The Soulful Side of Life: Recent Episodes
Allyson L. Portee
Fashion journalist and editor of SEELE Magazine Ally Portee lets you in on some of her conversations with inspiring people from around the world in fashion, faith, entertainment, music, and entrepreneurship. Basically, these are conversations from the soulful side of life about topics that will hopefully inspire your life.
Yi-Hwa Hanna is an author and editor of a Middle East edition of a leading global travel magazine brand, based in Dubai. Her words have been published in a range of top-tier international and regional publications over the past 20 years, including Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Business Traveller, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, Etihad Inflight, and many others. She’s also an award-winning writer having won the 2023 Emirates LitFest Writing Prize. Her writing knowledge spans from lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, and business. In this episode she talks about her journey in media, how to navigate through the rough media climate, and the ways to pitch to an editor.
Shohreh Aghdashloo is an Emmy Award-winning, Oscar-nominated actress. In this episode Shohreh and I talk about her newest film Still Smiling, a film about domestic violence- a topic that she’s passionate about, we talk about her early life in Iran, and what she’s working on.
Tessy Antony de Nassau is a Wife, Mother, Social Entrepreneur, Business Woman, Philanthropist, Military Veteran, Public Speaker, Activist, and Co-Founder of a fashion brand.
Wearing many hats, Tessy actively promotes a number of issues, including global health and women’s rights. She is passionate about pushing her different agendas to benefit the Sustainable Development Goals and has committed her time and energy to furthering the work of organizations in which she believes in. If you follow Tessy’s life, you see that everything she has done or is doing, she was prepped to do. Her work in the Luxembourg military, and being a former member of the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg where she was styled as princess prepared her for her activism, private sector, and NGO work. Quite egalitarian in how she carries herself, Tessy makes the effort to be amongst the people, helping when and where she can.
In this episode, she opens up on her journey of growing up in Luxembourg, of her military service, her sweet moment of being a princess- though I’d argue she still is in spirit and soul, and what she has been up to.
Rebecca is the founder of Radical Radiance® - a podcast community where listeners are equipped to blend what they love with Jesus, who makes them shine. The episode centers around her new book “It’s Not Too Late,” where she unpacks how to deal with the experience of longing, whether that be for a spouse or a child, for a healing in a broken relationship, or for a clearer direction in our calling. Because of this waiting, we can fall into resentment about what we lack—or we can see our unmet desires as an invitation to draw closer to a trustworthy God.
KB and Ally discuss mother-in-law and daughter-in-law Ruth and Naomi, and how their relationship signifies divine relationships and being aligned to the right people. Their story illustrates the concept of a kinsman redeemer in the Old Testament, of Jesus being that illustration in the New Testament.
Keni is a multi-talented media personality, philanthropist, film industry investor, woman empowerment activist and speaker, model, entrepreneur and certified divorce coach. In this episode we talk about her new book “Divorce As An Opportunity," a comprehensive guidebook empowering women to navigate divorce successfully and challenging the traditional narratives surrounding separation.
Nelson L. Schuman is an author, teacher, speaker, and founder and president of Restored To Freedom located near Dallas, TX. Before he does what, he does now, Nelson was successful in the banking world. But through family challenges, God guided him into full time ministry: helping people get free from soul wounds. Nelson’s focus is the restoration of lives and marriages, specifically helping people get healed from their past soul wounds and delivered from demonic strongholds. In this episode we talk about his calling and journey into inner healing, what inner healing is, how one can hear from God, and much more.
As a licensed clinical professional counselor with advanced specialized training in trauma care, Eliza Huie has just published a new book “Trauma Aware.” We chat about her work in equipping and training church leaders in how to deal with trauma, she explains how to deal with friends that may have trauma, and she outlines examples of trauma in the Bible. Enjoy this podcast episode with Eliza.
KB and Ally delve into the Samaritan woman at the well. They discuss this woman and Jesus’ interaction, her characteristics of who she is, and what we can learn from her.
Since 2013, Sara Murad has been a media presenter in the Middle East. She’s a Senior TV Presenter on MBC 1 and a founder of her own fragrance brand, By Sara Murad. In this episode we talk about her country of Saudi Arabia’s bourgeoning growth, her work in media, her fragrance brand, and she gives advice to women about discerning the right man.
The Country Music singer opens up about his turnaround career as an independent artist at the 2025 C2C Music Festival in London.
KB and Ally delve into who this Proverbs 31 Woman is, and what the deeper meaning of her purpose is, what she represents, and how women can apply her to their lives.
In the middle for the autumn-winter 2025 women’s Paris Fashion Week season, I sat down with Aurore Gautier to talk about her journey as a celebrity makeup artist. She’s self-taught, kind, and inspiring.
Mary Marantz is the bestselling author of Dirt and Underestimated, as well as the host of the popular podcast The Mary Marantz Show. Growing up in a single-wide trailer in West Virginia, Mary defied all odds and went to Yale Law School. In this episode we talk about Underestimated, and dive into topics around the book. Listen as Mary unpacks themes of what it means to be crippled by fear, but when we overcome, we are often underestimated by those around us.
May El Khalil is the Founder and President of the Beirut Marathon Association. The Beirut Marathon Association oversees the annual Beirut International Marathon, a race and social movement that has been held every autumn since 2003, and has attracted tens of thousands from over a hundred countries.
Deb Sofield is a global Communications Consultant, a Keynote Speaker, a former Radio Talk Show Host, a Podcaster, and President of her own Executive Speech Coaching Co. She’s skilled in training people for success in: speaking, crisis communications, presentation, media, and message development. In this episode we talk about her Lebanese roots, what makes for a good speech, she touches on the US president whose speaking style she admires most, and what doesn’t make for a good speech.
Since the age of 15, Lauren Jenkins has been touring, sharing her Americana talent with the world. The New York Times named her as an artist to watch, and she has been given various accolades by Billboard, Rolling Stone, and others. In this interview we talk about how being born in Texas, yet raised in both Carolinas impacted her worldview, we talk her music, and her film work.
Jo is the president of Agape Freedom Fighters, a ministry that exists to set captives free through healing and evangelism. A believer in Jesus, Jo suffered with chronic nerve pain for 14 years and was set free. In this episode she shares her story, unpacks what the prophetic means, and talks about how total emotional and physical healing in Jesus name is possible.
LA resident Kevin Dix opens up about what’s going on in the city with the fires, but he also delves deeper into how government mismanagement is part the problem that led to many losing their homes, he talks about all the multi-billions of dollars of destruction, and how this disaster is a bipartisan issue.
Ally sat down with Nouri, a singer who has over twenty singles under her belt to talk about her early life of being a refugee, why her mom is her hero, music’s impact on her, and why she likes Country Music.
Find Ally’s articles at https://seelemag.com/
In this episode KB and Ally unpack the importance of being whole and healed from your past, knowing who you are and who you are in Christ, understanding what being responsible means, and why selflessness (Self-love) and serving others are all important in understanding when it comes to being ready for marriage.
In this episode of Life’s Burning Questions With KB and Ally, the two talk about discernment in dating.
Jerry Inzerillo comes from humble beginnings, and has handled some major projects around the world, yet he remains humble.
Purity of heart, purity as a lifestyle, and sexual purity is what we discuss in this episode.
Ally sat down over Zoom with Christine, who is known for her film The Clark Sisters, to talk about her newest film Albany Road, out on limited release on November 15th. Taking 23 days to shoot in Champagne, Illinois, it stars Renee Elise Goldsberry and cinema legend Lynn Whitfield.
One of the most comfortable ways that millennials prefer to meet someone is through friends. In this episode KB and Ally point out the different ways to meet someone and how important it is to not dwell on looks, while also keeping in mind that there are things men and women can both do to put themselves out there and meet someone.
Sara Al Madani is one of the realest people that you’ll meet. Since recording this, she has landed on Bravo TV’s Real Housewives of Dubai. Al Madani has been a fashion designer, but she’s also a serial entrepreneur. She’s all about self-love, and this is coupled with knowing and respecting herself, which results in her having a love of humanity.
Recorded during the Covid pandemic times, we discuss taking that risk to start a business, how to know if the person you're thinking to partner with is the right business partner, what else is needed (being emotional, mentally, and socially equipped) to start a business, and what she wishes she had known before starting her first business.
KB and Ally unpack what is the difference between dating and courting. Dating is not in The Bible and didn’t exist during the Bible era. However, The Bible offers some principles for courtship and marriage. Within the free will that we have, there are some Biblical factors to keep in mind, which is discussed in this episode.
In this inaugural episode KB and Ally discuss what it means to be content in the single season. They touch on the wisdom of letting God work on a person’s behaviors and mindsets that need amended to be ready for marriage, they touch on why Paul in the Bible says it’s better to be single, and they touch on embracing the benefits of being single.
Mariano di Vaio is a model, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. From humble beginnings Mariano grew from almost nothing into becoming one of Italy’s first digital bloggers. His early beginnings shaped him, and with hard work to learn English he lived in London and New York. He managed to obtain several covers and collaborations with international brands such from Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Dolce&Gabbana, and many others. His fashion blog was one of the first in the fashion industry to take off, where he shared his travels, fashion activities, and expressed his opinion on the trends of men's fashion. Since then he has won numerous awards.
In this episode he opens up about his decision and faith to give his life to Jesus, family, and the importance of good character.
Whitney Anne Adams is a Costume Designer who has designed and worked on many internationally acclaimed films, like her newest film The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (coming out on Hulu on August 23rd). The films she has worked on have been featured at the Sundance, Cannes, SXSW, Toronto and Tribeca Film Festivals. She has worked with some of the biggest names in costume design and the tailoring world from Judith Dolan to Carelli Costumes in New York City. She also built Beyonce's costumes for her 2009 "I Am" tour, working as Liza Minelli's personal seamstress on various outfits, getting the chance to hone her fine embroidery and beading skills. Whitney also worked under 4-time Oscar winning costume designer Catherine Martin, as design assistant on The Great Gatsby. In this interview we talk about her journey in costume design, her advice for those wanting to enter this line of work, and why she loves films.
Katherine Garbarino, is known by KGMTL and for being a “virtual bestie” to those that follow her online. Montreal based, she’s the founder of Kasics and Girls Living Well. She’s an open book to her dedicated fanbase on topics of health, wellness, fashion and fitness. Her recipes, alongside all of her tips and tricks have been shared and heard by millions of people via her Instagram and YouTube channel, where she shows her everyday life without holding back. Her mission has always been to leave her followers better off than when they found themselves, making Katherine a walking example of how one’s influence via social media can be used for greater good. Whether it’s weight loss stories, shopping must-haves or just pure advice on how to be “Good At Life,” Katherine has got you covered. We talk about health and wellness, finding balance in life, and the Real Housewives franchise.
Kimanee started modeling at the age of 15 when she moved to New York City for college. Immediately shooting for Teen Vogue after being signed, she went on to work with brands from Levis to Valentino. Working in commercial design after modeling, she decided in 2015 to launch her own lifestyle brand Grace & Company. She lives in NYC with her three sons with a daughter on the way. She is a woman of faith and supports causes aimed at elevating the worth of women. We talk about her modeling career, her decision to start her own brand, and her decision to take her Christian faith seriously.
Aliia Roza was born in the USSR into a Kazakh-Tatar military serving family. She was raised to be patriotic with the understanding that she would protect civilians and protect the Russian motherland. So, at 18 years old, Aliia was sent to a secret military academy of internal affairs in Russia, where she was chosen from 350 students to participate a special secret program developed by former KGB psychologists and high-ranking officers and agents, called sexpionage. Her training is in the art of seduction, persuasion and neuro-linguistic programming in order to get information from targets and to recruit.
Her last mission with a drug lord was a dangerous one, and the growth and healing that has come from leaving Russian espionage has been a challenging one. Since leaving her secret agent life, she has found it rewarding to give back and spends a lot of her time serving others. In this episode we get into a lot from what it was like growing up in the former USSR, to working in Russian espionage, to why she became a Christian, and why fashion is her passion.
I sat down with the Parisian stylist at the the 63rd Monte Carlo Television Festival. She chats about why fashion and film are in an inseparable relationship, especially for entertainment festivals.
Both Vinette Robinson and Eva Morgan are British actors who star on British series The Gathering. I sat down with both of them during the 63rd annual Monte-Carlo Television Festival to discuss the show, why they got into acting, and what they’re working on next.
Chen’s kibbutz was attacked on October 7, 2023, and five members are a part of the 132 hostages still in Gaza. She opens up on how she’s feeling about Hamas, what happened to her kibbutz that day, and what people can do to help.
This is a conversation on the seriousness of marriage with KB Chakela, the faith editor of Seele Magazine. We talk about a lot of things in this topic from why God created marriage, to dating with intentionality, and the red and green flags women should look out for in dating.
In this episode, West opens up about her book out in May, and her journey of growing up in a movement that significantly affected her life. But, she chose for herself a new life and to step away from an unhealthy ideology that governed her life for far too long.
Joe is the Founder of Lebanese Fashion History on Instagram, and he is the Fashion Editor of Marie Claire Arabia. His knowledge of Lebanese fashion history is like nonother. When I think of Joe, for me, he’s the Suzy Menkes of Lebanese couture history. He dives into Lebanon’s rich couture history that goes back to the 1920s, unpacking the country’s impact on the fashion industry. So, enjoy this podcast episode with Joe Challita.
Shefali Seele Magazine’s Lifestyle Editor and author. An Indian-American, she became an executive at the age of 21 at her family’s corporate business in Mumbai. Last year Shefali became a mom, and she is learning to navigate being a mom while maintaining working. Residing in Dubai with her husband and new baby, Shefali opens up about navigating being a first-time mom and why waiting till her thirties to have a child makes her a patient mom.
A visionary and storyteller with knowledge that spans from the public sector to the private sector, Kanessa’s make-it-happen attitude has gotten music artists like Maluma, actors, and athletes positioned in top media like ET, Variety, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. And her clients have been featured in campaign collaborations for brands like Mugler, Macy’s, Saint Laurent, Alaïa, and Dolce&Gabbana. She shares her story along with wisdom of being a PR in the entertainment world.
Jan Smith is a nationally recognized singer, songwriter, and musician. And, she is a Grammy nominated producer, Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee, and a multi-platinum certified vocal coach and vocal producer who has vocally trained distinctive voices in the industry from Usher to Justin Bieber. She’s the owner of Jan Smith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, a state-of-the-art vocal coaching facility, but she offers services nationwide to record companies, artists, producers and motion pictures.
Yalda Hakim is a BBC World News presenter and correspondent, which she joined in 2012. She made her on-screen debut in March 2013 presenting a special three-part series of Our World entitled, Iraq: Ten Years On. Before joining BBC World News Hakim, was the presenter of SBS Dateline in Australia, and she has reported on Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Libya during the Arab Spring, from the streets of Juba, South Sudan, as many celebrated the new country’s independence, and on various issues from the Middle East, the U.S., Africa and Europe.
Maria de Medeiros is Portuguese, but grew up in Austria and has lived in France for many years. She’s an actor, director, and singer mainly partaking in European productions, but also American. She got her big break in Hollywood, firstly with the film Henry & June in 1990 and Pulp Fiction in 1994. I first met Maria during Paris Fashion Week in September 2023 at an art exhibition. During the February/March 2024 women’s Paris Fashion Week, I sat down with her in Saint Germain to talk about being a citizen of Europe, how acting found her, and what it was like working with Quentin Tarantino for Pulp Fiction.
Photo Credit: Manon Costantini
In 2017 Jules Bush started Brave by Faith, where she runs about 20 retreats a year in exotic locations, inspiring travelers to adopt new healthy habits, while casting off old insecurities and mindsets, replacing them with a fresh knowledge of God and His deep love for mankind.
Rani Zakhem is able to bring the worlds of interior architecture and fashion design together to create some of the most carefully crafted couture, ready-to-wear, and bridal silhouettes. We talk about the importance of having ready-to-wear for plus size women in the Arab market, a rarity that’s slowly being tackled. But, Rani is the first one to do this with his 2009 ready-to-wear collection. Focusing solely on private clients at the moment, it’s nice to see designers like Rani Zakhem, whose niche is to focus on creating sought-after looks for all women.
In this interview Kilian Hennessy talks about calling- how perfumery found him, how perfume-making is more similar to cooking than cognac making, and his newest scents at the time: Angels’ Share and Roses on Ice, his secret to success, and giving back.
Desolas Mezcal is an artisanally crafted spirit that is thoughtfully produced from 100% Salmiana Agave found in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The Salmiana agave, also known as the “green giant,” is cooked in above ground ovens resulting in a mezcal with a fresh botanical aroma and gentle smoke. Its grassy, earthy and agave forward character are a product of the arid and chalking soil of San Luis Potosi.
Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger is an entrepreneur, designer, wife, mother, philanthropist, and advocate living in Palm Beach. A third culture kid, she grew up in the US with one parent being from Turkey and the other from England. She was a model and lived many years in Europe raising her kids, until she met fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger. Ultimately, she became a fashion designer herself. Firstly, as creative director of Judith Leiber, and later she founded her own namesake brand.
A kind person, she graciously sat down with me for a chat about the importance of women having their own independence, why she felt she had a sartorial story to tell in the oversaturated market of fashion, and she answers if she would have become a fashion designer if Tommy Hilfiger wasn’t her husband. There was a glitch in the recording so the very beginning of her answer to the first question was cut off, which was: “you’re a third culture kid. Do you have connection to your Turkish and British heritages? Do either inspire you as a designer?
Janet Giachino and Ally Portee sat down, over Zoom during the Covid_19 quarantine to speak with Mexican actor, model, producer, philanthropist, businessman, and former Mexican-Kairo boyband member Eduardo Verástegui. He got his start in Mexico City as a model and actor for soap operas, later joining a boyband. His heart was into his-then definition of success: fame, women, acting and singing. After discovering and accepting Jesus for himself, Verástegui started the production company Metanoia Films, with the goal of producing films that had the potential to not only entertain but also to make a difference in society.
His film, Sound of Freedom, which he produced was supposed to hit theaters in 2020 but didn’t arrive until 2023, delves into the global issue of human trafficking through the true story of a former CIA agent.
As a cinematographer, Cristina Dunlap’s passion is fueled by the belief that people can be brought together by a shared visual experience, so she finds a way to visually translate someone's inner most thoughts and feelings to an audience through movement, lighting, and color.
American Fiction is her most recent film project, about a man dealing with the internal challenges of not being able to relate to people, of feeling society’s pressures telling him how a Black person is supposed to act, and family drama – sibling rivalry, an aging parent, the past and the present butting up against each other all the time. Shot in 26 days, it spoke to Director Cord Jefferson and the crew, as it is both a trenchant satire and a poignant story of a family and a man at a crossroads.
Devin grew up in a house where music was at the center. It was his mom who influenced the language of music come alive in him. Initially he made Metal music and he played bass for the band, ‘Shadow of the Colossus,’ and then made his way into Country Music as a songwriter. His first love is creating lyrics, but, he made his way into the genre as a singer, and gained fame after filming a mashup of Taylor Swift’s Style and Blank Space. We talk everything from his Metal days, to what inspired him to go Country, and the pandemic.
Eugenia Kuzmina is a Russian-American, born during the Soviet era in all its hardships, who was discovered as a model on the streets of Moscow, and from that moment, her life changed. Her life has ebbed and it flows from the world of fashion, where she has walked for luxury brands and worked with the most notable of fashion designers from Alexander McQueen, Mugler, Viktor&Rolf, Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz, and Vivienne Westwood- to name a few. And it has extended now, to the worlds of film and comedy. A good-hearted soul, we all need a Eugenia Kuzmina in our lives.
Katie McKenzie is a creative, living in Columbia, South Carolina. Both McKenzie and Ally Portee grew up in the same church in South Carolina. Recorded during the time of the George Floyd murder, and the racial unrest that it brought to the US, both wanted to discuss how it's not possible to move forward as a nation- Black and White unless people seek to understand, talk, listen, repent and heal together. Both chat on themes of racism and share ways of moving forward.
Ally Portee chatted with New Zealand musician Phil Joel, who was formerly with the Christian rock group, Newsboys. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Phil now lives in Nashville, TN with his family. But now, he has his own band Zealand. “Zealand means a state of heart and mind; where the soul is awakened and the leaves turn greener,” he says. Though he’s not with The Newsboys anymore, he sometimes performs with them on tour.
A conversation with Andrew Hyatt, an award-winning writer and director. He talks his film, Paul, Apostle of Christ, as well as his journey. The movie was made on a shoestring budget of $5 million. Hyatt is passionate about God, and he has done well in combining his two passions: storytelling through film and God.
From March 2018’s Country2Country Music Festival at London's 02 Arena. Ally Portee sat down with Country Music band, LANco, where the band of five talked music, faith, performing in the UK and humility.
Sherrynorth is known as ‘Misi Resilience’ by those who know her best, was like many women on the African continent, who leave home to work as domestic workers because they need to make more money to provide for their families in their countries. Originally from Ghana, she was conned by a fellow Ghanaian that she trusted, who acted like an agency and arranged her travel to Kurdistan to work for a family, but everything went extremely wrong after that. Sherrynorth was later trafficked to Iraq and underwent the worst horrors of what domestic workers fear: rape, beatings, human degradation, mental attacks that she trusted no one. Her story could be a movie. But, it is her faith in God and the will to fight that got her through. Now back in Ghana, Sherrynorth helps other domestic workers, educating them on the realities of being a domestic worker, and provides them with the resources they need if they have negative experiences like hers.
Alessandra di Tommasi is one of the entertainment industry’s top journalists, writing for Vanity Fair Italia, Vogue Italia, Cosmopolitan Italia, and others. You’ll find her at the Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Toronto, Zurich, Berlin, Monaco, and others in press junkets sitting front row and asking the most intelligent of questions to actors and directors. In the interview we talk about her journey from Lecce to “Hollywood,” the hardships of being an entertainment journalist in these times, the exciting moments of the job, our private moment we had with Leonardo di Caprio and Casey Affleck, and no matter how stressful the industry can get, why Ale wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.
In this podcast episode Wendy Starland, who discovered and developed Lady Gaga talks about her music career and what led her to do modeling. She also drops some practical life applications, something that we can all glean from.
Ellen Mirojnick has been in the business of designing costumes for film and TV for over thirty years, and she’s known for inspiring men’s fashion in the early 90s, when she created bold patterned ties, colorful suspenders, and crisp suits for the 1987 Wall Street film.
Held at Hult International Business School in London, Ally speaks with Jaclyn Andrasek, Vice President, Private Equity and M&A Practice at Marsh McLennan on the theme of 'Women in Private Equity.'
I’ve been sitting in the book of Judges the past few weeks and the parallels between Adam and Samson was so poignant. Both were men had extraordinary calls on their lives. God saw great potential in them, seeing them as men that He could partner with and use for His greater purposes and plans. They were leaders and they were given much, but ultimately, they betrayed God. In this Friday Post Ally will point out how betraying God leads to self-betrayal and untimely heartache and pain.
*Note- at minute 7.50, the Bible verse is supposed to be Revelation 1:18- not John 1:18 as mentioned.
Full of joy, actor and motivational speaker Hunter Clowdus is a happy person. In this interview we talk about success and some of those wisdom nuggets he’s known for, faith, his clothing line, and briefly his TV show All American, on the CW. For someone still so young he has accomplished quite a lot, but he doesn’t boast about having obtained it all yet. But, in some ways it’s as if he’s just getting started.
Catherine Martin is a two-time Academy Award winning costume designer, wife, and mother. Her work transcends her as she is leaving her imprint on the film industry. She’s done the costumes for Baz Luhrman’s Romeo + Juliet, Australia, Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby- the latter two she won Academy Awards for.
This interview was done in February 2021, two months before Alber Elbaz died. He was an inspiring and kind man. He speaks about his journey in fashion and the lessons he learned.
The Story Box Founder, Jay Fantom shares how a relationship at 17 years old affected his mental health, and with ups and downs of depression, and, an attempted suicide attempt, he stood up and said no more. Since the beginning of The Story Box in November 2019, Jay has had the privilege of unboxing the stories of more than seven hundred high-profile, world-class leaders from every field. He opens up about his story and his new book The Path Of An Eagle.
Scotty McCreery is an American Country Music Singer and the 10th season winner of American Idol. He opens Up right before the C2C Festival that took place between London, Dublin, and Glasgow.
Colored wedding gowns? Danielle Frankel certainly thinks so. The American New York-based designer has a fresh and modern approach to wedding gowns, which are catching the attention of brides all over the world. Sitting down she talks her journey, what inspired her to come away from the traditional wedding gown look, cultures that inspire her collections, trends from the pandemic in bridal gowns, her newest collection, and more.
This podcast is supported by Apply Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts.
Luxury shoes made from upcycled grape and apple skins. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Italian-American luxury shoe designer Jennifer Stucko has been on a mission to combine sustainability and luxury with her brand Prota Fiori. The name is Italian, meaning “protect the flowers,” which signifies Stucko’s commitment to prioritizing Mother Earth with plant-based alternatives in place of leather for women’s luxury footwear.
We talk her launching Prota Fiori during the pandemic and how she was inspired to leave the world of luxury Italian brands to start her own business.
This podcast is supported by Apply Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts.
Anok Yai has an incredible life story and she’s only 23 years old. Born a refugee, Anok faced challenges growing up in the US for her skin color . A biochemistry student, she was discovered for modeling at Howard University's homecoming. It was the Prada AW18 show that propelled Anok’s modelling career. She has walked in many more shows from New York, to Milan, London and Paris. This podcast is supported by Apply Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts.
Rabih Kayrouz founded his brand Maison Rabih Kayrouz [ MRK] in 1999, embodying a couture savoir-faire House. He was injured during Beirut’s August 4, 2020 explosion and has been recovering. He just revealed his AW21 collection during Paris Fashion Week. Enjoy this podcast episode with Rabih where he talks about how he’s been spending the past few months and his refocus of MRK. This podcast is supported by Apply Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts.
Born in Chicago, Egyptian-American actress Amina Khalil is an influential woman. Acting is her way of connecting with people. The thirty-two-year-old and I talk about a range of topics from acting, women in the Middle East, her experience of living alone in NYC- something that’s not the norm for single Arab women, her overcoming Covid, fashion, and her charity work. This podcast is supported by Apply Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts.
I sat down with Tara Emad at her hotel room during the October 2020 El Gouna Film Festival in El Gouna Egypt to do this interview. We talk fashion, her acting work, the festival, and her charitable work. This podcast is supported by Apply Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts.
Lainey has a distinct retro style that makes her easily spotted in a room. Since she was a child she hasn’t been seen without bell bottom flared pants, on stage or off. We talk fashion, faith, Covid, her new EP, and her hopes for 2021. This podcast is supported by Apply Podcasts. This podcast is supported by Apply Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts.