Fashion & Founders The Podcast

In this episode, Victoria sits down with Sali Christeson, founder and CEO of Argent, to discuss what it really takes to build a fashion brand over the long term. Sally shares her path from tech to launching Argent, and how a gap in the workwear market led her to create a brand rooted in both function and purpose. They get into raising venture capital in fashion, navigating the “messy middle” of growth, and why most brands don’t make it past the early years. Sally also shares how Argent went from strong growth to zero revenue during COVID and the unexpected moment that turned things around. The conversation covers hiring, trusting your instincts as a founder, evolving workwear culture, and why there’s no shortcut to building a brand that lasts.

Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My

Follow Argent:
IG: @argent
Shop Argent

Follow Sali:
IG: @salichristeson

Brand Highlight: Alexandra Madison

Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off

Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!

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In this episode, Victoria sits down with the Chief Business Officer of Vestiaire Collective, Klemen Drole. They discuss how the company evolved from a niche resale platform into a global leader in secondhand luxury. He was previously the Chief Technology Officer and shares the tech innovations Vestiaire is implanting to keep up with demand. They break down the realities of building a fashion resale company over 15+ years, from overcoming early stigma around secondhand to reaching profitability and scaling globally. The conversation explores how Vestiaire balances supply and demand, pricing millions of unique items, and the keys to their growth. They also dive into how trends emerge in real time on resale platforms, the role of AI in authentication and curation, and how luxury brands are increasingly partnering with resale platforms. 

Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My

Follow Vestiaire Collective:
IG: @vestiaireco
Shop: vestiairecollective.com

Brand Highlight: Melisse

Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off

Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Victoria sits down with Hannah Krohne, Hannah Lizzy on TikTok, a fashion creator who turned TikTok into a launching point for her career. Landing roles at David Yurman, Danielle and Alix in styling, and ASOS in merchandising and trend analysis before ultimately going full-time as an influencer. They discuss her path from posting in her college dorm to building a platform that now functions as both content and portfolio. Hannah shares what it really looks like to balance a 9–5 with content creation, from filming multiple videos a day to navigating the transition out of corporate. They also get into the financial realities of influencing, including inconsistent income, brand deals, and the unexpected costs behind “free” product.
The conversation breaks down how brands actually choose influencers, the behind-the-scenes of Fashion Week dressing, and why so much of what you see online isn’t as it seems. They also explore the role of content in building a career in fashion, why you don’t need a traditional fashion background, and how to position yourself for opportunities in the industry.

Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My

Follow Hannah:
IG: @hannahlizzy_
TikTok: @hannahlizzy_

Brand Highlight: Paris64

Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off

Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Victoria sits down with Ashley Moubayed, founder of Don’t Let Disco and a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist. They discuss her journey from building the brand as a side hustle to becoming a full-time founder, and the realities of growing a fashion business. Ashley shares what it’s really like to go through the CFDA Fashion Fund, from the application process to the impact it has on credibility and growth. They also break down the cost of New York Fashion Week, navigating press, and why relationships and long-term partnerships are key in the industry. The conversation explores storytelling in fashion, misconceptions around jewelry, and why visibility doesn’t always equal value.

Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My

Follow Don’t Let Disco:
IG: @dontletdisco
Shop

Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off

Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 50% off your first month!

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Victoria sits down with the team behind OOTD, one of the fastest-growing fashion media platforms capturing street style around the world. What began as candid outfit videos filmed on the streets of New York has quickly evolved into an international fashion community covering major cultural moments from Coachella to Fashion Week. They discuss the strategy behind creating viral fashion content, scaling, and monetization. No longer just online they have built a network of creators across cities like New York, Paris, and London hosting dinners and events with their community. Since they’ve scaled so quickly they discuss fashion tech and building internal technology needed for their business. Plus they’re hiring and share their vision for how OOTD could become one of the most recognizable fashion brands in the world.

Follow Fashion & Founders:
Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders
Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com
Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders
Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders
Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders
Podcast Links: Shop My

Follow OOTD:
IG: @ootd
TikTok: @ootd
ootd.com

Follow Cory and Nic:
IG: @corymuroff
IG: @wantthisnic

Glamsquad:
Code: FASHIONANDFOUNDERS for $20 off

Rent the Runway:
Use code: RTRXVSMITH50 and get 60% off your first month!

Thanks for listening!