Share
![cover art for Success by the Yard](https://assets.pippa.io/shows/5e0a546e880ab054252df04d/1658848368103-2132314135268b74a364d729acca31a4.jpeg)
The Chairish Podcast
Success by the Yard
Host Michael Boodro questions the conventional idea that fabric lines make designers rich: “Is it possible to have success by the yard?” Four fabric professionals with a range of perspectives — including Stephen Elrod and Brian Dicker from Kravet and Holland and Sherry respectively, and designers Lori Weitzner and James Huniford — gather to talk about how they made it in the fabric industry, and how they continue to look forward to the future of fabric.
This episode we dive into:
- How brands select designers for collaborations
- The method and process of collaborating on a fabric line
- What makes licensing and collaborations successful
- How to become successful through a fabric line
- The future and technology of textiles
- Buyer trends and the value of the experience
Get to know our fabulous guests:
Stephen Elrod is the executive vice president and creative director for Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils. With close to three decades of experience, Stephen has led partnerships with various designers including another podcast guest, James Huniford, and most recently, Kelly Wearstler.
President of Holland and Sherry, Brian Dicker drove the tailor-focused fabric company’s expansion into interior design. Holland and Sherry is now a prominent player in the interior design realm and has partnered with designers like Elizabeth Eakins, Muriel Brandolini, and Christopher Maya.
Lori Weitzner is an independent fabric designer and the founder of Weitzner. Lori built her own textile company from the ground-up and later, successfully merged with Pollack. After 12 years as a business owner, Lory grown as a fabric designer and expanded into other areas of design.
James (Ford) Huniford, is a renowned interior designer and founder of Huniford Design Studio. He has a fabric line with Kravet / Lee Jofa and has been featured in magazines such as Architectural Digest, W Magazine, and Vogue.
Check out these further resources:
- Get to know the history of Kravet
- The story behind Holland and Sherry:
- Lori Weitzner’s new collection for Artistic Tile:
- Video: Tour Lori Weitzner’s studio
- Learn more about Huniford Design Studio
- Discover some of James Huniford’s top design tips.
Connect with Chairish and our guests on Instagram:
Chairish: @chairishco
Michael Boodro: @michaelboodro
Kravet: @kravetinc, @leejofa, and @brunschwigfils
Holland & Sherry: @hollandandsherryinteriors
Lori Weitzner: @loriweitzner
James Huniford: @fordhuniford
More episodes
View all episodes
108. Has Social Media Replaced PR?
45:45How does a designer get their work seen and attract new clients? The power of print media has declined while, thanks to social media, every designer can easily put their work out into the world. But how do you stand out amid the daily flood of content? Is there still a role for public relations? Three PR and marketing pros—Sarah Burningham, Roxanne Hanna, and Sarah Boyd—discuss how they navigate the on-going upheavals in the worlds of online and print media, what it takes to successfully guide their clients in everything from creating web sites and Tik-Tok videos to launching major designer books, and why their roles are likely to become only more important.107. Behind the Lens with Douglas Friedman
43:55Douglas Friedman is one of today’s most successful photographers of interiors and is a style setter in his own right, with a huge following on social media. His work has appeared in virtually every major shelter magazine, and he is also known for his fashion photography and portraiture. Douglas has an extensive knowledge of design history, has worked with virtually every top decorator and stylist, and is almost as well known for his wit and charm as for his talent. In this exclusive one-on-one interview, Douglas talks about his career, how the role of the photographer has been amplified by social media, and some of the lessons he’s learned working with today’s top design talents.106. How Smart Does a Home Need to Be?
41:44Technology has invaded every aspect of the home. Now even our refrigerators and doorbells are smart. But do we really need wi-fi enabled musical showerheads? How do you keep your clients’ homes up to date without succumbing to short-lived fads? What tech is essential—and what’s soon to be antiquated? Designers Beth Dotolo and Cynthia Ferguson and architect Charles Hilton weigh in on what tech is essential, what they steer clear of, why geo-thermal construction and electric car chargers are here to stay, and why smart gyms and golf simulators may be the next hot accessories.105. What’s the Future of Design Events?
44:13Design industry events and trade fairs are back—but are they still important? With designers busier than ever, should they allot the time and the money to go? What makes an event something you need to attend in person? Is it still crucial to search for newness and trends? Will the networking opportunities really benefit your business? High Point Market president Tammy Covington Nagem, LCDQ executive director Tamar Mashigian, and interior designer Denise McGaha discuss the importance of design trade gatherings, how and why they remain relevant, and how designers can get the most out of attending.104. What Makes For A Great Client Presentation?
46:08After all the meetings, consultations, and brainstorming sessions with clients, how do you convey that the plans and concepts you come up with will meet their needs and fulfill their dreams? How do you dazzle them so that they get inspired and excited—and write the checks necessary for the project to move ahead? Client presentations are crucial. Three highly successful practitioners of architecture and design—Michael G. Imber, Nina Farmer, and Gideon Mendelson—reveal how they use everything from watercolor images, detailed renderings, mood boards, software programs, and samples to illustrate their visions, what they learn throughout the process, and why each presentation needs to be as client-specific as the project itself.103. How Style is Revitalizing Palm Beach
33:47Palm Beach is undergoing a style renaissance, attracting new generations of bon vivants and design lovers. Nothing exemplifies this better than the resurgence of the Colony Hotel, which for generations served as a favorite getaway for royalty, movie stars, politicians, and wealthy tycoons. Under its new owners, the Colony, also known as the Pink Paradise, has turned to style setters Celerie Kemble, Aerin Lauder, Mark D. Sikes, and now Chairish, to create fresh takes on traditional Palm Beach style. To celebrate the launch of the Chairish Villa, Colony Hotel owner Sarah Wetenhall joins local designer Meg Braff, Isabel Elliman of Schumacher Hospitality, and Anna Brockway of Chairish to talk about the town’s new vitality, the latest direction in hospitality design, and why Chairish, Palm Beach, and the Colony are such ideal partners.102. Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo on Bringing Glamour to Retail
31:58One of New York City’s most fashionable women—and one its most influential—Linda Fargo is a style setter, a fashion force, and a master of high-end retailing. As Senior Vice President of Fashion and Store Presentation Director at the legendary Bergdorf Goodman, she shapes the look and feel of one of the city’s most iconic destinations. She sets trends, nurtures careers, and inspires all of us to dream. As Bergdorf unveils the second iteration of the Chairish Art Gallery, she talks about her legendary career, why her eye has always been her most powerful tool, what’s ahead for retailing, how she scopes out new talent, and why Chairish and Bergdorf Goodman are such ideal collaborators.101. From Trends to Tech: What’s Ahead for Interior Design in 2024
50:06Every New Year brings a focus on what’s next, what trends are on the rise, and what we hope to banish once and for all. With the housing market in the doldrums, inflation still a factor, and technology making advances every day, changes are sure to encompass a lot more than colors and styles. Three designers from across the country—Katie McCaffrey, Benjamin Johnston, and Danielle Colding—weigh in what’s inspiring them now, how they see their businesses adapting in the year ahead, what technology they plan to adopt, and why they remain excited about 2024.100. Four Female Founders & What They've Learned in a Decade of Success
56:59To celebrate the 100th episode of the Chairish podcast, we reached out to four women who founded enterprises that have succeeded for a full decade. At a time when most new businesses fail, these women launched companies in highly competitive fields—fashion, beauty, interior design, and online sales—and not only survived but continue to thrive. When Rebecca Hessel Cohen founded her fashion line LoveShackFancy, she was told her feminine and flirtatious aesthetic would never sell. April Gargiulo of Vintner’s Daughter upended the skincare business with a single product. Charlotte Lucas pursued her love of interior design despite setbacks and self-doubt. And Anna Brockway, co-founder and president of Chairish, was told by bankers and venture capitalists that her curated approach to an online marketplace would never succeed. Here they discuss how they managed to simultaneously grow their families and build their businesses, reveal the sexism they faced and the challenges they overcame, and tell how their passions helped them to persevere, even as the business world continued to change around them.