Transition of Style Rocio Sanchez

Learn about the journey of building a groundbreaking gender-free brand with Rob Smith, the visionary CEO behind The Phluid Project.
In this episode, Rob discusses the expansion of Phluid into a wide array of retail stores nationwide, the development of gender-affirming products, and his ambitious goals for the Phluid Foundation. He delves into the challenges and triumphs of advocating for marginalized communities, particularly trans women of color and homeless queer youth.
Rob's insights into leveraging a digital and physical presence to create a robust brand narrative are invaluable for anyone interested in social entrepreneurship.
Episode Highlights:

The impressive expansion of The Phluid Project into major retail stores across the country.

Launching a gender-affirming undergarments collection and the focus on affordable pricing.

Strategies for supporting marginalized communities in the queer community, including a focus on trans women of color and homeless queer youth.

The importance of a mixed digital and physical presence in brand building and community support.


Tune in to gain insights into the power of community-focused branding and the impactful journey of The Phluid Project.
💥 Links

Your host, Rocio Sanchez

Transition of Style website

The Phluid Project website

Follow The Phluid Project on Instagram



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NiK Kacy, the visionary behind NiK Kacy Footwear, is revolutionizing the queer fashion scene. Joining us on Transition of Style, NiK discusses their groundbreaking journey in the industry, highlighting the unique challenges and triumphs as a queer entrepreneur. This episode delves into NiK's experiences from navigating microaggressions to pioneering LGBTQ-focused fashion initiatives like Equality Fashion Week in LA.
Episode Highlights:


Journey into Queer Fashion: NiK shares the story of founding NiK Kacy Footwear, a brand born out of a need for gender-neutral footwear.


Overcoming Industry Challenges: Insights into tackling challenges in manufacturing and raising capital as a queer entrepreneur.


Community Empowerment: The role of events like Queer Prom in empowering the LGBTQ+ community and raising funds for queer artists and designers of color.


Advocacy Through Fashion: How NiK Kacy's work transcends fashion, advocating for inclusivity and equal opportunities in the industry.


Resources for LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs: Discussing the importance of resources like the NGLCC and the power of mentorship in supporting upcoming queer business owners.

Tune in to explore the inspiring world of queer fashion entrepreneurship, understanding the intersection of identity, advocacy, and business acumen.
💥 Links

Your host, Rocio Sanchez

Transition of Style website

NiK Kacy Footwear website

Equality Fashion Week website


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

STEEZO, an Atlanta-based musician and stud trailblazer in queer fashion and a burgeoning entrepreneur, has rapidly grown a dedicated following online, captivating audiences with his bold fashion choices.
STEEZO joins Transition of Style to share his journey in the fashion world, intertwining his personal coming out story as a queer individual with his ascent in the fashion industry. As STEEZO recounts his experiences, he offers invaluable insights for queer professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs in the fashion sector.
Episode Highlights:

The intersection of personal identity and professional growth in the fashion industry.

Challenges and triumphs as a queer entrepreneur in fashion.

STEEZO's unique approach to brand building and community engagement.

Insights on staying authentic while navigating commercial success.


Tune in to explore the vibrant world of queer fashion entrepreneurship, learning how to merge personal identity with professional ambition, all while maintaining mental well-being and authenticity.
💥 Links

Your host, Rocio Sanchez

Transition of Style website

TittyTape ® website

STEEZO’s website


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join an in-depth conversation about a sustainable streetwear brand and its evolution into the home goods space – and what you can learn about shifting into new markets.
Nicole Zizi, founder of NICOLE ZÏZI STUDIO and NICOLE ZÏZI HOME – a proud Black queere entrepreneur of Haitian descent – graces Transition of Style in this discussion about sustainability and gender-neutral designs as a driving force in her brand's development.
In this episode, she shares her journey, the role of trends in timing market entry, and the significance of brand values in product expansion.
Episode Highlights:


Embracing Market Shifts: Nicole capitalizes on the current trend towards home goods while staying true to her long-standing desire to enter this market, illustrating the importance of aligning trends with brand vision.


Sustainability as a Core Values: With an unwavering commitment to sustainable practices, Nicole ensures that these values are deeply embedded in both her fashion and home goods lines, reinforcing the brand's integrity and consumer trust.


Gender-Neutral Fashion's Disruption: Highlighting her passion for innovation, Nicole discusses the disruption gender-neutral fashion is creating in the industry and her excitement in shaping the trend.


Join us to explore how strategic brand evolution can lead to success in the dynamic world of fashion and lifestyle.
💥 Links

Explore NICOLE ZÏZI STUDIO

Discover NICOLE ZÏZI HOME

Follow Nicole on Instagram

Learn more about FC Podcasts

Subscribe to the Transition of Style Newsletter

Follow Transition of Style on Instagram


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Abby Luke has amassed 600,000 followers on TikTok over the past three years, and she's learned a lot in the process. Abby joins Transition of Style to discuss her journey on TikTok, her separate but overlapping coming out journey as a bisexual woman, and the challenges of content creation. As Abby shares her experiences and insights, several key points emerge that every digital content creator should take note of.
Episode Highlights:


TikTok's Artistic Future: Abby Luke envisions TikTok evolving into a more cinematic platform, comparable to watching short films or movies.


Burnout & The Pressure to Evolve: Abby speaks to the intense pressure on creators to continuously adapt to new trends, leading to burnout and mental health challenges.


Platform Diversification: Highlighting the unpredictability of algorithms, your host underscores the importance of establishing a presence across multiple platforms, ensuring consistent engagement with her audience.


Struggle with Perfectionism: Abby's Capricorn nature makes her either give 100% or not start a project at all, shedding light on the internal battles many creators face.


Tune in to delve deep into the world of content creation, understanding the balance between staying relevant and ensuring mental well-being.
💥 Links

Follow Abby Luke

Your host, Rocio Sanchez

Transition of Style website


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jay Jaxon was the first African-American haute couturier, having worked in the prestigious luxury houses of Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and Jean-Louis Scherrer in the 1960s and 70s. Rachel Fenderson uncovered Jaxon's work while researching as a student in Parsons Paris' Fashion Studies program. She has since organized exhibitions at the Queens Public Library and Queens Historical Society about Jaxon's work.
In this episode of Transition of Style, we celebrate LGBT History Month in the United States by discussing Jay Jaxon. Let's get a sneak peek at what Jay Jaxon's life in Paris would have been like – not only as an American in Paris, but an African-American non-heterosexual man in Paris. Where was he during the 1973 Battle of Versailles Fashion Show, the iconic fashion spectacle that put American and French designers and models on the map? What would life have been like for a 20- or 30-something year-old non-straight man in Paris? Listen to the episode to find out.
Links

Transition of Style website

Rachel Fenderson website

Jay Jaxon's retroactive obituary in the New York Times

Your host's website


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices