Free Validation With Dave Schilling and Alana Hope Levinson

Alana Hope Levinson
  • 5.0 (13)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by LA Times Contributing Style Writer Dave Schilling and freelance culture writer/editor Alana Hope Levinson — two California natives with shopping addictions — FREE VALIDATION is a fashion podcast that centers a West Coast sensibility. Though many mainstream trends pull on the aesthetics of the West (tie dye, Birkenstocks, etc), the conversation among fashionistas around how people dress in cities like Los Angeles is largely inaccurate and condescending — that is, until now.

Episodes

  1. 09/07/2022

    The Jewish Episode with Jason Diamond

    Shalom! This week, Dave and Alana are joined by fellow tribesman and writer for GQ, Jason Diamond to discuss all thing Jewish on the West Coast. We discuss the best delis in Los Angeles, Elliott Gould's chest hair, and why Curb Your Enthusiasm explains everything you need to know about Jewish culture in LA. Today's episode is sponsored by Dirt.fyi, a daily(ish) newsletter about pop culture and entertainment. Subscribe at https://dirt.fyi/.

    52 min

  2. 08/23/2022

    The Opulence Episode with Rachel Tashjian

    We're classing up the joint this week, with a visit from Harper's Bazaar Fashion News Director and the genius behind the Opulent Tips newsletter, Rachel Tashjian. Rachel regales Dave and Alana with tales from her days working the Vanity Fair Oscars party, gives us tips for how to throw the perfect dinner party, and reveals her favorite mall of all time. Today's episode is sponsored by Dirt.fyi, a daily(ish) newsletter about pop culture and entertainment. Subscribe here.

    55 min

  3. 08/05/2022

    The Plastic Surgery Episode with Allie Rowbottom

    This week, Dave and Alana are joined by the fabulous writer Allie Rowbottom, author of Jell-O Girls: A Family History and the upcoming novel Aesthetica. We dig into the thorny topic of self-improvement, both physical and emotional. Why does LA love plastic surgery, injectables, and other body modifications? Marvel at Dave trying to understand what a "unit" of Botox means!  Today's episode is sponsored by Dirt.fyi, a daily(ish) newsletter about pop culture and entertainment. Subscribe here.

    54 min

  4. 07/25/2022

    The Art Episode with Christina Catherine Martinez

    Dave and Alana are joined by comedian/writer/art critic Christina Catherine Martinez to discuss the curse of East LA rockabilly style, creating versus criticism, and what to wear to an art world party. Also, we ask Christina what her favorite mall in Los Angeles is and the answer will shock you!

    43 min

  5. 07/08/2022

    The Interior Design Episode with Nicole Reber

    Style is about what's in your house just as much as what you wear. That's why Dave and Alana got in touch with Douglas Elliman real estate agent Nicole Reber. Nicole was just featured in Vogue for her remarkable taste in just about everything. She's a Burberry super fan, hasn't worn black in years, and knows interior design like it's a second language. Nicole tells us about her upbringing in Southern California, her fashion origin story, and the tackiest renovations LA homeowners are obsessed with. Nicole's IG: https://www.instagram.com/nicolereber/?hl=en Nicole's Vogue profile: https://www.vogue.com/article/nicole-reber-los-angeles-real-estate-agent

    45 min

  6. 06/24/2022

    The Cottagecore Episode with Ann Friedman

    Everything sucks right now, but Dave and Alana are still talking about old timey trends, quilts, cottagecore, Emily Bode, and so much more with Ann Friedman, journalist and co-author of the book Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close

    41 min

  7. 06/10/2022

    The Weed Episode with Ashley Ray

    Weed culture and California are inexorably intertwined. So, you can'd do a West Coast style podcast without discussing marijuana. Comedian Ashley Ray comes on to talk to Alana and Dave about moving to Los Angeles from the Midwest, stoner culture, and how she manages to keep her plants from dying.

    45 min

  8. 06/03/2022

    The Tank Tops Episode with Miles Klee

    Alana and Dave are joined by MEL Magazine Staff Writer and self-proclaimed "dirtbag" Miles Klee. Miles takes us on a journey through the sartorial heart of darkness that is his sleeveless shirt collection, his tank origin story, and how an East Coast transplant in flip flops and board shorts is actually living the Southern California dream.

    45 min

  9. 05/27/2022

    The Dior Episode

    Alana and Dave talk about Dave's trip to Venice to see the Dior collaboration with local LA brand ERL, how East Coast and European fashion elites see California, and of course, Julia Fox's infamous paparazzi photo shoot at the grocery store.

    44 min

  10. 05/17/2022

    The Bimbo Summit Episode with Marie Lodi

    Alana and Dave talk to fashion journalist and California native Marie Lodi about how celebrity culture in LA shaped the look of the early 2000s — for better and worse — and why the hell low rise jeans and Juicy Couture sweatsuits are back in favor with Gen Z.

    44 min

  11. 05/13/2022

    The First Episode

    Hosts Alana Hope Levinson and Dave Schilling come together to explore their sartorial points of view, how being from the West Coast has influenced their personal style, and what you can expect from Free Validation, besides complimentary compliments.

    31 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Hosted by LA Times Contributing Style Writer Dave Schilling and freelance culture writer/editor Alana Hope Levinson — two California natives with shopping addictions — FREE VALIDATION is a fashion podcast that centers a West Coast sensibility. Though many mainstream trends pull on the aesthetics of the West (tie dye, Birkenstocks, etc), the conversation among fashionistas around how people dress in cities like Los Angeles is largely inaccurate and condescending — that is, until now.

Information