The co-lab career stories

Alana is the founder of Llani and Llani Design Studio, with a creative background spanning fashion, product design, and interiors. A graduate of Moore College of Art & Design, she has collaborated with brands including Anthropologie and Free People. Today, she creates warm, layered homes that blend character, craftsmanship, and the practical needs of everyday family life.

In this episode, Lindsey Love interviews Alana, about her path from studying fashion at Moore College of Art to designing shoes and handbags at Anthropologie. Alana opens up about her bold pivot into interior design and the decade-long artisan partnerships in India that continue to shape her work. She also reveals what she’s most proud of as she bridges fashion and interiors in her next chapter.

Lindsey Love is a retail consultant. After 20+ years as a merchant and stylist at Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, and leading merchandising and brand at founder-led startups, she now provides creative direction and assortment strategy to founder-led brands and independent retailers.

In this episode, Alana Oates sits down with Lindsey to trace her career back to Drexel’s design and merchandising program and the moments that shaped her path in retail. Lindsey opens up about her entrepreneurial leap into baking with Cocoa Love, a surprising detour that taught her what it really takes to build a brand from scratch. She also shares what pushed her to finally go independent and what being part of Co-Lab means for this next chapter.

Rachel Swanson is the founder of Method + Mode, a consultancy delivering primary research for product innovation, audience development, and brand building across beauty, fashion, wellness, tech, CPG, and media. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with early-stage startups and global brands, previously holding senior strategy and insights roles at Condé Nast (Glamour, W, Corporate) and agency-side at Digitas and POSSIBLE (WPP).

In this episode, Lexie Bettina sits down with Rachel to explore her path from sociology research to founding Method & Mode. Rachel opens up about her early roles at Digitas and Condé Nast, the leap into independent consulting, and how she's using AI to scale research and help partners build AI-native insights functions.

Lexie is a creative project manager and producer with twelve years of experience, over 500 completed shoots, and published content that has reached more than 16 billion people worldwide.She has overseen tens of millions in annual production budgets and led high-visibility 360 campaigns, including years in-house at CHANEL for the US Market, with work spanning VOGUE, NIKE, and some of the most iconic brands in the world. She is also the co-founder of STILETTO, a post-production company based in New York City, where she continues to take on freelance creative projects of distinction.

In this episode, Rachel Swanson sits down with Lexie to trace her career from fashion marketing at SCAD to leading campaigns for Versace and Chanel. Lexie opens up about the power of side projects, building a business around trusted collaborators, and why she sees AI as an operational asset rather than a creative threat.

Lindsay Denninger is an award-winning writer, editorial director, celebrity interviewer, two-time Jeopardy! contestant, and storyteller who magically turned a love for nostalgic pop culture into a job. She's worked with brands like Kate Spade New York, Ann Taylor, UNIQLO, and Amazon, and she's currently the Copy Director at SPANX. She lives on Long Island with her family.

In this episode, Suzy West chats with Lindsay about navigating a winding career between freelance and full-time roles. Lindsay shares how she builds brand voice, the story behind her Gossip Girl book, and advice on taking creative risks while trusting your own taste.

Suzi West has built her career at the intersection of commerce and creativity — translating brand identity into physical space, and experiences that drive sales. From the halls of L Brands and Knitwell Group to founding her own boutique, Collier West, she has lived every side of the industry. A former director with a rare combination of corporate leadership, entrepreneurial experience, and boutique instincts, she consults under the name The Retail Sherpa. She’s the reason your credit card jumps out of your pocket.

In this episode, Lindsay Denninger chats with Suzi, a marketing and retail veteran who went from "retail grad school" at L Brands to launching her own luxury boutique, and learned hard lessons about identity, reinvention, and knowing when to walk away.

Jelena Beliard is the founder of BELLE CHASSE, a brand transformation consultancy based in New York and Paris. She has one core obsession: clarity. After 25 years working with fashion and retail's most iconic brands — Victoria's Secret PINK, Vanessa Bruno, Maurices — she has learned that most brand problems are not creative problems, they are clarity problems. She finds what's off, what's misaligned, and what nobody is saying out loud. Then she fixes it. Jelena lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

In this episode, Tanya Windman talks with Jelena about trading corporate fashion for independence, what drove the decision, how she helps brands spot where their customer experience falls apart, and what it actually takes for leaders to hear hard feedback. Plus, why having the right community around you makes all the difference when you're out on your own.

Tanya believes women should be able to enjoy the journey of building and that the right environment makes all the difference. She is the founder of joi, a membership community for women in NYC actively bringing their vision to life, and a 1:1 advisor supporting women through pivotal moments. Through her consultancy Windy&Co., she brings that same human-centered lens to membership clubs, hospitality brands, and lifestyle companies seeking engagement and retention strategies that actually work. With a background in sociology, marketing and mindfulness facilitation, she's spent the past decade where community building meets commercial results.

In this episode, Jelena Beliard sits down with Tanya to trace her journey from sociology and ad agencies to wellness and eventually building a consultancy for women founders. Tanya shares how authenticity and trusting the process have guided her biggest life and career transitions.

Laura Konitzer is a founder building AI-powered decision tools for fashion and retail teams. She also works with brands on AI strategy and practical adoption. Previously, she spent nearly a decade at BCG advising global fashion and consumer brands.

In this episode, Svenja Hofe interviews Laura, who brings nearly a decade of experience advising fashion and luxury brands. Laura shares her transition from consulting into fashion tech and AI, and they discuss how AI is reshaping the industry and the challenges around data readiness.

Jessica Mayfield is a stylist and creative director working at the intersection of story and aesthetics. With a background in writing, her work is grounded in narrative and intention. Over the past sixteen years, she has collaborated with clients including Adidas, the OKC Thunder, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and STATE, with projects recognized by Marriott’s Design Hotels collection and Oklahoma’s first Michelin Key in 2024.

In this episode, Reut Ringel sits down with Jessica to discuss her non-linear creative career and how her recent autism and ADHD diagnosis has shaped her approach to styling and storytelling. Jessica shares insights on building genuine relationships, staying adaptable, and creating success on her own terms from Oklahoma City.

Reut Ringel is the founder and creative director of Reut New York, a fine jewelry house based in New York City that blends art, innovation, and sustainability into every piece. A graduate of Parsons The New School of Design, she is known for pioneering the world’s first permanent Black Gold through a patent-pending process that reimagines traditional luxury. Reut’s sculptural designs, inspired by organic forms and crafted with a commitment to zero-waste practices, challenge conventions in fine jewelry while honoring craftsmanship and conscious design.

In today's episode, Jessica sat down with Reut Ringel to discuss her journey from music student to jewelry designer. Reut shares how she created her signature black gold pieces and her vision for expanding the brand into lifestyle products.

Lindy Fox is the founder of http://LindyFox.com a California-based clothing line of matching family sets for photoshoots. The brand calls upon the expertise of artisans to create truly unique pieces. Observing a sustainable, process-focused practice, the brand operates in a Made-On-Demand model. Each piece is created only after the customer purchases it, then lovingly made in the Dominican Republic, ensuring fair labor practices every step of the way. Lindy was raised on a California farm where playing in cotton fields is one of her earliest memories!

In this episode, Anna Kimelman sits down with Lindy to discuss the power of made-on-demand manufacturing in creating truly sustainable fashion. Lindy reveals how her unique approach challenges traditional industry practices and what it takes to build a clothing brand with purpose.

Resonance: http://resonancecompanies.com/

Lindy's Website: LindyFox.com

Anna Kimelman is a sustainability strategist and award-winning designer who pioneered sustainable fashion before it became mainstream. After building brands for Puma, AEO and Bloomingdales, she founded an acclaimed womenswear brand that launched with Shopbop and attracted celebrity fans including Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber. Now, she leads Loopline, a WBENC-certified consultancy, helping fashion retailers and social organizations drive their sustainability communication — through workshops and circular product innovation — to grow their impact and business. Anna also advises for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and MIT Solve, helping scale circular businesses worldwide.

In this episode, Lindy Fox sits down with Anna about her eye-opening journey from working with major fashion brands to launching her own sustainable collection. After experiencing global production firsthand, she now helps companies innovate and communicate sustainability effectively.

Julie Coin is founder of Midnighties, a luxury bamboo sleepwear brand for woman that features built-in padded support (launched in 2025). Julie is also a Fractional COO and Operating Advisor to a VC fund that invests in health and sustainability-focused technology companies. Previously Julie spent the majority of her career in global strategy, COO and President roles in Wall Street, blockchain and fintech.

In this episode, Rebecca Murphy talks with Julie Coin about leaving Wall Street to launch her luxury sleepwear brand. Julie shares the challenges of building a product-based business and how her corporate experience shaped her as an entrepreneur.

Rebecca Murphy has 20 years of experience in textile design, fabric R&D, and product development across the U.S. and Turkey. She founded RPM Consultancy to help product-focused founders scale through operational, financial, and supply-chain strategy, and is currently launching a wellness venture with a former coworker.

In this episode, Julie Coin interviews Rebecca “Bec” for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build and scale product-driven brands. They dig into international production, vendor relationships, hard-won lessons for founders, and what Bec is exploring next in the wellness space.

Mackenzie Perna has spent over a decade shaping how global brands tell their stories online. A community-first marketer and strategist, she built her career at Red Bull and TikTok, where she launched social strategies, amplified world-renowned athletes, and led initiatives spotlighting underrepresented creators and cultures. She's collaborated with brands including Roc Nation, Sony Latin, and Disney Music Group. Today, as co-founder of Sun & Sol, she brings that cultural fluency to impact-driven brands, helping them connect authentically with their communities.

In this episode, Nancy Herrmann chats with Mackenzie as she reflects on her evolution from corporate creative to founder, how intuition has shaped her leadership style, and why community remains the heartbeat of every brand she touches.

Nancy Herrmann is the Founder and Creative Director of Jane & Co Design, a boutique studio crafting strategic, sensory brands for female founders in beauty, fashion, and hospitality. Her career spans fashion, architecture, editorial, and brand strategy—bringing a multidisciplinary lens to every project. In recent years, she’s led creative work for beauty brands from L’Oréal and Bobbi Brown to bareMinerals and Alterna Haircare. Today, Nancy helps women entrepreneurs build brands that reflect their next chapter—with intention and impact.

In this episode, Mackenzie Perna interviews Nancy about her journey from working at Michael Kors and global beauty brands to founding her own design studio. Nancy shares how she built creative autonomy and what drives her work with female founders today.

Marisa brings 15+ years of UX design experience to Amazon, where she helps shoppers leverage Prime benefits across thousands of sites. She co-chairs the Luxury Education Foundation's Alumni Executive Council, supporting 1,500 Columbia Business School and Parsons alumni. She holds an MFA from Parsons, won the 2013 Nokia Design Challenge, completed a fellowship at Nokia's London Design Studio, and created interactive Hermès experiences featured in Forbes and Women's Wear Daily.

Advika Aggarwal chats with Marisa about her design journey from winning a global Nokia competition to pioneering UX at Tory Burch and Amazon. She reveals how curiosity, user research, and embracing AI have shaped her path across startups and Big Tech.

Advika is a marketing and e-commerce leader who drives growth and builds brands across the full product lifecycle from concept to global scale spanning travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s shaped experiences at iconic American houses including Coach and Gap, and most recently served as Senior Director of Marketing and E-Commerce at Paravel, where she helped define the brand’s modern luxury identity, position it as a leader in sustainability, and expand its international presence. From product launches to partnerships and creative campaigns, she blends creative vision with strategic insight to craft innovative brands that resonate culturally and commercially. A Parsons School of Design alum, Advika brings a designer’s eye and a strategist’s mindset to everything she builds.

In this episode, Marisa Glick interviews Advika, who discusses her career path and highlights the importance of combining creativity with strategic thinking, staying adaptable, and continuously learning for professional growth.

From luxury goods to longevity, Kabir has spent 15 years shaping culture at the intersection of fashion, film, wellness, and health innovation. After early stints at VOGUE and ELLE, he spent nearly a decade in fashion PR with brands like Maiyet, Nili Lotan, Monique Péan, and Milk Studios. He later brought that storytelling expertise to healthcare—helping position concierge medicine as a post-pandemic status symbol at Sollis Health and leading communications for GLP-1 launches at Hims & Hers. Today, he runs his own firm, KBB News, continuing to tell stories where culture meets innovation—when he’s not on the mat, that is.

In this episode, Anne Whiting talks with Kabir, a PR professional whose journey from Bombay to New York City spans fashion, tech, and healthcare. He shares how curiosity and adaptability shaped his path, reflecting on the value of a liberal arts education, the evolving PR world, and AI’s growing influence.