Fashion Business Mindset

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa sits down with Bridget Veals, General Manager of Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories at David Jones.
With more than 25 years of experience across some of the world’s leading fashion brands, Bridget has built an extraordinary career at the forefront of fashion buying, retail leadership and commercial strategy.
Together, Elizabeth and Bridget explore how the buying function has evolved, what it takes to lead high-performing teams through change, and the trends shaping the future of Australian fashion retail. Bridget also shares her leadership philosophy, the importance of balancing creativity with commercial performance, and why curiosity and continuous learning remain essential throughout every stage of a career.
In this episode, we discuss:
Bridget’s 25-year career journey in the fashion industry.

The evolution of fashion buying and the changing role of the modern buyer.

Leading high-performing teams through growth, transformation and change.

Balancing commercial outcomes with creativity in today’s retail environment.

How customer expectations continue to reshape fashion retail.

The future of Australian fashion retail and the opportunities ahead.

Leadership lessons from one of Australia’s most respected retail executives.

Why curiosity, adaptability and lifelong learning are essential for long-term success.

Whether you’re a fashion founder, buyer, retailer, merchandising professional or emerging leader, this conversation offers valuable insights into the realities of leading at the highest levels of the fashion industry.
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WORK WITH US
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Upcoming Online Masterclass — Register Now
Join our upcoming Claude for Fashion Masterclass.
Elizabeth will be joined by an AI expert, Brooke Wright, and together they’ll bring both sides of the equation: fashion workflow and business solutions lens, plus technical AI expertise.
The topics covered will be shaped directly by what you tell us you need. Your signup genuinely contributes to how the workshop is built.
Workshop landing around mid-July. Date and spots to be announced.
👉 Register Here
CLAUDE FOR FASHION A Two-Hour Practical Masterclass for Fashion Business Professionals - Register Now — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting
About Fashion Business Mindset
Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.
Work with Fashion Equipped
Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution.
Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.
This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.
Interested in Strategic Advisory?
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.
Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting
Connect with us:
Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC
Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped
Interested in Sponsorship?
We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.
To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this solo episode, Elizabeth Formosa unpacks what it actually looks like to use AI with intention in a fashion business. She talks honestly about the pace of change many founders are feeling right now, why workflow has to come before technology, and where she's seeing Claude AI add real, practical value across fashion operations.
The six areas she covers:
Founder productivity and leadership thinking

Financial visibility - margin, sell-through, inventory cover

Product and supply chain decisions

Marketing and content

Customer experience

Market intelligence

She's also candid about where AI falls short and why judgment and context still matter most. A clear, grounded look at AI for fashion founders who want to move forward without losing sight of what makes their business work.
Claude for Fashion Masterclass — Register Now
Join our upcoming Claude for Fashion Masterclass.
Elizabeth will be joined by an AI expert, Brooke Wright, and together they’ll bring both sides of the equation: fashion workflow and business solutions lens, plus technical AI expertise.
The topics covered will be shaped directly by what you tell us you need. Your signup genuinely contributes to how the workshop is built.
Workshop landing around mid-July. Date and spots to be announced.
👉 Register Here
CLAUDE FOR FASHION A Two-Hour Practical Masterclass for Fashion Business Professionals - Register Now — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting
About Fashion Business Mindset
Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.
Work with Fashion Equipped
Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution.
Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.
This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.
Interested in Strategic Advisory?
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.
Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting
Connect with us:
Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC
Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped
Interested in Sponsorship?
We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.
To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really mean to build a fashion brand around a woman the industry has spent decades ignoring?
In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa is joined by Fleur Richardson, founder and creative director of Fleur Collective, a 100% Australian-owned, female-founded womenswear brand built on a simple belief: clothing should move with you, not against you.
Fourteen years in business. 95% made in Australia. Sizes 8 to 24 from day one. And a direct-to-consumer model built on genuine community and customer closeness.
Fleur shares the real story behind those numbers. The design decisions, the sourcing challenges, the commercial pivots, and the personal discipline required to build and sustain a purpose-led fashion business in 2026.
This is a grounded and commercially honest conversation for founders navigating growth, manufacturing complexity, and the challenge of serving a customer who deserves better.
In this episode, we explore:
How Fleur’s career across swimwear, menswear tailoring, raw materials and women’s wear shaped her commercial and creative lens

The design philosophy behind Fleur Collective, and why fit, fabric and function drive every decision

What inclusive sizing from 8 to 24 actually requires technically, and how the brand approaches grading across a diverse female body

The decision to shut down wholesale and go direct-to-consumer, and why owning the customer relationship changed everything

Live selling before it was a trend, and how the brand’s content model has evolved over nine years

The realities and risks of sustaining 95% local manufacturing in Australia, including ageing maker networks and fabric supply challenges

Why Fleur moved a small percentage of production offshore and how she approached that transition consciously

Buying out a business partner and going all in, and what that decision unlocked

What Fleur is building towards next, including an adaptive clothing project inspired by her brother

Where AI sits in the business right now and the reality of adopting it as a small independent brand

Key Takeaway
Building a fashion brand with genuine commercial integrity means making decisions the outside world doesn’t always see.
Fleur Richardson has spent fourteen years making those decisions. Quietly. Consistently. With her customer at the centre of every one.
About the Guest
Fleur Richardson is the founder and Creative Director of Fleur Collective — a 100% Australian-owned, female-founded womenswear brand crafting small-batch, considered collections for women who are done with compromise. Built on a belief that clothing should move with you, not against you, Fleur Collective has spent over a decade redefining what it means to dress with ease, confidence, and intention. With a 99% female workforce and most pieces made right here in Australia, Fleur has built more than a brand — she's built a community where every woman belongs.
Explore Fleur Collective here.
Watch behind the brand on Instagram here.
Claude for Fashion Workshop — Join the Waitlist
In this episode, you’ll hear Fleur and Elizabeth talk about AI and what it really means to start adopting it in a fashion business.
If that conversation resonates with you, join the waitlist for our upcoming Claude for Fashion workshop.
Elizabeth will be joined by an AI expert, and together they’ll bring both sides of the equation: fashion workflow and business solutions lens, plus technical AI expertise.
The topics covered will be shaped directly by what you tell us you need. Your signup genuinely contributes to how the workshop is built.
Workshop landing around mid-July. Date and spots to be announced.
👉 Join the waitlist here: CLAUDE FOR FASHION A Two-Hour Practical Masterclass for Fashion Business Professionals — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting
About Fashion Business Mindset
Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.
Work with Fashion Equipped
Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution.
Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.
This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.
Interested in Strategic Advisory?
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth. Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.
Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting
Connect with us:
Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC
Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped
Interested in Sponsorship?
We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.
To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to build a fashion brand from the ground up and scale it into a globally recognised, multi-channel business?
In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, I’m joined by Kiki Keysers, Founder of KIVARI, to unpack the journey behind one of Australia’s most successful contemporary fashion brands.
What started with just $200, a handmade product and a market stall has evolved into a thriving business spanning retail, eCommerce and wholesale, with a loyal global customer and a strong, recognisable brand identity.
Kiki shares the real story behind that growth. The risks, the decisions, the mindset shifts and the discipline required to build a brand that not only scales, but sustains.
This is an honest and highly practical conversation for founders navigating growth, complexity and the next stage of their business.
In this episode, we explore:
How Kivari began, from a spontaneous idea in Bali to a market stall in Australia

The early decisions that shaped the brand’s trajectory, including retail, hiring and investment

The reality of scaling a fashion business across retail, eCommerce and wholesale

Why every channel must have a clear purpose in a multi-channel strategy

The importance of discipline across margin, product and operations in today’s market

How to evolve your product offering while staying true to your brand DNA

Building and leading a high-performing team as the business grows

Founder visibility and the role it plays in modern brand building

The mindset required to navigate growth, uncertainty and leadership

Why “confidence comes by doing” and how to move forward before you feel ready

Key Takeaway
Building a successful fashion brand isn’t about having everything figured out from the start.
It’s about taking action, backing yourself and building the confidence along the way.
About the Guest
Kirstin-Lee “Kiki” Keysers is the Founder and Creative Director of KIVARI, one of Australia’s leading women’s fashion and lifestyle brands. What began as a small market stall on the Gold Coast has grown into a multi-million-dollar global business, known for its timeless design, effortless femininity and strong brand storytelling.
Today, Kiki leads a fast-growing team while continuing to shape the creative direction of the brand, building a business grounded in freedom, intuition and purpose.
Explore KIVARI at KIVARI | Elevated & Effortless Resortwear For Your Everyday
About Fashion Business Mindset
Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.
Work with Fashion Equipped
Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution.
Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.
This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.
Interested in Strategic Advisory?
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth.
Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.
Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting
Connect with us:
Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fashionequipped
Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped
Interested in Sponsorship?
We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.
To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au
or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa sits down with Gosia Piątek, Founder of Kowtow, a pioneer in sustainable and circular fashion.
Founded in 2006, Kowtow has built a global reputation for its commitment to ethical production, Fairtrade organic cotton, and a fully transparent supply chain.
But what truly sets the brand apart is its long-term vision.
From the very beginning, Gosia set out to create clothing that comes from the earth and can safely return to it.
Nearly 20 years later, that vision has been realised.
Kowtow has developed a groundbreaking process using biochar, allowing garments to be returned to the soil without harm and completely free from plastic.
In this conversation, we explore:
The original vision behind Kowtow and what inspired Gosia to challenge the fashion industry

Building a sustainable brand before sustainability was mainstream

The reality of creating a fully transparent and ethical supply chain

Kowtow’s biochar innovation and what it means for the future of circular fashion

Customer demand for sustainability and how it has evolved

The current state of fashion trade and navigating economic uncertainty

Balancing purpose and profitability in a values-driven business

Marketing and storytelling for a conscious brand

Leadership, mindset and founder growth

What the future holds for fashion and the opportunity for brands willing to lead change

This episode is a must-listen for founders, designers and industry leaders looking to build commercially strong, responsible and future-focused fashion businesses.
About the Guest:
Gosia Piątek is the Founder of Kowtow, a globally recognised sustainable fashion brand known for its commitment to Fairtrade organic cotton, ethical production and circular design principles.
Explore Kowtow at:
Web: Kowtow Ethical & Organic Clothingl
Download the Kowtow plastic-free guide here: Plastic Free Handbook
Read about biochar here: Our garments now feed the earth
How Kowtow went plastic-free here: Plastic Free
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About Fashion Business Mindset
Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses.
________
Work with Fashion Equipped in 2026
Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution.
Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.
This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.
Interested in Strategic Advisory?
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth.
Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.
Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.
The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting
Connect with us:
Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fashionequipped
Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped
Interested in Sponsorship?
We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.
To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au
or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset
Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.