The Fabric of America

Melissa Oddo & Matthew Banever
  • 5.0 (13)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

On The Fabric of America podcast, join Matthew Banever of Bards Clothing and Melissa Lynn Oddo of deMelis Atelier, as they shine a light on the fashion industry, small businesses, and the threads that bind us all together.

  1. Alysia Cole on Inclusivity, Identity & Internet Impact

    07/01/2025

    Alysia Cole on Inclusivity, Identity & Internet Impact

    Stylist and content creator Alysia Cole joins Melissa and Matt for an unfiltered conversation about authenticity in the wedding industry and beyond. From carving out space for plus-size and queer clients to balancing social media vulnerability, Alysia shares how she navigates visibility, criticism, and creative freedom. They dig into body neutrality, identity fatigue, and why aesthetic doesn’t have to mean exclusion. This episode is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply honest—just like Alysia herself. https://www.instagram.com/alysiacolestyling/ https://stan.store/alysiacolestyling Key Topics: The emotional labor of representing marginalized identities in the bridal industryUnderstanding body neutrality vs. body positivityNavigating online criticism, social media boundaries, and staying authenticTakeaways: Not all representation feels empowering—context and intention matterBody neutrality offers a more sustainable self-view than forced positivityStaying true to your values in business (even when it costs you money) is worth itMelissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/ Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

    57 min
  2. Xochil Herrera Scheer, The Chicago Pattern Maker, on Why Only 3% of U.S. Clothing Is Made Here—and How to Change That

    06/24/2025

    Xochil Herrera Scheer, The Chicago Pattern Maker, on Why Only 3% of U.S. Clothing Is Made Here—and How to Change That

    Fashion designer, product developer, and pattern maker Xochil Herrera Scheer joins Melissa and Matt for an energetic and heartfelt conversation on the future of American manufacturing. They dig into the cultural narratives, real challenges, and everyday decisions that can help shift consumer habits and bring ethical production back into focus. From why Walmart collaborations to gatekeeping factories hurts the industry, Xochil lays it out with transparency, optimism, and a touch of humor. https://www.instagram.com/fashionxochil/ https://xochil.com/ 🧵 Key Topics: Why U.S.-made fashion still matters (and what’s holding it back) The truth about factory transparency and ethical supply chains How individual habits influence systemic industry change ✅ Takeaways: Even a small increase in domestic production (from 3% to 5%) would be transformative Ethical manufacturing should be the baseline—no matter the country Sharing, collaboration, and storytelling grow the movement more than secrecy ever could Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/ Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

    1h 7m
  3. Jake from Southland Heritage on Why He Hopes His Website Becomes Obsolete

    06/17/2025

    Jake from Southland Heritage on Why He Hopes His Website Becomes Obsolete

    In this episode we talk with Jake from Southland Heritage—a platform and directory listing over 350 American-made brands—to talk about intentional consumerism, community collaboration, and why he hopes his directory eventually becomes unnecessary. Jake shares how he vets companies, his vision for American manufacturing, and how small, conscious choices can spark a bigger cultural shift. From stainless steel tumblers to made-in-Ohio trash cans, Jake can point you in the right direction. https://www.southland-heritage.com/ https://www.instagram.com/southlandheritage/ Key Topics: Why stainless steel goods labeled “Made in USA” are nearly impossible to findThe emotional and practical journey behind curating a vetted list of American-made brandsBuilding a collaborative ecosystem between makers, consumers, and directoriesTakeaways: You don’t have to be perfect—small intentional choices can drive big changeTransparency and storytelling help brands build trust and earn loyal followingsJake’s long-term goal is for his curated list to become obsolete—because American-made becomes the normMelissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/ Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

    1h 15m
  4. The artist Fiyab0mb on Being Resilient As You Build Your Brand

    06/10/2025

    The artist Fiyab0mb on Being Resilient As You Build Your Brand

    In this episode, we chat with Olivia Bé Nguyen, aka Fiyab0mb, about her journey from a kid watching Bob Ross to a powerhouse artist whose work hangs on Wall Street. We dive into the highs and lows of turning art into a thriving business—from last-minute venue changes to earning a TEDx nomination. Along the way, Olivia shares why being genuine online, trusting your ideas, and knowing when to say “no” are just as important as your craft. https://www.instagram.com/fiyab0mb/ https://fiyabomb.com/ Key Topics: Building Resilience in Creative Entrepreneurship: Facing tough clients, blown-out venues, and major debts—and how to push through.Authentic Storytelling on Social Media: Why sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly helps you connect and grow your audience.Trusting & Acting on Your Ideas: How to spot the right ideas, jump on them fast, and avoid letting them slip away.Takeaways: Vulnerability Is Strength: Being honest about your struggles builds trust, deepens community, and can turn fans into lifelong supporters.Ideas Choose You: Your unique ideas deserve action—don’t wait, or someone else will bring them to life.Set Boundaries for Balance: Saying “no” and pacing your schedule protects your creativity and mental health, so you can keep showing up at your best. Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/ Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-storyfabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

    1h 20m
  5. Rachel Slade, Author of Making It In America: Wisdom from One Of Our Idols

    06/03/2025

    Rachel Slade, Author of Making It In America: Wisdom from One Of Our Idols

    In this episode, we dive deep with Rachel Slade, author of Making It in America, as we unpack the complexities of American manufacturing — from tariffs and politics to the real people behind the clothes we wear. Rachel breaks down why this topic is more than just policy debates; it’s about families, communities, and a chance for some good old American innovation. Plus, she shares what’s next for her and how we can all get involved in building a stronger community around these issues. If you buy her book off of Amazon, we will find you… https://www.rachelslade.net/making-it-in-america https://www.instagram.com/rachelmslade/ Find your local bookstore: https://bookshop.org/pages/bookstores Key Topics: Why tariffs on apparel aren’t a political game — and why they matterThe journey of making an all-American hoodie, from cotton fields to your closetThe power of community building and why now is the perfect time to get involvedTakeaways: Tariffs are a tool, not a political statement — everyone can agree on the need to fix manufacturing challengesAmerican manufacturing is a complex, human story that deserves attention and careThere’s renewed energy around this topic, and community building is where the real impact startsMelissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/ Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

    1h 21m
  6. Bill Amos of NW Alpine: Building a Clothier Business in America from the Ground Up

    05/27/2025

    Bill Amos of NW Alpine: Building a Clothier Business in America from the Ground Up

    In this episode, Matt and Melissa sit down with Bill Amos, founder of NW Alpine—a company redefining what it means to make technical climbing gear in America. Bill shares the story behind NW Alpine’s beginnings, their commitment to domestic manufacturing, and the company’s evolution from a passion project to a purpose-driven business. They explore the challenges of scaling ethically, the future of gear design, and how NW Alpine stays rooted in both innovation and community. https://www.nwalpine.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nwalpinegear/ Key Topics: The origin and mission behind NW Alpine’s U.S.-based manufacturingNavigating the balance between performance, sustainability, and business growthHow NW Alpine is rethinking the future of technical outdoor apparelTakeaways: Purpose-driven companies can challenge industry norms without sacrificing performanceDomestic production is difficult but possible—and worth it for long-term valuesStaying nimble allows for innovation and integrity to co-exist in product design Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/ Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

    1h 6m
  7. Moving the Needle-Ep11-Trust the Process and Your Experts

    05/23/2025 ·  BONUS

    Moving the Needle-Ep11-Trust the Process and Your Experts

    Welcome to our short-form series, Moving The Needle. We know not everyone has time for one-hour episodes so in Moving The Needle, we have a conversation about a current event or topic. In this episode we discuss the lack of trust in knowledge that many consumers have nowadays with small business owners and businesses in general. Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/ Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

    26 min
  8. Chris Stiles from Photography Stiles and Lens and Light on Sharing Industry Knowledge

    05/20/2025

    Chris Stiles from Photography Stiles and Lens and Light on Sharing Industry Knowledge

    In this episode, we sit down with Chris Stiles from Photography Stiles and Lens and Light to explore what it really means to build community in the creative world. We talk about the power of vulnerability in leadership, the value of sharing knowledge instead of guarding it, and how blending different photography genres can spark unexpected growth. Chris shares how Lens and Light fosters a culture of emotional intelligence, collaboration, and curiosity—helping photographers grow not just in skill, but in mindset. https://photographystiles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/photography.stiles/ https://lensandlightct.com/ Key Topics: Leadership through vulnerability: How admitting you don’t know everything fosters safer, more collaborative environments.Niche up, not down: Why Lens and Light intentionally blends photography genres to encourage unexpected skill-sharing.Community over competition: Shedding ego to build a culture where everyone grows through knowledge-sharing. Takeaways: The most successful communities are built on openness, not gatekeeping.Cross-discipline conversations spark innovation and skill advancement.Everyone has something valuable to teach—and to learn—regardless of their niche or experience level.Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/ Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

    1h 12m
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

On The Fabric of America podcast, join Matthew Banever of Bards Clothing and Melissa Lynn Oddo of deMelis Atelier, as they shine a light on the fashion industry, small businesses, and the threads that bind us all together.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Oddo & Matthew Banever
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Fabric of America 2024
  • Show Website
    The Fabric of America