Empowering Scaleups and Startups to Succeed in the Fashion Business

This year has been one of growth, challenge, learning and connection. We’ve shared over 127 episodes, welcomed many new listeners, and continued to have honest conversations about what it really takes to build, lead and sustain a fashion business in a changing market.

In this episode, I’m joined by Faye Browne and Lauren French, the mother–daughter duo behind Motto, who have built one of the most resilient and community-driven fashion businesses in Australia.

Faye began her journey as a fashion buyer before launching Motto with her husband John, driven by a passion for empowering women and celebrating individuality.

This conversation brings together three industry leaders: Elizabeth (Fashion Equipped), Kelly Slessor (The Ecommerce Tribe, Tribe Gen AI), and Christina Exie (Stacked Studio) to share their perspectives on the strategies shaping the future of fashion and lifestyle brands.

Taryn is an Australian of the Year, award-winning filmmaker, bestselling author, and founder of the global Body Image Movement.

Zali is an Adjunct Associate Professor and internationally recognised body image researcher who’s published more than 60 academic papers and dedicated her career to creating a safer body-image environment for the next generation.

Bianca Gregg, a leading figure among a new generation of brand leaders. As Co-Founder and strategist, Bianca has grown Del Rainbow from a boutique studio into a globally recognised fashion and logistics agency with teams across key global markets.

Anna Brennan is a highly accomplished retail leader with over 20 years of extensive experience across retail, merchandising, marketing, digital, and store operations. As General Manager of Stylerunner since May 2023, Anna is driving the brand's ambitious expansion strategy across Australia and New Zealand.

As we enter a brand new financial year, this is your opportunity to hit reset, refocus your energy, and reignite your strategy for the months ahead. Whether you're a founder, scaling with a team, or leading across multiple channels — this episode is for you.

After building her career in London and Sydney as a commercial fashion agent, Eva launched Parlour X in 2001. She quickly became one of Australia’s most influential buyers and fashion ambassadors abroad, regularly travelling to Paris and Milan to bring the best of global style to the local market.

With over two decades of experience in the fashion and textile industry, Patricia launched Partridge Agency as a globally recognised surface design agency, representing exclusive artwork for the fashion sector. Her deep industry knowledge and creative vision have helped connect Australian brands with some of the world’s most innovative print studios.

With over 25 years of experience across product, buying, manufacturing, and brand management, Belinda brings a deep understanding of the fashion industry — and a passion for turning sustainability goals into everyday actions. RCYCL offers a circular solution that’s ready for immediate brand integration.

Inside, we’ll unpack the sweeping U.S. tariff changes, how they’re impacting Australian fashion brands, and what steps you can take now — from reassessing landed costs to adjusting your fulfilment model.

In her role as Head of Sustainability at THE ICONIC, Rebekka leads the implementation of the sustainability strategy, which is built on three core pillars: climate change adaptation, circular economy, and human rights.

Jacklyn Rivera, the Creative Director of Commonry. Jack has over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, across a range of roles and brands that have shaped her leadership and management style.

Jenny Nakkan, the Founder of Elevate Wholesale Agency and the Founding Partner of Splash Sydney, Australia’s first international fashion trade show. A trailblazer in the fashion wholesale space, Jenny has built Elevate into a go-to consultancy for Australian brands looking to launch or scale their global wholesale channels.

This blueprint is your step-by-step guide to reflecting on 2024 and setting clear, actionable goals for 2025. Use this template to align your vision, strategise, and take bold steps toward growth, impact, and resilience.

Style Arcade is revolutionising the retail and e-commerce space with its cutting-edge platform, empowering fashion brands to make data-driven decisions. Michaela founded Style Arcade in 2018, it’s; an all-in-one AI-powered merchandise buying and planning platform.

The brand embodies Lexi's vision — and that of countless women like her — who lead busy, multifaceted lives, seeking comfort and ease without sacrificing style. The label focuses on timeless, ready-to-wear essentials that prioritise longevity over fleeting trends, balancing elevated detail with relaxed silhouettes, creating a signature comfortable feel,

Jordy is Shopify’s Senior Retail Product Consultant for ANZ, where he drives growth and retention for retail merchants across the region. Known for his expertise, Jordy has become a trusted advisor to some of the most dynamic, category-leading fashion brands, including Incu, Patagonia, LSKD, FRANKIE4, and Henne.

With over 26 years of commercial experience across retail and FMCG and represents a combination of marketing, sales, and leadership. Joanna has worked with the likes of P&G, Unilever, J&J, Colgate Palmolive, Estee Lauder, and Chatime, her career spans Australia, Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey.

Since 2015, Sandra has led the ‘Good On You’ team to rate over 6,000 brands for their impact and partner with global retailers – like Westfield and FARFETCH – to empower millions of consumers to buy better.

Meet Gina Anstee, an inspiring leader in our industry who is at the forefront of retail with one of the most successful fashion brands in Australia, AJE & AJE Athletica. Gina is an experienced and highly successful leader in high end retail with a rich mix of expertise in business development retail operation, business insights and strategic planning. 

Erin Deering, the accomplished Australian entrepreneur and co-founder of the renowned global swimwear brand, Triangl, has left a permanent mark on the fashion industry. Her innovative use of neoprene cuts and strategic embrace of the influencer effect propelled Triangl to cult status, culminating in a staggering valuation of USD$200 million.

The ELK Mission is to responsibly create product with enduring value through a thoughtful, intelligent design philosophy, crafted with an artisanal aesthetic. To lead a conscious business supporting traditional trades and a circular economy that operates ethically and transparently, in safe, fair and inclusive workplaces. and to minimise our environmental footprint and create a positive impact on our local and global communities.

Established in 2019, EXIE was founded to provide women with technical activewear that has a street-style aesthetic. Eventually, through what Christina calls ‘the power of connection’, her business partnered with the Accent Group where they stocked within Stylerunner.

i=Change helps businesses be known ‘as a purposeful enterprise’ by helping them shift from the product and promotion model to product and purpose. This is needed, especially in recent years, because consumers are increasingly demanding for their purchases to create meaningful, sustainable social and environmental change.

If there’s one person to know in the Melbourne fashion scene, it’s CEO of Melbourne Fashion Festival, Graeme Lewsey! After graduating from his Bachelor of Arts Degree at RMIT University and briefly designing for his own fashion label, Graeme was awarded Australian Young Designer of The Year by The Woolmark Company which was then followed by over a decade of working with leading fashion brands, retailers and marketing agencies in Europe.

Charlotte Hicks is the founder of ESSE and has over 10 years’ experience designing for leading global fashion brands, such as Zimmermann and sass & bide. ESSE was born out of frustration for the sheer excess and waste that is evident in the fashion industry.

If you missed our Fashion.Business.Mindset LIVE Industry Roundtable, then you don’t have to worry. You can access the full replay and take your virtual FROW seat while we chat to the industries best leaders, changemakers, designers, brands, entrepreneurs and mentors. We’re also going to be covering off a full wrap up of the event here, so you’ll feel like you’ve come away with some gold. Image: Esse Studios