Santa Fe Fashion Week Fashion Behind the Curtain with Santa Fe Fashion Week Executive Producer Stephen Cuomo

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 🎙️ Fashion Behind the CurtainHosted by Santa Fe Fashion Week Executive Producer Stephen Cuomo, Fashion Behind the Curtain takes you on an exclusive journey into the business of fashion. Each episode offers a deep dive into the industry’s inner workings, featuring candid interviews with designers, models, stylists, photographers, and other key players. Discover the stories, strategies, and secrets behind the glamour as Stephen pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed in fashion. Whether you’re an aspiring fashion professional or a style enthusiast, this podcast delivers insider insights you won’t find anywhere else. 

  1. Fashion with Purpose: Haley Schwartz on Adaptive Wear, Chronic Illness & Designing for Confidence

    5D AGO

    Fashion with Purpose: Haley Schwartz on Adaptive Wear, Chronic Illness & Designing for Confidence

    Send us a text In this powerful episode of Santa Fe Fashion Week’s “Fashion Behind the Curtain” podcast, Executive Producer Stephen Cuomo sits down with adaptive fashion designer Haley Schwartz, founder of Vertige Adaptive, to explore how fashion can empower people living with chronic illness and disabilities. Originally from the Chicago area and now based in New York City, Haley shares her inspiring journey from studying fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to launching a fashion-forward adaptive clothing brand. Drawing from her personal experiences growing up with chronic illness and wearing medical devices, Haley explains how fashion became both a creative outlet and a tool for confidence, healing, and self-expression. Learn how Vertige Adaptive designs discreet, stylish adaptive wear that accommodates heart monitors, ostomy bags, feeding tubes, insulin pumps, PICC lines, ports, and other medical devices—without sacrificing style. This episode dives deep into inclusive fashion design, adaptive clothing innovation, entrepreneurship in fashion, and how designers can create clothing that is both functional and fashionable. Whether you’re a fashion designer, entrepreneur, healthcare professional, or someone interested in adaptive fashion and inclusive design, this episode offers valuable insight into the future of accessible, fashion-forward clothing. 🎧 Topics Covered:  • Adaptive fashion and inclusive clothing design  • Designing for chronic illness and disabilities  • Fashion entrepreneurship and starting a niche brand  • Medical device-friendly clothing  • Confidence, creativity, and fashion with purpose Subscribe to Fashion Behind the Curtain for behind-the-scenes conversations with fashion designers, industry leaders, and creative entrepreneurs shaping the future of fashion.

    23 min
  2. FASHION IS ART, ART IS FASHION: Sustainable Fashion isn't just about sustainable fabric is about fashion designers being able to sustain business with fashion designer Skye Barker Maa

    JAN 21

    FASHION IS ART, ART IS FASHION: Sustainable Fashion isn't just about sustainable fabric is about fashion designers being able to sustain business with fashion designer Skye Barker Maa

    Send us a text Fashion Is Art, Art Is Fashion: Sustainable Fashion isn't just about sustainable fabric is about fashion designers being able to sustain business with fashion designer Skye Barker Maa In this episode of Santa Fe Fashion Week’s “Fashion Behind the Curtain” podcast, Executive Producer Stephen Cuomo sits down with renowned sustainable fashion designer and Denver arts leader Skye Barker Maa for an inspiring conversation about Fashion Is Art, Art Is Fashion: Sustainable Fashion isn't just about sustainable fabric is about fashion designers being able to sustain business Skye Barker Maa, founder and designer of the avant-garde label SKYE|AIRE, shares her philosophy that fashion is art and art is fashion, and explains why sustainability isn’t just about “tree-hugging,” but about designers building long-lasting, relevant careers in an ever-changing fashion world. Known for her bold geometric silhouettes, asymmetrical designs, and striking prints, Skye has showcased her collections at Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and Denver Fashion Week. As the owner of Factory Fashion Denver at Stanley Marketplace, Skye leads the way in sustainable retail, small-batch manufacturing, and sewing education. She also balances multiple creative ventures as co-owner of Sky Bar at Stanley, a Pan-Am themed craft cocktail lounge, and as a fashion design professor at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD). This episode dives deep into: Sustainable fashion and ethical designHow artists and designers stay relevant in the fashion industryBuilding a creative business in today’s fashion economyThe connection between art, fashion, and entrepreneurshipIf you’re passionate about fashion design, sustainability, art, and the business behind the runway, this is a must-listen episode. 🎧 Available now on Fashion Behind the Curtain — the official podcast of Santa Fe Fashion Week.

    40 min
  3. Fashion Is Art, Art Is Fashion: Sustainable Fashion isn't just about sustainable fabric is about fashion designers being able to sustain business

    JAN 21

    Fashion Is Art, Art Is Fashion: Sustainable Fashion isn't just about sustainable fabric is about fashion designers being able to sustain business

    Send us a text Fashion Is Art, Art Is Fashion: Sustainable Fashion isn't just about sustainable fabric is about fashion designers being able to sustain business with fashion designer Skye Barker Maa In this episode of Santa Fe Fashion Week’s “Fashion Behind the Curtain” podcast, Executive Producer Stephen Cuomo sits down with renowned sustainable fashion designer and Denver arts leader Skye Barker Maa for an inspiring conversation about Fashion Is Art, Art Is Fashion: Sustainable Fashion isn't just about sustainable fabric is about fashion designers being able to sustain business Skye Barker Maa, founder and designer of the avant-garde label SKYE|AIRE, shares her philosophy that fashion is art and art is fashion, and explains why sustainability isn’t just about “tree-hugging,” but about designers building long-lasting, relevant careers in an ever-changing fashion world. Known for her bold geometric silhouettes, asymmetrical designs, and striking prints, Skye has showcased her collections at Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and Denver Fashion Week. As the owner of Factory Fashion Denver at Stanley Marketplace, Skye leads the way in sustainable retail, small-batch manufacturing, and sewing education. She also balances multiple creative ventures as co-owner of Sky Bar at Stanley, a Pan-Am themed craft cocktail lounge, and as a fashion design professor at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD). This episode dives deep into: Sustainable fashion and ethical designHow artists and designers stay relevant in the fashion industryBuilding a creative business in today’s fashion economyThe connection between art, fashion, and entrepreneurshipIf you’re passionate about fashion design, sustainability, art, and the business behind the runway, this is a must-listen episode. 🎧 Available now on Fashion Behind the Curtain — the official podcast of Santa Fe Fashion Week.

    40 min
  4. Janelle Funari on Couture, Consulting, the Truth Behind Being a Fashion designer in 2026

    JAN 11

    Janelle Funari on Couture, Consulting, the Truth Behind Being a Fashion designer in 2026

    Send us a text In this episode of Santa Fe Fashion Week: Fashion Behind the Curtain, host Stephen Cuomo sits down with Janelle Funari, couture designer, fashion consultant, and owner of Funari NY Inc. Known for her innovative Match Your Pet Couture line, Janelle’s work has been featured in British Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle Magazine, and Dogue. Janelle shares her journey in the fashion industry and pulls back the curtain on the realities of being a fashion designer—from building a luxury brand to balancing creativity, business, and consulting. This candid conversation offers valuable insight for emerging designers, fashion professionals, and anyone curious about what it truly takes to succeed in the world of couture. 🎙️ If you’re passionate about fashion, entrepreneurship, and the business behind the glamour, this episode is a must-listen.

    28 min
  5. From Pageant Queen to Runway Dream: Cipriana Rizea's Fashion Journey

    12/27/2025

    From Pageant Queen to Runway Dream: Cipriana Rizea's Fashion Journey

    Send us a text In this exciting episode of Fashion Behind the Curtain, host Stephen Cuomo chats with the talented Cipriana Rizea, an Arizona-based pageant contestant turned runway model. Cipriana takes us on a behind-the-scenes journey of how she made the leap from the world of pageants to strutting the runway at prestigious events like New York Fashion Week—and now, preparing for international shows overseas. She shares the highs and lows of the modeling world, from late-night photo shoots to early-morning call times, as well as how she leverages social media to network and build her career. If you’re an aspiring model or just curious about the fashion industry, this episode is a must-listen! Grab your favorite drink, sit back, and join us for a conversation full of inspiration, advice, and insider secrets on how Cipriana is making her mark on the fashion world. Would you like to be a guest or host a podcast, check out Podmatch: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/fashionbehindthecurtain Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more exclusive fashion industry insights! 💡 Are you in the fashion industry? We’re always looking for passionate guests to share their insights. Drop us a message—we’d love to have you on! 🎙️ Fashion Behind the Curtain Hosted by Santa Fe Fashion Week Executive Producer Stephen Cuomo, Fashion Behind the Curtain takes you on an exclusive journey into the business of fashion. Each episode offers a deep dive into the industry’s inner workings, featuring candid interviews with designers, models, stylists, photographers, and other key players. Discover the stories, strategies, and secrets behind the glamour as Stephen pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed in fashion. Whether you’re an aspiring fashion professional or a style enthusiast, this podcast delivers insider insights you won’t find anywhere else.  1.  visit santafefashionweek.com for information on our upcoming shows.  2. Subscribe to Santa Fe Fashion Week "Fashion Behind the Curtain" on your favorite platform to stay unto date on our latest episodes.  3. If you found value in todays episode, don't forget to leave us a review and share it with your favorite fashion enthusiast.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santafefashionweeknm/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@santafefashionweek Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-cuomo-36094b20/ #FashionPhotography  #FashionInternships #SantaFeFashionWeek #BehindTheCurtain #StephenCuomo

    23 min
  6. Global Threads: Frances Brunner on Redefining Sustainable Fashion

    11/04/2025

    Global Threads: Frances Brunner on Redefining Sustainable Fashion

    Send us a text In this episode of Santa Fe Fashion Week: Fashion Behind the Curtain, Executive Producer Stephen Cuomo sits down with Frances Brunner — Redress Design Awards International Finalist 2023, award-winning BFA Fashion Design graduate, and featured designer in VOGUE Hong Kong and VOGUE Italia. Frances shares her journey from studying Italian fashion in Florence to designing sustainable collections in Vietnam and Hong Kong, and interning in New York with Cynthia Rowley. Discover how her minimalist aesthetic, focus on functionality, and passion for conscious design are reshaping the conversation around global fashion sustainability. ✨ Tune in to explore how fashion can serve as a universal language for creativity, purpose, and change.

    27 min
  7. Interview with Nigerian fashion designer and small batch manufacturer Wande Adebayo

    10/28/2025

    Interview with Nigerian fashion designer and small batch manufacturer Wande Adebayo

    Send us a text In this episode of Santa Fe Fashion Week "Fashion Behind the Curtain" Stephen Cuomo sits down with Nigerian fashion designer and small batch manufacturer  Wande Adebayo

    24 min
  8. Building Trust and Innovation: Gigi Montrose’s Kevlar Fashion Revolution

    10/24/2025

    Building Trust and Innovation: Gigi Montrose’s Kevlar Fashion Revolution

    Send us a text Gigi Montrose designs clothes that turn heads and save lives. A hairstylist turned fashion innovator, Gigi has built a global reputation for merging luxury design with protective technology. Her brand bridges two worlds—style and safety—by creating Kevlar-infused motorcycle apparel that empowers riders to look good and stay protected.  In this episode, host Stephen Cuomo sits down with Gigi to explore how she evolved from styling hair to crafting garments that challenge industry norms. Gigi’s story is about reinvention, resilience, and purpose. She explains how working in creative environments early in her career shaped her approach to design, pushing her to merge beauty with function. Her vision became reality when she developed her first line of motorcycle apparel that fused couture-level tailoring with advanced protective fibers.  Launching her brand in London gave Gigi the exposure she needed to reach a global audience. She describes how trade shows became her classroom—teaching her how to negotiate, network, and build long-term business relationships. These events also opened doors to collaborations with BMW, Ducati, and DuPont Kevlar, partnerships that helped elevate her label from concept to international brand. Each collaboration taught her to adapt, maintain standards, and ensure that her products delivered both safety and style without compromise.  Gigi also opens the challenges behind the scenes: finding reliable factories, navigating ethical production, and staying true to her brand’s mission. She emphasizes how education plays a vital role in her work—teaching consumers about real quality, material integrity, and why craftsmanship still matters. For Gigi, fashion isn’t just about appearance; it’s about purpose, responsibility, and connection.  Her insights reveal a simple truth: authenticity builds longevity. Through her transparency and attention to detail, Gigi has turned her designs into a movement for conscious, confident living. Whether you ride or not, her story offers valuable lessons on building something that stands for both creativity and conscience.  Quotes:  “Fashion should make you feel powerful, not just look good. When people wear my pieces, I want them to feel unstoppable.”     “I didn’t invent Kevlar, but I found a way to make it beautiful. That’s what innovation really is—transforming utility into confidence.”      “There’s this idea that you have to choose between art and safety, between creativity and function. I’ve spent my whole career proving that’s false.”      “Every trade show was a classroom. I learned more in those aisles talking to people than any design book could ever teach.”      “Partnerships with brands like BMW and DuPont Kevlar didn’t happen overnight. They happened because I showed up, built trust, and never compromised my standards.”     “Ethical production is non-negotiable for me. The hands that build your product are as important as the people who wear it.”   Takeaways:   ●      Authentic innovation creates a lasting impact. Gigi Montrose built her brand by merging creative design with technical function, showing that aesthetics and protection can coexist without compromise.  ●      Relationships drive opportunity. Trade shows, collaborations, and personal connections built the foundation of Gigi’s global brand. Every conversation became a stepping stone to partnerships with industry leaders like BMW, Ducati, and DuPont Kevlar.

    26 min
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3 Ratings

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 🎙️ Fashion Behind the CurtainHosted by Santa Fe Fashion Week Executive Producer Stephen Cuomo, Fashion Behind the Curtain takes you on an exclusive journey into the business of fashion. Each episode offers a deep dive into the industry’s inner workings, featuring candid interviews with designers, models, stylists, photographers, and other key players. Discover the stories, strategies, and secrets behind the glamour as Stephen pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed in fashion. Whether you’re an aspiring fashion professional or a style enthusiast, this podcast delivers insider insights you won’t find anywhere else. 

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