The Cutting Room Floor

S4 EP16: Behind The Velvet Ropes ft. Lauren Ezersky

Lauren was the host of a show called Behind The Velvet Ropes, interviewing some of the most iconic designers. The episode digresses at point where we talk about my internal crisis (not really anymore though) about having kids, which I also discussed on TikTok. (@TCRFFF) I know this seems unrelated to fashion but I'm so curious to hear from those of you who want kids, have kids, don't want kids and why not? This is not just a question for the women, either! Do you have any regrets? Enjoy, RO www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor

S4 EP15: Product Development!! ft. Shilo Byrd

How do you make a product?!!!! This episode highlights my FAVORITE part about fashion: DEVELOPING CLOTHES. I love being in factories. I love working with patternmakers. I love seeing designs come to life. Shilo Byrd is a patternmaker by trade & training. It sounds like we recorded this in a factory, but really, its Downtown Los Angeles on a sunny day in February with the windows wide open, while everyone around us is working at their desk. We talk fast so take notes. PERFECT episode Anyone who wants to understand the "kitchen" of the restaurant we call the fashion industry. Follow me on TikTok: @TCRFFF Follow me on IG: @OMNDI

S4 EP14: Colors and Materials Designer ft. Sarah Barnwell Smith

What is a "colors and materials" designer? I didn't know exactly either. Sarah works at Puma and started her career at Reebok and New Balance. I hate writing copy because I feel like the episode explains it all! Also, I joined TikTok :) Follow me @TCRFFF IG: @sarahbarnwell Full Episode: www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor Enjoy!

S4 EP13: Upcylcing feat. Nicole McLaughlin

To understand her work, follow Nicole on Instagram before you even press play! There is no music in this episode because I'm in a weird mood. I really like this girl, she's humble and hardworking and one of the few guests to ever ask me a question back, lol. Nicole started upcycling while working as a graphic designer at Reebok. Her creations are ironic, witty, and clever. Each upcycled product she makes is for visual consumption, yet none of it is for sale. I sit down with Nicole nearly 5 years into her journey. Since starting, she's now done design collaborations with Reebok, Arc'teryx, Patagonia and Hermés and does workshops and consulting work for brands looking to implement sustainable practices. Today, we discuss her evolution into home design and furniture, what creative burn-out feels like, how she became fluent in sign language, and her upcoming wedding. Full Episode: www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor IG:@nicolemclaughlin Enjoy!

S4 EP12: Beauty Photographer, Tom Newton

Tom got his start when Emily Weiss hired him to be the photographer for Into The Gloss. Today we talk about his influences, the best agencies for photographers and and photographers budgets & salaries. IG: @tomtakesphotoss

S4 EP11: Curves at IMG Models ft. Mina White

Mina White has been a model agent for 20 years. For the last decade, she's fought tooth and nail for the chubby girls while working at IMG Models; the top modeling agency in the world. She tells the story of her early days working at Supreme Models, what it means to be a fighter on behalf of others, and the day she burst into tears when her client, Ashely Graham landed the cover of Sports Illustrated.

S4 EP10: Eliou ft. Cristy Mantilla & Duda Teixeira

Here's a story of two women who are best friends, creative partners, business partners and kindred spirits. They built the jewelry brand, Eliou, from their hometown of Miami. It's more proof that these days, you can build the life you want out of any city. I'm biased but I love this interview. Full Episode on Patreon. www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor @eliou__

S4 EP9: A Proper Designer ft. Melissa Battifarano

Melissa has over 20 years of experience in apparel design. Episodes like this are the reason I love this podcast. It's often the people who are *not* consumer facing, who know the most about the business. A self-proclaimed knitwear expert, Melissa started her career in the "urban" category, moved into sportswear & contemporary and even designed Rihanna's first ever Fenty collection for Puma. Today she is the creative director of Diesel Sport working alongside Glenn Martens. We talk about her extensive expertise in knitwear, the day she was poached to work for Sean "Puffy" Combs, why Wolford has such high-quality knits and the soft skills needed to work with celebrities. Listen to the full Episode on Patreon www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor

S4 EP8: New Talent Ft. Taylor Dorry

Five years ago, at the age of 29, Taylor Dorry decided to enroll in fashion classes to learn how sew. She started making clothes out of her home in South Florida. I discovered her on Instagram about a year ago and was immediately drawn to her silhouettes, sense of humor and unique narrative. Listen to see how it's going. This is a story of entrepreneurship and self discovery. IG: @TaylorDorry Full Episode: www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor

S4 EP7: Steven Alan

Steven Alan has been in business for 30 years. A New York City native, he launched his first retail space in 1994 and built a retail business, wholesale business, showroom business and collaborated with several fashion brands like Nike, Levi's, Wrangler, Dockers, Uniqlo, Vans, West Elm & More. For Full Episode Visit: www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor

S4 EP6: Fashion Styling ft. Juliana Salazar

Juliana Salazar is a stylist and brand consultant from Miami. Born to Colombian parents, she studied at George Washington University majoring in Business & French before deciding to pursue the fashion industry. After finding her footing with brief stints at YSL and Intermix, she officially began her fashion career at iconic retailer Hirshleifers. Today we discuss her non-traditional path to becoming a stylist, the biggest misconceptions about the job and how to maintain a good reputation, in an industry where relationships are everything. Enjoy. IG: @julianasalazar

S4 EP5: This is Cala ft. Andrew Wyatt

Six years ago, Andrew Wyatt founded a fashion tech company called Cala. Cala is a SAAS company that manages all of the backend logistics for designers. Essentially, you upload your design to the website and Cala will not only help you design it but will also produce it *and* ship it to your customers, for you. It's technology that sounds too good to be true. Today, I ask Andrew a million questions about how the software works and we leaving no stone unturned, and he was able to answer every single one. Full 90minute episode on Pateron.com/thecuttingroomfloor IG: @thisiscala IG: @awhyit Website: Ca.la

S4 Ep4: Fashion Photography ft. Quil Lemons

Quil Lemons is a young, NYC based photographer. FULL EPISODE: www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor

S4 EP3: The Wholesale Merchant feat. Shawn Pean

Shawn Pean is Brooklyn native who built his career as a wholesale merchant; starting at retailers like JC Penny & Saks Fifth Avenue and making his way to becoming a Vice President at Valentino and President at Balmain. Today we talk the journey. Full Episode: www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor IG: @OMNDI

S4 EP1: T.A New York ft. Telsha Anderson

Telsha Anderson is the boutique owner of T.A New York, located in the Meatpacking District of New York City.

Season 3 Closer

A message of gratitude. The next episode airs New Years Day.

S3 EP15: Elevating Culture ft. June Ambrose

Full Episode : www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor IG: @JUNEAMBROSE

S3 EP14: StyleZeitgeist ft. Eugene Rabkin

Eugene Rabkin is a writer and the founder of Style Zeitgeist. patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor

S3 EP13: Fashionista.com Ft. Faran Krentcil

Faran Krentcil founded Fashionista.com & is an underrated woman in fashion media.

S3 EP12: Mirror Palais ft. Marcelo Gaia

Marcelo Gaia is the designer behind the "instagram brand", Mirror Palais. After working as a stylist or 10 years; (which included working for Lady Gaga's Stylist) he launched his own label. I sit down with Marcelo at his Lower East Side apartment in Manhattan to discuss how her did it. Also! All full episodes are now available on Patreon, only! www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor

S3 EP11: Black Frame ft. Brian Phillips

Brian Phillips founded the Fashion PR Company Black Frame which operated from 2004 until 2020. We discuss his POV on a what makes a talented publicist, what he's learned along the way and his ideas for the future. patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor

S3 EP9: A Visual Lexicon feat. Christopher John Rogers

Today's episode is playful and relaxed. I talk so my friend Christopher John Rogers about his name sake brand and love for color. www.patreon.com/thecuttingroomfloor @christopherjohnrogers

S3 EP8: Prince of Rag Trade feat. Mickey Drexler

Mickey Drexler, the man behind The Gap, JCrew, Old Navy, Madewell has been in the fashion industry otherwise known as "The Rag Trade" for over 40 years. He's now working alongside his son Alex Drexler who founded Alex Mill, Mickey has a unique approach to leadership, shopkeeping, and selling goods at great value. INSTAGRAM: @OMNDI TWITTER: @OMONDIPRESENTS PATREON: PATREON.COM/THECUTTINGROOMFLOOR

Quick Cut: Mid-Season's Greetings.

The season isn't over! New episodes early June 2021. Just stopping by to say Hi & Thank You.

S3 EP7: Maker to Manager feat. Ibrahem Hasan

Ibrahem Hasan describes his role as a Senior Creative Director at Nike. Today, we dig into the structure of Nike as a huge, global organization or as Ibrahim calls it, "The Matrix." How many categories are there? What are their functions? Who are the appointed creative directors? How big are the teams and who's in charge of what? Born with raw talent on the south side of Chicago, Ibrahem learned on the job what it means to be a creative for a corporation. Today he describes the unspoken transition from being a "maker" to a "manager."

S3 EP6: Ubiquity vs. Exclusivity feat. Shira Carmi

This a great episode for a young designers. I speak to Shira Carmi who is the former president of Mansur Gavriel and has since been named the CEO of Altuzarra. Shira is a business person; the kind that every design talent needs to know. She sits pole position between business and creativity with an understanding of how to service both sides. There's a lot a great business advice here. We talk about the challenge of over-distribution among e-commerce partners, why the CFDA/VOGUE/BARNEYS recipe doesn't guarantee a brand success and how true scarcity can help or hinder a brand depending on its authenticity. IG: @shirasuecarmi

S3 EP4: Girls Up For Grabs feat. James Scully

James Scully is a prominent casting director starting his career in PR & production over 25 years ago. This episode covers a lot. James walks us through Vogue Magazine before Anna Wintour, his time as a buyer at the avant garde NYC retailer Chari Vari and his experience producing Tom Ford's first show at Gucci. He describes the evolved role of the stylist & casting directors; some of which abused their power, revealing the dark side of the modeling industry.

S3 EP3: Change or Die feat. Mara Hoffman

In 2020 Mara Hoffman celebrated her 20th year in business, no small feat for any independently owned NYC brand. Today we speak on the many reincarnations of Mara Hoffman, finding sustainability in your existence, and the importance of never being 'too cool'.

S3 EP2: Mailbox Money feat. Allison Zamora

Today we talk about fashion licensing. Allison Zamora is a licensing executive who started her career at Calvin Klein and later went to LVMH. She walks us through the mechanism of licensing and how it's changed over the years.

S3 EP1: The End of Fashion feat. Teri Agins

Teri Agins covered fashion at The Wall Street Journal for 20 years. In 1999, she published her first book, The End of Fashion; How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever. A friend lent me the book and it collected dust on my desk for months before I decided to pick it up; at which point I couldn’t put it down. This book is fashion reporting unlike I’ve ever seen of the industry. As Vanity Fair declared, “The End of Fashion rips into the underbelly of a world where marketing is king and often the emperor has no clothes.”

The Cutting Room Floor: Season Recap

Recap of Season 1 & 2. Peak at Season 3.

S2 EP10: Tibi: An Evolving Identity Feat. Amy Smilovic

Amy Smilovic, the founder of Tibi, took a lifelong passion and created a burgeoning fashion label. Listen in as she relates why she took the leap into creating fashion, why she later made a major pivot in her brand, and what it has taken to keep everything moving and evolving in the ever-changing world of fashion. Amy is completely transparent about what it took to create Tibi as well all the twists and turns she’s navigated throughout the past 20 years since its creation. You won’t want to miss this in-depth look at a paragon of the fashion industry. TIME STAMPS (00:19) Welcome back to the last show of 2019 with the founder of Tibi, Amy Smilovic. (02:06) Learn about the competitors of Tibi before the rebrand. (03:00) Amy shares the meaning behind the name and her early inspiration. (04:45) The birth of Tibi, the first collection, and the gap the brand filled. (08:02) Why did Amy’s designs turn in to a labor of hate? (10:30) When did Amy decide to make a change? (13:33) How did she get her staff on board with the new direction? (15:47) Amy chats about the birth of 4.collective and how it funded the new Tibi. (18:39) How was the original Tibi initially funded, built, and promoted?> (24:16) Hear how Amy’s husband’s opinion of Tibi has changed over the years. (27:43) Learn how Amy’s marketing background helped propel Tibi into American stores. (31:14) After four years Amy and her husband relocated to the U.S. (33:21) Amy reminisces over the terrors of shipping guidelines and having her mom ship products. (35:49) Sustainability was important from the beginning as was keeping the local feel. (38:52) Amy’s dad’s advice led to the true establishment of Tibi in Soho. (43:54) Hear how that same advice helped her to let go of her need to be recognized by the establishment in fashion. (45:17) Learn how the lack of coverage on the Tibi brand in U.S. fashion publications speaks to the country’s opinion of women as designers. (52:18) When should the leaders in the establishmen...

S2 EP9: The Afterlife of Clothing Feat. Liz Ricketts

What happens to our clothes once we get rid of them? Sustainability encourages that we ask *how* our clothes are made but few ask where they go at the end of their life cycle. Recorded at the University of Cincinnati, we sit down with former DAAP educator Elizabeth Ricketts about the clothing waste crisis, the invisible world of the second-hand clothing economy as seen in Accra, Ghana. TIME STAMPS (00:24) Learn more about The Indx (00:57) Intro: Liz’s Back Ground (02:02) Today’s Topic: The Afterlife of Clothing (02:51) What is sustainability and what it's not (05:08) We are past the point of conferences (05:37) Extracting finite resources (06:57) Start with Waste (07:47) Dissonance: Clothing as Waste (08:33) Waste: Assumed Part of the Business (09:19) Abundance vs Excess (Grocery Store) (11:42) Recycling New Savior (13:15) Deficit Myth (14:20) Not “Goodwill” Deficit Statistics (16:30) Research in Ghana: Landfill or Donate? (19:35) Went to Ghana with 3 Questions (21:17) Kantamanto and Ghana’s independence (24:40) The Value of Clothing Bails (26:04) The Importers and the Retailers (27:24) What are Selections? (29:00) Waste-Streams in Ghana (30:29) Asana’s story (34:29) Why Katamanto represents the future of fashion. (36:03) How do we get people to care? (38:32) The future is local (41:52) Knowledge is Experience - and how this applies to fashion (45:03) Age and dissonance (46:23) What you can do today to understand the waste crisis. (50:12) Why single-use t-shirts are killing the industry. (52:54) Connect with Liz: @theorispresent, @SFI_cincinnati, Dead White Man’s Clothes Links & Resources: The Indx The University of Cincinnati - DAAP School of Design Burberry Clothing Fire Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough

S2 EP8: Live at A/D/O feat. Nesli Danisman

Live at the Brooklyn design studio A/D/O we listen in as Nesli Danisman, founder of Angora Group, shares how she became an expert in sourcing materials around the world. Starting in as an assistant to Ralph Lauren and sourcing for nearly a decade for Marc Jacobs, Nesli describes her mission with Angora Group to help companies develop the best products with the best factories around the world. We close it out with some heavy-hitting questions from the audience that you won’t want to miss. TIME STAMPS (00:15) Welcome back! We are live from Greenpoint Brooklyn at A/D/O (01:12) Live introduction to the group at A/D/O. (03:44) Special shout out to our sponsor, Indx. (06:44) Intro: Nesli Danisman found of Angora Group. (08:25) What does Angora Group do? (10:11) … and what they don’t do. (11:57) Is it true that more designers come to Angora Group versus just people with money? (13:38) Nesli breaks down the 30/30/30 model. (15:27) The vision behind Kanye’s pieces… that never came to fruition. (16:40) Nesli shares some of the brands Angora Group has worked with. (17:36) Learn about the movement that was Charivari? (20:58) What it was like to work in Ralph Lauren’s home and then in his company. (22:16) Lab dips: what are they? (23:33) FIT and Marc by Marc Jacobs. (25:57) Why did Nesli leave MBMJ and how did she know she was ready to go out on her own? (27:39) MBMJ was Nesli’s first client and the Apple collaboration. (29:02) How does Nesli know so many people around the world? (30:11) What is a factory rat and why Nesli identifies with them? (31:15) Why is going to the factories so important and what do you learn? (33:59) Discovering new factories for the best products and materials. (36:31) Why teaching the client to fish is more economical and ethical than catching the fish. (39:11) The difference between development and production. (41:03) How PLMs help create efficiency in business and reduce waste. (42:43) Trends: what’s reoccurring? (44:24) Audience Q&A: superpower a...

S2 EP7: Live at Notre feat. Ava Nope

Live at Notre Chicago, Ava Niuri (@avanope) is head of special projects at Marc Jacobs. We discuss her Australian upbringing, her time at Helmut Lang and what she describes as "catfishing" of the creative brain. TIME STAMPS (0:39) @avanope (1:12) Ava’s Background (2:22) Fashion in Australia (4:00) Fashion Writing (5:00) Opening Ceremony (6:37) Bootlegs (12:33) “Entering the Fashion Industry” (13:45) Instagram & Hiring (14:27) Helmut Lang (16:42) Marc Jacobs (19:19) Collabs (20:00) Marc Jacobs Sweatshirt (21:42) Women in Streetwear (23:36) Keanu Reeves Project (29:33) Ken Park Project (32:50) Fashion before the internet (34:45) Vetements (35:51) DIY Culture (36:56) Questions (40:00) Magazines (Dazed and Confused) (42:00) Sustainability/ ethical brands (43:00) Regionalism

S2 EP6: Intro to Denim ft. Tiia Richardson

A denim specialist with over twenty years of experience tells us why the best studied at the house of Levi's. TIME STAMPS (1:14) Adriano Goldschmeid (2:42) Levi Strauss (3:39) Tiia at Levi’s (4:10) Levi’s tabs (5:05) Tiia’s Work History (6:40) Denim History (8:27) Tommy Hilfiger x Hip Hop (11:04) Marc Jacobs Denim (12:10) Designer Jeanswear (13:00) Genuine Denim (14:30) Stretch Denim (19:46) Calvin Klein (21:52) Denim Pollution (22:18) Laundries (Denim process) (24:24) Role of a Denim Specialist (25:09) Denim Finishes (26:32) Stone washing (27:30) Indigo (28:39) 7 for All Mankind (29:30) Premium Market (30:56) Raw “Japanese” Denim (33:11) Selvedge Denim (33:11) Selvedge Denim (35:55) Not a Purest (37:00) Denim is a canvas (38:56) Angora Group (42:30) Black - Non Indigo Denim (46:00) Partnering & Outsourcing (48:00) Overseas & Local Manufacturing

S2 EP5: Having A Moment Feat. Martine Rose

Live in London at The Hoxton Hotel Martine shares her thoughts on “hype”; working for Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga and the influences of her youth.

S2 EP4: Orseund Iris feat. Lana Johnson

Founder, Lana Johnson tells us about writing her own playbook. She used influencer marketing to her own advantage; starting with a few small SKUS and growing into a full collection in under 4 years.

S2 EP3: Founder of SHHHOWERCAP Jacquelyn De Jesu

Jacquelyn talks finding the white space in the market & reinventing the category of showercaps.

S2 EP2: Lynette Nylander - Writer & Consultant

S2 EP1: The Authenticity Deficit feat. A+

Andrea Pagliai describes why the culture of immediacy is compromising true talent development, how the influencer market will eventually implode and the growing need for quality over quantity.

S1 EP14: Glamour's Former Editor in Chief feat. Cindi Leive

Former Editor-in-Chief for 17 years, Cindi Leive speaks about print before the internet age. The conversation covers on feminism, womanhood, and the future of print media.

S1 EP13: SSENSE’s Deputy Editor feat. Durga Chew-Bose

Recorded at SSENSE HQ in Montréal, author, Durga Chew Bose explains her role as the Deputy Editor of SSENSE.com.

S1 EP12: Alexander Wang’s Chief Strategist feat. Stephanie Horton

Previously at FarFetch & Shopbop, Stephanie Horton explains the fundamentals that go into a fashion business, why there are no shortcuts when it comes to e-commerce and the things she looks for in an employee.

S1 EP11: A Sit Down with Heron Preston

Heron Preston tells the story of how he and Virgil went from Myspace friends to joining New Guards Group, the company that launched his namesake brand Heron Preston.

S1 EP10: Outlier's Menswear Designer: Willie Norris

Starting her career at Maria Cornejo and then eventually landing at OUTLIER, Willie tells us about her life hack to entering the industry and why textiles are so important to her current employer.

S1 EP9: Driely Carter: Fighting for Photography

A very candid look at the business of fashion photography. Working in-house for commercial clients like Pharell, Beyonce & Kanye West, Driely Carter explains why magazine editorials make no money, the scam of sponsored content and how the fashion industry has survived on free work.

S1 EP8: Rag & Bone's Senior Designer: Maureen Saturne

Maureen explains the role of a Technical Designer. She describes her role as the “engineer” to the designers; the importance of the Tech Pak and why ready-to-wear brands cannot compete with the fast fashion calendar.

S1 EP7: Live at the Hoxton Hotel

The first live podcast at the Hoxton Hotel in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Recho Omondi sits down with young designers Christopher John Rogers and his partner David Rivera, Suzzan Atala of Tuza Jewelry and Josh Allen of Richard & Grace.