How Fitting® Podcast

The podcast for slow fashion designers who want to create clothing and grow a business that fits their customer, lifestyle, and values.

In biweekly episodes, hear how relatable fashion entrepreneurs (the kind who run their businesses from kitchen tables and cutting tables, not boardroom tables) navigate the fashion industry with integrity and define success based on their own principles.

In each conversation, host Alison Hoenes (a freelance women’s apparel patternmaker) explores the things that all slow fashion business owners experience: the vulnerability of launching something new, the deeply empathetic process of designing clothes that fit a niche market, the challenges of pursuing both financial and environmental sustainability, the late nights of reckoning with your values that make you consider shutting the whole thing down, and the rewarding moments that make it all worth it.

In addition, hear from experienced fashion industry resources that are helping indie designers make a difference and a profit – like low MOQ factories, fashion marketing and business coaches, or sustainable fabric suppliers.

How Fitting® offers validation that you are not alone in your fashion entrepreneurship experience, ideas to try on in your fashion business to create a better fit, and a curious look into how other slow fashion brands are making it work. How fitting is that?


Want to share how your brand fits your customer, lifestyle, and values on the How Fitting® podcast? I’d love to have you as a guest on an upcoming episode.


Creating A Size Chart with Representation with Og Ajibe of Oge Ajibe

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Creating A Size Chart with Representation with Og Ajibe of Oge Ajibe
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In episode 93, Oge Ajibe talks about what she’s learned (and where she’s learned) about inclusive fit and fashion business. After 6 years and multiple pivots in business, Oge has slowly created her own way to make sustainable, comfortable clothes that fit no matter your size. She’s uniquely created Oge Ajibe’s size chart, figured out […]

Reaching Profitability In Fashion Business with Laura Briggs of The Shortlist

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Reaching Profitability In Fashion Business with Laura Briggs of The Shortlist
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In episode 92, The Shortlist founder Laura Briggs gives us a detailed look at how her fun and cheeky petite-only brand has reached profitability. From pricing and production to business operations, Laura describes the growing pains she’s gone through and the huge milestones she’s reached as she’s scaled her 3-year-old business. Laura was also my […]

Taking The Stage Boldly For Inclusive, Slow Fashion with Suzanne Vinnik of By Vinnik

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Taking The Stage Boldly For Inclusive, Slow Fashion with Suzanne Vinnik of By Vinnik
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In episode 91, hear how former opera singer Suzanne Vinnik designs bold, inclusive fashions that make women “feel seen” and encourage them to take up space for who they are. Knowing first hand what it is like to be exploited working in the arts, Suzanne runs her business differently. Her secret to success both on […]

Prioritizing Customer Research and Values To Shape A Modest Activewear Brand with Aja Cohen of Transcendent Active

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Prioritizing Customer Research and Values To Shape A Modest Activewear Brand with Aja Cohen of Transcendent Active
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In episode 90, hear how Aja Cohen left her big corporate fashion career for a lifestyle – and fashion business – that put relationships and her values first. Transcendent Active is helping women embrace who they are and move confidently toward their goals. Her modest activewear designs aren’t just covering, but also comfortable, sustainable, and […]

Resortwear That Benefits The Natural World with Janet St Cyr & Diana Kerins of Bambina Swim

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Resortwear That Benefits The Natural World with Janet St Cyr & Diana Kerins of Bambina Swim
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In episode 89, hear how Janet St Cyr & Diana Kerins have created a swim and resort brand inspired by nature and travel. Learn what this mother-daughter partnership did to land a dream collaboration with a luxury resort and how they are growing their business slowly and steadily. Bambina is a women’s swim and resortwear […]

How To Source Fabrics As An Independent Designer with Jay Arbetman of The Sourcing District

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How To Source Fabrics As An Independent Designer with Jay Arbetman of The Sourcing District
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In episode 88, textile sourcing rep Jay Arbetman of The Sourcing District walks us through how to source wholesale fabric for your independent fashion brand – even in low quantities. Jay shares insights on fabric quality, sustainable fibers, and how to not spend months on your fabric search. With decades in the business, Jay knows […]

Making Fashion Fit Your Way with Rivky Itzkowitz of Impact Fashion

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Making Fashion Fit Your Way with Rivky Itzkowitz of Impact Fashion
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In episode 87, life-long lover of fashion and modest dresser, Rivky Itzkowitz, shares how she makes fashion work for her and other women like her through her brand Impact Fashion. Rivky seamlessly weaves her Orthodox Jewish values, skillful design and patternmaking, and fashion sense into each piece for sizes 2-28.  Rivky Itzkowitz is a fashion […]

The Future of On-Demand Production with Kirby Best of Bespoke Manufacturing Company

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
The Future of On-Demand Production with Kirby Best of Bespoke Manufacturing Company
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In episode 86, Kirby Best, the CEO & President of the innovative on-demand factory Bespoke Manufacturing Company, talks about what on-demand production is and what it means for the future of fashion. Learn the pros and cons of an on-demand model and how to know if it is a good fit for your fashion business. […]

The Intimate Details of Lingerie Design And Start-Up Life with Kristen Anderson of KRSTN NDRSN and Iteration

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
The Intimate Details of Lingerie Design And Start-Up Life with Kristen Anderson of KRSTN NDRSN and Iteration
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In episode 85, design agency founder and intimate apparel brand co-founder Kristen Anderson reveals the inner workings of the lingerie and swim industry. Kristen speaks from her experience as an in-house designer, freelancer, intimate apparel design agency owner of KRSTN NDRSN, and co-founder of the intimates brand Iteration sharing the lessons she’s learned and the […]

Filling The Gap In Smart, Sustainable Closets with Sophie Kissling of UPPERCASE

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Filling The Gap In Smart, Sustainable Closets with Sophie Kissling of UPPERCASE
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In episode 84, UPPERCASE founder and designer, Sophie Kissling, tells us what she’s learned, the mistakes she’s made, and the smart choices she’s made throughout her career as a designer and personal stylist. She now weaves her experience seamlessly into smart closet services – including wardrobe edits and the UPPERCASE line that fills the gaps […]