FRA: Behind The Scenes: Recent Episodes
FASHION RETAIL ACADEMY
The Fashion Retail Academy talks to industry experts, alumni students and major brands about all things fashion business. Discover everything from the behind-the-scenes of running a sustainable brand to the best ways to launch your own fashion career.
The Fashion Retail Academy is based in the heart of London, teaching specialist undergraduate degrees and diplomas to students aged 16+.
In our first ever student led podcast, we kicked off with a Black History Month special! This podcast sheds light on black culture within the fashion industry and how it influences their work here at the FRA...while also sharing important personal stories of family expectations and why podcasts like these are so important for everyone to listen to. A huge well done to our panel Latisha, Grace, Naomi and Makayla, alongside our host - FRA Wellbeing and Pastoral Support Officer, Dee.
In our first ever student led podcast, we kicked off with a Black History Month special! This podcast sheds light on black culture within the fashion industry and how it influences their work here at the FRA...while also sharing important personal stories of family expectations and why podcasts like these are so important for everyone to listen to. A huge well done to our panel Latisha, Grace, Naomi and Makayla, alongside our host - FRA Wellbeing and Pastoral Support Officer, Dee.
Entrepreneur Emma Watkinson co-founded SilkFred, an online platform for affordable independent labels, in 2011. It's now home to over 800 brands and is a multi-million pound business with a wide celebrity following. On our latest episode of The Fashion Dialogue, we sat down to discuss all about how SilkFred was born, what they look for in an employee and how they work with the FRA.
Back in 2014, Founders Sophie and Sarah, started Birdsong - inspired by the great skill and creativity in women’s community groups, but frustrated by their financial insecurity in the context of budget cuts and rising rents. Now a B-Corp, we headed over to their office in Shoreditch to find out more about what it takes to run a sustainable fashion brand.
Charlotte Emily Sanders is an Instagram star, fashionista, influencer, and brand owner. Known for her taste in fashion and photoshoot skills, her Instagram feed is her resume and she has been posting regularly since 2015. In recent years, Charlotte co-owns minimalist fashion brand Sundarbay. We wanted to find out more about how she grew her following, whether she still gets shy taking photos and what owning a luxury fashion label is like.
Join us as we chat to Stylecheat's co-founding sisters, Nat and Lexi. The sisters, from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, developed a love of fashion from an early age, and launched the brand back in 2019. Find out more about the realities of running your own brand, the highs and the lows too and the advice they wish they had.
Carl Thompson is a UK Based Award Winning Men's Fashion, Style, Grooming, Travel & Lifestyle Blogger from London. We wanted to find out more about his background, how he got into blogging and what it is like to own his own Jewellery and Clothing brand.
Founder Lucy Aylen started manufacturing clothing from her parent's attic and selling pieces at London markets. Now an Instagram phenomenon, Never Fully Dressed has grown to be one of the UK's best boutique brands. In Episode 2, host Carl Thompson chats to Lucy about her upbringing, sustainability and how NFD work with FRA students.
Ellis Ranson is a London based freelance fashion and celebrity stylist. With over 7 years of experience in the fashion industry, Ellis has worked on a variety of commercial high street projects as well as dressing some of the UKs most recognisable faces. In Episode 2, our host Carl Thompson delves deep and finds out more about Ellis's journey into the world of styling, and how her time at the Fashion Retail Academy influenced her passion.
In our first episode, host Carl Thompson sat down with Montana Brown, Founder of sustainable swimwear brand Swim Society to talk about her brand. Including all the highs, lows and behind-the-scenes info!