Is the era of the department store over?

Is the era of the department store over?

Author: Monocle Radio January 19, 2026 Duration: 34:36

What does Saks Global’s bankruptcy filing tell us about the future of luxury retailers? Plus: inside concept shop Future Present and the standout collections from Milan Fashion Week Men’s. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


There’s a whole world of fabric, business, and creativity that exists beyond the runway show. Monocle on Fashion from Monocle Radio is your access to that world, guided by the publication’s fashion director, Natalie Theodosi. This isn’t just about seasonal trends; it’s a considered look at the forces shaping the industry, from manufacturing and retail to design and cultural impact. Each episode feels like a direct conversation, whether Natalie is sitting down with a visionary designer for a substantial interview, unpacking a piece of breaking fashion news with context, or filing a special report from a pivotal trade fair. The podcast regularly takes you behind the velvet rope and into the real workrooms, offering sonic visits to historic ateliers and emerging studios alike. You’ll get a grounded, intelligent perspective on everything from the global fashion week circuit to the craftsmanship defining tomorrow’s labels. For anyone who views fashion as a serious global industry and a dynamic art form, this series provides the depth and access often missing from the conversation. Tune in for a more nuanced understanding of what we wear and why it matters.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 70

Monocle on Fashion
Podcast Episodes
Misan Harriman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:02
Photographer and social activist Misan Harriman talks about starting his career at 40, documenting protest movements and the benefits of refusing to play the fashion game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati…
Under the covers with Richard Spencer Powell  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Monocle’s creative director, Richard Spencer Powell, discusses the new issue of Monocle magazine and his role in maintaining brand consistency while balancing creativity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio…
Blake Abbie on 25 years of ‘A Magazine Curated By’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:55
Belgium’s first fashion magazine has a unique offering, each issue is curated by a different designer. Editor in chief, Blake Abbie, discusses the process of making ‘A Magazine Curated By’ as it celebrates its 25th anniv…
Tibi’s Amy Smilovic on ‘creative pragmatism’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:50
Tibi’s founder, Amy Smilovic, joins Natalie Theodosi to talk about the label’s rebirth, her style mantra “creative pragmatism” and the value of defining one’s own metrics for success.See omnystudio.com/listener for priva…
Salone del Mobile special: In bed with Marimekko and Laila Gohar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:12
Visual artist Laila Gohar and Marimekko’s creative director, Rebecca Bay, discuss their partnership at Salone del Mobile 2025: a bedroom installation showcasing a capsule collection of pyjamas, eye masks and bedding. See…
Handbag tales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:51
Director Joanna Hogg discusses her contribution to Miu Miu’s Women’s Tales film series, a short about the life of a handbag. Then: ‘Konfekt’ editor, Sophie Grove, muses on the significance of this design item.See omnystu…
Alighieri’s Rosh Mahtani on telling stories through jewellery  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:21
Founder and creative director Rosh Mahtani discusses the literary inspiration behind her jewellery brand, Alighieri, and its expansion into homeware with the launch of Alighieri Casa. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv…
The verdict on fashion month [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:21
Monocle’s new cafe-cum-recording studio in Paris plays host to three industry insiders as they reflect on this past fashion month, including Mytheresa’s chief brand officer, Tiffany Hsu, and the founder of Tibi, Amy Smil…
The art of costume design with Lisy Christl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:03
‘Monocle on Fashion’ producer Lily Austin speaks to Oscar and Bafta-nominated costume designer Lisy Christl about her work on ‘Conclave’. Then: we discuss the crossover between luxury fashion and costume design.See omnys…