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The SNR Podcast deep-diving into the age-old question, ‘Why is fashion more than simply the clothes we wear?’

Inspired by the concept of Silver Needle Runway becoming “more than a fashion show” this mini-series podcast (5 episodes) aims to answer the question, ‘Why is fashion more than simply the clothes we wear?’ With special guests from various and unique careers within the industry, More Than Fashion looks at how fashion is influenced by politics, pop culture, lifestyle trends, wellness, and sustainability. From an outsider’s perspective, fashion is oftentimes seen as superficial. More Than Fashion looks to dismantle this stereotype and share why fashion not only allows for individual expression but also has the potential to create community and change in the world around us. 

Podcast Guests

Alexa Curtis

Born and raised in small town Mansfield, Connecticut, Alexa Curtis knew she was different. She didn’t fit into the “normal social mold.” When she entered middle school, all the bullying she endured led her to needing an outlet to escape. In 2011, at just 12 years old, she started a fashion blog; A Life in the Fashion Lane. It became a platform for her to express her feelings around everything relating to teens, body image and mental health.

As Curtis evolved as a person, her blog naturally shifted from fashion to discussing sensitive topics that teens and young adults face every day.  A Life in the Fashion Lane was changed to Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis and became a lifestyle website and podcast for teens & parents discussing topics such as social media and mental health. Not only did Curtis turn her little fashion blog into a full-time lifestyle platform for teens, through cold-pitching, she managed to get sponsored by brands like British Airways, T-Mobile, Lands' End and more.

In 2018, Alexa founded the Be Fearless Summit, which is a pop-up summit that appeared at Drexel University on March 15th, 2020. The next summit was slated for April 1, 2020 at UC Berkeley. Sponsors include Headspace, Shake Shack and Morphe. 

Curtis has spoken at numerous colleges; Northeastern, UConn, Eastern Connecticut, Rutgers along with high schools – discussing how to be fearless as well as mental health and social media. In October 2018, Curtis spoke alongside Amal Clooney and Serena Williams at Penn Women and in Sept 2018, Curtis added ‘host’ to her arsenal as she launched her own radio show on Radio Disney called “Fearless Every Day” with Alexa Curtis. “Fearless Every Day” was the first of its kind and broke new ground for the Radio Disney brand. Alexa interviewed various guests who shared their journey of overcoming obstacles/challenges and chasing after their dreams. 

When Curtis is not hard at work, she meditates frequently and makes time for hobbies like cooking and exercising to keep herself grounded. Although she is based in Los Angeles, she spends part of her time on the east coast.

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Dr. Dawn Karen

Fashion Psychologist Dawnn Karen dubbed by The New York Times as "The Dress Doctor" and declared “The World’s First Fashion Psychologist” by The Times (London). She holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from Columbia University and is also a former candidate for a Masters in Education from Columbia University. Upon graduating from Columbia University in 2012, Dawnn Karen continued where Harvard’s Henry James left off to pioneer the Fashion Psychology Field. She has been the pioneering mind behind this global field since then, paving the way forward in fashion academia by speaking for TEDx, United Nations, and Former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Kyiv Security Forum. She also became one of the youngest Professors and first black woman Psychology Professor, in the Social Sciences Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology (2015) and founded the online institute Fashion Psychology Institute (2015). She has also contributed to major networks in more than 40+ countries. Her most recent appearances and interviews include Good Morning America, Good Morning Britain’s Lorraine, Inside Edition, NBC News, Bloomberg, WSJ, The Hill, Cosmopolitan UK, Germany’s Stylight, WWD Japan, Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald, Canada’s The Globe and Mail, Harvey Nichols Dubai, Vanity Fair Italia, Teen Vogue plus more. Her book Dress Your Best Life: How to Use Fashion Psychology to Take Your Look and Your Life to the Next Level released worldwide in 4 languages- Russian, Czech, Spanish, and English on April 14, 2020. Ultimately, she has made history as a pioneer of the Fashion Psychology Field® (2012) and she hopes to leave you inspired.

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Alyssa Nagel

Alyssa Nagel is a Marist Fashion ‘19 alumna who currently works at Glow Recipe as the Retail Marketing Coordinator. Her career in the beauty and fashion industry ranges across luxury brands like Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch, Global Brands Group & more! Her passion for the industry is what motivates her most & is exhibited by her favorite quote, “Dreams don’t work unless you do.”

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Daniel Pontarlier

Dan is a teacher and a consultant in sustainability & marketing for the Hospitality and Fashion industries with almost 15 years of experience. For years, Dan has been able to help those who seek inspiration, help or advice. In 2015, Dan finally decided to play this role thoroughly. Dan started to write about his passions, his thoughts and his questions about society. Dan founded a blog to share his opinions, and it worked.

 

Since its foundation, Dan has been promoting sustainability in the world of fashion and hospitality. Dan is the former Responsible for CSR and Environment at the Barcelona Hotels Association, advising on sustainability issues to more than 450 hotels. Dan is also the author of the Strategic Sustainability Plan 2017-2019 in collaboration with the Barcelona City Council. BBA in Tourism, with an MBA in Hotel Management and an MBA in Tourism, Sustainability & ICT and his love for fashion, my professional experience is very diverse and rich.

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