Second Life

Drew Afualo is a podcaster, author, and immensely popular TikTok creator. Drew studied sports journalism in college and originally aspired to be an on-air sports anchor. After graduating from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, she worked in PR before landing a digital content creator job at the NFL. At first, it seemed like a dream job, but the position wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, and in January 2020, she was let go. When the pandemic hit, she was living at home with her parents and feeling further away than ever from her career dreams. One day, she started posting videos on TikTok on a whim. Viewers were immediately drawn to her hilarious, perfectly articulated takedowns of misogynistic comments. Her following grew quickly, at times gaining over 100,000 followers every couple of days. In the years since, she’s continued to grow her audience and now has over 8 million followers on TikTok. Drew’s also started two hit podcasts and authored a best-selling book, Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve. This year, she was named on The Hollywood Reporter’s List of Most Influential Influencers.

Genesis Webb is the stylist and fashion creative director for pop sensation Chappell Roan. Webb got her start assisting stylists like Nicola Formichetti, where she refined her sensibility and eclectic, daring style. After meeting Chappell at a fateful V magazine shoot in 2023, the pair has done some incredible work together, creating instantly iconic and recognizable looks for Chappell's Midwest Princess Tour, TV appearances, festivals, and more. This week, Webb joins us to talk about her wild year thus far, her earliest fashion influences, and why she'll always stick to latex and leather.

Anne Fulenwider is the co-founder of Alloy Women’s Health, a start-up dedicated to helping women receive safe, effective treatment for the symptoms of menopause. From a young age, Anne wanted to be a writer. After college, she landed a job working for the famed writer George Plimpton at The Paris Review. Over the next decade, Anne continued honing her writing and editing skills at publications such as Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Brides, and in 2012 took on the role of the editor in chief at Marie Claire. Over her eight-year tenure, she brought her editorial voice to the magazine and created new projects like the Image Maker Awards and Power Trip. In 2016, a devastating personal loss made Anne realize there was still so much work to be done in women’s health, and in 2019, she left her post to found Alloy Women’s Health with her friend Monica Molenaar. In 2021, they raised $3.3 million in seed funding and launched the company with a telehealth service to allow women access to crucial hormone prescriptions. Over the last five years, they’ve scaled and expanded Alloy to include in-depth consultations with physicians and customized treatment plans with prescription and over-the-counter products while achieving profitability within just three years.

Iván Pol is a celebrity facialist and the founder of The Beauty Sandwich. He began his career as a makeup artist, working for brands like Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown. But a by-chance meeting with Jennifer Lopez set him on the aesthetician path after realizing he wanted to create a facial experience that fully prepared clients to look their best before any makeup was even applied. He spent years working for a top dermatologist in Florida (learning the ins and outs of clinically effective skincare) before founding his own company, The Beauty Sandwich. His signature “sandwich” method combines innovative high-frequency technology with effective skincare products to tighten, lift, and sculpt the skin. This week, Iván joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about his techniques and methods, what it's like working with celebrities like Anna Sawai and Sabrina Carpenter, and his best tips for a snatched face.

Katie Jane Hughes is a world-renowned makeup artist, content creator, and founder of the beauty brand KJH Brand. Hughes originally trained as a nail technician and worked for several years in London as an in-demand nail tech for runway shows, editorials, and red carpet events. But she knew that her true passion was makeup, so she eventually quit doing nails and moved to New York City, throwing herself into the makeup world. During this time, she also started posting tutorials and looks on Instagram and, eventually, TikTok—a decision that’s paid off, as she now has over one million followers between the two platforms. Fans were drawn to her sense of humor, her impeccable technique, and her down-to-earth, no-BS approach to makeup. Last year, after years of working with brands like Glossier and Estée Lauder, Hughes launched her own makeup line, KJH Brand, which focuses on multiuse, flexible products that anyone can use. The brand followed up its first smash-hit release, the Hyper Shine High Lite Kit, with its newest product, the Soft Smudge Lip and Cheek Stick, released this October.

This week, we're doing a deep dive into the trends, habits, and styles of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. We've assembled a fascinating panel to help us decode and break down what's popular these days and how it differs between generations. We're joined by Gen Z stylist Tabitha Sanchez, trend reporter Casey Lewis, and content creator Faith Hitchon. At the end of the episode, we even get a few responses from Hitchon's Gen Alpha daughter, India. They're here to talk about how each generation tackles shopping, what's in and out, and why Gen Alpha might not care about trends at all. Casey's Substack, After School

Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo are the founders of the modern romantic fiction entertainment company 831 Stories. The two met in college, and after graduating, Claire worked in the arts and Erica in editorial, but they stayed close and constantly shared ideas. In 2010, they partnered up and launched Of a Kind, an e-commerce company that sold limited-edition pieces and crafted meaningful editorial content about the designers behind them. Of a Kind grew a loyal following of customers who loved Claire and Erica’s keen sense of style and humor. In 2015, they sold the business to Bed Bath & Beyond and stayed at the company for four more years doing marketing and strategy. In 2019, BB&B closed Of a Kind, which allowed Claire and Erica to slow down for the first time in years. They took a pause and thought about their next steps. Realizing the potential of the romance space (and how much they personally resonated with the content), they founded 831 Stories. The company now has a publishing imprint with Simon & Schuster, and their first book, Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff, was published this past September.

Who What Wear Associate Director of Special Projects Kristen Nichols just got back from Paris Fashion Week, so we had to get her in for an episode to break down her time in the fashion capital of the world. Join Kristen and Shopping Director Bobby Schuessler as they discuss the biggest headlines from Paris, their favorite shows, and the trends they’ve noticed across fashion month—from a return to personal style to an anti–quiet luxury movement. Plus, they talk about their dream shopping lists, including which of the 11 newly debuted Hermès bags they’d love to own.

Imani Ellis is the founder and CEO of The Creative Collective and CultureCon. Imani studied communications in college and soon after began her career as an NBC Page at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. After just two months, she was plucked from the program for a job in communications at Bravo. She spent the next few years at NBCUniversal, rising through the ranks, but she craved a more authentic connection and collaboration. In 2016, she founded The Creative Collective from her living room. What started as a weekly gathering for Black and Brown creatives quickly outgrew her apartment, as Imani realized there was a real need for these spaces. In 2017, she created CultureCon, a conference that brought together Black and Brown voices to collaborate and celebrate each other. Over the next few years, she scaled CultureCon considerably by moving to larger venues; inviting guests such as Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King; and working with brands like Target, Google, HBO, and Netflix. In 2022, she left NBCUniversal, where she’d risen to VP of communications, unscripted entertainment publicity, to pursue her projects full-time. This year’s CultureCon, presented in partnership with Max, wrapped up just this past weekend.

Jenny Walton is an illustrator, a writer, and Vogue's vintage shopping columnist. She studied fashion design at Parsons School of Design and subsequently worked in fashion and textile design at places such as Anthropologie and Calypso St. Barth. She eventually transitioned into illustration and began posting her work on Instagram, where she has since built a dedicated following. She also drew attention for her unique, vibrant, and eclectic sense of style. For the last few years, she's been living in Milan, pursuing further opportunities in illustration and running the popular Substack publication Jenny Sais Quoi. Walton joins us this week to talk about her sources of inspiration, the difference between American and Milanese fashion, and her best vintage shopping tips.

Chelsea Hirschhorn is the founder and CEO of the fertility, pregnancy, and infant product company Frida. Chelsea originally worked as a lawyer, first as a bankruptcy attorney during the 2008 financial crisis, and then as associate counsel and director of special events for the Miami Marlins. But after a few years, she realized that she’d built a self-sufficient business at the Marlins and started to think about other opportunities for growth. At the same time, she’d started a family, and when her son got his first cold, she pulled out a Swedish nasal aspirator called a NasFrida that her neighbor had gifted her a few months prior. She used it and thought, “Why isn’t this product available in every corner of America?” As it turned out, the neighbor, who had a business importing and selling NasFridas, was looking to sell theirs and close up shop. Chelsea took a risk, bought the stock, and the NoseFrida was born. She quickly got the product into pediatrician’s offices and began sourcing and creating new ones. Today, her company, Frida, has over 150 products; is available in major retailers like Target, CVS, and Walmart; and is carried at more than 430,000 distribution points in 45 countries. The brand offers postpartum solutions, fertility aids, and recovery kits for C-sections and incomplete pregnancies. Today, Frida is known as a massively helpful brand for new parents and hopeful ones.

Marylin Fitoussi is the costume designer of the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris. Since its first season, Marilyn's work on the show has been a crucial and beautiful piece of the show's storytelling, and in 2022, she won the Costume Designer’s Guild Award for Excellence in Contemporary Television. Over the last four seasons, she’s guided Emily and company through character development, masquerade balls, trips to Italy, and much more with her joyous costumes. Marylin joins us this week to talk about all the details of the looks in Emily in Paris season 4, the important dialogue between herself and the actors, and what kind of fashion she hopes to dive into in the recently announced season 5.

Kristen Faulkner is a cyclist and the 2024 Olympic champion in the Women's Road Race and Women's Team Pursuit. Faulkner grew up playing sports in rural Alaska and was recruited to row crew at Harvard. After graduating with a degree in computer science, she moved to New York City and worked for a venture capital firm, identifying early stage software startups for investment. She missed competing and being part of a team, so with a recommendation from her friend, she took an introductory cycling class in Central Park. She quickly realized she loved the sport and started training before work and on the weekends. She competed in amateur races and hired coaches to help her perfect her form. In 2020, she was invited to join a women’s professional racing team based in San Francisco, and over the next four years, she trained extensively, using her VC brain to analyze her performance. She notched several professional race wins, and after deciding to quit her VC job to pursue cycling full-time, she moved to Europe to train. This summer, she competed in the Women's Team Pursuit and Women's Road Race events in the 2024 Paris Olympics, bringing home gold medals in both categories.

This week, Who What Wear associate director of fashion news Erin Fitzpatrick is here to talk about her latest feature on the past, present, and future of women's watches. The category has been exploding over the past few years, and there are so many It-girl pieces on the market. Join Kat and Erin as they break down the top brands and styles, upcoming trends, and watch recommendations for any price point. Plus, they talk their dream watches and how the first-known wristwatch was actually commissioned by a queen.

Emily Nagoski is a best-selling author, researcher, and sex educator. Emily studied psychology in college, and a fateful job as a peer health educator drew her immediately to the field of sex education and violence prevention. She went on to receive a master’s degree in counseling psychology and a PhD in health behavior. After working as a researcher at the famed Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, she took a job at Smith College, where she lectured and was the director of wellness education. After teaching a class on women’s sexuality, the thing her students said they took away most from the class was that their bodies were normal. She knew that she was onto something powerful and wrote Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life to help women understand their own sexuality. The book was a huge hit, and eventually, Emily left her job to write and speak full-time. Over the last five years, Emily has written two more books, including this year’s Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections. National Domestic Violence Hotline www.ndvh.org 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) TTY 1-800-787-3224 National Sexual Assault Hotline www.rainn.org 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Love Is Respect www.loveisrespect.org 1-866-331-9474 TTY 1-866-331-8453 Text: loveis to 22522 Chat Online:www.loveisrespect.org These resources were sourced from futureswithoutviolence.org.

This fall’s New York Fashion Week just finished, so Editor in Chief Kat Collings and Editorial Director Lauren Eggertsen are here to break everything down. They’re covering their favorite shows, their new must-have pieces, and the trends they’re noticing, from flowy boho looks to sheer dressing and naked shoes. Plus, they talk about the week’s biggest shows, including a Ralph Lauren Polo Bar re-creation in the Hamptons and the first-ever fashion show at the Guggenheim museum.

Molly Sims is an actor, podcaster, entrepreneur, and the founder of YSE Beauty. Molly studied political science at Vanderbilt University and was pre-law when the modeling bug bit her. She signed with Next Management and spent the next 10 years climbing the ranks of the modeling world, appearing on the covers of French Vogue and Sports Illustrated. Soon after, she transitioned to the world of film and TV, appearing in over 100 episodes on the hit NBC drama Las Vegas. In 2021, Molly started a podcast, Lipstick on the Rim, with her best friend Emese Gormely. It’s a space to have the conversations that Molly’s always wanted to hear women talk about—menopause, motherhood, beauty standards, and everything in between. In 2023, she founded YSE Beauty to help people build their self-confidence and improve their skin.

Maris Jones is an artist, filmmaker, and content creator, best known for her high-production TikTok videos and her set-design work for artists like Chappell Roan. She spent years honing her own retro, “distorted nostalgia” aesthetic, and now with her new book, Unlock Your Aesthetic: A Visual Guide to Find Your Vibe, she’s hoping to do the same for you. Jones joins us this week to talk about the fickle nature of making content for the algorithm, the time she got to play with a closet full of vintage Valentino, and of course, what it was like to make Chappell Roan’s giant apple bong for her epic Governors Ball performance this summer.

Sarah Fennel is an author, content creator, and founder of the popular food blog Broma Bakery. Sarah studied anthropology at New York University, and after having a hard time adjusting to college in a big city, she started a food blog to re-create her favorite recipes as a source of comfort and creativity. She eventually transferred to the University of Michigan, and after graduating, followed her love for food and baking by taking a job as a catering director at a local restaurant. But the job wasn’t the right fit, and in a moment of inspiration, she decided to go all in on Broma Bakery, googling “How to make money off of a food blog.” She gave herself two months to make the blog profitable, and it worked. Over the last 10 years, Broma Bakery has become an immensely popular and trusted source for delicious baked goods recipes. Sarah also expanded her business by creating a food photography course and building large followings on TikTok and Instagram. This October, she’s releasing her first cookbook, Sweet Tooth: 100 Recipes to Save Room For. Preorder the book now: https://bromabakery.com/cookbook/

Paige DeSorbo is a creator, reality TV star, and co-host of the wildly popular podcast Giggly Squad with her real-life bestie, comedian Hannah Berner. After becoming a fan-favorite cast member on Bravo's Summer House, DeSorbo quickly gained a following outside of the show and has established herself as one of the funniest and most authentic voices on the internet today. From her Amazon shopping series, The Paige DeSorbo Show, to her upcoming book, How to Giggle, DeSorbo is everywhere, and we're thrilled about it. This week, she joins us to talk about all the ways she's expanding the giggler universe.

Meredith Scardino is the creator and showrunner of the Netflix TV series Girls5eva. Born and raised outside of Philadelphia, from a young age, Meredith was encouraged by her parents to pursue all types of art, and tried everything from cartooning classes (and watching Saturday Night Live) to painting classes in high school. She earned a bachelors degree in fine arts from Cornell before moving to New York City to pursue a masters in painting from the Parsons School of Design. There, her world opened up, as she took improv classes and writing electives at Parsons alongside her painting classwork. Scardino then landed a job creating animated comedy shorts, which combined her love for painting with her growing talent for comedy writing. Soon, she decided she wanted to pursue comedy writing full-time and quickly landed a writing gig at VH1’s Best Week Ever. Stints at the Late Show With David Letterman and The Colbert Report followed before she jumped into narrative TV by working on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In 2021, she created her own show, Girls5eva, about a one-hit-wonder girl group that gets a chance at redemption decades after their initial fame. This year, she’s nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

Rachel Scott is the founder and designer of the award-winning womenswear brand Diotima. Born and raised in Jamaica, Rachel trained at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan, before rising through the ranks at respected brands like J. Mendel, Elizabeth and James, and Rachel Comey. In 2021, she launched Diotima, and the brand was an immediate hit, earning Rachel the CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year award in 2023. Customers and fashion insiders alike continue to delight in her nuanced, sophisticated designs, and her unique use of crochet—handmade by artisans in her native Jamaica. This week, she joins us to talk about her long standing relationship with mesh, how her team of artisans inspires her collections, and of course, her upcoming NYFW presentation.

Carly Cushnie is a designer in every sense of the word, perhaps best known for her mold-breaking womenswear line, Cushnie (formerly Cushnie et Ochs). She was born and raised in London, and studied at the Parsons School of Design, where she met her future co-founder, Michelle Ochs. After graduating, they launched their label, Cushnie et Ochs, and immediately received attention for their sleek yet flirty designs. In 2011, they were finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and in 2012, were nominees for the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear. Carly continued to design collections and ultimately rebranded as Cushnie when she went solo in 2018. After struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, Carly was forced to close Cushnie, which—although was heartbreaking—gave her a moment to think about her next steps. In the years since, she’s pursued different creative projects; including nurturing her longtime love for interiors and architecture by beginning to work as an interior designer. Her work in the interior space culminated this year in the creation of a furniture collection with the luxury furniture brand Lulu and Georgia.

Scott King is an L.A.-based celebrity hairstylist who works with superstars like Sabrina Carpenter, Lucy Hale, Julia Michaels, and many more. King started his career in a Washington D.C. salon before making the jump to Los Angeles. He quickly signed with an agency and rose to the top of the hairstyling world, where he's known for creating chic and effortless looks. In 2015, he started working with Carpenter and has been instrumental in styling her supremely recognizable fluffy bangs and glossy blowout. This week, he joins us to talk technique, go-to products, and how his love for 2000s pop culture shaped his hairstyling aesthetic. Yes, he's also sharing the step-by-step guide to re-creating Carpenter's perfectly coiffed curtain bangs at home!

Beth Hutchens is the founder and creative director of the luxury jewelry company Foundrae. Beth started her career working in fashion, first as a trim buyer, and then assistant designer at the womenswear brand Cynthia Rowley. There, she met Rebecca Taylor, and the two bonded quickly over their shared tastes and dream of working in fashion. At age 23, Beth took the leap with Rebecca and co-founded the womenswear line Rebecca Taylor. Beth took on the CEO role, and over the next 18 years guided the company through massive growth, e-commerce, retail expansion, and eventually, acquisition. By 2014, she knew she wanted to do something new, so she stepped down from Rebecca Taylor and quickly launched her jewelry brand, Foundrae (”Rae” being in reference to her beloved grandmother). The new project allowed her to return to her designer roots, creating whimsical, sturdy, gorgeous pieces that draw the eye and the heart. The brand has become a favorite of celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Dua Lipa. Foundrae now has multiple stores across the U.S., with three more to come later this year in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Stylist, costume designer, and all-around fashion legend Shiona Turini joins Hillary this week to catch up since they last chatted on Second Life in 2019. Shiona's had an incredible career—from working for fashion magazines to breaking into costume design on HBO’s Insecure to styling Beyoncé’s showstopping Renaissance World Tour. Today, they get into all the nitty-gritty details of her latest project: designing costumes for the new Natalie Portman–led Apple TV+ series, Lady in the Lake. Shiona shares how she brought 1960s Baltimore to life through her costumes, from accessing archival street photography to collaborating with Valentino to create stunning pieces. Plus, she talks about the unique challenges of styling looks for Beyoncé and how she picks her future projects.

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.

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 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!

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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

Laura O'Neill is the co-founder of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. O'Neill grew up in Melbourne and worked in event producing before deciding to travel the world. She met her future partner Ben Van Leeuwen on a fateful trip to London, and when she moved to New York to be with him, he proposed a wild idea: They should start a well-designed ice cream truck that sold delicious, high-quality ice cream. Thus, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream was born. In the last 15 years O'Neill, Van Leeuwen, and his brother Pete have positioned the brand as a household name—one synonymous with truly delectable ice cream. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is sold in over 12,000 grocery stores, has over 50 stores in the United States, and recently opened its first-ever franchise store in Singapore. Later this year, the first-ever Van Leeuwen Flavor Lab will be opened in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Wedding season is gearing up, and you know what that means: It's time for Who What Wear to break down all of the hottest wedding trends, from bridesmaid dresses to the most interesting bridal designers on the market to the tablescape details that will make each of your guests feel like VIPs. Join Who What Wear Editorial Director Lauren Eggertsen and Associate Director of Special Projects Kristen Nichols to hear what the chicest brides and wedding guests are wearing this season and how you can get the looks. Plus, Eggertsen shares where she's finding inspiration for her own wedding later this year. Be sure to check out our full digital Wedding Issue at the link below! https://www.whowhatwear.com/living/wedding/the-wedding-issue-2024

Bo Shepherd is a designer, author, and co-founder of Woodward Throwbacks, a Detroit-based reclamation and design brand. She got her start as an interior designer for GM’s Chevy product line, working on door design for cars like the Chevy Bolt. During her time at GM, she also got to know the city of Detroit and began exploring the world of salvaged materials and furniture with her partner Kyle Dubay. After several years at GM, Bo took the plunge and left her job to work on this new project, dubbed Woodward Throwbacks, after one of the main streets in Detroit. She and Kyle began producing home décor and furnishings from reclaimed materials found around Detroit and developed an interior design business. She’s also written a book, renovated several properties, and expanded Woodward’s product offerings, all highlighting her own creativity and Detroit’s creative spirit.

Alexis Novak is the founder of the celebrity-adored vintage studio Tab Vintage. Novak founded Tab in 2019, and since her first foray into sourcing an impossible-to-get Jean Paul Gaultier piece, she's built the brand into one of the most sought-after destinations for luxury vintage and archival pieces. Today, Novak works closely with some of the top stylists and celebrities in the world. She recently sourced pieces for Emily Ratajkowski's Met Gala looks and Alex Cooper's wedding! Novak's passion for sourcing, restoring, and sharing the history of every one of her unique finds is palpable. This week, Novak joins us to discuss her FBI-level techniques for sourcing rare pieces, her new appointment-only showroom in L.A., and why glamour is back.

Seema Bansal Chadha is the co-founder of the luxury floral brand Venus et Fleur. Born and raised in Vancouver, Bansal Chadha spent her formative years learning the business at her father’s lighting and plumbing fixtures store. In 2015, after a fateful meeting with her now husband, she used her experience in sales, marketing, and customer development to create Venus et Fleur. Initially, the couple aimed to start a reliable luxury floral business that could prevent what had happened to them on their first Valentine’s Day: a botched flower delivery. The two innovated even further by developing a unique and instantly popular way to preserve roses for up to a year. Since then, Venus et Fleur has exploded in popularity and has become a favorite of celebrities like Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian. Bansal Chadha has guided the brand through massive growth and expansion into new flowers and product categories, positioning Venus et Fleur as the most innovative and buzzy floral brand on the market.

You can rest assured that Lauren Sherman is always going to get the full story. The journalist and author of the popular Puck Media fashion newsletter, Line Sheet, has spent years crafting detailed, thoughtful stories about the business of fashion. The result? She is now one of the most trusted, respected voices in fashion journalism. From following the movements of designers to their next fashion house to familiarizing the public with the players of the biggest luxury goods conglomerates in the world, Lauren demystifies and investigates the fashion world in a fun and engaging way. She is also the co-author of an upcoming book about Victoria’s Secret titled, Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon, and hosts a podcast called Fashion People. This week, Lauren joins us to discuss her reporting process and whether the time is still right for there to be a Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

Zanna Roberts Rassi is a fashion journalist, a television host and producer, and the co-founder of Milk Makeup. She cut her teeth in the beauty industry in London, working at magazines such as Glamour and Marie Claire UK before becoming a fashion editor at Marie Claire US. In 2013, Roberts Rassi took a leap, bringing the skills she learned in fashion media to the red carpet. As a style correspondent for E!, she infused red carpet journalism with her telltale fashion know-how, adding a level of gravitas that viewers loved. In 2016, she again branched into something new, co-founding the effortlessly cool makeup brand Milk Makeup. In 2024, she was named Today’s style correspondent, and this summer, she will be taking Today to the Paris Olympics, using her stellar fashion journalism skills to tell stories about France’s storied fashion houses.

We have a special bonus episode for you today! In honor of Lilly Pulitzer's 65th anniversary, Who What Wear joined the Lilly team for a live podcast event. Senior editor Anna LaPlaca and editor Jasmine Fox-Suliaman host this live conversation, tracing the origins of the brand back to its unlikely beginnings as a juice stand. Lilly Pulitzer—both the free-spirited founder and the iconic heritage brand—share an enthralling history you won't want to miss. Of course, our editors also discuss how they'd style their favorite pieces from the current collection.

Henrietta Rix is the co-founder of the womenswear brand Rixo. Founded in 2015, it has quickly become a favorite for its gorgeous prints, timeless silhouettes, high-quality silk, and non-designer price tags. But beyond the brand’s stunning dresses, Rix and Co-Founder Orlagh McCloskey have worked to develop Rixo as a company with a unique perspective on fashion and vintage. To that end, they’ve opened up a flagship store on King’s Road in London that contains a coffee shop, bar, bridal boutique, tailoring bar, and rental collection. To align with the brand’s aim to produce “future vintage” pieces, it also tracks several sustainability goals to lower its impact on the environment. Henrietta is here to discuss the origins of Rixo’s signature prints and what it takes to grow a brand without outside investment. Plus, hear what her favorite pieces for summer are.

Gaby Dalkin is widely known as one of the original food bloggers, but before she was running What’s Gaby Cooking, she began her career in fashion PR. But when the economy crashed in 2008, she lost her job and decided to enroll in culinary school. From that moment, her food career snowballed: On the same day she started classes, she also began cataloging her journey on her now-famous blog called What’s Gaby Cooking, and only a few weeks into school, she booked a job as a personal chef. She spent the next few years honing her culinary and pastry skills, working as a private chef for celebs like Jessica Simpson, mastering food styling, and building her growing blog. Then, in 2013, she received her first book deal and leaped into working on What’s Gaby Cooking full-time. Today, her blog remains wildly popular. She also has her own spice-blend company, Dalkin & Co, and has written five books, the newest of which, What’s Gaby Cooking: Grilling All the Things, just came out on May 21. Link to Order: https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/whats-gaby-cooking-grilling-all-the-things

The Who What Wear editors have been hard at work for months, testing hundreds of beauty products and tools so that you don't have to! This week, Beauty Director Erin Jahns is back on the pod to share the team's findings across the hair, skin, makeup, body, tool, nail, and fragrance categories. From trusty standbys you can find at the drugstore to trendy newcomers that actually live up to the hype, there's something on this list for everyone. The Who What Wear Beauty 100 edit is now live, so make sure you also check out the full list of our 100 favorite products at the link below. https://www.whowhatwear.com/beauty/who-what-wear-100-beauty-awards-2024

After spending over 10 years working together at Lululemon, Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage embarked on their own entrepreneurial journey when they launched their premium athletic swimwear line, Left on Friday. During their tenure at Lululemon, Laura and Shannon bonded over their love of the beach and frustration regarding the lack of high-performance, stylish swimsuits. They realized that with Laura’s merchandising knowledge and Shannon’s design eye, they were uniquely poised to disrupt the swimwear space, and in 2018, they did just that. Today, Left on Friday boasts a wide array of swimwear styles and the opportunity to provide the uniforms for the Canadian National Women’s Beach Volleyball team for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Surprise! We’re launching a new podcast with Marie Claire called Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike in exactly one week! In honor of the upcoming launch, we’re revisiting an episode of Who What Wear with Hillary Kerr from Nikki’s early days as Editor in Chief of Marie Claire. Listen to the trailer and subscribe to Nice Talk at the link below (or wherever you get your podcasts). See you in the Nice Talk feed on May 30th! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice-talk-with-nikki-ogunnaike/id1747045069 [This episode originally aired on October 25th, 2023.] This week, Hillary hands the mic to Who What Wear Editor in Chief Kat Collings for a special episode welcoming Nikki Ogunnaike to her new position as editor in chief at Marie Claire, Who What Wear’s sister brand! Nikki has big plans for the iconic publication, which she hopes to make feel like "a group chat of your most ambitious friends." The two EICs discuss growing up with Marie Claire, high-impact, low-lift personal style, and the accuracy of the Miranda Priestly depiction of an editor in chief.

Between writing her New York Times best-selling memoir Down the Drain, dropping a single and accompanying music video with the same title, and hosting and producing a brand-new reality competition show on E! called OMG Fashun, Julia Fox continues to creatively one-up herself. Since her breakout role in Uncut Gems in 2019, Fox has continued to make headlines for her undeniably creative fashion choices—many of which are products of her taking a pair of scissors to the random materials she finds in her apartment. Now, she's bringing that same mentality to OMG Fashun, where she challenges designers to create sustainable high-fashion looks by upcycling unconventional materials. She's here to discuss working with her co-host Law Roach, why she champions up-and-coming designers, and how having her son freed her to dress only for herself.