Process The Podcast

In this episode of Process, Arielle sits down with the creative director of Citizens of Humanity, Marianne McDonald to explore how one of fashion’s most iconic denim houses is rewriting the rules — from growing their own cotton to partnering with French biotech pioneers Pili to eliminate petroleum from their dyes.She shares the creative thinking and relentless innovation it takes to lead a global brand while staying true to craftsmanship, sustainability, and style. From early influences and career pivots to building creative teams and spotting cultural shifts, this is a deep dive into the real work behind fashion that lasts — emotionally, ethically, and aesthetically.We also unpack the evolution of fashion cycles, the surprising role of PowerPoint in creative direction, and why understanding your customer’s identity is more crucial than ever.Whether you're building a brand, designing your dream job, or just curious about what’s really happening behind the seams of fashion — this one’s for you.🧵 Key Takeaways:Citizens of Humanity is growing its own cotton and removing petroleum from dyes through a partnership with French biotech company Pili.Creative direction blends intuition, storytelling, and strategic vision — for both men’s and women’s collections.Authenticity and sustainability aren’t marketing tools; they’re fundamental to survival in fashion today.Fashion mirrors societal change — from economic shifts to cultural mood swings.Trends may be cyclical, but meaningful design starts with deeply understanding your customer.Building a brand takes experimentation, collaboration, and patience.Creativity in teams thrives on trust, not just direction.Big thank you to The New Trend for brining this podcast together for us! Find Marianne on Instagram here.Find Citizens of Humanity on Instagram here. Head to The New Trend to shop the Eco Indigo range here.Find your host, Arielle Thomas on Instagram here. Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here. If you loved this episode, please subscribe to the show, we're still a baby podcast over here and need all the love that we can get! See you next Tuesday x

In this conversation, the speakers explore the dynamics of the fashion industry, focusing on branding, marketing, and consumer behaviour. They discuss the evolution of the Lofft Agency and the inception of Roame, highlighting the importance of clarity, energy, and storytelling in building successful brands.The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating trends, understanding market expectations, and the significance of curation in a competitive landscape.Insights from successful brands illustrate the necessity of having a clear vision and adapting to the ever-changing fashion environment.In this conversation, the girls delve into the journey of building a fashion brand, Roame, focusing on the essence of resort wear, the importance of storytelling through prints, and the strategic decisions behind pricing and market positioning. They discuss the challenges of navigating economic fluctuations, particularly in relation to the Australian dollar, and the excitement of expanding into the U.S. market. The conversation highlights the balance between creativity and data-driven decisions in the design process, emphasising the importance of brand awareness and customer engagement.They discuss the importance of learning from mistakes, effective communication, and the surprises encountered in their fashion journey.Find Roame online here.Find Roame on Instagram here.Find the Lofft Agency here.Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here.Find your host Arielle Thomas on Instagram here.If you loved this episode, please leave us a review or share it with a creative friend.See you next Tuesday!x

In this episode, Arielle Thomas shares her journey of creativity, energy management, and the development of her new product, Remy Gummies. She discusses the challenges of maintaining energy levels while pursuing ambitious goals and how she identified a gap in the market for a gentle energy supplement. Through experimentation and collaboration, Arielle created a product that is vegan, sugar-free, and designed to help individuals maintain their energy throughout the day. The episode highlights the importance of perseverance, personal growth, and the entrepreneurial spirit. So much hard work has gone into this brand, and we can't wait to share it with you!Follow Remy Wellness on Instagram here.Follow Process the Podcast on Instagram here. Follow your host, Arielle Thomas on Instagram here. See you next Tuesday!

In this episode, Arielle Thomas sits down with Bree Johnson, Co-Founder of Frank Body and Managing Director of Willow & Blake, to discuss the journey of building two powerhouse brands.Bree shares the marketing strategies that turned a niche skincare idea into a global beauty phenomenon, the role of community-driven branding, and how creative storytelling has been at the heart of their success.She also dives into the realities of scaling a creative agency, from hiring and team dynamics to fostering a culture of innovation and personal branding. Bree opens up about the challenges of rebranding, staying ahead in a competitive market, and the mindset shifts required for sustainable growth.Beyond business, Bree reflects on balancing entrepreneurship with personal life, particularly as she prepares for motherhood, and the importance of financial independence, mentorship, and building a strong leadership team. She also shares insights into expanding into retail and global markets, the power of networking for female founders, and Willow & Blake’s initiatives to support the next generation of creative entrepreneurs.This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone navigating the worlds of beauty, branding, and business growth—don’t miss it!Find Willow and Blake online here.Find Frank Body on Instagram here.Find Bree Johnson on LinkedIn here.Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here.Find your host, Arielle on Instagram here.Leave a review, share with a friend or subscribe to Process!See you next week! x--- Keywords---Willow & Blake, Frank Body, branding, marketing, entrepreneurship, creative agency, consumer engagement, personal branding, team dynamics, rebranding, parenthood, business growth, hiring strategies, mentorship, board roles, retail expansion, global markets, brand building, creativity, female entrepreneurs.

In this conversation, Alice McMullin discusses the evolution of her furniture brand, McMullin, navigating changes in consumer behaviour and the importance of intuition in design. She shares her journey from selling Icelandic sheepskins to creating a successful furniture line, emphasising the influence of personal experiences and family on her design aesthetic. The conversation also delves into the collaborative nature of her work, the dynamics of her team, and the significance of maintaining a unique brand identity in a competitive market. Alice also discusses her journey in the design and furniture industry, emphasising the importance of organic collaborations, community engagement, and sustainability. She reflects on her childhood influences, the significance of following one's intuition in business, and the cultural aesthetics that shape her work. Alice also shares insights on the challenges of entrepreneurship and the personal growth that comes from overcoming obstacles.Find McMullin's latest collection Studio 80 here. Find McMullin on Instagram here. This episode was powered by Remy! Sign up to the waitlist here! Follow Remy on Instagram here. If you loved this episode, we'd love you to let us know! Leave a review on your Apple or Spotify Podcast Player.Find Process on Instagram here. Find us on Tik Tok here. Find your host Arielle Thomas here. See you next Sunday! xx

In this conversation, Arielle sits down with her friend and partner at venture capital fund Side Stage to explore the intricacies of venture capital, particularly focusing on how they do things at Side Stage. a pre-seed and seed fund in Australia. They discuss the importance of founder support, the dynamics of venture capital, and the various types of capital available to entrepreneurs. The conversation highlights the unique challenges and opportunities within the Australian startup ecosystem, emphasising the need for founders to understand their own goals and the incentives of potential investors. In this conversation, Elli discusses the evolving landscape of venture capital investment in Australian consumer brands, highlighting a growing willingness among VCs to invest in sectors beyond traditional B2B SaaS. The discussion also touches on the significance of knowledge sharing and community support for founders, particularly women, in navigating the complexities of startup funding and market positioning.A little different from our usual focus here on Process the Podcast, but as Arielle tackles conversations to level up her thinking - you best believe she's taking you with her. To learn more about Side Stage Ventures, find them on Linked In here. Find Elli Hanson on Linked In here. Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here. Find your host Arielle Thomas on Instagram here. Hit that subscribe button and don't miss an episode. See you next Sunday!