Through The Back Door

In this solo episode Claire gets honest about something a lot of people in fashion are thinking; secondhand designer isn’t always the better choice anymore. From overpriced resale finds to pieces that fall apart after a few wears, Claire breaks down how secondhand has shifted from a “fashion hack” into a gamble. When you’re spending real money, is it still worth the risk? Or does it make more sens...

In this episode of Through the Back Door , I sit down with stylist Mo Johnson , a creative force working behind the scenes on runway collections and brand projects. Mo shares what it actually takes to bring a runway show together. From early fittings and concept development to the fast paced energy backstage before a show begins, we talk about the creative and logistical work that goes into buildi...

In this episode, I’m talking through a rebrand—both creatively and mentally. I share why I’m shifting some episodes away from video and back into audio, and how that change feels more aligned with where Girl Into Fashion is heading. I also reflect on this past New York Fashion Week and why it felt like a real up-level for me: attending shows I genuinely admired, being invited by PR teams for the f...

In the Details: Andrew Curwen’s AW26 Collection In this episode, we get an up-close look at Andrew Curwen’s collection beyond the runway and into the details that often go unnoticed. We talk construction, garment engineering, and the small decisions that quietly define great design: from salt-spray finishes and bodice shaping to lining construction, corset boning, and how to make something look be...

This episode is a little unhinged in the best way. Claire sits down with Laura Stemmer (single mom of two, Manhattan-based, nightlife/bar owner energy, fashion background, zero fear) for a conversation that starts with chihuahuas being… chihuahuas… and ends with actual life advice that hits way harder than it should. We get into: how Laura went from Parsons fashion design → nightlife survival mode...

CONSISTENCY IS THE JOB BUILDING A FASHION CAREER WITHOUT A ROADMAP In this solo episode of Through the Back Door , I talk about what consistency actually looks like when you’re building a non-traditional fashion career. After a week of being sick, exhausted, and close to skipping this recording altogether, I reflect on why showing up anyway matters, especially when you’re working inside the fashio...

In the first-ever solo episode of Through the Back Door , we talk ambition — what it really looks like, why it gets labeled as “cringe,” and why it’s the real engine behind success in the fashion industry. We are celebrating episode number 20! I reflect on my week in New York fashion, from attending the Chanel watch party to noticing how fashion culture is becoming more community-driven, creator-l...

In this episode of Through the Back Door , Claire sits down with Jessie Collier, founder of Working Women Agency , to talk about personal branding, mindset shifts, and embracing nonlinear career paths in the creative world. Jessie shares how she turned confusion around traditional career advice into a mission-driven brand that helps women own their unique journeys. Together, they unpack the power...

this episode, Claire sits down once again with model Riley Woodell to talk about what it really takes to build a career in fashion in 2025. Riley is one of those rare people we get to watch evolve in real time — blending modeling, social media, and genuine support for emerging designers in a way that feels transparent and refreshing. We talk about her experience at Paris Fashion Week this Septembe...

On this episode of Through the Back Door , I sit down with Nimay Ndolo — content creator , influencer , and all-around creative force — for a conversation that goes everywhere: fashion, social media, politics, spirituality, and even a little woo-woo. ✨ Nimay shares her unique perspective as a creator navigating today’s cultural landscape, and together we explore how style, identity, and expressio...

What if one of the coolest fashion stores in NYC was built by walking up to strangers on the street and asking, “Where’d you get that fit?” In this episode of Through the Back Door , Claire sits down with Sophia Boli , founder of Retail Pharmacy — a cult-favorite boutique in the Lower East Side that’s become a hub for underground fashion and emerging designers. From chasing down fits on the street...

If you’re into fashion on social media, there’s no doubt you’ve come across @notsoquietluxury either it is the content, accent or the topics. I always find myself coming back for Nikesh’s pov becuase he isnt always pointing out the obvious—the kind of stuff you don’t see from a lot of other fashion commentators. I stumbled across Not SoQuietLuxury a few fashion weeks ago, and ever since, I’ve been...

I spoke with Molly Rooyakkers (@style.analytics) about how trends can sometimes feel huge online—but don’t always show up in real life. We got into the nuance of interpreting digital trend cycles and how sometimes what looks like a viral trend is really just a curated moment that doesn’t break through beyond the screen. We also talked about sustainability—how her platform walks the line between sh...

In this episode, Claire talks with Rebecca-Jo about her journey through the fashion world—from modeling in Asia to becoming a content creator known for her bold, unfiltered take on style. Rebecca shares how she broke into modeling in the early aughts, a completely different world from today. She lived in model houses, traveled to places like China with nothing but a flip phone, and had to quickly...

In this episode of Through the Back Door , Claire sits down with Amelie Stanescu, the voice behind The Fashion Archives , for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation about fashion, identity, and finding your place in a shifting industry. Amelie shares her journey from Romania to Berlin and even Paris, where she carved out a space for herself in the fashion world. She reflects on the contrasts be...

In this episode: Mary Korlin-Downs — product designer, creative director, and founder of All Things Fashion Tech — shares her journey into the world of fashion tech, her inspirations, and her vision for the future. We dive into the intersection of fashion and technology, emerging career paths, and the role of sustainability and AI in shaping what's next. Mary also emphasizes the importance of buil...

In this engaging conversation, Hanna and Claire explore the intersection of makeup artistry and photography, discussing Hanna's journey from a photographer to a beauty influencer. They delve into the impact of social media, the evolution of trends in the beauty industry, and the role of AI in creative processes. Hanna shares her experiences with viral content and the challenges of maintaining auth...

In this episode, Claire chats with Selena Norman to dive deep into the unconventional paths that lead to success in the fashion world. They emphasize the importance of creativity, community, and self-discovery, as Selena shares her journey from industrial design to jewelry making with her brand, Dopl World. She also opens up about the challenges of maintaining originality in a fast-paced, fast-fas...

SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Riley shares her journey from North Carolina to New York City, detailing her experiences in the modeling industry, the importance of networking, and the evolving role of social media in fashion. She discusses her participation in various fashion weeks, the challenges and triumphs of modeling, and offers valuable advice for aspiring models. The conversation hig...

SummaryIn this conversation, Claire and Chris Mena discuss the intricacies of the fashion industry, focusing on Mena's recent Urban Camo show. They explore the challenges and successes of fashion shows, the importance of hair and makeup, and the role of AI in design. Sustainability is highlighted as a core value in Mena's work, alongside the impact of social media on fashion trends. The discussion...

Today we’re getting  into the world of sustainable fashion with New York City-based designer Helena Eisenhart. They’ve been running their own brand since 2015, blending creativity with ethical practices to craft standout collections. In this episode, Helena shares their journey from college to becoming a brand owner, how they source sustainable materials, and the challenges of maintaining a small,...

SummaryCarlos Reyes from Renacio discusses their experience as a designer preparing for New York Fashion Week and the challenges of living outside of New York while showing in the event. They talk about their journey in the fashion industry, their design aesthetic inspired by painter Remedios Varo, and their approach to storytelling through their collections. Carlos also shares their experience on...

In this episode of "Through the Back Door," we sit down with Veronica Campos, a New York City-based model, to talk about her journey and career. Veronica shares how she got started in modeling, what it's like to be a full-time model in New York, and how to navigate the complexities of modeling agencies and social media. Veronica discusses the impact social media has on a model's career, explaining...

🎙️✨ Excited to share  highlights from our latest Through the back door podcast episode featuring @itscamywamy the amazing designer behind @reneenewyork! We chat about her love for fashion, inspired by her family’s sense of style, and how it led her to this exciting career. We also catch up on what life is like after school and how she juggles being a designer by day and a brand owner by night—eve...

A new episode of @throughthebackdoorpodcast with the talented designer and artist, Caroline Zimbalist ! 🌟 We talk about her incredible journey from her early days to now, how she showed in fashion week, CFDA application process, having her art in museums, and dressing celebs for major events and more. Caroline also talks on her signature bioplastic designs—how she started using this cool material...