The Recovering Elitist

Rarely am I star-struck—but as a young fashion student, this week’s guest loomed large in my consciousness. Robin Givhan is a Pulitzer Prize–winning fashion critic and, quite simply, the gold standard. Her work has shaped how we understand clothing not as decoration, but as a lens through politics, race, labor, aspiration, and identity. Her latest book, Make It Ours: Crashing the Gate of Culture with Virgil Abloh, becomes a jumping-off point for a conversation I’ve long wanted to have: why Virgil Abloh resonated so profoundly—even for those of us who didn’t necessarily love the clothes themselves. We talk about symbolism versus craft, legacy, and how desire in fashion is framed differently depending on who’s doing the wanting—why men are seen as strategic and in control, while women are labeled obsessive or irrational. It’s a thoughtful, clarifying, and quietly revelatory conversation about power, taste, and cultural permission.

April Gargiulo is the founder of Vintner’s Daughter, the cult skincare brand revered for its uncompromising quality and singular focus. Her botanical serum has become a modern icon—beloved by consumers and editors alike—not because it chases trends, but because it defies them. In a culture obsessed with “more,” April has built an empire on restraint, integrity, and devotion to process. In this episode, we talk about the courage it takes to build slowly in a world that rewards speed. April shares how craftsmanship, patience, and purpose became the foundation of her business—and how simplicity can be a radical act. Together we explore what it means to separate worth from noise, and why the truest form of luxury might just be doing less, better. xx William

On this week’s episode, we welcome Billy Cotton, an interior designer whose work is defined by clarity, confidence, and a deep respect for history—spaces that feel both bold and enduring.  We talk about his upbringing, what it means to lose everything in a sudden house fire, and how starting over created an openness to forging an entirely new creative path. Billy is deeply imaginative, but what struck me most was his practicality—his understanding of how to work with clients, serve real needs, and navigate the balance between art and commerce without losing integrity. His work may cut through with strength, but this conversation is surprisingly tender. xxWilliam

Dr. Christina H. Moon is a writer, anthropologist, and professor at Parsons School of Design whose work traces the hidden lives of fashion—how clothes carry the weight of memory, migration, and meaning. Through her research and essays in Vestoj, Christina studies the people and processes behind what we wear, revealing how fashion isn’t just an industry but a mirror of human behavior—of care, aspiration, and belonging. In this episode, we talk about the anthropology of fashion and elitism— what it means to see fashion not as frivolous, but as a deeply human language. Christina helps us all understand that behind every garment is a story—and that style, at its best, is a study in empathy.  xx William

Fran Burns is a celebrated stylist and creative consultant whose work has defined fashion’s most evocative imagery for decades. Having collaborated with Vogue, i-D, and Gucci, she’s built a career on instinct, taste, and storytelling. In recent years, Fran has expanded her practice beyond fashion—studying Nutrition and Complementary Medicine and later training as a Transformative Coach. Today, her work bridges beauty and wellbeing, style and substance, helping others reconnect to their own creative and emotional intelligence. In this episode, we talk about courage, curiosity, and what it really means to evolve. Together we explore why true growth rarely comes in the form of radical reinvention, but through small, conscious shifts—microdoses of change that move us closer to who we already are. xx William

As traditional media bends under corporate consolidation, political pressure, and the need to appease advertisers, independent reporting has become harder to find — and more important than ever. That’s what makes Lauren Sherman stand out. She’s the lead fashion correspondent at Puck and the writer behind Line Sheet, one of the most closely read fashion and beauty newsletters in the industry, known for cutting through fantasy to report on how fashion actually operates. In this episode, we talk about Lauren’s upbringing, the quiet lies that sustain the fashion system, when Vogue began to lose its power, and how politics — including MAGA’s influence — is showing up in fashion today. A clear-eyed conversation about seeing the industry as it is, not as it wants to be seen. xx William

Plane Jane is a drag artist and performer celebrated for her sharp wit, theatrical precision, and magnetic presence on RuPaul’s Drag Race. But beyond the sequins, Plane Jane represents something much deeper—the transformative power of self-presentation. Her artistry blurs the line between costume and identity, asking us to consider how the personas we all create can both protect and reveal who we really are. In this episode, we talk about how confidence, fear, power, and creativity intersect when one dares to be fully seen. Through Plane Jane’s story, we explore what happens when self-expression becomes liberation, and how becoming ourselves can sometimes mean first becoming someone else. xx William

Michael Sebastian is the Editor-in-Chief of Esquire, where he has redefined what it means to speak to—and about—modern men. Since taking the helm in 2019, he’s led the magazine to critical acclaim, including a Pulitzer Prize in 2025 and a National Magazine Award for General Excellence. Under his leadership, Esquire has evolved into a publication that pairs sharp cultural commentary with emotional intelligence, bridging the space between masculinity and vulnerability. In this episode, we talk about nostalgia, ambition, and what it means to lead with empathy in a world that prizes performance. Michael embodies a rare balance—deeply masculine yet reflective, confident yet curious. Our conversation traces his roots in John Hughes country, the power of memory, and the art of being both nostalgic and forward-thinking at once. xx William

Jay Choyce Tibbits is a writer, media strategist, and cultural critic whose work cuts through the noise of the internet with rare clarity. Whether he’s writing about fashion, media, or culture, Jay brings a lionhearted intelligence to everything he touches. His commentary often interrogates the invisible forces shaping taste, questioning why certain cultural signals hold power while others fade. In a landscape obsessed with speed and sameness, Jay’s voice stands out for its rigor, humor, and refusal to accept the “average” as the goal. In this episode, we talk about curation, discernment, and the value of excellence in a world that often confuses those qualities with arrogance. Jay doesn’t shy away from contradiction; he sits inside it, pulls it apart, and asks more of both himself and the culture. For anyone who feels caught between wanting more and wanting to be understood, this conversation is for you.  xx William

Nikki Ogunnaike is the Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire and one of fashion media’s most respected voices—known for her ability to blend substance with style, intellect with joy. Over her career at Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, and now Marie Claire, she’s championed diversity, women’s voices, and cultural critique while still celebrating the beauty, humor, and pleasure of getting dressed. Her work reminds us that caring deeply about the world and caring about what we wear aren’t mutually exclusive. In this episode, we talk about the art of balance—between activism and aesthetics, between truth and delight. Nikki embodies the grace of living in the grey, mastering the duality so many of us are still learning: staying awake to the world’s realities while still finding beauty and meaning within them. She’s proof that embracing contradiction isn’t hypocrisy—it’s deeply human. xxWilliam

Candace Bushnell is the bestselling author, journalist, and cultural provocateur whose writing gave rise to Sex and the City—a phenomenon that reshaped how women talked about love, money, friendship, and ambition. Long before the show became an emblem of cosmopolitan aspiration, Bushnell was holding up a mirror to New York’s power dynamics and the illusions of having it all. Her work continues to interrogate the line between fantasy and reality, glamour and grit. In this episode, Candace shares her thoughts on the now-cancelled And Just Like That reboot while slinging hard truths about aging, reinvention, and dating in your 60s. Later that night, I couldn’t help but wonder... “what remains when the glitter settles and we’re left with our voice, our choices, and our truth?” xx William

Liza Treyger is a stand-up comic, actor, and host known for her razor-sharp wit and fearless honesty. You’ve seen her on Netflix, Comedy Central, and late-night stages across the country—always tackling taboo subjects with disarming humor and heart. Her comedy refuses to separate the funny from the painful, proving that sometimes the only way to face life’s absurdities is to laugh at them. In this episode, we shift tone—less therapy, more play. Liza reminds us that growth doesn’t always have to be heavy; it can be irreverent, loud, and wildly human. We talk about the fine line between comedy and coping, why truth-telling is an act of freedom, and how laughter can be its own form of healing. xx William

Richard Christiansen is the founder of Flamingo Estate, the beloved creative sanctuary and regenerative lifestyle brand nestled in the hills of Los Angeles. Once a fast-paced creative director for the world’s biggest luxury brands, Richard walked away from burnout and built a cult empire rooted in sensuality, sustainability, and slowness. What began as a personal act of restoration—reviving his garden and himself—has become a movement redefining how beauty, business, and pleasure can coexist. In this episode, we talk about the cost of ambition, the hunger that drives us, and what it takes to truly come back to life. I was drawn to Richard because his story mirrors my own pivot—from speed to stillness, from achievement to intimacy—and his work pokes at the fear I think we all share: if I’m not hustling, do I still matter? (Hint: you do.)  xx William

The Recovering Elitist, a new podcast hosted by William Graper, explores the tension between aspiration and authenticity, social status and self-knowledge, refinement and realness. We’re not here to flatter egos—we’re here to peel back the layers and laugh at ourselves along the way.