Venturing into Fashion Tech

2025 Fashion Tech Year in Review with Matt Astarita

This episode delves into the significant advancements in fashion tech in 2025, focusing on AI, digital fashion, and virtual try-on technology. With guest speaker Matt Astarita of Browzwear and host Peter Jeun Ho Tsang, they explore the acquisition of La La Land, the CaaStle fraud case, investor due diligence, the future of virtual try-on technology, and the evolution of digital fashion and product creation. The year 2025 marked a shift towards ecosystem integration and collaboration among fashion tech vendors.TakeawaysFashion tech in 2025 saw significant advancements in AI, digital fashion, and virtual try-on technology.The year 2025 marked a shift towards ecosystem integration and collaboration among fashion tech vendors.Chapters00:00 Fashion Tech Advancements in 202505:17 Acquisition of La La Land and AI Integration12:31 The Role of AI in Styling and Designing Outfits17:56 Investor Due Diligence in Fashion Tech27:48 Digital Fashion and Product Creation in 2025Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matt-astarita-07aa24a7/Find out about Browzwear: browzwear.com/

Fashion, Heart, and Culture: 6 Key Takeaways from the Underrepresented Series

In this final episode of the underrepresented series, hosts Beatrice Newman and Peter Jeun Ho Tsang recap their favourite insights learned from their guest speakers. They delve into the heart of the fashion industry, exploring the challenges and triumphs of underrepresented voices. Join us as we uncover personal stories and insights from diverse speakers who are reshaping the landscape of entrepreneurship. From leading with empathy to redefining operations, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact.Listeners are encouraged to reflect on how they can contribute to building better ecosystems of work.The conversation provides actionable insights for those in strategy, operations, and creative rolesConnect with Peter: linkedin.com/in/peterjeunhotsangConnect with Beatrice: linkedin.com/in/korlekie--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

Underrepresented: Why Arooj Aftab is Done with Diversity in the Fashion and Creative Industries

Authentic Representation & Cultural Storytelling in Fashion: Cultural consultant Arooj Aftab, a Vogue Business 100 Next Gen agitator, explores the fashion industry, emphasising entrepreneurship that prioritises representation and authentic storytelling. She highlights the resilience required to challenge norms and the power of community engagement in fostering inclusion. She champions “Culture over Colour,” and the need to move beyond surface-level diversity to truly reflect society in creative industries. Her values and vision have led her to host events at Bicester Village, bringing together like-minded people to strengthen their community bond. Challenging the Fashion Status Quo:• Inclusion before diversity – representation must go deeper than tokenism. • Storytelling matters – cultural narratives are essential to authentic fashion. • Community engagement – change happens through collective action. • Fashion’s responsibility – the industry must reflect the true diversity of society.Connect with Arooj: linkedin.com/in/arooj-aftab-91865814aFind out more about Arooj's work: arooj-aftab.com--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

Underrepresented: ADHD is my Fashion Innovation Superpower with Melissa Chung

Founder of Krippit Paris, a 3D-printed fashion accessories startup, Melissa Chung shares her journey as an underrepresented founder turning a personal problem into a business innovation. She discusses entrepreneurship, the resilience required to thrive as a woman in the finance industry, and the importance of representation for female founders. As a Canadian immigrant in France, she has learned that innovation has no language barrier—great ideas transcend language. Melissa also emphasizes taking the “dis” out of disability, turning what can be seen as a disadvantage into a personal advantage. She highlights how community engagement, mentorship, and advocacy for ADHD and learning differences can empower other underrepresented founders to succeed in innovation-driven businesses.Breaking Barriers in Fashion & Finance:  • From finance to fashion – transforming women’s daily struggle in high heels into innovation. • High heel protectors – tackling a problem women face daily in professional settings. • ADHD as an advantage – turning challenges into entrepreneurial strengths. • Advocacy & education – supporting those with ADHD by transforming passions into successful businessesConnect with Melissa: www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cs/details/experience/Visit Krippit: krippit.com--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io

Underrepresented: Breaking Free from Iran to Build New Fashion Worlds with Mersedeh Heydari

Founder of Heymers Academy and Moodi Studio, Mersedeh Heydari shares her entrepreneurial journey as an underrepresented founder merging architecture, fashion, and game design to create immersive creative experiences. She discusses the resilience required to navigate cultural and systemic barriers in Iran, and the importance of representation for emerging creative talent. She emphasizes that there is no perfect world, and that thriving under Iran’s strict social and cultural standards has not only tested her perseverance but also ignited her creativity, shaping the bold, boundary-pushing vision that defines her work today.Building Creativity & Opportunity in Fashion- we learn how:  • Turning cultural and governmental barriers into opportunities – how to innovate in a country like Iran.  • Fashion meets game design – using interactive storytelling to express identity and culture. • Students as collaborators – integrating education and industry to nurture emerging talent. • Shaping our identities and businesses in tandem- informing creative decision-making through lived experience Connect with Mersedeh on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mersedeh-heydariCheck out Moodi Studio: www.themoodistudio.comCheck out  Heymers Academy: www.heymers.com--------The show is recorded from Beyond Form, a fashion tech innovation platform. We build, invest, and educate fashion tech entrepreneurs and startups. We’d love to hear your feedback, so let us know if you’d like to hear a certain topic. Email us at podcast@beyondform.io. If you’re an entrepreneur or fashion tech startup looking for studio support, check out our website: beyondform.io