The Fashion Situation Room

Britta Cabanos
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Fashion & Beauty

🎙️ The Fashion Situation Room Real talk from the frontlines of fashion The Fashion Situation Room is a fortnightly podcast offering unfiltered conversations about what’s really happening inside the global fashion industry — and what needs to change next. Hosted by Michael Jordan, Britta Cabanos, and Peter McLaughlin, the show brings together nearly a century of combined experience across fashion design, sustainability strategy, education, journalism, and brand storytelling. Each episode blends strategies, solutions, sustainability, and storytelling into thoughtful, evidence-informed discussions designed to be both practical and human. This isn’t trend-chasing or surface-level commentary. We track the most significant movements shaping fashion today — from supply chains and technology to mental health, ethics, regulation, and creative resilience — and translate them into clear insights you can actually use. What you’ll hear: Honest, informed conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing fashion todayStrategic analysis of industry trends — and what they really mean on the groundStories from the frontlines, featuring designers, educators, founders, and change-makersActionable perspectives that bridge creativity, responsibility, and business realityEpisode 1: In our inaugural episode, we introduce who we are, how we came together, and why this podcast needed to exist. We then dive into a wide-ranging conversation on: The most defining fashion and sustainability trends of 2025What we see coming next — and what to watch for in 2026Whether you’re a student, designer, brand founder, creative professional, or simply someone who cares about where fashion is headed, The Fashion Situation Room is your space for informed dialogue, grounded insight, and forward-thinking conversation. New episodes drop every two weeks. Pull up a chair — the conversation starts here.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 9: What is Ethical Fashion Today?

    Send us Fan Mail Fashion doesn’t become ethical because we say it is, it becomes ethical when we can prove it. We sit down with Dr. Sass Brown, one of the pioneering voices in ethical fashion and sustainable fashion education, to talk about what the industry got wrong for the last two decades and what needs to change next. We go back to the early days when “sustainable fashion” often meant uninspired products and vague eco claims, then trace how craft, slow fashion, and community-based production helped shape a more human definition of responsibility. Sass shares how a women’s cooperative in a Rio favela influenced her thinking about craftsmanship as economic power, not just tradition, and why long-term relationships in the supply chain matter more than one-off “artisan inspired” collections. Then we tackle the tough stuff: cultural appropriation and the lack of rigorous research in fashion training. Sass lays out what ethical practice actually requires, from understanding meaning and context to giving clear accreditation and ensuring financial recompense through partnerships or licensing and royalties. We also dig into policy and systems, including Europe’s Digital Product Passport, extended producer responsibility, and why the clothing waste crisis shows that circular fashion alone is not enough. If you care about supply chain transparency, artisan rights, sustainable materials, or how to design garments that can truly be recycled, this conversation gives you a clearer framework and better questions to ask. Subscribe, share this with someone in fashion, and leave a review so we can bring more evidence-driven voices to the table. Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  2. 1d ago

    Episode 8 - Does Fear Cripple Creativity?

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of fashion leadership advice starts with the market, the trend cycle, or the next tool. We go the other way and ask a tougher question: what happens to creativity, collaboration, and business results when the people inside the company are living in a constant fear state? We’re joined by Daniela Caine, a longtime apparel creative who’s worked inside some of the most recognizable brands in the world, including Nike, Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, and Pendleton. Daniela shares the personal turning point that changed her career trajectory, then connects it to a pattern she sees across the fashion industry: as organizations scale, chaos and pressure rise, leaders get more reactive, and teams quietly normalize burnout. We talk about why fear-led decision-making “dumbs down” design, how nonverbal leadership energy ripples through a company, and why glossy values on the wall can’t replace emotional reality on the ground. From there, we get concrete. Daniela explains nervous system regulation in plain English, why you can’t think yourself out of fight-or-flight, and how breathwork and coherence practices can help teams access clearer thinking and real flow. She also shares what she’s hearing while interviewing apparel industry veterans for her upcoming book, including the four pillars of psychological safety: trust, a meaningful goal, reasonable resources, and autonomy with accountability. If you want better creative output, stronger team culture, and more resilient leadership in the fashion industry, hit play, then subscribe, share, and leave a review. Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  3. Jul 9

    The Dirty Secret Behind Sustainable Fashion: The View from the Factory Floor

    Send us Fan Mail The Dirty Secret Behind Sustainable Fashion: The View from the Factory Floor  What if the most important part of sustainable fashion is the one nobody ever sees? Consumers see the runway. The advertising. The sustainability reports. But they rarely see the factory floor – where a brand's promises either become reality ... or fall apart. In this eye-opening episode of The Fashion Situation Room podcast, we travel behind the scenes of the global, trillion-dollar fashion industry with Miguel Ramoa, Vice President of Commercial & Verticalization at ROVO, one of Portugal's leading apparel manufacturing partners. With more than 27 years of experience inside textile manufacturing, Miguel offers a rare insider's perspective on how garments are actually made – and why many of the biggest conversations about sustainability overlook what matters most. Whether you're a designer, fashion executive, entrepreneur, sustainability professional, student or simply someone who wants to understand how clothing is really produced, this conversation will change the way you look at the clothes in your wardrobe. In this episode, we explore: ✔ Why "Nobody photographs the dye house" – where fashion's biggest environmental impact begins. ✔ What really makes a garment sustainable. ✔ Why recycled polyester isn't always as sustainable as consumers believe. ✔ Who actually pays for sustainability investments: brands or factories? ✔ Why fashion executives should spend a day on the factory floor. ✔ How Portugal has become one of Europe's most innovative textile manufacturing ecosystems. ✔ The hidden costs of endless product revisions, rushed production schedules and unrealistic deadlines. ✔ How new dyeing technology can dramatically reduce water consumption, chemical use and pollution. ✔ Why transparency across top-tier suppliers matters more than polished sustainability reports. ✔ How consumers can drive meaningful change simply by asking better questions. Throughout the discussion, Miguel challenges many of the assumptions surrounding sustainable fashion. Rather than focusing solely on marketing claims, certifications or corporate reports, he argues that true sustainability begins much earlier – in the factories, dye houses and production processes where every design decision has real environmental and human consequences. One of the most powerful insights from this episode is simple: Consumers don't just buy clothes, but buy the decisions that created those clothes. Understanding those decisions is the first step toward building a more transparent, responsible and innovative fashion industry. About our guest: Having spent nearly three decades working across textile manufacturing, product development and sustainable innovation, Miguel Ramoa has collaborated with many of the world's leading fashion brands while helping develop new manufacturing technologies that reduce environmental impact without compromising quality or scalability. His passion lies in making the invisible visible – bringing greater transparency to the factory floor and helping fashion rethink how products are designed, manufactured and communicated. About The Fashion Situation Room: This podcast explores the people, ideas, innovations and decisions shaping the future of fashion. More than a fashion podcast, it's a conversation about trust, transparency, and the systems behind the global fashion industry. Each episode brings together leaders from across fashion, sustainability, education, manufacturing and communications to examine the industry's biggest challenges through what we call the Four S's: • Strategies • Sustainability • Storytelling • Solutions Hosted by: Michael J. Jordan — Global Communications Specialist, former Foreign Correspondent and Strategic Storytelling expert. Britta Cabanos — Founder of Inside Fashion Design and Conscious Fashion Design Academy. Peter McLaughlin — Fashion Sustainability Strategist and former Design Director for leading international fashion brands. Together, we go beyond the headlines to uncover how fashion really works – and where it's headed. Most fashion media ask, "What's happening in fashion?" Yet this podcast asks, "Why’s it happening? Who's making it happen? What's happening behind the scenes? And what can we learn from it?" 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation: • Subscribe to The Fashion Situation Room • Like this video • Share it with designers, manufacturers, sustainability professionals, educators and anyone curious about the future of fashion • Leave us a comment: What surprised you most about what happens behind the factory doors? And what questions would you like us to ask Miguel in Part Two? Join our conversation! Your questions could shape our next episode. #SustainableFashion #FashionManufacturing #FashionIndustry #TextileIndustry #DyeHouse #FashionTransparency #SupplyChain #FashionInnovation #CircularFashion #TextileInnovation #PortugalTextiles #FashionBusiness #FashionLeadership #BrandTrust #Storytelling #StrategicCommunications #FashionPodcast #TheFashionSituationRoom Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  4. Jun 18

    Can Fashion Become Truly Sustainable? AI, Circularity & The Future of Fashion | Education is the Key for Brands

    Send us Fan Mail Can Fashion Become Truly Sustainable? AI, Circularity & The Future of Fashion | Education is the Key for Brands Can fashion ever become truly sustainable – or do we need to completely rethink how the industry works? Most conversations about sustainable fashion focus on materials, recycling or consumer behavior. But what if the real challenge is much bigger? In this episode of The Fashion Situation Room, we explore how fashion can transform through systems thinking, circularity, AI, education and innovation – and why collaboration may be the missing ingredient. Joining us is Tricia Langman, sustainability strategist, educator and Managing Partner at Hecho por Nosotros ("Made by Us"), whose work spans the United Nations, Circular Economy education, artisanal communities and emerging technologies that are reshaping the future of fashion. Whether you're a designer, entrepreneur, sustainability professional, educator, policymaker or simply curious about where fashion is heading, this conversation offers practical insights into one of the industry's biggest questions: How do we build a fashion industry that works better – for business, for people and for the planet? In this episode, we discuss: ✔ Can fashion ever become truly sustainable? ✔ Why "systems thinking" is transforming the industry ✔ Why sustainability should become a business strategy – not simply a marketing initiative ✔ How Circular Economy principles can create both environmental and commercial value ✔ How small fashion brands can embrace sustainability without massive budgets ✔ Why AI can help preserve artisanal knowledge instead of replacing it ✔ How indigenous craftsmanship and emerging technology can work together ✔ Why transparency builds greater trust than perfection ✔ How storytelling helps consumers understand sustainability ✔ Why education may be the industry's greatest long-term investment Throughout the discussion, Tricia shares practical examples from projects across Latin America, Africa and beyond – including helping artisan communities, advising sustainable startups and demonstrating how thoughtful collaboration can create lasting change. One of the most compelling messages from this episode is that sustainability isn't about perfection. It's about participation. Brands don't have to solve every challenge overnight – but they do need to begin making measurable progress, communicate honestly and continuously improve. About our guest: Tricia Langman is a sustainability strategist, educator and circular economy expert with more than fifteen years of experience working across fashion, design, education and international development. She serves as Managing Partner of Hecho por Nosotros, an organization dedicated to building more regenerative, equitable and transparent fashion systems by connecting designers, artisans, policymakers, educators and technology innovators around the world. Her work has included advising United Nations initiatives, developing Circular Economy education programs and exploring how artificial intelligence can preserve cultural heritage while expanding opportunities for artisan communities. About The Fashion Situation Room – Every week, we explore today's most important issues shaping the global fashion industry through what we call the Four S's: • Strategies • Sustainability • Storytelling • Solutions Hosted by: Michael J. Jordan — Global Communications Specialist, former Foreign Correspondent and Strategic Storytelling expert Britta Cabanos — Founder of Inside Fashion Design and Conscious Fashion Design Academy Peter McLaughlin — Sustainability Strategist and former Design Director for leading global fashion brands Together, we explore the ideas, innovations and leadership shaping fashion's future. 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation: • Subscribe to The Fashion Situation Room • Like this video • Share it with colleagues working in fashion, sustainability, design, education or innovation • Leave us a comment: What do you believe will have the biggest impact on fashion's future – AI, Circular Economy, new materials, education or something else entirely? Join our conversation! #SustainableFashion #CircularEconomy #ArtificialIntelligence #FashionInnovation #FashionIndustry #FashionBusiness #CircularFashion #FashionTechnology #FutureOfFashion #AI #FashionEducation #TextileInnovation #BrandTrust #StrategicCommunications #Sustainability #FashionLeadership #FashionPodcast #TheFashionSituationRoom Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  5. Jun 11

    How to Build a Luxury Fashion Brand Today? Dior’s Journey from Athlete to Entrepreneur

    Send us Fan Mail How to Build a Luxury Fashion Brand Today? Dior’s Journey from Athlete to Entrepreneur  What does it really take to launch a luxury fashion brand in today's fiercely competitive industry? Behind every beautiful collection lies years of preparation, relentless discipline, difficult decisions – and an unwavering belief in your vision. In this episode of The Fashion Situation Room podcast, we sit down with Dior Delophont Gleysteen, Founder of Maison Kebu – New York City-based luxury fashion house – to explore the realities of building a luxury fashion house from the ground up. Before launching her own brand, the French-born Dior competed as an elite athlete in the U.S., became an eight-time NCAA All-American in track & field, worked for Calvin Klein (PVH Corp.) and Macy's, and learned firsthand how some of the world's largest fashion companies operate. Today, she's applying those lessons to create a new kind of luxury brand – one rooted in craftsmanship, storytelling, sustainability and timeless design. Whether you're an aspiring fashion entrepreneur, designer, student or simply curious about how fashion brands are actually built, this conversation offers an honest look behind the curtain. In this episode, we discuss: ✔ What inspired Dior to leave the corporate world and launch Maison Kebu. ✔ How elite athletics prepared her for entrepreneurship. ✔ Why storytelling is one of a fashion brand's greatest competitive advantages. ✔ Building a global brand inspired by France, Japan and New York City. ✔ The challenges of sourcing luxury fabrics and manufacturing in New York. ✔ Why "Made in New York" matters. ✔ How small brands can compete with global luxury houses. ✔ The importance of craftsmanship, quality and timeless design. ✔ Why made-to-order fashion supports both sustainability and customer loyalty. ✔ Lessons every aspiring fashion entrepreneur should know before launching a brand. Throughout the conversation, Dior shares first-hand experience and practical advice about product development, branding, business strategy, manufacturing, customer feedback and the realities of turning a lifelong dream into a growing luxury fashion house. One of the biggest takeaways? Launching a fashion brand isn't simply about creating beautiful clothing, but about building trust, developing a clear vision, surrounding yourself with the right team and having the resilience to keep moving forward – even when things don't go according to plan. About our guest: Dior Delophont Gleysteen is not only the Founder of Maison Kebu, but its Creative Director. Her vision is inspired by her global journey across France, Japan and the U.S. Dior combines the discipline of elite sports competition with years of experience designing for Calvin Klein and strategizing for Macy's. Maison Kebu itself creates timeless luxury pieces that celebrate craftsmanship, elegant movement and intentional design while embracing made-to-order production and local manufacturing in New York City's historic Garment District. About The Fashion Situation Room: In every episode, we explore the forces shaping the future of the global, trillion-dollar fashion industry through what we call the Four S's: • Strategies • Sustainability • Storytelling • Solutions Hosted by: Michael J. Jordan — Global Communications Specialist, Strategic Storytelling expert and former Foreign Correspondent Britta Cabanos — Founder of Inside Fashion Design and Conscious Fashion Design Academy Peter McLaughlin — Fashion Sustainability Strategist and former Design Director for leading international fashion brands Together, we bring together designers, entrepreneurs, educators and industry leaders to explore the ideas transforming fashion around the world. 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation: • Subscribe to The Fashion Situation Room • Like this video • Share it with aspiring designers, entrepreneurs and fashion professionals • Leave us a comment: What do you believe is the single biggest challenge facing new fashion brands today: funding, manufacturing, marketing, sustainability or standing out in a crowded marketplace? Join the conversation! #FashionBusiness #LuxuryFashion #FashionEntrepreneur #FashionStartup #MadeInNewYork #FashionDesign #Entrepreneurship #LuxuryBrand #BrandStorytelling #FashionIndustry #FashionPodcast #CreativeEntrepreneur #SmallBusiness #SustainableFashion #GarmentDistrict #MaisonKebu #TheFashionSituationRoom Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  6. Jun 4

    A Fashion Brand's Dilemma: Greenwashing vs. Greenhushing

    Send us Fan Mail A Fashion Brand's Dilemma: Greenwashing vs. Greenhushing  Should fashion brands boldly communicate their sustainability efforts – or stay silent for fear of being accused of greenwashing? As consumers become more skeptical, regulations become stricter and scrutiny intensifies, fashion brands face an increasingly difficult communications challenge: How do you earn trust without overpromising? In this fascinating episode of The Fashion Situation Room, we explore one of the trillion-dollar fashion industry's most important – and least understood – debates: Greenwashing vs. Greenhushing. Joining us is Olivia Pinnock, an award-winning British fashion journalist, lecturer and author whose reporting on sustainability and transparency has helped shape conversations across the global fashion industry. Whether you're a fashion brand, designer, sustainability professional, marketer, communications leader, entrepreneur or simply interested in how companies build credibility, this conversation offers practical insights into one of today's biggest business dilemmas. In this episode, we explore: ✔ What exactly is the difference between Greenwashing and Greenhushing? ✔ Why are some fashion brands becoming afraid to talk about sustainability? ✔ Does remaining silent actually damage consumer trust? ✔ Why do consumers demand transparency – but often struggle to interpret sustainability claims? ✔ How can brands communicate honestly without exaggerating their impact? ✔ What role will Digital Product Passports play in the future of fashion transparency? ✔ How will new European sustainability regulations reshape global fashion? ✔ Why are storytelling, evidence and authenticity becoming competitive advantages? ✔ How can emerging designers and independent fashion brands build trust – even without the budgets of global luxury brands? Throughout the conversation, we also examine how journalists evaluate sustainability claims, why evidence matters more than marketing language, and how fashion brands can communicate both their progress and their ongoing challenges without losing credibility. Amid the “global trust crisis” that we now face, one of this discussion’s most powerful insights is that consumers don't necessarily expect perfection – they expect honesty. The brands that acknowledge their challenges, demonstrate measurable progress and communicate transparently may ultimately earn far greater trust than those that simply remain silent. About our guest: Olivia Pinnock is a London-based freelance journalist specializing in sustainable fashion and the future of the fashion industry. Her work has appeared in leading publications including Drapers, Vogue Business and Forbes. She also lectures at the London College of Fashion and Vogue College of Fashion, and her forthcoming book, Fashion Activism, explores how fashion can become a force for positive change. The Fashion Situation Room podcast brings together three unique but complementary perspectives on today's global fashion industry: Michael J. Jordan — Global Communications Specialist, former Foreign Correspondent and Strategic Storytelling expert Britta Cabanos — Founder of Inside Fashion Design and Conscious Fashion Design Academy Peter McLaughlin — Sustainability Strategist, former Design Director for global fashion brands and Harvard sustainability graduate Together, we examine fashion through what we call the Four S's: • Strategies • Sustainability • Storytelling • Solutions Every episode combines real-world experience, thoughtful debate and evidence-based insights designed to help fashion professionals build stronger brands, navigate industry change and prepare for the future. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode: • Subscribe to The Fashion Situation Room • Like this video • Share it with colleagues working in fashion, sustainability, branding or communications • Leave us a comment: Do you think fashion brands should communicate more openly about their sustainability journey – even if they haven't solved every challenge yet? Or has the fear of greenwashing gone too far? We'd love to hear your perspective, and your comments may inspire a future episode. #Greenwashing #Greenhushing #FashionSustainability #FashionIndustry #SustainableFashion #BrandTrust #Transparency #FashionBusiness #FashionMarketing #StrategicCommunications #BrandStorytelling #DigitalProductPassport #ESG #CircularFashion #FashionInnovation #FashionLeadership #ConsumerTrust #FashionJournalism #FashionPodcast #TheFashionSituationRoom Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  7. May 28

    Fashion Education in the Age of AI: What’s Being Lost?

    Send us Fan Mail Fashion Education in the Age of AI: What’s Being Lost?  Will Artificial Intelligence transform Fashion Education – or quietly undermine the very skills that great designers need? As AI rapidly reshapes the fashion industry, educators, students and employers are all wrestling with the same fundamental questions: What should today’s fashion students – and tomorrow's fashion designers – actually learn? Are today's fashion schools preparing graduates for the careers of the future – or the jobs of yesterday? In this thought-provoking episode of The Fashion Situation Room, we bring together leading voices from Fashion Education to explore one of the industry's biggest transitions: the intersection of creativity, craftsmanship, technology and human judgment. Our special guest is Liliana Sanguino, Associate Professor of Fashion Design & Social Justice at the world-famous Parsons School of Design – and its Director of its MFA Fashion Design & Society program. Whether you're a fashion student, educator, designer, brand leader, hiring manager or simply curious about how AI is changing creative industries, this conversation offers valuable insights into where Fashion Education – and fashion itself – is headed. In this episode, we explore: ✔ Is fashion education facing a crisis? ✔ How is Artificial Intelligence transforming fashion schools and creative careers? ✔ Should students master traditional craftsmanship before relying on AI? ✔ Are fashion graduates developing enough technical skills – or growing too dependent on technology? ✔ Why are research, curiosity and critical thinking becoming even more valuable in the AI era? ✔ What do employers actually value today: grades, portfolios or real-world experience? ✔ Are soft skills, collaboration and communication now more important than ever? ✔ Why are some respected fashion programs closing – and what does that reveal about the future of creative education? ✔ How can designers combine technology with craftsmanship instead of allowing one to replace the other? Specifically, Liliana Sanguino draws upon her years of international teaching experience in London and New York to share remarkable insights into fashion education, AI, creativity, social justice and the importance of preserving hands-on design skills in an increasingly digital world. She also discusses her inspiring collaborative work with an Indigenous artisan community in Colombia, demonstrating how fashion can become a vehicle for cultural preservation, inclusion and social impact. The Fashion Situation Room brings together three distinct perspectives on today's global fashion industry: Michael J. Jordan — Global Communications Specialist, former Foreign Correspondent and Strategic Storytelling expert Britta Cabanos — Founder of Inside Fashion Design and Conscious Fashion Design Academy Peter McLaughlin — Sustainability Strategist, former Design Director for global fashion brands, and Harvard sustainability graduate Together, we examine fashion through what we call the Four S's: • Strategies • Sustainability • Storytelling • Solutions Every episode combines industry expertise, evidence-based discussion and practical insights designed to help fashion professionals, entrepreneurs and future leaders better understand where the industry is going – and how to succeed within it. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode: • Subscribe to The Fashion Situation Room • Like this video • Share it with students, educators, designers and fashion professionals • Leave us a comment: How should fashion education evolve in the age of Artificial Intelligence? Can AI make designers better—or does true creativity still begin with human craftsmanship? Join the conversation! Your ideas may inspire a future episode. #FashionEducation #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #FashionDesign #ParsonsSchoolOfDesign #FashionStudents #FashionCareers #FashionIndustry #FutureOfFashion #FashionInnovation #FashionTechnology #FashionSchools #Sustainability #BrandBuilding #Storytelling #StrategicCommunications #FashionPodcast #TheFashionSituationRoom Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  8. May 21

    What are the Greatest Fashion Trends for 2026?

    Send us Fan Mail What are the Greatest Fashion Trends for 2026?  Artificial Intelligence. Sustainability. Consumer skepticism. Global uncertainty. The trillion-dollar fashion industry is changing faster than ever. But which trends genuinely matter – and which are simply generating headlines? In Part 2 of our opening episode, the hosts of The Fashion Situation Room dive into the biggest forces reshaping fashion in 2026 and beyond. Drawing on decades of combined experience across fashion design, sustainability, global communications and journalism, we explore the trends every fashion professional should pay attention to – and what they mean for brands, designers, manufacturers and consumers. Among the topics we explore in this episode: ✔ The growing influence of Artificial Intelligence across the fashion industry. ✔ Why sustainability is becoming a business imperative – not just a marketing message. ✔ The rise of consumer skepticism and the growing importance of earning trust. ✔ How storytelling is becoming a competitive advantage for fashion brands. ✔ The changing expectations of younger consumers. ✔ Innovation, transparency and the future of responsible fashion. ✔ The opportunities – and risks – that will shape fashion over the next several years. Rather than predicting the future, we focus on understanding the forces already transforming it. Indeed, The Fashion Situation Room brings together three distinct voices: Michael J. Jordan — Global Communications Specialist and Strategic Storytelling expert Britta Cabanos — Founder of Inside Fashion Design and Conscious Fashion Design Academy Peter McLaughlin — Sustainability Strategist, former Design Director and Harvard sustainability graduate Together, we examine fashion through the lens of our Four S's: • Strategies • Sustainability • Storytelling • Solutions Whether you're a designer, entrepreneur, educator, student, brand leader or simply fascinated by where fashion is heading, this conversation offers practical insights into the industry's biggest opportunities and challenges. 👍 If you enjoy this discussion: • Subscribe to The Fashion Situation Room • Like this video • Share it with colleagues and fellow fashion professionals • Leave us a comment: Which trend do you believe will have the biggest impact on fashion over the next five years – and why? Join the conversation! Your perspective could inspire one of our future episodes. #FashionTrends #FutureOfFashion #FashionIndustry #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #FashionInnovation #FashionSustainability #BrandStrategy #FashionBusiness #FashionLeadership #CreativeIndustries #FashionPodcast #TheFashionSituationRoom Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  9. May 14

    Is New York Fashion Week in Crisis?

    Send us Fan Mail Is New York Fashion Week in Crisis? | Episode 2 Is New York Fashion Week still one of the world's most influential fashion events – or is it losing its relevance? As the global fashion industry evolves, many designers, brands and industry insiders are asking an increasingly important question: Does New York Fashion Week still deliver real business value? In this episode of The Fashion Situation Room, we go beyond the headlines to examine whether Fashion Week still offers a meaningful return on investment – or whether the future belongs to new, more creative ways of launching collections, building brands and connecting directly with audiences. Whether you're an emerging designer, fashion student, brand founder, retailer, sustainability professional, journalist or simply passionate about fashion, this conversation offers practical strategies and fresh perspectives on where the industry is heading. In this episode, we explore: ✔ Is New York Fashion Week experiencing an identity crisis? ✔ Does participating in Fashion Week still generate meaningful business opportunities? ✔ How can emerging designers compete without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars? ✔ What creative alternatives to traditional runway shows are gaining attention? ✔ Why are sustainability regulations beginning to reshape Fashion Week around the world? ✔ How are Europe, Copenhagen and London influencing the future of sustainable fashion? ✔ What role will Digital Product Passports and supply-chain transparency play in fashion's future? ✔ Can political messaging strengthen—or damage—a fashion brand? ✔ How can independent designers use storytelling, authenticity and Strategic Communications to build loyal audiences? Throughout the discussion, we also share practical examples of innovative fashion events, successful independent designers, creative marketing strategies and lessons that brands of every size can apply. The Fashion Situation Room brings together three distinct perspectives on the global fashion industry: Michael J. Jordan — Global Communications Specialist, former Foreign Correspondent and Strategic Storytelling expert Britta Cabanos — Founder of Inside Fashion Design and Conscious Fashion Design Academy Peter McLaughlin — Sustainability Strategist, former Design Director for global fashion brands, and Harvard sustainability graduate Together, we examine fashion through what we call the Four S's: • Strategies • Sustainability • Storytelling • Solutions Every episode combines real-world experience, evidence-based analysis and practical insights designed to help fashion professionals make better decisions, build stronger brands and prepare for the future of the industry. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode: • Subscribe to The Fashion Situation Room • Like this video • Share it with fellow designers, students and fashion professionals • Leave us a comment: Do you believe New York Fashion Week is still essential – or should fashion brands rethink how they launch their collections? We'd love to hear your perspective, and your suggestions may inspire a future episode. #NewYorkFashionWeek #NYFW #FashionWeek #FashionIndustry #FashionBusiness #FashionMarketing #FashionDesign #EmergingDesigners #IndependentDesigners #SustainableFashion #FashionInnovation #FashionEducation #FashionStrategy #BrandBuilding #Storytelling #StrategicCommunications #CFDA #FashionTrends #CircularFashion #FashionTech #Retail #TheFashionSituationRoom Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  10. May 7

    Who Are the Voices Behind “The Fashion Situation Room”?

    Send us Fan Mail Who Are the Voices Behind “The Fashion Situation Room”?  Three fashion professionals. Three very different careers. One shared mission: helping the trillion-dollar fashion industry navigate one of the most disruptive periods in its history. Welcome to the very first episode of The Fashion Situation Room podcast! Before we begin exploring the biggest issues facing fashion today, we thought we'd introduce ourselves – and explain why we believe this podcast is needed now more than ever. Every week, fashion professionals are bombarded with headlines about Artificial Intelligence, sustainability, greenwashing, supply-chain disruption, shifting consumer expectations and rapidly changing business models. Yet too often, those conversations remain fragmented. Our goal is different. The three of us bring together complementary perspectives – from fashion design, sustainability and fashion education to journalism, storytelling and strategic communications – to explore not just what's happening across the industry, but why it matters and what practical lessons professionals can take away. In this opening episode, you'll meet the three hosts behind The Fashion Situation Room: Michael J. Jordan — Global Communications Specialist, former Foreign Correspondent and Strategic Storytelling expert who helps organizations build trust, strengthen brands and communicate more persuasively. Britta Cabanos — Founder of Inside Fashion Design and Conscious Fashion Design Academy, dedicated to helping fashion professionals build meaningful, sustainable careers and community – through education and industry insight. Peter McLaughlin — Sustainability Strategist, former Design Director for global fashion brands – including Versace and Tommy Hilfiger – who’s a Harvard Sustainability graduate and passionate about helping fashion businesses innovate responsibly. Together, we explain: ✔ How three very different career paths unexpectedly came together. ✔ Why we decided to launch this podcast. ✔ What unique perspective each host brings. ✔ Why today's fashion industry needs deeper conversations – not just headlines. ✔ What listeners can expect in future episodes. Our mission is simple – to explore fashion through what we call the Four S's: • Strategies • Sustainability • Storytelling • Solutions Every conversation is designed to deliver practical insights, thoughtful debate and actionable ideas for fashion professionals, students, entrepreneurs and anyone passionate about where the industry is headed. If you're looking for another celebrity fashion podcast, this probably isn't it. But if you're looking for evidence-driven conversations with people working on the frontlines of fashion, sustainability, branding and innovation – we think you'll feel right at home. 👍 If you enjoy the conversation: • Subscribe to The Fashion Situation Room • Like this video • Share it with fellow fashion professionals • Leave us a comment: What challenges do you think the fashion industry most needs to solve over the next five years? We're just getting started – join the conversation! #FashionPodcast #FashionIndustry #FashionLeadership #FashionBusiness #FashionInnovation #FashionSustainability #BrandBuilding #Storytelling #StrategicCommunications #FashionEducation #CreativeLeadership #TheFashionSituationRoom Support the show Thanks for listening!  Reach out to us at info@thefashionsituationroom.com

  • 10 Episodes

About

🎙️ The Fashion Situation Room Real talk from the frontlines of fashion The Fashion Situation Room is a fortnightly podcast offering unfiltered conversations about what’s really happening inside the global fashion industry — and what needs to change next. Hosted by Michael Jordan, Britta Cabanos, and Peter McLaughlin, the show brings together nearly a century of combined experience across fashion design, sustainability strategy, education, journalism, and brand storytelling. Each episode blends strategies, solutions, sustainability, and storytelling into thoughtful, evidence-informed discussions designed to be both practical and human. This isn’t trend-chasing or surface-level commentary. We track the most significant movements shaping fashion today — from supply chains and technology to mental health, ethics, regulation, and creative resilience — and translate them into clear insights you can actually use. What you’ll hear: Honest, informed conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing fashion todayStrategic analysis of industry trends — and what they really mean on the groundStories from the frontlines, featuring designers, educators, founders, and change-makersActionable perspectives that bridge creativity, responsibility, and business realityEpisode 1: In our inaugural episode, we introduce who we are, how we came together, and why this podcast needed to exist. We then dive into a wide-ranging conversation on: The most defining fashion and sustainability trends of 2025What we see coming next — and what to watch for in 2026Whether you’re a student, designer, brand founder, creative professional, or simply someone who cares about where fashion is headed, The Fashion Situation Room is your space for informed dialogue, grounded insight, and forward-thinking conversation. New episodes drop every two weeks. Pull up a chair — the conversation starts here.

Information

  • Creator
    Britta Cabanos
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
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