Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

Latest Episodes:

Episode 30: Conversation with HUNTING SEASON founders, Danielle Corona and Lena Baranovsky Mar 10, 2023

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole sits with HUNTING SEASON founders Danielle Corona and Lena Baranovsky to discuss their cult-favorite, ultra-chic, timeless handbag and accessories collection. Fresh from showing back in Paris, the women discuss the brand's global inspiration, casual elegance, and minimalist approach to design centered around craft, materiality, and tradition. They also discuss craftsmanship and conscious production in Colombia, Spain and Italy, their paths to fashion, the inception of the brand, their new home collection, their enduring passion for vintage and resale, "the hunt for that special piece", and what's inspiring them right now. Kristen also touches on the wrap of F23 global fashion weeks, what she's loving from Copenhagen, New York, London, Milan and Paris, LVMH Prize semi-finalists, A.P.C. sells majority stake... and more.

Episode 29: Conversation with MADE FOR ALL founders, Danny Burke and Brandon Winslow Feb 09, 2023

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole sits MADE FOR ALL founders, Danny Burke and Brandon Winslow, on their just launched luxury leisurewear brand. They discuss the founders' sharp focus on quality, equity, style and customer experience, their commitment as a Black-owned brand to equity across their supply chain, the streetwear, loungewear, leisurewear classifications, other brands in the luxury leisurewear space like Fear of God's Essentials, and how men are dressing now. We discuss Danny and Brandon's backgrounds, what they are doing different, and the intersection of sports, fashion and travel. Kristen also touches recent fashion news; Copenhagen F23 standout collections like Ganni, Paris Haute Couture, Paris F23 Mens, Bode and Aime Leon Dore, Climate-Impact labels, new decree in France, Recycled Cashmere for Ralph Lauren, Ryan Roche, Another Tomorrow and Patagonia, Marc Jacob's S23 show in NY in homage to Vivienne Westwood, happy NYFW F23, Gucci's new creative director, Burberry's new campaign under Daniel Lee, Phoebe Philo returns (!), and more....

Episode 28: Conversation with TOMMY TON, on Street Style Photography and Cultural Observations Jan 07, 2023

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole sits with Tommy Ton, the highly-acclaimed street style photographer known for his eye for detail in style reportage and cultural insights into the world of high fashion (in NYC). They discuss what he’s been up to lately, his forthcoming book project chronicling influence in the industry, why "New York... is the most exciting city to photograph now", moments and insights gleaned from his career capturing the fashion set in the wild, outside the shows at fashion weeks around the world since 2007. Kristen also touches on the foreign films she's loving, shopping in Aspen, what she's happy to see go from '22 and looking forward to for '23, industry news, and Christopher John Rogers just released PF23 collection.

Episode 27: Conversation with Creative Director Sander Lak on New Book 'The Colors of Sies Marjan' Dec 08, 2022

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole sits with Sander Lak, Creative Director of New York-based fashion house SIES MARJAN to catch up on the release of his gorgeous new book The Colors of Sies Marjan (Rizzoli) and what he's been up to since the too-beautiful, cult-followed line shut its doors in 2020. Over coffee in Tribeca, the two discuss Sander's career in fashion, love of color and what's next. Topics include: the inception of Sies Marjan in NYC, the making of the book, his time designing in New York, London, Paris and at Dries Van Noten in Antwerp, time spent in LA over 2020, collaboration with Maharam Fabrics (just incredible), finding value in the negative space, museum shows at MoMa and Guggenheim, the importance of color and texture in his process, dressing in color, and beyond.... Kristen also touches on the ongoing Balenciaga saga, destination shows of the week, The 2022 British Fashion Awards, White Lotus, Alessandro Michele stepping down from Gucci, and more.

Episode 26: Conversation with LIZZIE FORTUNATO founders, Lizzie Fortunato and Kathryn Fortunato Nov 21, 2022

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole sits with LIZZIE FORTUNATO founders, power-duo Lizzie Fortunato, Creative Director, and Kathryn Fortunato, Sales/ Operations Director (in NYC) to discuss the twins' beloved jewelry and accessories brand known best for its highly-expressive statement jewelry. Their infectious energy and love for the brand is as expressive as it is responsible and we discuss their evolution from indie-startup to success story. We touch on: Lizzie's design obsession and organic beginnings, Kathryn's decision to join her sister in the brand, secrets to their partnership, their intentional mission, evolution in design, how to layer pieces, the power of statement jewelry, having babies, life in Brooklyn and Bellport, designers Dries van Noten, Marni, Jil Sander and The Row, systems and wholesale, their sustainable approach to production, "Give Back Styles" charitable donations...and more. Kristen also touches on this week's fashion news including Balenciaga leaving Twitter, COP27, The Fashion Act, Fashion Trust US, "nepo-babies" and holiday Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Episode 25: Conversation with ALTUZARRA Creative Director Joseph Altuzarra and CEO Shira Sue Carmi Nov 01, 2022

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole sits with ALTUZARRA Creative Director Joseph Altuzarra and CEO Shira Sue Carmi (in NYC) to discuss the modern, polished, feminine brand and its evolution, from both the creative and business perspectives. They touch on: Joseph's design philosophy and aesthetic touchpoints, Tom Ford at Gucci, the statement dresses of ALTUZARRA S23, Keds and Castaner collaborations, creating the "world of" in his stores on Madison Ave. and in East Hampton, ALTU (his "genderful" brand), homewares, the benefits of true partnership, company culture, sales channels, pandemic/ crisis takeaways and the importance of runway shows for the brand...and more. Kristen also touches on this week's fashion news.

Episode 24: Conversation with DRESS CODE author Véronique Hyland Oct 17, 2022

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole sits with DRESS CODE author Véronique Hyland to talk about the many ways fashion matters outside the insular fashion world, from the personal to the political and beyond. The author and current ELLE Fashion Features Director is a seasoned fashion expert, having been published in ELLE, W, The New York Times, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and Condé Nast Traveler. She shares her sharp insights and analysis on many zeitgeist-y topics covered in the book, shifts in fashion and observations on S23 fashion month- from designers overlooked to the most viral moments. The conversation spans women in politics, slashed-up blazers, politics in fashion, the joy of observation, body-diversity on the runway, standout collections, social media’s influence on presentation, conscious consumerism, original style in a hyper-connected world, the re-examination of ambition... and more.

Episode 23: Conversation with HALSTON Creative Director Ken Downing Sep 30, 2022

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole sits with Ken Downing, the highly-acclaimed Fashion Director turned HALSTON Creative Director at the brand's NYC office to discuss his plum new position and the heritage of the renowned American legacy brand. Ken shares his infectious love for HALSTON's history and archives, his deep knowledge on vintage and fashion history, his years leading Neiman Marcus' sartorial direction, his Seattle roots, grunge, punk and classic style, his personal sensibility, the tension he looks for in fashion, some of his favorite designers working today and the ladies who now slide into his DMs. The two also discuss HALSTON's enduring influence on fashion (seen even today on the runway), the '70s Halstonettes and iconic creatures that were Halston's circle (from Liza Minelli to Pat Cleveland and Bethann Hardison), the healthy competition between SAINT LAURENT and HALSTON, the modernity that HALSTON introduced (from casting choices to silhouette), American legacy brands (think: Perry Ellis, Stephen Burrows, Calvin Klein), and some of Ken's big plans for HALSTON, to be revealed for Fall23. He also imparts some of his best style advice for women. Kristen touches on Paris (now in full swing), fashion month, the fashion flu, Ewan McGregor, new beginnings, NYC Climate Week... and more.

Episode 22: Conversation with Vanessa von Bismarck and Carrie Phillips, BPCM founders Sep 08, 2022

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole (in NYC) sits with BPCM founders, Communications experts Vanessa von Bismarck and Carrie Phillips to discuss the evolution of their agency (with offices in New York, London, and Los Angeles) and the many shifts in the fashion and lifestyle PR/ Comms sector. In their delightfully candid and super informative discussion, the women share insights on how brands connect with their audience today, storytelling, content, the wild world of Web3, Art and NFTs, Crypto, sustainability's next frontier, client work with Hermes, Outerknown and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, favorite W. Village haunts, positioning advice for emerging designers and new brands and the one question they always ask prospective clients first (a vital question to consider!). Kristen also touches on Roevember, the first day of NYFW, Florence Pugh, Venice Film Festival highlights, Bode's win of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Emerging Designer and more….

Episode 21: Conversation with KENNETH NICHOLSON designer and founder Sep 01, 2022

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Dry Clean Only: Conversations on Fashion + Style

In this episode, fashion-insider, host Kristen Cole (in NYC) sits with rising talent, designer Kenneth Nicholson (in LA) of KENNETH NICHOLSON on "expanding the narrative of menswear". The brand is available at Dover Street Market locations in NY, LA and London. They discuss the designer's irrepressible drive to create, life in LA, their shared love of the '90s, the California desert, his Spring '22 runway show (and upcoming Spring '23 show), the CFDA support and nomination for American Emerging Designer of the Year Award, the exploration of thoughts, ideas, words and questions in his work, his intention to challenge current notions of masculinity through his collections, the mood of this moment, Prince, David Bowie, gender-fluid dressing, historic fashion and his optimistic approach to celebrating masculinity on his own terms. Kristen also touches on what's to come for NYFW S23 Collections, art week, fashion news, Rockefeller Center, the Met Costume Institute, Serena Williams and more....

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