Fashion Business Mindset

In this solo episode, Elizabeth Formosa unpacks what it actually looks like to use AI with intention in a fashion business. She talks honestly about the pace of change many founders are feeling right now, why workflow has to come before technology, and where she's seeing Claude AI add real, practical value across fashion operations. The six areas she covers: Founder productivity and leadership thi...

What does it really mean to build a fashion brand around a woman the industry has spent decades ignoring? In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa is joined by Fleur Richardson, founder and creative director of Fleur Collective, a 100% Australian-owned, female-founded womenswear brand built on a simple belief: clothing should move with you, not against you. Fourteen years in...

What does it really take to build a fashion brand from the ground up and scale it into a globally recognised, multi-channel business? In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset , I’m joined by Kiki Keysers, Founder of KIVARI , to unpack the journey behind one of Australia’s most successful contemporary fashion brands. What started with just $200, a handmade product and a market stall...

In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset , Elizabeth Formosa sits down with Gosia Piątek, Founder of Kowtow, a pioneer in sustainable and circular fashion. Founded in 2006, Kowtow has built a global reputation for its commitment to ethical production, Fairtrade organic cotton, and a fully transparent supply chain. But what truly sets the brand apart is its long-term vision. From the very beginn...

What It Takes to Run a Resilient Fashion Boutique Running an independent fashion boutique today demands resilience, commercial discipline, deep customer connection and the ability to adapt as the retail landscape continues to evolve. In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset , I’m joined by Adella Greenwood , co-founder of Grace & Willow , a much-loved multi-brand boutique located in t...

In this opening episode of Season 7, Elizabeth Formosa unpacks what profitability really requires in 2026 — and why net cash in the bank matters just as much as the P&L. Across the industry, many brands are growing. Revenue is up. Orders are flowing. From the outside, things look strong. But internally, margins are tighter, cash flow feels heavier, and decision-making has become more com...

As we come to the close of 2025, I wanted to pause and share a personal end-of-year reflection with the Fashion Business Mindset community. This year has been one of growth, challenge, learning and connection. We’ve shared over 127 episodes, welcomed many new listeners, and continued to have honest conversations about what it really takes to build, lead and sustain a fashion business in a ch...

As we near the end of our 2025 season of Fashion Business Mindset, I’m excited to share a truly meaningful milestone — 40 years of Motto, a long-standing Australian fashion brand that continues to evolve, reinvent and inspire. In this episode, I’m joined by Faye Browne and Lauren French , the mother–daughter duo behind Motto, who have built one of the most resilient and com...

This episode is our LIVE recording from the Melbourne Global Sourcing Expo Seminar Series. While the audio is not usual studio quality, the content of this dynamic conversation was too good not to share!  This conversation brings together three industry leaders: Elizabeth (Fashion Equipped), Kelly Slessor (The Ecommerce Tribe, Tribe Gen AI), and Christina Exie (Stacked Studio) to share their...

In this episode, I’m joined by two amazing women who are redefining the way we see ourselves and the world around us —  Taryn Brumfitt  and  Dr Zali Yager , Co-Directors of  The Embrace Collective . Taryn is an  Australian of the Year , award-winning filmmaker, bestselling author, and founder of the global  Body Image Movement . Zali is an  Adjunct As...

Event Alert! I’ll be leading an Industry Panel at the Global Sourcing Expo in Melbourne on 18 November , alongside Kelly Slessor and Christina Exie. Our topic is Growth, eCommerce and AI in Fashion . This conversation brings together three industry leaders in a discussion spanning sourcing, go-to-market execution, scaling through eCommerce, and the rapid adoption of AI . We’ll blend my...

My guest in this episode is Anna Brennan, General Manager, Stylerunner. Anna Brennan is a highly accomplished retail leader with over 20 years of extensive experience across retail, merchandising, marketing, digital, and store operations. As General Manager of Stylerunner since May 2023, Anna is driving the brand's ambitious expansion strategy across Australia and New Zealand. Anna brings pro...

Welcome back to Fashion Business Mindset ! In this solo episode, I’m diving into our July edition of The Monthly Edit — your go-to for curated industry insights, strategic prompts, and practical tools to help fashion founders and leaders thrive. As we enter a brand new financial year, this is your opportunity to hit reset, refocus your energy, and reignite your strategy for the months...

Enjoy this Impact Edit with Michaela Wessels, CEO & Co-Founder of Style Arcade , the game-changing platform transforming retail and ecommerce for fashion brands worldwide. Tune in for your dose of business optimisation! If you enjoy this impact edit, you can listen to the full episode with Style Arcade here. ________ Over the past four years, I've had the privilege of chatting with some of the...

My guest in this episode is Eva Galambos, the Founder and Director of Parlour X, Australia’s leading luxury fashion boutique, renowned for its exclusive curation of the world's most sought-after designer collections. After building her career in London and Sydney as a commercial fashion agent, Eva launched Parlour X in 2001. She quickly became one of Australia’s most influential buyers...

My guest today is Patricia Lynch, the founder and creative director behind two influential platforms shaping Australia’s design landscape: The Design Gallery and Partridge Agency. With over two decades of experience in the fashion and textile industry, Patricia launched  Partridge   Agency  as a globally recognised surface design agency, representing exclusive a...

In this episode, Elizabeth chats with Belinda Paul , the Founder of RCYCL , a powerful plug-and-play platform helping fashion brands tackle textile waste with real, tangible solutions. With over 25 years of experience across product, buying, manufacturing, and brand management, Belinda brings a deep understanding of the fashion industry — and a passion for turning sustainability goals into e...

Today, I’m bringing you something brand new. It’s the first time I’m sharing The Monthly Edit as a solo podcast episode. This edition is packed with real-world updates and strategies drawn directly from the work I’m doing with clients right now. Inside, we’ll unpack the sweeping U.S. tariff changes , how they’re impacting Australian fashion brands , and what ste...

My guest is Rebekka Carey-Smith, Head of Sustainability at The Iconic . With over 10 years of experience in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, Rebekka specialises in transforming fashion supply chains to prioritise sustainable and responsible practices. Her extensive background equips her to navigate the complexities of the evolving global sustainability landscape, ensuring improved so...

My Guest today is Jacklyn Rivera, the Creative Director of Commonry. Jack has over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, across a range of roles and brands that have shaped her leadership and management style. Known for a values-driven approach, Jack is passionate about empowering women and fostering inclusivity within the fashion industry. Her expertise spans across strategic leadership...

Welcome to our FIRST episode of SEASON 6! My guest today is Jenny Nakkan, the Founder of Elevate Wholesale Agency and the Founding Partner of Splash Sydney, Australia’s first international fashion trade show. A trailblazer in the fashion wholesale space, Jenny has built Elevate into a go-to consultancy for Australian brands looking to launch or scale their global wholesale channels. With a d...

As we prepare to launch Season 6 of Fashion Business Mindset in the coming weeeks, enjoy this Impact Edit with Denni Francisco, a visionary fashion entrepreneur and proud Wiradjuri woman with over 25 years of industry experience. Over the past five years, I've had the privilege of chatting with some of the most inspiring thought leaders and changemakers in the fashion industry. From highly success...

As we prepare to launch Season 6 of Fashion Business Mindset in the coming weeeks, enjoy this Impact Edit with Paul Waddy. Over the past five years, I've had the privilege of chatting with some of the most inspiring thought leaders and changemakers in the fashion industry. From highly successful entrepreneurs and founders to those on their exciting start-up journey, my guests have shared their sto...

In this final episode of Fashion Business Mindset for 2024, we’re diving into a Level Up Session to help you reflect on the past year, learn from its lessons, and create a powerful, actionable blueprint for success in 2025. This episode is packed with strategies, tools, and inspiration to help you: Reflect on your wins, challenges, and key lessons from 2024. Explore the top trends and opport...

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Michaela Wessels, CEO & co-founder of Style Arcade. Style Arcade is revolutionising the retail and e-commerce space with its cutting-edge platform, empowering fashion brands to make data-driven decisions. Michaela is a retail and e-commerce veteran with over 15 years of experience in merchandise buying, planning and consulting. Michaela’s trailbl...