Anna and guest Ella Muradyan reflect on how New York Fashion Week has faded from prominence.
“What happened to New York fashion week? I feel like it disappeared” says Ella. They note that activity and prestige have shifted toward Europe, particularly Paris, which they call “the main attraction for fashion.”
American and European Designers
The hosts acknowledge major American names such as Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, and Coach. Both, however, prefer French and Italian design traditions. The conversation then moves to Chanel, where most of the discussion centers.
Chanel disappointment
Ella describes her reaction to Chanel’s new collection:
“I watched the show and I cried at the end of it” she said. “I think Matthew Blas… he was not the right choice for Chanel”
Her argument is that Chanel’s presentation no longer reflected the house’s long-declared values. “All Chanel says is we are classic. We create elegance. None of that came out from Blazes show” she added.
Ella lists examples: manly suits, external collaborations on shirts, and accessories such as an earring “with a little chick on it,” which she felt “didn’t even look like Chanel.” She criticizes handbags that look “like my kid took it and twisted it”, framing them as collector pieces rather than usable designs.
Both agree that some customers might now be buying older Chanel pieces out of concern for where the brand is heading.
The Move Toward Vintage
The discussion turns to how consumer behavior is shifting. “Next year 80% of what people purchase is going to be like resold vintage” said Ella. Anna lists platforms such as Poshmark, The RealReal, and eBay
They interpret the resale trend as both economic and aesthetic. Buyers seeking stability and longevity in uncertain markets.
The Lipstick Effect
The hosts connect fashion shifts to wider economic conditions, referencing Louis Vuitton’s release of lipsticks. “If you think about Great Depression… What was one thing that women were able to afford? Lipstick” said Ella.
They note that small luxury items often sell when major purchases slow, describing this as a recurring consumer pattern.
Other Houses at Paris Fashion Week
Anna favors Valentino’s block colors: “very simple, beautiful.” Both approve of Saint Laurent’s return to its classics and its show design.
They describe Balenciaga collection as resembling “really old” Balenciaga. Anna likes some items such as “crop tops” and skirts; Ella is less enthusiastic.
“Gucci looks like it’s back from the ’90s” said Ella. They describe leopard patterns, belts, fur, and reference a recent film-style campaign starring Demi Moore. The approach is viewed as effective marketing.
Vintage, Handmade, and Value
The hosts conclude that they will focus on vintage and handmade garments:
“We’re not going to buy any of it. We’re going to go vintage” said Ella. “Brands that are maybe less known and handmade… you can find a good seamstress… really create some cool stuff.”
For them, the return to individual tailoring and local production connects back to the podcast’s original question of dressing with intention.
The episode ends with the introduction of Fashion Crimes as a recurring segment:
“This is a new segment of fashion crimes… we’ll be here maybe every couple months!” they concluded
Leave a Reply