menSwear by a Woman

I’ve been wanting to bring guests from the manufacturing side of this industry onto the podcast for a long time, and I’m so excited that it’s finally happening. I’m hoping this is just the beginning with many more conversations like this to come.
In today’s episode I’m joined by two incredible co-founders, Diana and Joshua, the founders of Maes London. Coming from different parts of the world and bringing together a team that truly understands manufacturing, structure, and the heart of this industry, they share a perspective that is so important because without manufacturing this industry simply wouldn’t exist. Diana and Joshua talk about how they started their journey, what brought them together and how, their mindset from the very beginning was aligned. For them teamwork has been at the centre of everything. Creating a team where everyone works together, understands the same vision, and is moving in the same direction has played a huge part in building their business.
This episode is a conversation about manufacturing, teamwork, vision, and the people behind the scenes who help bring an entire industry to life. I’m so excited to finally have this conversation and I hope you enjoy getting to know Diana and Joshua and hearing their story as much as I did.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Bhaavya, the founder of Iro Iro, a brand that beautifully bridges traditional craftsmanship, with contemporary fashion. I first came across
Iro Iro during London Craft Week, through the Friday Sari Project, where a group of South Asian designers collections, where they showcased how talented craftsmans work is still available in India that are huge part of individual brands in their own unique way. What immediately stood out to me was how Iro Iro reimagines heritage craftsmanship for the modern wardrobe. The collection draws inspiration from menswear and Bhaavya adapts those elements into womenswear a distinctive design approach where I recognised immediately and could see menswear. In our conversation, Bhaavya shares how her journey began and the vision that drives Iro Iro. She talks about challenging conventional fashion industry practices, by building a brand showing it's transparency, sustainability, and meaningful. Rather than simply working with artisans, Bhaavya sees them as an extension of the Iro Iro family, where every craftsperson, plays an essential role in the brand's growth and success. We also explore the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship, the value of, knowing the story behind every garment, and how transparency throughout the design and production process helps create a deeper connection, between the product and the customer. If you're passionate about conscious fashion, artisan craftsmanship, and the future of sustainable design, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Today’s episode features Christoph Ritter, founder of Critter London, who shares his experience of studying fashion, leaving Central Saint Martins, and building his own path within luxury womenswear. Although this podcast has traditionally focused on menswear, this conversation explores a topic that affects the entire fashion industry: the reality of fashion education and what happens after graduation. Christoph and I discuss the financial pressures students face when studying fashion, the rising costs involved in completing a degree, and the reality of graduating with significant debt while trying to establish a career in one of the most competitive industries in the world. The biggest question is not only about the cost of studying fashion it is what support graduates receive once they leave university. How does the education system help students transition into the industry? Are universities providing enough guidance, opportunities and connections to help graduates build sustainable careers? Or is the reality that once the university doors close, each graduate is left to navigate the industry alone to create their own opportunities, build their own networks and find their own place within fashion? This episode is a wider conversation about the future of fashion education, the relationship between institutions and graduates, and whether the current system is truly preparing the next generation of creatives.

Today’s episode is a little different from the one originally planned. Due to ongoing technical issues, I decided at 9:30pm to record a conversation exploring the SS27 menswear collections, from Pitti Uomo and Milan through to Paris.
Paris was the highlight for me this season, with inspiring collections from Dries Van Norton, Issey Miyake, Maison Kitsuné, Soshiotsuki, and Taakk showcasing incredible craftsmanship, texture, colour, and creativity.
Beyond the collections, this episode explores the wider questions around menswear today: how people find opportunities within the industry, the value of fashion education versus experience, and whether different career paths and backgrounds are truly embraced. I would love to hear your thoughts: Is education important in menswear, or does experience hold greater value? Does the industry create space for people at different stages of their careers, or are some voices being left behind?

What happens when two people with no background in the clothing industry decide to challenge the way it's done?
In this episode, we sit down with Drishti and Rashmick, the co-founders of Lafaani, to explore the journey behind a brand built on curiosity, purpose, and the courage to begin without having all the answers. Coming from outside the industry, they didn't see their lack of experience as a limitation. Instead, they saw an opportunity to question the norm, learn from the ground up, and create something that reflected the values they believed in. For them, "why not?" has always been more powerful than "why?" Rather than being discouraged by the challenges ahead, they chose to embrace them, believing that meaningful change comes from those willing to take the first step. Their story is one of saying, Let's go for it, and discovering what's possible through persistence, learning, and a shared vision. At the heart of Lafaani is a deep respect for craftsmanship. Drishti and Rashmick speak about working alongside incredibly talented artisans, not simply as manufacturers, but as creative partners whose knowledge and skills shape every piece they create. Every garment is treated as a journey from the first idea and the sourcing of materials to the careful process of making and the final finished piece. Nothing is rushed; every decision is intentional. Our conversation explores what it means to rethink clothing not just as something we wear, but as something that carries purpose, process, and people within it. We discuss building a business driven by values instead of convention, trusting your instincts even when you're stepping into unfamiliar territory, and why creating something meaningful often begins with the willingness to take a chance. This episode is a reminder that you don't have to come from an industry to make an impact in it. Sometimes, the people who ask different questions are the ones who create new possibilities. Drishti and Rashmick's story is one of optimism, resilience, and proving that if you're willing to learn, stay true to your purpose, and take the leap, you can build something that inspires change one thoughtful piece at a time.