Threads of Conversation

My guest this week is Naomi Shimada. Naomi started modelling when she was 13, and later became a prominent voice advocating for size diversity in fashion. In 2019, she co-authored a book, Mixed Feelings, examining our relationship with social media. She was also a presenter on the BBC podcasts Beauty Fix and Obsessed with Killing Eve.
Over the years, Naomi has become a trusted voice for honesty, care and inclusion, both inside and outside the fashion industry. She writes a newsletter, Tender Contributions, and is also trained as a somatic coach and in various healing modalities. 
In this conversation, we discuss five items of clothing that chart growing up in Japan, the loss of her father, her unique career trajectory, and what it takes to maintain lightness in dark times. You can also watch the video version, and see pictures of Naomi's chosen items in the accompanying newsletter. If you enjoy the episode, then don’t forget to subscribe, and follow Threads of Conversation on Instagram and TikTok.


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This week I meet Sonnet Stanfill, V&A Senior Curator of Fashion, and the woman behind the museum’s breathtaking Schiaparelli exhibition.
In this episode, Sonnet takes us on an intimate tour of the show, choosing 5 key pieces to tell us more about Elsa Schiaparelli’s life and work. We explore Elsa’s close friendship with artists like Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray, and how creative director Daniel Roseberry has continued her legacy since his appointment at the house in 2019. We also discuss Sonnet’s own career, and her work at the V&A. She tells us about the process of curating a fashion exhibition, how they acquire pieces for the V&A’s collection, and why this show was such a team effort.You can also watch the video version, and see pictures of Sonnet's chosen items in the accompanying newsletter. If you enjoy the episode, then don’t forget to subscribe, and follow Threads of Conversation on Instagram and TikTok.


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My guest this week is Alex Kessler, deputy editor at i-D. Alex began his career at Vogue, before moving to SSENSE, where he worked alongside Thom Bettridge and Steff Yotka, to shape the retailer’s meme-loving tone of voice. The trio then moved on to i-D, relaunching the print magazine and pioneering a new strategy on Substack.
This is a great episode for anyone looking to build a career in fashion - Alex’s story is full of grit, determination and self-deprecation, plus advice on how to succeed in today’s media landscape. He also selects 5 items of clothing that have accompanied him along the way - from an overdraft-adjacent Prada shirt, to a conch bag representing his longstanding friendship with Kiko Kostadinov designer Deanna Fanning.
If you enjoy the episode, then don’t forget to subscribe to the Threads of Conversation newsletter, and follow along on Instagram and TikTok.



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My guest this week is Camille Bidault-Waddington, one of the most original and influential stylists working today. Born in Normandy, Camille has been part of so many pivotal fashion moments - she modelled for Martin Margiela in the 90s, spent 14 years styling Marc by Marc Jacobs in the early 2000s, and worked for The Face, Dazed and Self Service magazines at their inception.
In this conversation, Camille selects 5 items of clothing that chart her creative process, her love of ‘weird’, and how coming out as a lesbian has influenced her style. These include a rare Margiela army sock jumper, a vintage Chanel couture suit, and a pair of mythical AW10 Balenciaga shoes, created during Nicolas Ghesquière’s tenure at the house.
If you enjoy the episode, then don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter on Substack, and follow Threads of Conversation on Instagram and TikTok.


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Today’s episode is a live recording with author and cultural critic W. David Marx, best known for his books ‘Ametora: How Japan Saved American Style’ (2015), ‘Status & Culture’ (2022) and ‘Blank Space: A Cultural History of the 21st Century’ (2025).
We discuss the origins of his books, his thesis on fashion, the state of culture today, and the outfits that chart his life and career thus far. You can see pictures of the looks he discusses in the accompanying newsletter.
Thank you to The Groucho Club for hosting us and to Thom Browne for dressing me. If you enjoy the episode and want to hear about future live events, then subscribe to the newsletter for more Threads of Conversation.


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