FashionTalks FashionTalks

Presented with the CAFA Changemaker Award in 2023, Amber-Dawn Bear Robe is a curator, art historian and Fashion Show Program Director for the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Born in Alberta, Canada, and a member of the Siksika Nation, Bear Robe has spent her career working and lecturing in Native art institutions. Through her work and advocacy, she has played a pivotal role in the representation of Indigenous designers on a national platform. She has demonstrated profound dedication to empowering Indigenous talent, art, and design history and has set the stage for a more inclusive and culturally rich fashion landscape.

Vanja Vasic founded Fashion Art Toronto (intentionally called FAT) in 2005 making it the longest running fashion event in Toronto (Canada's largest city).
In this episode Vanja and Donna discuss:
Vanja's history and how her artistic, rebellious parents helped shape her creative spiritthe tie between fashion and artthe "naughty" origins of Fashion Art Torontokey milestones throughout the past 18 yearsthe importance of the runway show and why it is still the anchor of Fashion Art Torontothe surprising impact of Covid/ lockdowns and how it positively impacted the event
The next FAT is Nov 16 - 19, 2023 in Toronto, ON.
To learn more about Fashion Art Toronto - http://fashionarttoronto.ca/
On IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashionarttoronto/
Founder Vanja Vasic - https://www.instagram.com/_vanjavasic_/
Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/
Follow the podcast
IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/
To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/
This episode was produced by Jason Perrier
IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/
Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

John Fluevog has been designing shoes since the 1970s. His unmistakeable footwear has graced not just runway shows around the world, but have been worn by countless celebrities including Madonna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.
George Clinton, known as Parliament known as Funkadelic, came to prominence in the 60s, revolutionized R&B music in the 70s and continues to make music with a host of artists including Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, LL Cook J and Drake (one of his latest).
Dame Zandra Rhodes has been a fashion designer for over 50 years and is the founder of the British Fashion and Textile Museum. She has dressed countless celebrities from Natalie Wood to Diana Ross to Freddy Mercury to Princess Diana.
Clinton and Rhodes were in Toronto to launch their latest Fluevog collaborations. Donna Bishop sat down with them in the flagship Fluevog store in Toronto to chat about:
collaborationcreative inspirationthe importance of feelingsand of course, shoes
To learn more about John Fluevog - https://www.fluevog.com/
To learn more about George Clinton - https://georgeclinton.com/
To learn more about Dame Zandra Rhodes - https://zandrarhodes.com/
Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/
Follow the podcast
IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/
To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/
This episode was produced by Jason Perrier
IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/
Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

David Cash, founder of Cash Labs, has been identified by Vogue Magazine as the leading force in bringing web3 to market. David, the 2023 CAFA Innovation Award winner, is the founder of Metaverse Fashion Week and has worked with dozens of global brands from Farfetch to Estée Lauder to Verizon to the NBA.
In this episode David and host Donna Bishop discuss:
David's journey to founding Cash LabsThe origins of Metaverse Fashion Week (and what is that experience?)Breaking down Web3, AI, VR, Blockchain and other technologies How these technologies impact and are essential for anyone in fashion to be aware of and pay attention toExplaining how prevalent so much of this technology is alreadyWhy the gaming world is relevant right now and in the futureUnderstanding the scope of the digital realm and why it matters in a broad sense (you may be surprised)Amazing advice for anyone working in fashion
To learn more about Cash Labs - https://www.cashlabs.io/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/cashlabs.io
David Cash - https://www.instagram.com/davidcash888/
Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/
Follow the podcast
IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/
To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/
This episode was produced by Jason Perrier
IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/
Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

As the founder and CEO of Talk Boutique, Andrea Sampson has been training individuals in delivering engaging talks, compelling stories, dynamic presentations and building active communities based on developing thought leadership.
Listen to Andrea and Donna Bishop discuss:
The dual value of being a thought leaderWhy fashion is ripe for new thought leadersHow to start being a thought leaderThought leader vs expert vs trail blazer vs influencer vs change makerWhy an emotional connection is essential to being a thought leaderWhat is the unique mindset of a thought leader and how to cultivate itHow thought leadership supports business goals - including sales
To learn more about Andrea Sampson - https://talkboutique.com/
Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/
Follow the podcast
IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/
To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/
This episode was produced by Jason Perrier
IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/
Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/

Qasim Mohammad is an investor who currently works out of Wittington Venture. His expertise is deeply rooted in consumer brands.
In this episode Qasim and Donna discuss:
Outside investing 101 - what is venture capital and other financing optionsWhat are the goals of the VC/ investorHow to build you network for potential investingWhat makes a great pitch Advice for crafting a pitch and where to look for pitch decksScaling for capitalHow to present your opportunity and examples of companies that are doing it wellBreaking down what the market is and how it impacts financingExpectations for founders/ entrepreneurs on the fundraising process - during and upon success of financing What is on trend in the market currently
The video Qasim mentions in the episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXYxCBBPegg
To learn more about Qasim, his thoughts on the marketing and investing, and to connect - https://qasimmohammad.com/
Host Donna Bishop - https://thisisdonnab.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisdonnab/
Follow the podcast
IG - https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalkspod/
To learn more about CAFA - the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards https://www.cafawards.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/cafawards/
This episode was produced by Jason Perrier
IG - https://www.instagram.com/ajasonperrier/
Thank you to Nick Craine for the amazing artwork - https://www.nickcraine.com/