Fashion & Founders The Podcast

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:
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

Links for mentioned items in the episode:
⁠Fashion Career Playbook⁠
⁠Copenhagen Fashion Brands⁠
Dressing Professionally on a Budget
⁠Flatter Blazer
No Blister Flats
Earrings

Rent the Runway:
Use code: ⁠RTRXVSMITH50⁠and get 50% off your first month!

Glamsquad:
Code: ⁠FASHIONANDFOUNDERS ⁠for $20 off

Thanks for listening!

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!

Thanks for listening!

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:
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 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!

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!

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!

Thanks for listening!