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.


Designing for Function and Form with Olivia Mason of Olly Designs

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Designing for Function and Form with Olivia Mason of Olly Designs
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In episode 43, Olivia Mason of Olly Designs talks about how her background as a ballerina and her love of fashion combine to create functional yet beautiful fashion that does it all. Olivia has a degree in Ballet, Minor in business, and an associates degree in Fashion design. All of these things have led her […]

Crafting A New Industry Future Through Artisan Fashion with Nazia Siddiqui of Transcend

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Crafting A New Industry Future Through Artisan Fashion with Nazia Siddiqui of Transcend
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In episode 42, Nazia Siddiqui of Transcend shares her vision for a new normal for the fashion industry focused on ethical, sustainable, and artisan crafted clothes that puts the people at every level of the production chain at the forefront. In this episode, you’ll learn: People and resources mentioned in this episode: Do you want […]

Learning to Be Yourself and Make Sustainable Fashion with Lucy Murray of Luluna

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Learning to Be Yourself and Make Sustainable Fashion with Lucy Murray of Luluna
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In episode 41, Lucy Murray of the streetwear brand Luluna shares how a stressful job and complete hair loss led her to start sewing – and then start her own fashion brand. Lucy is the Founder, Designer and Creator of Luluna – an ethical brand for fun, quirky clothing. In this episode, you’ll learn: People […]

Bringing Vintage Beauty to Modern Peculiar Souls with Victoria Cates of Potion23

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Bringing Vintage Beauty to Modern Peculiar Souls with Victoria Cates of Potion23
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In episode 40, Victoria Cates gives us a peek into the creative dollhouse of her whimsical, vintage-inspired slow fashion brand: Potion23.  Victoria Cates, Owner and Designer of Potion23, was born and raised in New York, earned a degree in fashion design at the Beverly Hills Design Institute in Los Angeles, and now calls St. Louis […]

Keeping It Cute, Comfortable, And Socially Conscious For Teen Girls with Rachel Thebault and Neda Talebian Funk of Woodley + Lowe

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Keeping It Cute, Comfortable, And Socially Conscious For Teen Girls with Rachel Thebault and Neda Talebian Funk of Woodley + Lowe
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In episode 39, Rachel Thebault and Neda Talebian Funk, the co-founders of Woodley + Lowe, talk about how they keep it cute, comfortable, and socially conscious for their inclusive and sustainable Gen Z fashion brand. Neda Talebian Funk comes from a background in start-ups, fitness and retail companies. She began her career as an equity […]

Using Your Gifts To Create A Brand Image with Marquita Chanel L’Vena Collection

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Using Your Gifts To Create A Brand Image with Marquita Chanel L’Vena Collection
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In episode 38, Marquita Chanel of L’Vena Collection shares how she curates her brand image and makes a statement with her handmade jewelry and refashioned vintage creations while staying true to who she is. Marquita Chanel is the owner of Intended Images, LLC which focuses on bringing out the very best in women in regards […]

The Fun & The Reality of Fashion Entrepreneurship with Laura Briggs of The Shortlist

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
The Fun & The Reality of Fashion Entrepreneurship with Laura Briggs of The Shortlist
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In episode 37, Laura Briggs talks about the fun, work, challenges, and rewards of starting her petite fashion brand, The Shortlist, without any fashion industry experience.  The Shortlist creates gorgeous, limited edition fashion exclusively for petites. In this episode, you’ll learn: People and resources mentioned in this episode: Do you want fashion business tips and […]

For The Love Of Design and Custom Bridal with Janna Volmert of JM Couturière

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
For The Love Of Design and Custom Bridal with Janna Volmert of JM Couturière
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In episode 36, Janna Volmert of JM Couturière walks us through her journey in custom bridal and how the experience is special and significant for both her and her clients.  JM Couturière is a bridal and formalwear design service offering custom gown design, re-design, and intense alterations. Utilizing couture and commercial techniques, JM Couturière can […]

Creating Meaning As A Mission-Based Small-Batch Factory with Terri Stipanovich of The Collective Thread

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Creating Meaning As A Mission-Based Small-Batch Factory with Terri Stipanovich of The Collective Thread
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In episode 35, Terri Stipanovich, founder and CEO of small-batch manufacturing factory The Collective Thread, shares how her background in the non-profit world and mission to empower women to earn a living wage led her to start The Collective Thread as a resource for emerging designers, training ground for industrial sewing, and a place for […]

Growing a Slow Fashion Brand in an Online World with 22yr Old Designer Natalia Trevino Amaro of NTA

How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
How Fitting: design a slow fashion business that fits
Growing a Slow Fashion Brand in an Online World with 22yr Old Designer Natalia Trevino Amaro of NTA
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In episode 34, Natalia Trevino Amaro shares how she’s grown her slow fashion namesake label from a side project out of her parent’s midwest home to her full-time job since graduating from FIT in 2020.  Natalia is a 22 year old fashion designer & content creator focusing on slow fashion and sustainability. In this episode, […]