FashionTalks

As the founder and CEO of Talk Boutique, Andrea Sampson has been training individuals in delivering engaging talks, compelling stories, dynamic presentations and building active communities based on developing thought leadership. Listen to Andrea and Donna Bishop discuss: The dual value of being a thought leader Why fashion is ripe for new thought leaders How to start being a thought leader Though...

Qasim Mohammad is an investor who currently works out of Wittington Venture. His expertise is deeply rooted in consumer brands. In this episode Qasim and Donna discuss: Outside investing 101 - what is venture capital and other financing options What are the goals of the VC/ investor How to build you network for potential investing What makes a great pitch Advice for crafting a pitch and where to l...

Branding/ fashion lawyer and trademark agent Ashlee Froese breaks down so many myths around the relationship and importance between entrepreneurship (and not just fashion designers), legals, trademarks, IP and more. In this episode you will hear Ashlee Froese and Donna Bishop discuss: What it means to be a fashion lawyer and the eco system of the industry When it is beneficial to engage a lawyer (...

Lara Koretsky is a leadership and business coach pulls back the curtain how she supports her clients to achieve professional success and satisfaction, as well as personal expansion and growth. In this episode Lara talks with host Donna Bishop about: the essential connection between aligning personal values and professional goals ditching your "Itty Bitty Shitty Committee" identifying burnout vs st...

Grant financing can be the perfect cash injection to take a business to the next level. In this episode grant consultant Weiyi Chang unpacks the process, shares expectations and offers advice on how to determine if grant financing is right for your business and setting you up for success. Weiyi Chang and host Donna Bishop discuss: Debunking fashion and access to grant funding Grant financing 101 -...

The Oscar nominated Costume Designer Luis Sequeira got his start in fashion. In this final BEST OF episode Luis and assistant Costume Designer Ann Steel joined Donna Bishop for a live recording of FashionTalks during Toronto Fashion Week. In this episode you will hear Luis and Ann talk about: Their fashion background The process of working with Academy Award Winning Director Guillermo del Toro on...

Evan Biddell has been designing clothes since his teens. Before he became a viral sensation with The Playsuit, he talked with Donna Bishop in an early FashionTalks episode. In this episode you will hear Evan talk candidly about: His upbringing in the Canadian Prairies Being on, and winning, the first Project Runway Canada His commitment to sustainability, the 81 Pound Challenge and this collection...

Mina Gerges is known for his fearless self expression, ground breaking modelling gigs and plus size and LGTBQ2S+ advocacy. In this episode you will hear Mina share: His Egyptian heritage and how it has shaped him How he started creating the videos he became known for His journey to discovering his authentic self What is means to him to be a plus sized, male model The massive ad campaign that chang...

Making your side hustle your full time gig is one of the most common goals any entrepreneur has. Catherine Addai knows what it means to HUSTLE! In this episode you will hear: Catherine talk about what her days looked like working her side hustle, her full time job and living her life What supports and lessons she learned as a side hustle designer that have been instrumental in her success How she...

Jeanne Beker is a fashion icon and Canadian treasure. As the host of the ground breaking FashionTelevision Jeanne brought new fans to fashion, opened a portal to the otherwise unseen magic of runways shows and witnessed the entire fashion industry respond to new media. In this episode you will hear Jeanne share stories about: how she became the host of FashionTelevision meeting designers Marc Jaco...

That's a wrap on season 4! But don't worry - FashionTalks isn't going anywhere. We will return in September with a special series, FashionTalks for Industry. Host Donna Bishop will interview experts in legals, grant writing, thought leadership, financing, marketing, managing burnout and more. A host of topics to support you and your business whether you are a designer, entrepreneur, creative direc...

Izzy Camilleri is a big deal. As one of Canada's most celebrated fashion designers she has dressed A list celebrities from David Bowie to Meryl Streep. In 2005 her world and career changed when a woman living with paralysis asked Izzy to design some custom clothing that would work with her power wheelchair. This entry into adaptive clothing pivoted her career in a profound way. In this episode: Iz...

Fashion intersects with some surprising places! Case in point, tarot reader Lori Simeunovic has a ton of experience harnessing and acknowledging the power of adornment as it pertains to empowerment, manifestation and more. In this episode Lori and Donna discuss: The photoshoot that had a profound impact on Lori's life and career How fashion plays into manifestation and showing the universe what yo...

Lisa Corbo has been around the fashion block. She has been a textile designer, fashion designer, interior designer, buyer, retail entrepreneur, stylist and most recently has added digital creator to her incredible career. Lisa has so much to share and a ton of amazing stories, experiences and insights. In this episode Lisa talks about: Her vast and varied career What authenticity means to her Her...

Sage Paul is a designer, artist, creator and the executive & artistic director of Indigenous Fashion Arts, an organization committed to exploring the deep connections between mainstream fashion, Indigenous art and traditional practice through presentation for broad audiences and industries. In this episode you will hear Sage and Donna talk about: Sage's experience taking a delegation of Indige...

George Sully has been designing for over 20 years. Yet despite that history he, and other designers, have been designing in the dark for years. George is candid, clear and passionate while sharing his story and the future of designing. In this episode you will hear: George discuss how he was shut out of the fashion industry and what the impact of designing in the dark has been on him and other bla...

Nina Kharey rose to acclaim when Meghan Markle wore a design from her label Nonie. Now she is dedicated to designing for an industry that has seen little to no innovation in over 50 years: Scrubs. In this episode you will hear: Nina sharing what drew her to putting her attention on front line medical workers The incredible, innovative, unique technology that she uses for a completely new fabric Ho...

Hilary MacMillan has been at the helm of her namesake label for 10 years! She is no stranger to all the facets of entrepreneurship. We talk about all the things the weigh on the mind of business owners: Leadership Pivoting Scaling Sustainability Trusting you gut And she shares what she really wants Canadians to know about our fashion industry (her thoughts may surprise you...) To learn more about...

Jamie Alexander got thrown into the fashion industry when his daughter Ruby wanted to wear a bikini like her friends. Something that was fun and girlie with tween/ teen vibes. Ruby, who is trans, wanted something that made her feel like herself. When Jamie and his wife looked for options for their daughter, there was nothing that fit what they, and Ruby, were looking for. So Jamie embarked on maki...

Jenn Harper, founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty, is making a serious impact. Not just because her sustainable beauty brand is now available in Sephora (Canada) and JC Penny (USA). Not just because she is creating an example for other Indigenous people of what is possible; to see and feel their value. Not just because of how she has overcome generational trauma and created her own journey to sobri...

If you love and hate your heels you are not alone (and you are not imagining it). Dr Liza Egbogah is not just acclaimed shoe designer, she is also a Chiropractic Doctor and manual osteopath. Dr Liza discusses with Donna Bishop: What happens to our body when our feet are comprised (it may surprise you!) Her unexpected road to fashion designer How her practice as a chiropractor influenced her journe...

Do you ever feel like you have 2 passions, or even 2 conflicting desires, inside you? Seda Rafilovich does and she has maintained both of them, medicine and fashion, throughout her entire life. She is full of life advice and inspiration on how to live a fulfilled life. In this episode we talk about: How she has always honoured her love and pursuit of fashion and medical careers Her experience of w...

It all started with a cyborg named Neil. You can not deny that fashion and technology are forever intertwined. Electric Runway founder, journalist Amanda Costco unpacks the good, the bad and the grey in between discussing this relationship. Where are we in the hype cycle? What is going to stick and what is just passing amusement? What are the global priorities as it pertains to fashion and tech? M...

This episode is JAM PACKED. Raj Girn, founder of Anokhi Life, is a is a multi-award winning media & events entrepreneur, brand strategist, marketing consultant, confidence coach, #1 best-selling author, and entertainment personality. She is widely recognized as an expert in niche branding, media, marketing, and public relations, having worked with a vast array of globally recognized brands and...

Naomi Shapiro of long standing brand Rock n Karma is breaking down over 25 years of fashion success; from street vending as a teenager to kiosks in major malls to store fronts in some of Toronto's coolest neighbourhoods. Naomi is a force of knowledge and experience. Here energy is infectious as is her positive outlook on life, as well as fashion. In this episode you'll hear all about: What continu...