired Style’s bachelorette trip. They discuss the strategy behind the partnership, the inbound after the trip, and the theories circulating the internet. The conversation explores the intersection of beauty and technology, the future of AI-powered skincare, and the journey to building Swan Beauty. If the bachelorette trip content left you wondering what is Swan Beauty, listen here and learn what’s next for them after their viral moment.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
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Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow Swan:
IG: @swanbeauty_us
Swan Beauty Website
Try the app
Follow Colby:
IG: @colbytmitchell
Family Office Episode Mentioned HERE
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
Thanks for listening!
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Giovanni Vaccaro, co-founder of GlamSquad, to talk about the future of beauty and how access is changing everything. What used to be reserved for celebrities and top influencers, getting your hair and makeup done at home, is now available on demand. Giovanni breaks down how GlamSquad made that shift possible, turning luxury beauty into something people can actually use in their everyday lives. They discuss the rise of convenience-driven services, the connection between beauty and confidence, and how platforms like GlamSquad are redefining both access and the way creatives work. If you’ve ever wondered how people always have glam for events, shoots, or fashion week this is how.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow Glamsquad:
IG: @glamsquad
Follow Giovanni:
IG: @giovannivaccaro
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
Thanks for listening!
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Sali Christeson, founder and CEO of Argent, to discuss what it really takes to build a fashion brand over the long term. Sally shares her path from tech to launching Argent, and how a gap in the workwear market led her to create a brand rooted in both function and purpose. They get into raising venture capital in fashion, navigating the “messy middle” of growth, and why most brands don’t make it past the early years. Sally also shares how Argent went from strong growth to zero revenue during COVID and the unexpected moment that turned things around. The conversation covers hiring, trusting your instincts as a founder, evolving workwear culture, and why there’s no shortcut to building a brand that lasts.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow Argent:
IG: @argent
Shop Argent
Follow Sali:
IG: @salichristeson
Brand Highlight: Alexandra Madison
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with the Chief Business Officer of Vestiaire Collective, Klemen Drole. They discuss how the company evolved from a niche resale platform into a global leader in secondhand luxury. He was previously the Chief Technology Officer and shares the tech innovations Vestiaire is implanting to keep up with demand. They break down the realities of building a fashion resale company over 15+ years, from overcoming early stigma around secondhand to reaching profitability and scaling globally. The conversation explores how Vestiaire balances supply and demand, pricing millions of unique items, and the keys to their growth. They also dive into how trends emerge in real time on resale platforms, the role of AI in authentication and curation, and how luxury brands are increasingly partnering with resale platforms.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
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Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
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Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow Vestiaire Collective:
IG: @vestiaireco
Shop: vestiairecollective.com
Brand Highlight: Melisse
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Hannah Krohne, Hannah Lizzy on TikTok, a fashion creator who turned TikTok into a launching point for her career. Landing roles at David Yurman, Danielle and Alix in styling, and ASOS in merchandising and trend analysis before ultimately going full-time as an influencer. They discuss her path from posting in her college dorm to building a platform that now functions as both content and portfolio. Hannah shares what it really looks like to balance a 9–5 with content creation, from filming multiple videos a day to navigating the transition out of corporate. They also get into the financial realities of influencing, including inconsistent income, brand deals, and the unexpected costs behind “free” product.
The conversation breaks down how brands actually choose influencers, the behind-the-scenes of Fashion Week dressing, and why so much of what you see online isn’t as it seems. They also explore the role of content in building a career in fashion, why you don’t need a traditional fashion background, and how to position yourself for opportunities in the industry.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
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Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow Hannah:
IG: @hannahlizzy_
TikTok: @hannahlizzy_
Brand Highlight: Paris64
Glamsquad:
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Ashley Moubayed, founder of Don’t Let Disco and a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist. They discuss her journey from building the brand as a side hustle to becoming a full-time founder, and the realities of growing a fashion business. Ashley shares what it’s really like to go through the CFDA Fashion Fund, from the application process to the impact it has on credibility and growth. They also break down the cost of New York Fashion Week, navigating press, and why relationships and long-term partnerships are key in the industry. The conversation explores storytelling in fashion, misconceptions around jewelry, and why visibility doesn’t always equal value.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
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Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
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Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow Don’t Let Disco:
IG: @dontletdisco
Shop
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with the team behind OOTD, one of the fastest-growing fashion media platforms capturing street style around the world. What began as candid outfit videos filmed on the streets of New York has quickly evolved into an international fashion community covering major cultural moments from Coachella to Fashion Week. They discuss the strategy behind creating viral fashion content, scaling, and monetization. No longer just online they have built a network of creators across cities like New York, Paris, and London hosting dinners and events with their community. Since they’ve scaled so quickly they discuss fashion tech and building internal technology needed for their business. Plus they’re hiring and share their vision for how OOTD could become one of the most recognizable fashion brands in the world.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
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Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow OOTD:
IG: @ootd
TikTok: @ootd
ootd.com
Follow Cory and Nic:
IG: @corymuroff
IG: @wantthisnic
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Matilda Djerf, the founder of Djerf Avenue, to discuss how she built one of the most recognizable aesthetics in modern fashion. They talk about launching a brand with strong values, building community both online and offline, and navigating the realities of running a global business in your early twenties. Matilda also shares lessons on leadership, vulnerability on social media, and why taking care of yourself is essential when building a company.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow Matilda:
IG: @matildadjerf
Follow Djerf Avenue:
IG: @djerfavenue
Shop
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
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New York Fashion Week isn’t dead, but it is changing. In this solo NYFW recap, Victoria breaks down what felt different this season and how Fashion Week is getting too expensive. From major brands like Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs showing off-schedule, Thom Browne showing in San Francisco, brands giving away show tickets leading to how NYFW could be evolving into an “Art Basel”-style citywide experience. She also shares the fashion tech + retail innovation that caught her eye, the behind-the-scenes realities of how outfits (and glam) actually happen during Fashion Week, and the pop-ups + community events that proved NYFW is increasingly about access, culture, and connection not just runway invites.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off
Rent the Runway:
Code: RTRXVSMITH50and get 50% off your first month!
Rebecca Minkoff episode on fashion week being to expensive
HERE
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Ganni’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Lauren Bartley. They discuss how the brand approaches sustainability and design, as they set trends rather than following them. Lauren unpacks Ganni's transparent approach to sustainability reporting, its investment in next-generation material innovation, partnerships in resale and repair, and how the brand balances trend-setting design with long-term environmental strategy. They also explore Scandinavian sustainability culture, the importance of consistency over perfection, and why innovation is key to moving fashion forward.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Follow Ganni:
IG: @ganni
Shop HERE
The Ganni Playbook
Follow Boii Studios:
IG: @boiistudios
Shop HERE
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
Thanks for listening!
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In this episode, Victoria recaps her experience attending Copenhagen Fashion Week from street style and behind-the-scenes access to the sustainability frameworks shaping the future of fashion. She breaks down what makes Copenhagen different from other fashion capitals, why transparency and public access matter, and how brands are rethinking design through the lens of weather, function, and real life. Victoria also shares insights from industry panels, a Substack hosted dinner, standout designers, and why she believes climate-adapted fashion and functional pieces are the next major shift in the industry. Plus a back stage interview with designers Marie and Julie Skall of Skall Studio.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Find the Brands mentioned on:
Substack and ShopMy
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
Thanks for listening!
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Kate March, founder and designer of Undone by Kate. She shares how a pandemic project became a made-in-New-York bespoke, bridal, and special occasion brand. Kate shares her path from celebrity styling to teaching herself how to sew on YouTube, creating her first upcycled tees that sparked demand, and the influencer moment that drove $10K in Shopify sales in one day. They talk bootstrapping on unemployment checks, learning pricing the hard way, building a local contractor network, and why made-to-measure is both the new luxury and true size inclusivity. Plus: a last-minute Selena Gomez VMAs dress pivot, bridal trends, and Kate’s best advice for breaking into fashion.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias
Follow Undone by Kate:
IG: @undonebykate
Shop Custom Looks HERE
Fashion Career Playbook HERE
Brand Spotlight: Aven Atelier
Rent the Runway:
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Marina Larroude, founder of Larroudé, to unpack how she built one of fashion’s fastest-growing footwear brands by rewriting the rules. Marina shares her journey from interning at Condé Nast to leading fashion at Barneys, and how those experiences revealed the white space that inspired Larroudé. They dive into why footwear is one of the hardest categories in fashion, how vertical integration and pre-orders became a growth engine, and why the brand chose profitability over “growth at all costs.” Marina also offers sharp career advice for early builders, the truth behind “good taste,” what fashion school doesn’t teach, and why progress done daily compounds over time.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias
Follow Larroude:
IG: @marinalarroude
IG: @larroude
Website
Fashion Job Board HERE
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
Thanks for listening!
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with designer and founder Rebecca Minkoff to break down what it really takes to build a fashion brand and keep it alive through industry curveballs. Rebecca shares how an internship led to her first break, the celebrity moment that helped launch her label, and why success is a slow build of momentum over time. They dive into the business realities fashion school doesn’t teach like costing, pricing, profitability, and why she believes founders should bootstrap before raising money. Rebecca also pulls back the curtain on the true cost of Fashion Week, navigating fast fashion copycats, using AI to pitch and work smarter, and the resilience required to play the long game.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias
Follow Rebecca Minkoff:
IG: @rebeccaminkoff
IG: @beckyminkoff
Female Founder Collective
Superwoman Podcast
Her book Fearless
Fashion Career Playbook HERE
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
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In this episode, Victoria sits down with Cynthia Rowley, CFDA award winning designer, to talk about building a fashion career the scrappy way. Cynthia shares how she got started making clothes, her accidental path to New York, and what it really takes to sustain a long-term career in fashion. She breaks down the realities behind runway shows, navigating changes in the global fashion industry, and why small wins, consistency, and risk-taking matter more than chasing instant success. Cynthia also offers advice for breaking into the fashion industry without a traditional background, moving to New York, and balancing creativity with the business side of fashion.
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias
Follow Cynthia Rowley:
IG: @cynthiarowley
Website HERE
Fashion Career Playbook HERE
Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!
Thanks for listening!
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Fashion Career Playbook to break into fashion in 2026. How to break into the fashion industry in 2026. Part One out now on Substack.
Link Here: https://fashionandfounders.substack.com/p/the-fashion-career-playbook-part
Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My
Thanks for listening!
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