What does a creative director in fashion do? How do I get a job in fashion? What is fashion school actually like? Hear from Michelle Ochs, the Creative Director at Hervé Léger.

In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build a career in fashion from landing an internship at Marc Jacobs before even starting Parsons to navigating the job market during the 2008 financial crisis. After co-founding Cushnie et Ochs and spending more than a decade building the brand, Michelle made the decision to close that chapter of her career. Today, she's the Creative Director of Hervé Léger, where she's reimagining one of fashion's most recognizable brands for a new generation. Michelle also shares the strategy behind Hervé Léger's resurgence, why runway shows aren't always worth the investment, how Gen Z is rediscovering the brand, what she actually looks for when hiring designers, and why she still wants candidates to bring a printed portfolio to interviews. Whether you're hoping to work in fashion, build your own brand, or simply love hearing the stories behind iconic fashion houses, this episode is full of practical advice and an honest look at what it takes to evolve throughout your career.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What fashion school is really like
• Getting her first fashion internship
• Navigating the fashion hiring landscape
• Starting a fashion brand
• Becoming a creative director
• Fashion marketing
• Rebuilding an iconic fashion brand for a new generation
• What fashion hiring managers actually want to see in interviews

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IG: @herveleger

Rihanna’s Iconic Dress

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IG: @ochsmichelle

TikTok: @mrsmichelleochs

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This week on Fashion and Founders, I'm joined by Morgan Riddle and Cherry Beagles, co-founders of The 400 Club, a community redefining sports through the lens of fashion, culture, and female fandom.

Morgan Riddle was called “The Most Famous Woman in Mens Tennis” by the New York Times and now she is moving her focus to female fans in all of sports. Cherry Beagles founded The 400 Club in 2024, a community reimagining what sports fandom looks like for women, gaining recognition and named Forbes 30 Under 30. Together, they're building one of the most exciting brands at the intersection of fashion, sports, culture, and community. We discuss their experiences at F1, Wimbledon, the US Open, the Super Bowl and more. At The 400 Club they’re brining women together for the biggest live sporting event watch parties and industry events.

We talk about why women's sports is far bigger than a trend, how social media has transformed the fan experience, why brands are still missing the mark with female consumers, and the enormous opportunity at the intersection of sports, fashion, and community. If you've ever wondered where the future of sports is headed or why fashion brands, founders, and creators are paying so much attention this episode is for you. Female sports fans aren't new. They're finally being seen.

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IG: @the400club

Join the 400 Club HERE

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IG: @moorrgs

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IG: @cherry.beagles

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This week on Fashion and Founders Podcast, I’m joined by Caley-Rae Pavillard, VP of Partnerships & Business Development at ShopMy. If you've spent any time around creators lately, you've probably heard the same thing: "Get on ShopMy." But why has it become such a powerful platform for creators, brands, and tastemakers?

In this episode, we discuss why creators are becoming the new retailers, how affiliate marketing is reshaping the industry, and why follower count matters far less than most people think. Caley shares what brands are actually looking for, how creators can turn recommendations into recurring revenue, and why human taste may become even more valuable in an AI-driven world. Consider this your ShopMy Success Guide and Masterclass in Influencer Marketing.

We cover:

• How creators are making millions through affiliate revenue
• The shift from attention to influence
• What brands really want from creator partnerships
• Why authenticity still wins
• The future of shopping, discovery, and personal brands

Whether you're a creator, founder, marketer, or simply curious about where commerce is headed next, this episode is packed with insights.

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Podcast LinkedIn: ⁠Fashion and Founders⁠

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Podcast Links: ⁠Shop My⁠

Follow ShopMy:

IG: @⁠shopmy⁠

Join ShopMy as a creator ⁠HERE⁠

Join ShopMy as a shopper ⁠HERE

⁠

Follow Caley-Rae:

IG: @⁠heycayrae⁠

Caley’s ⁠ShopMy⁠

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Glamsquad:

Code: ⁠FASHIONANDFOUNDERS ⁠for $20 off

Thanks for listening!

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:

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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

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Glamsquad:

Code: ⁠FASHIONANDFOUNDERS ⁠for $20 off

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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.

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Podcast Links: Shop My

Follow LoveShackFancy:

IG: @loveshackfancy

TikTok: @loveshackfancy

Shop

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IG: @becknyc

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Glamsquad:

Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off

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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.

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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:

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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.

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IG: @glamsquad

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IG: @giovannivaccaro

Glamsquad:

Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off

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Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!

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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.

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Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com

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Podcast Links: Shop My

Follow Argent:

IG: @argent

Shop Argent

Follow Sali:

IG: @salichristeson

Brand Highlight: Alexandra Madison

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