CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund: What It’s Really Like to be a Finalist

CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund: What It’s Really Like to be a Finalist

Author: Victoria Smith March 22, 2026 Duration: 46:46
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Ashley Moubayed, founder of Don’t Let Disco and a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist. They discuss her journey from building the brand as a side hustle to becoming a full-time founder, and the realities of growing a fashion business. Ashley shares what it’s really like to go through the CFDA Fashion Fund, from the application process to the impact it has on credibility and growth. They also break down the cost of New York Fashion Week, navigating press, ...

Ever wonder how a clothing line actually gets made or what it takes to build a brand from a sketch to a global name? Fashion & Founders The Podcast, hosted by Victoria Smith, pulls back the curtain on the entire process. This isn't about seasonal trends or red carpet looks; it's a deep exploration of the machinery behind the glamour. Each episode features candid, long-form conversations with the founders, investors, and operators who are actively building the future of apparel and wearables. You'll hear real stories about the hurdles of fundraising, the complexities of ethical manufacturing, the explosive growth of resale, and the practical application of AI in design. Victoria guides discussions that connect the dots between capital, technology, and creativity, covering essential topics from sustainability to career navigation within the business of fashion. Tune in for a grounded perspective on an industry in constant flux, where ideas meet execution. This podcast delivers substance for anyone curious about the foundational work that makes fashion function.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Fashion & Founders The Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Copenhagen Fashion Week Trends and Takeaways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:24
In this episode, Victoria recaps her experience attending Copenhagen Fashion Week from street style and behind-the-scenes access to the sustainability frameworks shaping the future of fashion. She breaks down what makes…
COVID Side Hustle to the Red Carpet: Undone by Kate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:13
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Kate March, founder and designer of Undone by Kate. She shares how a pandemic project became a made-in-New-York bespoke, bridal, and special occasion brand. Kate shares her path f…
Marina Larroudé: Reinventing the Footwear Business Model [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:26
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Marina Larroude, founder of Larroudé, to unpack how she built one of fashion’s fastest-growing footwear brands by rewriting the rules. Marina shares her journey from interning at…
Rebecca Minkoff: Building a Household Name Fashion Label [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:16
In this episode, Victoria sits down with designer and founder Rebecca Minkoff to break down what it really takes to build a fashion brand and keep it alive through industry curveballs. Rebecca shares how an internship le…
Cynthia Rowley: How to Make it in Fashion in NYC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:58
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Cynthia Rowley, CFDA award winning designer, to talk about building a fashion career the scrappy way. Cynthia shares how she got started making clothes, her accidental path to New…
Fashion Career Playbook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:46
Fashion Career Playbook to break into fashion in 2026. How to break into the fashion industry in 2026. Part One out now on Substack. Link Here: https://fashionandfounders.substack.com/p/the-fashion-career-playbook-part F…
Archival Vintage Fashion Reimagined by Isle of Monday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:24
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Gabriella and Janelle, co-founders of Isle of Monday, to discuss how they’re making runway vintage and archival fashion accessible through their fashion tech rental platform. They…