How Fitting Alison Hoenes | women's apparel patternmaker

In episode 96, we ask the question: is it possible for fashion brands to be both sustainable and profitable? My guest, Selina Ho, the founder and CEO of sustainable consultancy Recloseted, paints a picture of what a renewed fashion industry could look like and what it would take to get us there. She shares practical steps that brands can take now to improve their sustainability efforts at each stage of business and how to communicate those efforts in specific and honest ways.



Selina is the Founder & CEO of Recloseted and she's on a mission to transform the harmful fashion industry. Her consulting firm Recloseted launches + scales sustainable fashion brands and helps existing brands become more conscious. Selina is also the host of Recloseted Radio, the top podcast for sustainable fashion entrepreneurs.





In this episode, you’ll learn:




What a transformed fashion industry could look like



What it will take to make sustainable fashion the norm



A better way to set sustainability goals



How to approach hard sustainability conversations without backlash



Whether it is possible to be both sustainable and profitable



Why voting with your dollars also applies to fashion brands, not just consumers



Why sustainability can’t be the only selling point



How much money it actually takes to start a sustainable fashion brand




People and resources mentioned in this episode:




Recloseted website



Recloseted Fund Your Fashion Line Training



Recloseted How to Launch a Profitable Fashion Brand Masterclass



Listen or Watch: Breaking Down the Fashion Design Process — Interview with Alison Hoenes on the the Recloseted Radio podcast




Has listening to How Fitting helped you create a better fit in your fashion business? Episode 100 of this podcast is coming up and I’m planning a special episode featuring the most notable moments from the 104 guests I’ve had on this podcast so far – plus your story! Click here to tell me about your favorite How Fitting episode and how it has impacted you or your business.



Do you want fashion business tips and resources like this sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the How Fitting newsletter to receive new podcast episodes plus daily content on creating fashion that fits your customer, lifestyle, and values.

In episode 95, Madison Powers speaks about the story, the underrated skills, and the business plan that have helped her “effortlessly creative” business go far in just a few years. Madison is strategic with her decisions, and crystal clear on her customer and business values, and shares so many little-talked-of realities of fashion business in this interview.



Madison was born and raised in Greensboro North Carolina, obtaining her bachelor's degree from NCCU in Business Administration and Marketing! After a year in Corporate America, Madison decided to put her love of business and fashion into something meaningful. Thus, creating her namesake label Madison Victoria; a slowly made, small-batch-produced woman’s label that offers classic silhouettes with creative and functional designs for the modern women. Creating a community for all and a safe space within the fashion industry for black and brown women.





In this episode, you’ll learn:




How Madison got into fashion despite being too scared to pursue a fashion degree in school



The strategic way Madison interviewed different manufacturing partners to make sure she found the best fit for her business



How to stay inspired as a creative without a travel budget



Why Madison recommends every business owner create a thorough business plan



How her business plan has helped her make better decisions in her business



The underrated skill that has helped Madison grow her brand (more than money could)



The importance of storytelling - including what, how, and whom to tell



Why it is so important to find the right day job before your business becomes full-time.




People and resources mentioned in this episode:




Madison Victoria website



Madison Victoria Instagram



FashionPedia fashion encyclopedia




Has listening to How Fitting helped you create a better fit in your fashion business? Episode 100 of this podcast is coming up and I’m planning a special episode featuring the most notable moments from the 104 guests I’ve had on this podcast so far – plus your story! Click here to tell me about your favorite How Fitting episode and how it has impacted you or your business.



Do you want fashion business tips and resources like this sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the How Fitting newsletter to receive new podcast episodes plus daily content on creating fashion that fits your customer, lifestyle, and values.

In episode 94, Freya challenges the assumption that synthetics are better for swimwear with her sensitive-skin-focused brand Solpardus – which means ‘sun leopard’. With natural-fiber swimwear and apparel, Freya cares for her skin and the community of other women living with psoriasis, eczema, and sensitive skin that she’s met through running her business.



Solpardus makes all natural bamboo swimwear and linen clothing with skin comfort at the forefront of our design. We marry style with comfort to bring 100% natural, British made, ethical and sustainable swimwear and relaxed tailoring that is perfect for psoriasis and eczema.



The idea for Solpardus came over lockdown in Cornwall when my own psoriasis was in full flare and incredibly sore. As with some other psoriasis sufferers, I find that a healthy dose of sunshine can work wonders for my skin. However, as I am sure any woman can attest to, synthetic swimwear is far from comfortable at the best of times and unbearable against inflamed skin! So I scoured the internet searching for natural fabric swimwear.



After only finding one brand in America and one in Australia (with neither delivering to the UK) I decided to make my own bamboo fabric bikini. I was thrilled to find that, in spite of the messy stitching and wonky elastic I had achieved with my small sewing machine, my first attempt was perfect for my skin. I wore it all summer taking full advantage of the glorious Cornish weather! 



Since then I have made it my mission to challenge the status-quo of synthetic swimwear and bring it back to its natural roots! With Solpardus I also try to encourage women to find empowerment through both comfort and style, especially those with psoriasis, eczema or any other skin complaint. Solpardus, meaning “Sun Leopard”, is in reference to the pigment disparities that often occur when psoriasis heals in the sun giving the skin a leopard-like appearance.





In this episode, you’ll learn:




The assumption about fashion that Freya is trying to rewrite



How Freya’s sensitive skin sparked the idea for Solpardus



How Freya got manufacturers to take her seriously



How starting Solpardus challenged Freya’s assumptions about the fashion industry



The pros and cons of natural fibers for swimwear



What went into Solpardus’ first in-person event



How Freya cultivates self-awareness when it comes to her skin and her business




People and resources mentioned in this episode:




Solpardus website



Solpardus Instagram



Solpardus TikTok




Do you want fashion business tips and resources like this sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the How Fitting newsletter to receive new podcast episodes plus daily content on creating fashion that fits your customer, lifestyle, and values.

In episode 93, Oge Ajibe talks about what she’s learned (and where she’s learned) about inclusive fit and fashion business. After 6 years and multiple pivots in business, Oge has slowly created her own way to make sustainable, comfortable clothes that fit no matter your size. She’s uniquely created Oge Ajibe’s size chart, figured out pricing, stayed visible online, and she has big plans for the future of her brand.



Oge Ajibe is a company that educates consumers on portraying themselves across all aspect, of fashion. Our inclusive, sustainable apparel, all handcrafted in Canada, provides our customers with a unique sense of comfort and confidence.





In this episode, you’ll learn:




How fashion school did (and did not) prepare her for fashion business



What Oge did to build her confidence in the quality of her work



How Oge’s business evolved over the years



Why Oge thinks big brands are avoiding offering inclusive sizing even when small brands like hers can afford to do it.



The unique way Oge created her brand’s sizing to fit XS-5X



Why making custom clothing helped her RTW business



What Oge learned from the home sewing community



The journey one piece of clothing takes to get to the end customer



What success looks like for Oge




People and resources mentioned in this episode:




Oge Ajibe website



Oge Ajibe Instagram




Do you want fashion business tips and resources like this sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the How Fitting newsletter to receive new podcast episodes plus daily content on creating fashion that fits your customer, lifestyle, and values.

In episode 92, The Shortlist founder Laura Briggs gives us a detailed look at how her fun and cheeky petite-only brand has reached profitability. From pricing and production to business operations, Laura describes the growing pains she’s gone through and the huge milestones she’s reached as she’s scaled her 3-year-old business.



Laura was also my guest two years ago on How Fitting episode 37 where she talked about how she first started The Shortlist and what her first year of entrepreneurship looked like.



The Shortlist is a premium, limited edition petite fashion brand.





In this episode, you’ll learn:




Why Laura moved production from the UK to Poland



How many collections The Shortlist released before it became profitable



What the turning point was for profitability



What Laura is changing since realizing The Shortlist customer base is wider than she originally thought



The balance between innovative designs and familiar basics



How The Shortlist has built exceptional loyalty and repeat business from its customers



Laura’s genius system for celebrating how far the business has come at each step



The rollercoaster of launch day and what Laura is doing to minimize the challenges



How Laura balances sharing her personal entrepreneur story and The Shortlist brand voice in her marketing and copywriting



Laura’s plan for scaling The Shortlist this year



How Laura’s long-term goal for The Shortlist drives her decisions now




People and resources mentioned in this episode:




The Shortlist website



The Shortlist Instagram



The Shortlist LinkedIn




Do you want fashion business tips and resources like this sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the How Fitting newsletter to receive new podcast episodes plus daily content on creating fashion that fits your customer, lifestyle, and values.

In episode 91, hear how former opera singer Suzanne Vinnik designs bold, inclusive fashions that make women “feel seen” and encourage them to take up space for who they are. Knowing first hand what it is like to be exploited working in the arts, Suzanne runs her business differently. Her secret to success both on and off the stage is prioritizing community and personal relationships and paying everyone she works with living wages.



Suzanne Vinnik, a distinguished figure in both classical music and the fashion world, boasts a richly diverse career path. Originally traveling the world as an opera singer, Suzanne performed at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and notable opera houses across Europe, Russia, Norway and the United States. As a leading soprano, some of her favorite operas included "Manon Lescaut," Nedda in "Pagliacci," Mimi and Musetta"La bohème," and Violetta "La traviata," captivating audiences with her emotive performances.



Parallel to her operatic endeavors, Suzanne embarked on entrepreneurial ventures, founding Shoperatic, a pioneering social media network and marketplace tailored for women in classical music. This platform served as a hub for artists to connect, collaborate, and showcase their talents, solidifying Suzanne's reputation as an innovator within the industry. Users could buy, rent, sell and promote their outside skills. 



Driven by her passion for fashion and a commitment to inclusivity, Suzanne transitioned seamlessly into the realm of design, launching "byVINNIK," a luxury womenswear brand celebrated for its size-inclusive ethos and ethically manufactured garments. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, Suzanne's designs have graced the frames of Classical Music luminaries, Broadway stars, and prominent figures in television and film. 



The impact of Suzanne's creations extends beyond the realm of entertainment, with her designs featured prominently on platforms like Disney+, Netflix, and HBOMax's acclaimed series "The White Lotus," on Jennifer Coolidge earning recognition with an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes. Her work frequently adorns red carpets, editorial spreads, and stages worldwide, embodying a fusion of sophistication, elegance, and inclusivity.



Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Texas Christian University, supplemented by studies at prestigious institutions such as Mannes College of Music and Otis College of Design. She further honed her craft at the Opera Studio of Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, mentored by the late Renata Scotto, and as an Administration Fellow at The Dallas Opera's Hart Institute for Women Conductors.



Beyond her artistic pursuits, Suzanne is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, ethical manufacturing practices, and classical music education. Her expertise as a textile connoisseur, style forecaster, and classical music aficionado has positioned her as a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences, and universities, and as an expert for popular TV Shows like Today Show and Access Hollywood. Through her inspiring journey from opera singer to fashion designer, Suzanne empowers women of all backgrounds to embrace their confidence and individuality, embodying the transformative power of artistic expression.





In this episode, you’ll learn:




Why Suzanne left a worldwide career in opera to start a fashion brand



The transformative power of owning your boldness and dressing accordingly



How Suzanne created a loyal community before she even started her brand



How the personal relationships she’s built with her clients influences her design decisions



Why ethical production and paying fair wages are so important to Suzanne



The people on Suzanne’s team and what they each do in the business



How By Vinnik’s production model has changed and why



How Suzanne prioritizes her day to not burn out even though she’s “bad at boundaries”



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