What We Wore

Jenny Bird, Founder and Creative Director of her eponymous jewelry brand, built her business through evolution, shaped as much by personal turning points as creative ones. From a defining quarter-life crisis to navigating perimenopause while leading a company, her approach is rooted in designing a life that reflects who you are.⁠ Tune into the episode to hear how she’s built a brand alongside her own growth, embracing change at every stage.⁠ Find exclusive content from the episode: Instagram: @whatweworepodcast Youtube: What We Wore Podcast

Yaser Shaw's family has been in the shawl business for over 200 years, and Yaser is leading this generation of the family business. On this episode, Yaser and Laura discuss the intricate art of shawl making with over 700 artisans across Kashmir. From the shearing of the goats to the hand-weaving and embroidery, the process to create one shawl can take anywhere from three months to several years and remarkably, "not one drop of electricity is used." Find Yaser (and us!) on Instagram: @yasershawtextiles @whatweworepodcast @shopcapitol Or on the web: www.shop-capitol.com

Growing up in a rural art community in New Zealand meant Frances Howie developed a point of view untouched by trend cycles — one rooted in instinct, independence, and distance from the noise.⁠ ⁠ Tune into the episode to hear how that early perspective shaped her journey across Paris, London, and New York, and eventually to Fforme.⁠

Ileana Makri is an Athens-based jewelry designer who is treasured by Capitol (and so many others!) for her signature pieces from the thread band to the evil eye.  In this episode of What We Wore, she shares why, to her, stones are alive—why she feels a deep connection to those formed by nature, and why that energy matters in the pieces she creates.⁠ ⁠ Watch the full conversation on YouTube to step inside Ileana’s world.⁠

Christophe Desmaison is the founder of CD Network and the champion of many brands you know and love. From coming to New York with 3 suitcases in the early 90s to representing some of the biggest brands in fashion like Golden Goose, there is so much to learn from this showroom visionary. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Isabel Wilkinson Shor is the founder of Attersee and a journalist turned fashion-industry entrepreneur. Isabel shares how a single conversation changed the course of her career… and how she overcame imposter syndrome to become a remarkable designer and businesswoman. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Amy Larocca is an award-winning American journalist who spent two decades at New York Magazine. Her book, how to Be Well, takes a hard look at the wellness industry and its effects on women today. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Marianne McDonald is the creative director of Citizens of Humanity and our first denim designer. She’s worked with denim both as an entrepreneur… starting her own collection… and also iconic brands like the Gap. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Alissa Zachary worked her way through the fashion industry with respected brands like the Row, developing her keen eye for design. Alissa used her extensive experience and her innate entrepreneurial spirit to launch her own brand, High Sport, starting with the perfect pant. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

As my friend Gregg Renfrew re-launches her company and Anya Hindmarch visits our Charlotte store, I wanted to re-air this powerful conversation led by transformational coach, Ashley Wick. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Clare Hornby is the founder and CEO of the UK-based ME+EM. Clare’s inspiring entrepreneurial story includes a mid-career pivot from advertising to fashion… and becoming a respected leader in an industry she knew nothing about. Clare shares insights on resilience, innovation, and the power of understanding your customer's real needs. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Tommy Ton is one of fashion’s first street style photographers. Tommy jumped into the industry at a pivotal time, when bloggers and fashion first collided. He is a pioneer of the integration of fashion and digital media and he was born to tell this story. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Ellen Carey has been a part of the fashion industry for over 30 years — She has created a career out of supporting emerging designers and encourages everyone to find their own unique path within the industry.

Ivan Shaw is the former photography director at Vogue, for over twenty years, and an amazing orator of the stories and excitement of Vogue at the height of the magazine. He shares a wealth of wisdom from his career at Condé Nast where he is now the Corporate Photography Director of Condé Nast and Visuals Editor for The World of Interiors. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Pati Dubroff is an exceptional makeup artist who works with some of the biggest names in fashion and Hollywood. Her superpower is her ability to make women feel their most beautiful without ever “losing the person” underneath.

Mary Katrantzou is a London-based independent designer who has designed her namesake business for nearly 20 years and recently appointed Bulgari's first-ever Creative Director of Leather Goods and Accessories. Her story is an incredible lesson on focus, creativity and being responsible to your talent and your own voice.

Melissa Morris is the founder of a luxury leather goods company, Métier. Her unique way of coming to fashion through sculpture and business has created a completely innovative handbag. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Brett Heyman of Edie Parker is an energetic entrepreneur who started with handbags and is now passionately forging her way into the cannabis business.

This special episode was recorded live from the Capitol courtyard with host Laura Vinroot Poole and designer Carolina Castiglioni. Carolina shares her incredible fashion industry legacy - her family started and later sold Marni - and how they are forging into the future with her collection Plan C.

Trish Wescoat Pound founded TWP after a winding journey through the fashion industry from Theory to her first brand, Haute Hippie. She is a testament to the full circle nature of life now partnering with Andrew Rosen of Theory, 30 years later. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Clare Vivier of Clare V is a remarkable designer and entrepreneur who shares her journey from making bags out of her home to running stores across the country. She still runs her business out of Los Angeles, now with a team of 140 people. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

On this episode, Laura learns how Georgia Dant took her experience with iconic brands like Burberry and Rag & Bone and poured it into creating Marfa Stance, a revolutionary outerwear collection.   Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Nili Lotan is an Israeli born, New York based designer. She climbed the ranks at Liz Claiborne, Ralph Lauren, and Nautica over 23 years before she began again, creating her namesake collection. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Josh Patner has touched every part of the fashion industry. He has been a fashion journalist, a store owner, a designer, buyer, and even a professor. Josh’s story includes creating one of the most coveted brands of the 2000s, Tuleh. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Stephanie Danan is a film producer turned fashion designer. With a little bit of money and no experience, she designed her collection, Co, that was quickly embraced by her clients and the fashion industry.  Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol @stephaniedanan @co  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Peter Cohen is a fashion industry enigma - he is an independent designer who has been successfully creating beautiful clothes from his atelier in Los Angeles for over 30 years.

Heather Rosenfield and Jenny Belushi are the co-creators of Poppy Store, an enchanting children’s boutique in California. This episode offers an inspiring look at their serendipitous partnership and why being a children’s retailer is truly joyous. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Why is Jennifer Meyer so inspiring? She pursued her passion for jewelry with no experience and was met with great success. Learn how she continues to move through life and business with little fear. Find us on Instagram:  @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.shop-capitol.com

Lee Mathews is an Australian designer who started her career as an illustrator and later began her fashion journey with simple tea parties in her home. She is now celebrating 25 years in business and continues to stay true to her own design aesthetic and what her clients want to wear. Find Lee (and us!) on Instagram:  @leemathewsau @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.leemathews.com www.shop-capitol.com

Becky Malinsky was the deputy fashion director of the Wall Street Journal and contributed to numerous other publications including Glamour, Lucky and GQ throughout her publishing career. As people began returning to the office post-pandemic, Becky had a "light bulb moment" realizing no one knew how to get dressed and she was just the person to help them - after all, she had spent her whole career translating fashion to real people. Becky now has a flourishing styling business and a cult following for her Substack newsletter: 5 Things You Should Wear. Find Becky (and us!) on Instagram:  @becky_malinsky @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.5thingsyoushouldbuy.substack.com www.shop-capitol.com

Derek Lam is a prolific designer starting his latest chapter at Callas Milano from his new home in Paris. This legendary American fashion designer shares his journey from the early days of his career at Michael Kors to launching and selling his namesake brand. You will enjoy the insights he shares about on creating what he loves and his choice to fall in love with his career as a designer again. Find Derek (and us!) on Instagram:  @thedereklam @dereklam @callasmilano @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.dereklam.com www.callasmilano.com www.shop-capitol.com

Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra are the dapper duo behind Costello Tagliapietra. Over 30 years of working together they've accomplished something rare - they've continued to look forward and disrupt the fashion supply chain through their businesses Resonance and JCRT, while also looking back to relaunch their collection, Costello Tagliapietra, that preserves the lost art of dressmaking. Find Jeffrey and Robert (and us!) on Instagram:  @mister.costello @costellotagliapetra @jcrtny @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.costellotagliapietra.com www.shop-capitol.com

I had the privilege of having a conversation with Anna Sui - one of the original independent designers who has conquered every category from ready-to-wear to beauty and fragrance…she’s always been way ahead of her time. But, in spite of the seemingly strategic way her business has unfolded over the past 40 years, she assured me that “there was no master plan” Find Anna (and us!) on Instagram:  @annasui @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.annasui.com www.shop-capitol.com

Julie de Libran has been lauded as one of the most respected designers in the industry. From a decade under Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs to later becoming the artistic director of Sonia Rykiel, Julie is finally stepping out on her own. Find Julie (and us!) on Instagram:  @juliedelibran @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.juliedelibran.com www.shop-capitol.com

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Brentwood Country Mart, this conversation features Anya Hindmarch, Gregg Renfrew of Beauty Counter, and our host Laura Vinroot Poole of Capitol. This episode was hosted  by transformational leadership coach, Ashley Wick and features profound insights from this powerful group of female leaders on entrepreneurship, reinvention, reframing fear, and so much more. Find Our Guests (and us!) on Instagram:  @anyahindmarch  @greggrenfrew @beautycounter @lauravinroot @brentwoodcountrymart @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.anyahindmarch.com www.beautycounter.com www.brentwoodcountrymart.com www.shop-capitol.com

Meredith Melling Burke is a former Vogue fashion editor and now a founder of the NY-based womenswear collection, La Ligne. This conversatiom highlights Meredith's unique journey, why she believes she is always learning, and her new perspective on risk. Find La Ligne (and us!) on Instagram:  @lalignemhc  @meredithmelling @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.lalignenyc.com www.shop-capitol.com

Lizzie Means Duplantis and Sarah Means are the dynamic sisters behind Miron Crosby, a collection of cowboy boots. On this episode from Season 5, you will hear the story of their life together from growing up on a ranch in West Texas, to embarking on separate careers in New York, and finally returning to Texas to launch Miron Crosby. Find Lizzie and Sarah (and us!) on Instagram:  @mironcrosby @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.mironcrosby.com www.shop-capitol.com

Lauren Sherman is a career journalist who has reported on the fashion industry for the past twenty years. This episode shines a light on the complexity and nuances of the industry and the power of finding your niche. Find Lauren (and us!) on Instagram:  @lapresmidi @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.puck.news/author/lauren-sherman www.shop-capitol.com

The partnership of Lily Clempson and Michel Cantin of Lily Eve is a true example of alchemy. After an unlikely meeting during Covid, they joined forces on upcycling vintage Hermes blankets and towels into clothing and a business was born. Their love of their work and each other feels like the reason their venture has been so successful. Find Lily and Michel (and us!) on Instagram:  @lily.eve.store @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.lilyeve.store www.shop-capitol.com

Malia Mills has always been ahead of her time -- she pioneered swimwear sold as separates and by cup size in the 90s and her advertisements were revolutionary. Malia's journey is, in her words, a testament to the breadcrumbs that create your life path. Her "hell yes" mentality and messages to women are so much bigger than her swimwear line. Find Malia (and us!) on Instagram:  @maliamillsofficial @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.maliamills.com www.shop-capitol.com

Mickey Drexler is the former CEO of Ann Taylor, the Gap, J.Crew and creator of spin-off brands Old Navy and Madewell. Mickey is currently the Alex Mill chairman and chief investor. This episode is a unique opportunity to learn from this legendary fashion industry leader and mentor. Find Mickey (and us!) on Instagram:  @mickeydrexler @alexmillny @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.alexmill.com www.shop-capitol.com

Martin Grant is an Australian fashion designer based in Paris. Martin started out at age 16 and his diverse training in sculpture and tailoring has created a collection distinctly his own. Martin’s humble, quiet nature and distinct, refined designs are an inspiring demonstration of authenticity in the fashion industry. Find Martin (and us!) on Instagram:  @martingrantofficial @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.martingrantparis.com www.shop-capitol.com

Tug Rice is a New York based-artist who is known for his sophisticated and cheerful illustrations and his collaborations with brands from Dior to The Carlyle. On this episode, Tug sheds light on his artistic journey and how he has found a sense of flow at this stage in his career. Find Tug (and us!) on Instagram:  @tugrice @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.tugrice.com www.shop-capitol.com

Edeline Lee is a London-based independent designer who is uniquely attuned to the powerful woman she designs for. She chooses to focus on light energy rather than dark, and being gracious and kind, which filters from her team to the stitching in her clothes. Find Edeline (and us!) on Instagram:  @edelinelee @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.edelinelee.com www.shop-capitol.com

JJ Martin, founder of La DoubleJ, is back on What We Wore to discuss her new book, Mamma Milano, launching this fall. JJ shares how her life and business unfolded once she fully embraced the Italian culture and listened to what it was trying to teach her. This episode is full of spiritual and creative wisdom whether you are part of the fashion industry or not. Find JJ (and us!) on Instagram:  @jjmartinmilan @ladoublej @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.ladoublej.com www.shop-capitol.com

JJ Martin is the founder and designer of La Double and our guest from Season 4. We hope you find inspiration in this episode from the archival as JJ first shares embarking on a spiritual journey that has now become fully integrated into her work and community. Find JJ (and us!) on Instagram:  @jjmartinmilan @ladoublej @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.ladoublej.com www.shop-capitol.com

Anya Hindmarch is once again the CEO and Creative Director of her namesake collection after buying back her business in 2019. On this special episode, we speak to Anya about the past and future of her company, key advice from her book, and the power of choice. Find Anya (and us!) on Instagram:  @anyahindmarchpersonal @anyahindmarch @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.anyahindmarch.com www.shop-capitol.com

Lauren Harwell Godfrey is a jewelry designer with a truly distinct point of view that has emerged over many years of career reinvention. Lauren shares her winding road from a successful career in advertising to culinary school to her final destination as a jewelry designer. Find Lauren (and us!) on Instagram:  @harwellgodfrey @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.harwellgodfrey.com www.shop-capitol.com

Chloe Malle is a contributing editor at Vogue and the co-host of the magazine’s podcast the Run-Thru. Chloe shares how she unexpectedly came to work at Vogue fifteen years ago and continues to cultivate a rich career with the brand in the midst of navigating motherhood. Find Chloe (and us!) on Instagram:  @chloemalle @voguemagazine @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.vogue.com/podcast/the-run-through www.shop-capitol.com

Wes Gordon is the creative director of the storied fashion house Carolina Herrera. Wes generously shares more about his conviction to become a designer at a young age, his experience as young independent designer with his own collection, and working Carolina Herrara's side in her last year at the house before Wes was selected to carry on the house’s vision. Find Wes (and us!) on Instagram:  @wesgordon @carolinaherrera @whatweworepodcast  @shopcapitol  Or on the web:  www.chcarolinaherrera.com www.shop-capitol.com