The Fashademix Podcast: Recent Episodes
Brum Radio
Two Birmingham City University fashion lecturers, Laura and Sophie talk through the latest fashion news in healthy debates and discussions with an array of guests throughout the industry. Listen to the podcast every other Monday with your not so normal fashion academics.
Mrs Carter has some news for you! She is about to embark on an epic new chapter as a Senior Lecturer in Fashion Marketing at University of Northampton. Join us for our celebrations and a good old chat with Tilly Young, a PLT student ambassador that tells us about her amazing role, how the brand is utilising micro influence and it's new second hand app!
This weeks in the know talks all things Christmas, cost of living, designer stationary and praise for brands that are designing niche collections for menopause and individuals with Breast cancer. Big kudos from the Fashademix!
Don't forget to rate and suscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Hillier is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing specialising in Fashion and Public Relations as well as an assistant course director in Business Management and Marketing. She has previously taught on the fashion business and promotions course for 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Carter, now a Senior Lecturer in Fashion Marketing, has previously taught on the same Fashion Business course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura's future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham Mail, Drapers. Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
This week the girls are back with more industry news. A big shout out from Team Fashademix to Sam Preston our amazing guest as we talk careers, children, styling and a mutual angst for Philip Green. An accidental theme of diversity in fashion in this week's in the know as the girls celebrate age and race in the fashion industry. And like to know bigs up the selling app Vinted. What's going on with Sophie, this week she's buying from Vinted and starting to fall for the Kim K trap. Is there any going back!!! Also a surprise announcement slipped out in the like to know at the end pf the episode where Laura reveals a big secret. More on that and celebrations next week.
Don't forget to rate and suscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow us on Instagram: @fashademix and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Hillier has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Carter has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura's future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham Mail, Drapers. Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
Say what Ms Carter?! - with Special Guest Lindi Explode Social Media
After a longgggg ass break the girls are back by demand. Laura is now a married woman and is damn lucky to share the same surname as Beyoncé, while Sophie's surname is that of a garden centre. The girls are back and catching up on the the cost of living crisis. Did we hear Sophie say she was being more sustainable???
And they welcome their first guest back Lindi from Explode PR, who is such a girl boss and literally blew our brains with her social media knowledge.
Don't forget to rate and suscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow us on Instagram: @fashademix and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Hillier has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Carter has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura's future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham Mail, Drapers. Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
Sensationalisation! - with Special Guest Laura Martin
This week, Laura and Sophie discuss Amazon’s Try Before You Buy fashion line and whether it will help or hurt with debt, and which shops are the quickest at getting your refund money back to you. They also discuss Google launching a research tool to help brands understand their environmental impact, Eleanor Antoniou going a year without fast fashion, and Tesco’s covid themed christmas advert.
They’re joined by fashion editor-writer-stylist-consultant, all around multi-hyphenate, Laura Martin! They discuss whether magazines will make a comeback, their Instagram aesthetics, and Kate Moss. They recap Laura’s rise from fashion product development, to magazines like Elle, to working on the radio, and they also discuss Laura’s breast cancer - working through it, whether it changed her style, keeping her hair, and the power of positivity!
The girls use this week’s Like To Know to tell their families what they want for Christmas. They discuss sticking to Christmas lists, the best presents they’ve received, practical gifts, and the incredible longevity of GHD hair straighteners! They also debate whether the best gift you can give this Christmas is buying homeless people lunch in New Street station through the charity Midland Langar Seva, or rating the Fashademix five stars on iTunes and leaving a lovely message!
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow us on Instagram: @fashademix and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Hillier has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
Watermelon Sugar Cry - with Special Guests Elizabeth and Judith from efitter
This week, Laura and Sophie discuss Harry Styles, his gender neutral beauty line Pleasing, and Sophie tells the unbelievable story of when she met him in London. They also discuss M&S allowing their staff to state their pronouns ontheir name badges, BoohooMAN’s augmented reality campaign Hack Friday, and whether or not you should be allowed to contact your boss outside of working hours.
Then they’re joined by Elizabeth and Judith from efitter. They discuss starting their business out of the frustrations un-uniform clothing sizes, the impersonal experience of shopping, and how clothing often doesn’t take into culture into account. They also talk about their future, how they can continue to help their consumers, their podcast The FIT, and which retailers they think need to improve their sizing!
For their Like to Know, the girls praise the classic supermarket brand George at Asda. From selling fast fashion companies, brands that grow with their consumers, and the convenience of being able to buy a Missguided dress while you do your weekly food shop!
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow us on Instagram: @fashademix and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Hillier has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
No Chin Cuffs, Hun - with Special Guest Lucianne Tonti
This week, Laura and Sophie start off with a discussion about Angelina Jolie’s hair extensions and chin cuffs and whether the trend will catch on. They also touch on Fendi collaborating with Skims, IKEA taking over the Topshop space on Oxford Street, the reaction to the latest John Lewis advert, and Coca Cola being one of the world’s biggest plastic polluters.
They’re joined by the wonderful Lucianne Tonti, a sustainable fashion researcher and writer, and their first Australian guest! They talk about Lucianne’s made-to-order company Prelude, how Covid has affected how we think about and shop for fashion, and Lucianne’s hopes for the future of the industry. Her book Sundressed will be out next year!
And in the new tradition of having different Like To Knows, Laura promotes the long hot water bottle company Yuyu, which has been by her side for over nine years. Sophie talks about Francesca Amber’s podcast Law of Attraction Changed My Life and how it's helping her practise gratitude, and also murder podcasts!
Don’t forget to rate and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow us on Instagram: @fashademix and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Hillier has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
Prada or Nada - with Special Guest Alexandra Powley
This week Laura and Sophie kick things off with an in depth discussion about the Met Gala - Kim Kardashian, memes, protests, outfit choices, and more! They also discuss Liberty Poole, In The Style, and relatable influencers, then debate the pros and cons of LVMH’s aim to hire 25,000 young people.
They’re joined by luxury fashion consultant Alexandra Powley (alexandra_iancovici), who started as a receptionist at Holt Renfrew in Canada before working her way up companies like Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges and Prada. They discuss the hard work involved in a dream job, how to align yourself with a brand’s ethics, and whether the luxury industry can be inclusive and exclusive at the same time.
The girls have individual Like To Knows this week - Sophie professes her love for Everything5Pounds.com and the joys of finding brands on a bargain, while Laura goes more upmarket to promote The NAP Co and their incredibly comfortable bras. High-end or low-end, let us know where you stand!
Follow us on Instagram: @fashademix and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Hillier has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
To Fur or Not To Fur - with Special Guests Dani and Shannon from Hissy Fit
Laura and the newlywed Sophie are back for Season 2! After a brief catch up from their summer break, they discuss the latest fashion news, including Molly Mae becoming the creative director of PrettyLittleThing; Furmark, a certification program that ensures fur meets recognised welfare and sustainability standards; and disability inclusion within the fashion industry.
They’re also joined by Owner/Director Dani and Creative Marketing Assistant Shannon (@mca.shannon) from the Birmingham based clothing company Hissy Fit. They discuss founding the brand, expanding their range from rave and festival wear to more casual clothes, and how TikTok was the best thing that happened to the company - @hissyfitclothing.
This week’s like to know takes a look at Superdry partnering with Oxfam for an in-store give back scheme. They discuss H&M and IKEA’s buy back initiatives, and how more brands could focus on recycling and sustainability. Let us know your experiences of taking part in SecondHand September!
Superdry Partnership: https://www.theindustry.fashion/superdry-partners-with-oxfam-for-in-store-give-back-scheme/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Hillier has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
No Greenwashing Please - and a fan-girly interview with amazing photographer Rebecca Spencer
This week Sophie and Laura discuss the tricky phenomenon of greenwashing in the fashion industry. What can you do to make sure you don't fall for it? Plus the girls go in full fan-girl mode when they get to interview the fantastic rebeccaspencer_photography. Specialising in Fashion, Celebrity, Influencer, Street Style and Lifestyle Photography, Rebecca is known for her candid, Instagram-style photography. And amazingly, a lot of her work is actually shot on an iPhone.
theaspirationalbestfriend
https://www.rebecca-spencer-photography.com/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
Maskless in the Studio - and Special Guest Joy Julius, winner of Graduate Fashion Week's Black Excellence Prize
It's Freedom Week in the UK! Laura and Sophie are maskless in the studio but have no plans to start being reckless. How will consumers react to this new found freedom and what will the lifting of restrictions mean for the Fashion Industry and retail?
Plus the girls interview fabulous human being and Kingston Uni graduate Joy Julius, who won the very first ever Graduate Fashion Week Black Excellence Prize.
@officialgfw
@joyjulius_
This week's like to know is the wonderful brand @beautybaycom who celebrate natural beauty on their instagram, saying 'nah' to 'hot girl summer' and instead going for 'no shame summer'. Also a shout out to Norway, who have decided any influencer has to declare their use of filters and edits in their posts. A step in the right direction, as @GlamourUK writes.
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
Digitally I'm On Trend - with Special Guest Lucy from Pretty Little Thing
Laura and Sophie explore the latest trend of digital fashion and discuss if there truly is a need for this latest movement. Should this be something we need to be investing in or is it simply a craze that will die out over time? Listen to the girls gain a further understanding and discover which brands are leading the way and if they will be jumping on the band wagon.
They are joined by the lovely Lucy from @prettylittlething who is one of the creators of the ever so successful podcast ‘Behind closed doors’ as well as running other extremely successful global social channels for the brand. Lucy delves into how the fast fashion retailer cares about their staff and creates not just a successful business but a community for their employees.
Their get to know is the newly developed fashion brand @madebysjp which creates one of a kind dresses from recycled fabrics and launched throughout the pandemic. The owner of the brand Sarah has created a platform for customers to customers to customised their dresses tailored to their individual tastes.
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
Trickle up or down? What does luxury mean to you?
Sophie and Laura introduce a luxury fashion special, as they consider what luxury actually means, in and out of the fashion industry context. As the pandemic has rocked the industry, they talk about the digital lessons learnt in the luxury industry and discuss how the trickle down effect has changed fashion forever.
And what a perfect guests for the luxury fashion podcast as the girls interview Melissa Johnson, stylist from Harvey Nichols and content creator. Aside from human fashion... Laura and Sophie of course have crept in their love for dogs and talk about pets and fashion. Sophie is obsessed with her pjs and loungewear from @Dogsy and they talk all about how fashion retailers are helping their dog parents twin their outfits with their furry friends. Retailers such as @missguided, @asos and @inthestyle @joules have all incorporated pooch fashion into their collections.
IN THE KNOW: Luxury fashion: what does luxury actually mean in the context of the fashion industry? The girls talk about digital lessons learnt in the luxury industry how the trickle down effect has changed fashion forever.
GET TO KNOW: What a perfect guest for an episode all about luxury: Laura and Sophie interview Melissa Johnson, stylist from Harvey Nichols and content creator. Find Melissa @melissareannejohnson
LIKE TO KNOW: Sophie is obsessed with her pjs and loungewear from @Dogsy and the girls talk all about how fashion retailers are helping their dog parents twin their outfits with their furry friends. Retailers such as @missguided, @asos and @inthestyle @joules have all incorporated pooch fashion into their collections. Have a look at https://www.dogsy.co.uk/collections/for-humans.
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
Inspired by the latest controversy surrounding the demands of Amazon staff in the work place, Sophie and Laura talk all about uniform expectations in the fashion work place. Think heels and sexism, youth v professionalism and ask yourself why can't trainers and a hoodie be perceived as luxury?
IN THE KNOW: Uniform expectations in the fashion work place - Is it fair to ask female retail employees to wear high heels?
GET TO KNOW: Joining the girls this week is the amazing Brand Partnership Director Joy Campbell from Graduate Fashion Week ( @officialgfw) and the girls get very excited to talk about fashion and TikTok. Check out the TikTok merch here: https://www.graduatefashionfoundation.com/news/check-out-the-merchandise-from-tiktok-residency-week-two
LIKE TO KNOW: As this week's Like To Know, Sophie talks about one of her favourite charitable retailers @newlifestores @newlifecharity.
https://newlifestores.co.uk
Sophie also sneaks in her experience of the new designer outlet in the Midlands- McArthurGlen.
https://www.instagram.com/mcarthurglenwestmidlands/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast. For more Brum Radio podcasts visit brumradio.com
This episode has been inspired directly by our listeners and followers. Sophie and Laura discuss financial transparency, wages v perks and make reflections on their listeners' experiences with pay in the fashion industry. A special thanks to @merchandying @lifeofabaa @merchlife for your insight and support for our podcast account.
Sophie and Laura interview the fantastic Hannah Eichler, from the Mail Online Fashion Finder and talk all things fashion journalism, celebrity style and loungewear burn out.
IN THE KNOW: As Sophie and Laura discuss wages, they mention Aldi Graduate Schemes:
https://www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/area-manager-programme?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=Graduate
They also mention Adzuna- Value Your CV: https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/value-my-cv/
Spotlight on @isawitfirst who offer their staff free lunch daily and other fab perks: https://www.isawitfirst.com/pages/careers
GET TO KNOW: As well as being Acting Deputy Editor of Fashion Finder, Hannah is a Youtube Host Of Finding Fashion, and a university lecturer at Southampton's Solent University. @hannaheichler
E-Fitter: https://www.efitterapp.com
Finding Fashion: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAcG45SnXU2sUQjmqxPBdVg
Mail Online Fashion Finder: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/fashionfinder/index.html
LIKE TO KNOW: This episodes like to know puts a spotlight on Selfridges, as they discuss the new retail concept of weddings in store. This sparks a conversation around innovative retail space and bringing experience into store to create value.
Selfridges Weddings: https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/wedding-shop/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk5fi9Ynn8AIVyeFRCh3KfARTEAAYASAAEgKwq_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast.
This week Sophie and Laura talk more about their careers as academics and supporting future fashion graduates in the fashion education journey. Special mentions go to Birmingham City University, and The School of Fashion and Textiles, where they both lecture on the Fashion Business and Promotion course. Sophie and Laura address the ongoing stigma around fashion as a career, especially the jump from school to university, and the presumption that 'fashion' isn't deemed a viable career. They aim to break down those barriers, address those negative retail head lines and discuss the sheer opportunities for anyone wanting to be educated to transfer to the fashion industry. Their special guest is fellow academic Mike Hansell, their friend and ex-colleague who formed part of their 'bcu babs' crew. Mike joins them by telling his own tales of education, his love for the 'shacket', working for some of the UKs leading retailers and now for another University as a senior fashion lecturer.
Follow Mike (and have a little look at his shackets) on Instagram.
For more information on BCU and the courses on offer:
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/fashion-and-textiles
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/fashion-and-textiles/courses/fashion-business-promotion-ba-hons-2021-22
For more on the next BCU open day (and a chance to see Sophie and Laura in the wild!) have a look at:
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/student-info/open-days
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast.
This week Laura and Sophie discuss the ongoing issues with clothing size variations and pricing within the fashion industry. How can brands justify the differences in sizing and who is responsible when brands sell the same product at different prices. Plus, the very talented fashion photographer and influencer Rosie Ann Butcher talks through her career to date, how she prides herself on minimal retouching as well as how she champions brands that are sustainable and inclusive.
IN THE KNOW: Laura mentions a photo that went viral, about the insane variation in jeans that are all labeled 'size 12'. This is that image:
Chloe Martin posted this photo of pairs of jeans all marked as size 12
Laura talks about a website that can help you find foundations that match the shade of the brand of foundation you are currently using: www.findation.com.
GET TO KNOW: Follow @rosieannbutcher on Instagram. You can check out more of her work on www.rosiebutcher.com. Rosie talks about video filters and how glitches in the filters can give away the celebrity using them. For some examples on this, have a look at James Welsh's YouTube video Fake Skin, Fake Faces, Misleading Marketing - Instagram VS Reality - Part 5.
Sophie mentions a charity T-shirt made by In The Style after the death of Caroline Flack. You can find the shirt here.
LIKE TO KNOW: The like to know is the incredible charity @thegirlsnetwork who’s mission is to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a mentor and a network of professional female role models
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast.
In the fourth Fashademix episode Laura and Sophie open up about female empowerment and what it means to them along with the struggles faced in today’s society. Their special guest is the talented online fashion brand and content creator Hollie Race, who talks about putting her game face on and cheerleading and empowering others by generating confidence in people along the way. Hollie discusses how she helps women be who they want to be and dress how they want to dress in order to create the trend lead content for her business along with a detailed discussion of her career to date.
IN THE KNOW: Laura and Sophie mention the Channel 4 documentary Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death and the film Roman Kemp made for the BBC: Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency.
GET TO KNOW: Follow Hollie Race on Instagram
LIKE TO KNOW: The like to know of this episode is the well-known brand Never Fully Dressed. Laura and Sophie discuss how a woman’s creative passion can be the driving force to a successfully run fashion empire. Follow Never Fully Dressed on Instagram.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast.
In the third instalment of The Fashademix Podcast, Laura and Sophie get to the nitty gritty of the latest Boohoo supply chain scandal and discuss where the blame lies. From manufacture to the end of the product life cycle, they discuss what consumers can do to bare the planet in mind. Special guest this week, Superdry Sustainability Warrior Sophie Ordige, discusses the brand's sustainability focus and how there will always be a place for fast fashion. Finally, hear about how H&M are introducing cactus leather in Like to Know.
IN THE KNOW: For more information on the Boohoo Supply Chain Scandal, click here. Laura also mentions the Rana Plaza incident.
GET TO KNOW: For more on Superdry's goals on sustainability, click here.
LIKE TO KNOW: The developer of cactus leather is Desserto. Find more info on H&M and their sustainability policies, here.
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast.
Welcome to The Fashademix Podcast episode 2! In this episode Laura and Sophie discuss the power of influencers: how they are evolving as well as how they would like the industry to change. The founders of Lounge Underwear, Dan and Mel talk through their innovative business model and how their brand has intensified throughout the pandemic. Both lecturers discuss how high street brand H&M are working on futuristic products and question if this is a step too far.
Guests Dan and Mel Marsdon are the founders of the well-known Birmingham based brand Lounge underwear.
IN THE KNOW: Laura and Sophie discuss the power of influencers, how www.inthestyle.com have stepped up how brands use influencers by connecting their audience with relatable people such as @ladbabymum, how their views differ and why one is influenced more than the other.
GET TO KNOW: Founded in 2016, Birmingham based www.loungeunderwear.com is an online retailer of underwear, swimwear and comfort clothing. The business founders, Dan and Mel discuss how they have combined an old-school work ethic with modern marketing techniques to build a fast-growing e-commerce brand and generate terrific sales.
LIKE TO KNOW: the product of the podcast is a discussion around the www.hm.com lab Germany High-Tech Jacket which states it can 'Make a Long-Distance Relationship Work'.
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London. Sophie is currently studying for her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running large scale customer facing campaigns in the retail sector with editorial and advertorial work featured in Elle, Grazia, Vogue and so on. Laura’s future focus is on ethical marketing and sustainability.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast.
The Fashademix Podcast is hosted by Laura and Sophie, two fashion academics who work at Birmingham City University on the Fashion Business and Promotions course. Join us every Thursday for interviews with great industry guests, healthy debate and relatable chat.
In this first episode Laura and Sophie introduce themselves and discuss what will happen once retail re-opens after lockdown. Have our wants and needs changed? What will the High Street look like and how can small fashion businesses survive? Plus, how Philip Green dropped the ball years ago and Sophie's new obsession: the Oodie.
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashademix/ and Twitter: @fashademix
About the hosts:
Sophie Johnson has taught on the fashion business and promotions course for the past 7 years after running her own PR agency in London, Sophie is currently studying her PHD researching crisis management in fashion retail.
Laura Arrowsmith has taught on the same course for the past 4 years with previous experience running customer facing campaigns with multi million pound budgets with imagery featured in Vogue, ELLE and so on.
Both Sophie and Laura have a wide breadth of industry experience as well as the research and contacts that give them their edge of expertise. Commentary from both of them has been captured on ITV news, I newspaper, Birmingham mail, Drapers, Retail Gazette and local and national radio stations.
The Fashademix Podcast is a Brum Radio Podcast.