Second Life

Latest Episodes:

Kim Nemser: Warby Parker Chief Merchandising Officer and Head of Product Strategy and Operations Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Kim Nemser is the chief merchandising officer and head of product strategy and operations at Warby Parker. Kim studied English and French in college, and started her career in investment banking at UBS and The Blackstone Group. Soon after, she noticed she preferred reading Women's Wear Daily over the Financial Times and thought she might want to work somewhere in the intersection of business and fashion. Four years into her time in banking, she took a pay cut and pivoted to fashion, first working at Italian men’s luxury goods house Tod’s, and then at J.Crew, where she worked closely with Jenna Lyons and helped launch new categories like its iconic jewelry line. After several years and massive growth at J.Crew, Kim wanted a change and a new challenge. So she joined Warby Parker in 2016, when the brand owned only 12 stores. In the years since, she’s guided Warby Parker through product development, merchandising, planning and strategy, and everything in between. She also championed the launch of Warby Parker’s extended sizes line, and developed a multifaceted protocol that puts sustainability at the forefront of the business.

The Who What Wear Podcast: Summer Swim Roundup: Swim Trends, Our Favorite Designers, and the Brands Creating Charms for Your Swimsuits Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

It’s getting hot out, which means it’s the perfect time for our editors to discuss this year’s hottest swim trends—from retro bikini briefs to Chanel-inspired black-and-white sets. Join our associate director of special projects, Kristen Nichols, and associate editor, Sierra Mayhew, to hear which brands are their go-tos for stunning swimsuits, their favorite swim accessories, and how one-pieces are actually more popular than bikinis right now. They also talk suits for larger chests, jelly sandals, and all the trends you need to know about for the rest of the summer. Plus, they’re answering listener questions!

Micaela Erlanger: Stylist and Recent Harvard Grad Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

Micaela Erlanger is a stylist and best-selling author. Micaela grew up loving fashion and styling, and followed that passion to Parsons School of Design, where she earned a degree in Strategic Design and Management. After graduating into an economy during a recession, Micaela hustled for experience, freelancing for movie shoots and fashion magazines before landing a full-time job with the iconic stylist Annabel Tollman. Tollman grew to become Micaela’s mentor, but after her untimely death in 2013, Micaela struck out on her own. After a successful partnership with her first client, Michelle Dockery, she began working with Lupita Nyong’o during her awards season run for 12 Years a Slave. Immediately, Micaela was topping The Hollywood Reporter’s list of most powerful stylists. Over the next decade, she grew her client list to include other A-listers like Meryl Streep and Kelly Clarkson, moved into private and bridal styling, wrote a book, and so much more. In 2020, she decided she wanted a change, so she applied (and was accepted) to Harvard Business School’s Program for Leadership Development. She graduated with an Executive MBA this past April and is now figuring out what she’ll do next. She’s creating her second life as we speak!

The Who What Wear Podcast: Actor Laura Harrier on Her New Collection With Reformation, Style Influences, and Favorite Look She's Ever Worn Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

This is not a drill! Laura Harrier's collaboration with Reformation just dropped. The actor and former model, who can be seen in next year's Michael Jackson biopic, designed an 18-piece collection with the brand, and it has all of the '90s chill-girl vibes we need for the summer. From the perfect miniskirt to a re-creation of Laura's favorite pair of vintage pants, this collection has it all. She's here to talk to Kat about her history with fashion, her design influences, and of course, all the details on the partnership with Reformation. Plus, they chat about her favorite pieces and the '90s icons that inspired the collection. Laura's collaboration with Reformation is live now, so check it out before it sells out!

Julie Chung: Ophthalmologist and T3 Co-Founder Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Julie Chung is an ophthalmologist and the co-founder of the hair-tool company T3. Even while in med school to become a glaucoma and cataract surgeon, Chung always put effort into her hair in the mornings. However, her go-to hair dryer was ineffective and heavy. As a gift to Chung, her now-husband Kent Yu took it upon himself to create a lighter, sleeker model with innovative technology to combat frizz. Realizing the white space in haircare, Chung then designed a marketing strategy that positioned the hair dryer as a beautiful, luxe item. Thus, T3 was born and was an immediate success. The brand sold out multiple times and eventually had retailers who’d shunned it at first calling to stock its product. In the years that followed, Chung and Yu designed flat irons, curling irons, and other products, all in T3’s signature polished style. This year, they celebrated 20 years of T3 and launched their first hot-air styler, the T3 Aire 360. Chung still practices medicine but is increasing her time with T3 as she looks to the future of her independently owned brand.

The Who What Wear Podcast: Our Nordstrom Anniversary Sale It List: The Items, Brands, and Trends We’re Buying Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here, and with so many incredible items to shop, we thought you might need some help narrowing down your wish list. Join Kat Collings and our Who What Wear editors as they discuss their best purchases from the sale over the years, along with the trends and brands they’re shopping this year. Plus, since the Anniversary Sale gives you great deals on new arrivals, they’re discussing which items to stock up on now for your fall wardrobe.

Shea McGee: Interior Designer and Co-Founder of Studio McGee and McGee & Co. Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

Shea McGee is an interior designer and the co-founder of Studio McGee and McGee & Co. Shea originally worked in communications, but after redecorating her first home with her husband and eventual co-founder, Syd McGee, she found that she had a natural talent for design. She took interior design classes at her local community college to build skills and confidence and attracted clients in her neighborhood and on Instagram. In 2014, she and Syd took a chance and sold their house in California, using the proceeds to move to Salt Lake City and launch their business. Soon, Shea’s classic yet modern style and behind-the-scenes looks on social media were attracting customers from all over the country. She built a virtual design services business and eventually, an e-commerce business with the launch of McGee & Co. Shea also starred in the Netflix renovation show Dream Home Makeover and designs a line of furniture with Target named Threshold Designed With Studio McGee.

The Who What Wear Podcast: Mary Beth Barone and Benito Skinner on Fashion in Stand-Up Comedy, the Value of Vintage, and the Designers They Ride For Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

We absolutely ride for Mary Beth Barone and Benito Skinner. While the comedians, podcasters, and real-life besties are known for their creativity and unmatched banter, their incredible personal style and love for fashion can’t be overlooked. The two have become regulars at various runway shows; Mary Beth wore a 1999 Versace dress for her latest stand-up special; and Benito’s IG feed is splattered with outfits from Dior and JW Anderson. Today, they join us to talk about Benito’s recently ordered Amazon show, Overcompensating, Mary Beth’s upcoming Pillow Talk Tour, and, of course, all things fashion—from their dream collab designers to the impact drag queens have on their performance outfits. Plus, stay tuned for news on Ride season 2 (which drops today!) and how Lizzie McGuire shaped the pair's personal style.

Kim and Vanessa Pham: Omsom Co-Founders Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Kim and Vanessa Pham are the founders of Omsom, an Asian sauce and noodles brand. As the children of Vietnamese refugees who grew up in Boston, they always loved their traditional cuisine, but they often felt ostracized by their peers for it. So, decades later, after stints in start-ups and management consulting, the sisters decided to quit their jobs and found a brand that would help build the world they wanted to live in. In 2020, Omsom was born, and despite a pandemic-era launch, they sold out of their original product line in 72 hours. Since then, the two have scaled up the brand, releasing new products like saucy noodles and partnering with Asian chefs to create unique recipes. Most recently, in June 2024, they were acquired by DayDayCook. Throughout the process, they’ve done all of this to increase access to authentic Asian flavors and break Asian cuisine out of the confines of the “ethnic foods” aisle.

The Who What Wear Podcast: Denim Expert Benjamin Talley Smith on Making Best-Selling Khaite and Reformation Jeans, Plus the Styles to Shop this Summer Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Benjamin Talley Smith is the founder of the denim atelier Talley Creative. Named “the most influential jeans guy you’ve never heard of” in a recent New York Times profile, Ben provides services across design, production, and marketing to brands looking to create or expand their denim offerings. Over the years, he’s worked on denim collections for Helmut Lang, Earnest Sewn, Ulla Johnson, Jordache, Re/Done, Everlane, Reformation, and Khaite—and that’s just scratching the surface. As a true denim whisperer, he often has a hand in the most exciting denim launches, including an upcoming line with Spanx in 2025. This week, Ben joins us to discuss the best pairs on the market today, the return of low rises, and naming Khaite’s Danielle jeans after his wife.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected