Ron White Global Shoe Sensation

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ron White went from aspiring to be a fashion buyer to creating a global brand that changed the designer shoe industry. In this episode Ron shares funny and candid stories of his childhood, his first fashion job, the early day of Ron White Shoes and the surprise decisions that have made the biggest impact on his business. It is no wonder he is known as Canada's "Shoeru."

Continue reading →

Trigere designer Franklin Benjamin Elman

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Pauline Trigere launched her namesake label in New York City in the 1940s. A single mother, immigrant and female entrepreneur she was ahead of her time. With Trigere, she dressed some of the most famous celebrities of the day from Lena Horne to Lauren Bacall to Estee Lauder. Now, this heritage brand is in the hands of Franklin Benjamin Elman. Born in Montreal, Canada Franklin has a design career that has included many illustrious houses, including numerous years at Dior. Franklin shares the intimate stories of his childhood, the unexpected moment of his career journey and how he is honouring the legacy of Pauline as he reignites her glamorous label, Trigere.

Continue reading →

Rosa Halpern Designer and Founder The Namesake’s

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Rosa Halpern has garnered international praise and celebrity fans for her custom leather jackets by her label The Namesake. Rosa shares stories from her early days interning for some of American's most notable designers, how she got started designing jackets (it was bit of a fluke!) and reflects on the power of customizing clothing.

Continue reading →

Global Dior Historian Dr. Alexandra Palmer

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Join Donna Bishop in an intimate discussion with global Dior Historian Dr Alexandra Palmer as they discuss the impact this iconic designer has had on fashion, culture and the French economy.

Continue reading →

Fashion Santa aka Paul Mason

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Paul Mason had been working as a fashion model in the United States and Europe when he returned to Toronto. This fateful return to his hometown would mark the beginning of a number of life and professional changes and developments; perhaps most notably his persona as Fashion Santa...

Continue reading →

In Conversation with Carolyn Rohaly: Author of the Fashionable Novel of Military Chic

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

After volunteering at Toronto Fashion Week for four seasons, the backstage rush and outrageous industry rumours stuck with me. I knew I had an irresistible backstage story and had to write Military Chic. Everyone asks if any of the characters are real...

Continue reading →

Elizabeth Peyton Jones and Human Rights for Fashion Models

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In Conversation with Fashion Activist Elizabeth Peyton-Jones, founder of the Responsible Trust for Models, an international organization dedicated to revolutionizing the model industry.

Continue reading →

The Power and Process of Film/TV Costume Design

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The power and process of Costume Design for film and TV does far more than cloth the actors. It gives clues about character, informs the story, involves couture design and so much more. In conversation with 3 leading Costume Designers, Alex Kavanagh, Christine Toye and Leslie Kavanagh, share details of their process, on set stories and examples of when design is not just about clothing.

Continue reading →

Fashion in Museums: Why These Exhibits are Important

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Do fashion exhibitions belong within museums? Dr Alexandra Palmer, who oversees the third largest fashion and textile collection in world, discusses the relevancy and importance of fashion in cultural institutions. As a global authority on Christian Dior and curator of ground-breaking exhibits she is critical voice within the fashion industry.

Continue reading →

Fashion and LGBTQ

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The relationship between fashion and the LGBTQplus community has a long history; from coded dressing in the 1800s to increasing gender fluidity with dressing to the AIDS crisis to the immense impact of M.A.C and Fashion Cares. Phillip Ing, now a special consultant to M.A.C Cosmetics after years as an executive, as well as the producer and artistic director of the immensely successful AIDS fundraiser Fashion Cares; and Jim Searle, co-founder and co-designer of the iconic fashion label Hoax Couture who has worked with Phillip on every year of Fashion Cares, discuss the historical roots of fashion and gay culture.

Continue reading →