Fashioncast

Adam Taubenfligel, Co-founder of Triarchy, Leading the Next Generation of Responsible Denim Manufacturers

Fashioncast® Episode #57, December 2, 2025 Adam Taubenfligel, Co-founder of Triarchy, Leading the Next Generation of Responsible Denim ManufacturersIn this episode, you will meet Adam Taubenfligel, Co-founder of Triarchy, a U.S.-based sustainable women’s denim manufacturer. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Adam and his co-founder siblings, Mark and Ania, have been developing and refining the business since 2011.In the interview, Adam discusses the key challenges involved in launching a startup fashion brand, such as ensuring business continuity, upholding the brand’s mission, achieving product and process differentiation, and managing organizational growth. He further explains how Triarchy sets itself apart from other denim brands, maintaining that no competitor—domestic or international—equals Triarchy’s leadership in environmentally responsible denim manufacturing. Adam’s extensive knowledge of denim and fashion comes from his self-driven learning and experiences in Italy and China. In this podcast, he thoroughly examines several topics such as identifying target markets, forming strategic retail partnerships, and advancements in manufacturing innovation. It is always fulfilling to interview a master of their field, particularly Adam Taubenfligel, whose denim expertise truly distinguishes him. He continually leverages his skills to improve both products and manufacturing methods, making significant advancements for environmental sustainability. Notably, RIVET magazine included him on its list of the 50 most influential people in the denim industry. Whether you’re new to fashion or have years of experience in the industry, you'll find Adam Taubenfligel to be among the most impactful guests ever interviewed on Fashioncast. Enjoy the show! https://triarchy.com @triarchy @adamtaubenfligel  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tracey Panek, Historian at Levi Strauss & Co., Iconic American Fashion Brands (Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary, Part 1)

Fashioncast® Episode #56, November 21, 2025 Tracey Panek, Historian at Levi Strauss & Co., Iconic American Fashion Brands (Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary, Part 1) In this episode, listeners are introduced to Tracey Panek, Historian and Archivist at Levi Strauss & Co., as Fashioncast commences its tribute to renowned American fashion brands. Since 2014, Tracey has served as an authoritative source on all matters related to Levi’s. With both undergraduate and graduate degrees in history, coupled with extensive experience as an archivist and historian for major corporations, Panek currently holds one of the most sought-after positions in the fashion industry.Panek's dedication to her profession is evident as she recounts Levi Strauss's immigration from Germany to New York in 1853, where he established a dry goods store before relocating to San Francisco to further the business during America's Gold Rush era. This narrative highlights a journey marked by resilience and ambition amidst the challenges of a rapidly growing nation. Levi Strauss & Co., both as a business and a distinguished fashion brand, represents the essence of Americana. To showcase and preserve its history, Levi’s is among the select companies in the United States to operate a substantial public museum, “The Vault,” located at its San Francisco headquarters. The company also maintains an extensive private archive containing thousands of items related to Levi’s. Both the museum and archive are regularly utilized by Levi’s designers as sources of inspiration and guidance for design. Listening to Panek systematically outline the extensive history of Levi’s is informative. The discussion covers significant milestones such as the introduction of the pocket rivet patent in 1873, the brand’s emergence into casual fashion through Vogue, its cultural influence during the 1960s, and subsequent international growth driven by World War II and the Vietnam War. Furthermore, ongoing innovation is an integral aspect of Levi's corporate identity and has contributed to the company’s continued success over its 172-year history. We invite you to enjoy this first episode as we kick off our celebration of America’s 250th anniversary by honoring Levi Strauss & Co., recognized as one of the nation’s most distinguished and iconic fashion brands throughout its history. https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyepanek/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTkLUPTtL2Y Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amy Leverton, Founder Denim Dudes, Fashion's Diva of Denim

Fashioncast®Episode #55, August 1, 2025Amy Leverton, Founder Denim Dudes, Fashion’s Diva of DenimOn this episode, you will meet Amy Leverton, the fashion industry’s foremost expert on denim. Born and raised in England, Amy attended the London College of Fashion, then spent years searching for her place in fashion.  After a series of jobs, she followed her passion into denim style, design, and trend forecasting.  Her company, Denim Dudes, is the byproduct of two street-style books published in 2015 and 2019.  With twenty years of experience in design and trend forecasting, Amy has catapulted Denim Dudes into a unique niche within fashion as the go-to consultant on the denim market and culture.We are certain you’ll love listening to Amy’s extensive knowledge of the denim ecosystem as she regularly consults with leading denim brands including Levi, Wrangler, Esprit, Guess Jeans, American Rag, Target, GAP, Old Navy, and H&M.  It’s breath taking to hear Amy casually mention and detail assignments she has collaborated on around the globe.  Few people possess such extensive knowledge about denim, the world’s most popular and best-selling fabric. The feisty Leverton also delves deep into the Los Angeles denim manufacturing culture, the global denim supply chain, historic, current, and near-term denim trends, the Sidney Sweeny American Eagle ad controversy, and start-up denim brands using interesting, and at times, amusing anecdotes about each topic.  Whether your role in fashion includes denim or not, this episode is a masterclass on understanding the complexities of bringing an idea from design to retail while paying strict attention to some of the most competitive market forces in fashion.Please enjoy the beautiful personality of Amy Leverton, and all the knowledge she brings to the fashion industry!https://denimdudes.com/dudette@denimdudes.com@denimdudes Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Isabel De Sousa, Founder Akalia and Business Brand Consultant

Fashioncast®Episode #54, February 4, 2025Isabel De Sousa, Founder Akalia and Business Brand ConsultantOn this episode, you will meet the energetic and brilliant Isabel De Sousa, Founder of Akalia, and business brand consultant. De Sousa, based in Miami, Florida, has walked the walk in building her brand the old fashion way—with grit and determination.Launched in 2021, Akalia was scaled with amazing speed, and is now found in major retailers including Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Hudson Bay, and countless boutiques across the globe. Be prepared to hear how this young fashionprenuer bootstrapped her way into global boutiques and notable retailers.  Her experience was so enlightening, she now assists other business startups complete their journey regardless of the industry. It’s fun and compelling listening to De Sousa passionately explain her process including the high highs of entrepreneurship and inevitable low lows.  Through it all, Akalia was born and has thrived making inroads and connections usually left for major brands.Please enjoy another interview with an up and comer in the world-of-fashion. Akaliaofficial.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alden Wicker, Toxic Textiles (Part 3): Has Toxic Apparel Become Fashion's Watergate

Fashioncast®Episode #53, November 12, 2024Alden Wicker, Toxic Textiles (Part 3): Has Toxic Apparel Become Fashion’s Watergate?This episode is Part 3 of a three-part series on toxic textiles and features Alden Wicker, award-winning author, freelance investigative reporter, and environmental blogger.  The discussion covers Wicker’s career in the fashion industry since 2011, including her introduction to fashion, the launch of her website EcoCult, and her first book released in 2023, To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick and How We Can Fight Back.This is a highly informative and fast-moving interview. In many ways, Wicker is like the authors who have appeared on the show before her. She’s exceptionally intelligent, articulate, and speaks from experience and knowledge. In addition, Wicker is passionate about the surprising discoveries made during her research, and the listener can hear the urgency in her voice.While reading To Dye For, Wicker’s investigative journalism instincts are pervasive throughout the book.  From her invitation to investigate Alaskan Airline flight attendant complaints about new uniforms, to her trip to India dye houses, Wicker uncovers endless layers of the proverbial onion.  Of course, all the while being scoffed at by gatekeepers and bureaucrats from the airline, medical, legal, and fashion industries.  To Dye For is a reader’s journey of intrigue, surprise, frustration, and anger.  If the outcome weren’t so tragic, the book was so well-written and full of unique characters, it could have passed as fiction.  Fortunately, I am not the only one who noticed, Wicker recently won the Society of Environmental Journalists Rachel Carson Book Award for reporting on the environment. Sure, Rachel Carson’s1962 book Silent Spring, challenged the use of chemical pesticides and sparked the environmental movement, but decades later big industry never got the memo, particularly the fashion industry.  However, one can only hope, To Dye For, may be the catalyst that sparks a new and serious movement in the fashion industry about toxic apparel with Alden Wicker leading the charge!  Enjoy this special episode.www.Aldenwicker.comwww.ecocult.comTo Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick--and How We Can Fight Back https://a.co/d/jl27WNk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.