This week's My Mission Is… podcast guest is Sophia Wang, co-founder of the California-based startup MycoWorks, which can be partially credited with orchestrating the fashion industry's mycelium (the root structure of the fungi) boom. Alongside her work making the fashion industry a more sustainable (and better) place through partnerships with the likes of Hermès, Wang is a seasoned academic (she has a Ph.D. in experimental American poetry) and heads up Brontez Purnell Dance Company. In this week's episode, Sophia talks with Mission founder and editor-in-chief Karina Givargisoff about her path to founding a biotech, how the fashion industry can transform itself, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

My Mission Is...

Sophia Wang on the fashion industry's mushroom leather boom

This week’s My Mission Is… podcast guest is Annabelle Delir. Following the passing of her brother, Annabelle turned to health and holistic living. With a degree in psychology along with certifications in fitness, Annabelle has found success in practices that integrate modern scientific findings with traditional wisdom. After studying naturopathy, Annabelle created Umoya Botanics, a cruelty-free skincare line that employs the healing properties of plants. She utilizes her social media channels as platforms for publishing healthy recipes and workout tips to teach others the simplicity of a healthy lifestyle, and the long lasting impacts for both the body and mind. She is continuously exploring creative approaches to healthy living, and expanding what it means to live holistically This week, Annabelle talks with Mission founder and editor-in-chief Karina Givargisoff about Annabelle’s path towards holistic living, her brand Umoya Botanics and Umoya Wellness, and the benefits of herbal medicine. FIND ANNABELLE Instagram: @umoyawellness FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Annabelle Delir on How Holistic Living Helped Her Navigate Grief

This week’s My Mission Is… podcast guest is Norma Kamali. As a powerhouse designer and healthy lifestyle advocate, Norma has channeled innovation into every look throughout her more than 50 years in the fashion industry. In 1970, she debuted her key invention of the Sleeping Bag Coat as part of her Parachute Collection, which has since resided in notable museums like New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Norma has also helped to usher athleisure into fashion's vocabulary, and was the first designer to have a store on eBay. As Norma continues to expand on her eponymous line, she has recently launched gender-fluid apparel. In 2016 Norma received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA, the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Pioneer Award at the United Nations, and an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Fashion Institute of Technology. This week, Norma talks with Mission founder and editor-in-chief Karina Givargisoff athleisure and how COVID has impacted fashion, healthy lifestyle tips, as well as her brand’s transition to gender-fluidity. FIND NORMA Instagram: @normakamali FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Sharleen: @sharleenspiteri Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Norma Kamali on gender-fluid fashion

This week’s My Mission Is… podcast guest is John Bartlett. Both an animal right's activist and acclaimed designer, John currently leads the fashion program at Marist College. Having worked in the fashion industry for more than 30 years, John has made a name for himself with his rugged take on classic American style. A graduate of Harvard University and the Fashion Institute of Technology, he has served as a designer for the likes of Will Smith and Ronaldus Shamask. In 1991, he launched his eponymous collection, which has led to him earning multiple CFDA awards, including the Swarovski Best Newcomer Award and Best Menswear Designer of the Year in 1997. In 2011, the designer launched the Tiny Tim collection to help raise funds for his nonprofit animal-rescue organization, The Tiny Tim Rescue Fund, which helps to support independent rescue groups across the country. This week, John talks with Mission founder and editor-in-chief Karina Givargisoff about fashion's fight towards sustainability, the future for young designers, as well as animal advocacy. FIND ARSHAM Instagram: @johnbartlettny FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Sharleen: @sharleenspiteri Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

John Bartlett on fashion's connection to social upheaval

This week’s My Mission Is… podcast guest is Arsham Parsi, an Iranian human rights activist. As a gay teenager who lost lost a transgender friend to suicide, Arsham felt compelled to create an underground digital LGBTQ network in the country. Due to the strict laws against homosexuality in Iran, Arsham was then forced to flee to Canada. Since escaping persecution, he has dedicated his life to educating and helping others who face a similar fate. In 2008 he founded The International Railroad for Queer Refugees, which provides information, aid, and training to refugees awaiting emigration. He is also a founding member and CEO of the Marjan Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Toronto that educates people on HIV/AIDS and other STIs, and supports LGBTQ refugees with their newfound freedoms in Canada. He helped raise more than $1 million CAD in 18 months, all while working as a law clerk to support himself and his continuing passion for activism. This week, Arsham talks with Mission founder and editor-in-chief Karina Givargisoff about the persecution of LGBTQ refugees around the world, the challenges facing non-profit organizations, as well as the personal struggles he encounters in directing the International Railroad for Queer Refugees and the Marjan Foundation. FIND ARSHAM Instagram: @arshamparsi FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Sharleen: @sharleenspiteri Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Ashram Parsi on escaping anti-LGBTQ persecution

This week's My Mission Is... podcast guest is Talk To Coco, the mental health advocate who is using her platform to break down stigma and foster open conversations around mental health. Coco was diagnosed three years ago with a brain tumor, which has taken a toll on her both physically and mentally. But she found a welcoming community online when she began to speak out about her condition and its impact on her life. The activist, who identifies as gender non-corfing, has now transformed her Instagram into a platform to discuss invisible disabilities, LGBTQ+ identity, and more. She has since worked with outlets like the BBC and companies such as Wagamama. In this episode, Coco talks to Mission’s Editor-in-Chief Karina Givargisoff about how the lockdown has impacted her, how she has dealt with suicidal thoughts, and found structure in her life while coping with ADHD. FIND COCO Instagram: @talktococo FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Sharleen: @sharleenspiteri Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Talk to Coco on why it's ok to be different

This week's My Mission Is... podcast guest is Sean Ellis. The British fashion photographer and film director took the world by storm with his youthful and imaginative artistic works throughout the 2010s. After getting his start assisting famed fashion photographer Nick Knight, Sean quickly established himself as a rare talent in the world of film and photography. He is the writer and director behind Academy Award-nominated short Cashback and British Independent Film Award recipient Metro Manila. He continues to make his mark on the film industry, screening his most recent film, the horror period piece Eight for Silver, at Sundance in January. This week, Sean Ellis chats with Mission founder and editor-in-chief Karina Givargisoff and musician Sharleen Spiteri about the state of film during the pandemic, Sean’s own writing process and how to answer the question, “What’s next?” FIND SEAN Instagram: @seanellisphoto FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Sharleen: @sharleenspiteri Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Sean Ellis on how to tell a story on film

This week’s My Mission Is… podcast guest is Sharleen Spiteri. Mission’s usual co-host sits on the other side of the mic for this episode, as she and her band Texas celebrate 30 years together with the release of a new album in 2021. The band already released a new single for the album last December, “Hi,” featuring hip-hop royalty and their long-time collaborators Wu-Tang Clan. With over 40 million records sold, three albums to have gone number one in the U.K, Texas and Sharleen’s journey continues to wow listeners around the world. In this episode, Sharleen talks to Mission’s Editor-in-Chief Karina Givargisoff about the tumultuous past year and what it’s like to write during lockdown. The Texas frontwoman also delves into her past, discussing everything from her experience with bullies in high school to her 30 years of experience working in the music industry. FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Sharleen: @sharleenspiteri Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Sharleen Spiteri on 30 years in the music industry

This week's My Mission Is... podcast guest is Annette Richardson, global philanthropist, senior strategist, and execution expert. She is the founder and manager of Richardson Partners LLC, a consultancy firm that advises global leaders on design, curation, and implementation of pro-social campaigns. Prior to launching her firm, Richardson worked on cross-cultural projects and was a Senior Advisor to the UN Office for Partnerships. The strategic executive focuses on sustainability, purpose, and social impact to bring about change at scale through the Global Goals. In this episode, Annette talks to Mission’s Editor-in-Chief Karina Givargisoff and singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri about her career as a global  business leader with a focus on social impact. She delves into her personal journey of finding her talent as a philanthropist, her experience working with the United Nations, and how she navigated her identity as a Black woman in global leadership. She opens up about the power of knowing her value in a competitive workforce, how she dealt with nay-sayers, and her ability to stay true to her passion for making the world a better place.. FIND ANNETTE Instagram: @convener FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Sharleen: @sharleenspiteri Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Annette Richardson on advocating for justice beyond 2020

This week's My Mission Is... podcast guest is Tobias Peggs, the CEO of Square Roots, an indoor farming company that aims to connect people to local food in their area. Square Roots has created new technology to allow for indoor urban farming, and has established farms in shipping containers in Brooklyn and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company’s goal is to grow and distribute fresh food with love and care, while opening new pathways for more young people to enter the urban agriculture industry. In this episode, Tobias talks to Mission’s Editor-in-Chief Karina Givargisoff about the Square Roots ethos, their growth and farming process, and the future of farming in America. FIND TOBIAS Website: squarerootsgrow.com Instagram: @squarerootsgrow FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Sharleen: @sharleenspiteri Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Tobias Peggs wants to involve young people in farming

This week's My Mission Is... podcast guest is founder and executive producer of the wildly successful public relations agency ID, Kelly Bush Novak. Established in 1993, ID and their team of 100 strategists represents the most influential artists, thought leaders, brands, philanthropic organizations, athletes, musicians, studios, networks, films and filmmakers, content creators and technology leaders on the planet. Kelly personally represents exceptional talent including John Legend, Cynthia Erivo, Alfonso Cuarón, Lena Dunham, Hannah Gadsby, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Madonna, Janelle Monáe, Joey Soloway, and Serena Williams. She manages actor, filmmaker and activist Elliot Page through her management arm, VIE Entertainment. In this episode, Novak talks to Mission’s Editor-in-Chief Karina Givargisoff about how she steered her team through the coronavirus pandemic, the secret to a healthy work/life balance, and what drove her to start ID 28 years ago. The pair also get candid about the importance of not going back to pre-coronavirus ways, maximizing collaboration, and cultivating a positive workplace environment. FIND ID Website: www.id-pr.com Instagram: @idteam  FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Kelly Bush Novak on founding one of the world’s top PR agencies

Burak Cakmak has been a frontrunner in the responsible fashion scene for a number of years now. Burak has held several high-ranking positions focused around sustainability and responsibility, including working at the Swarovski Group as the company’s first Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, where he established global programs fostering corporate stewardship. With his expertise in the field of sustainable design, he guided the academic programs at Parsons School of Design into a new era during his time as dean, “where an emphasis on socially conscious and transformational design formulates the educational approach and training of the next generation of creators.” Lastly, he is the founder of Thean Co., a strategic brand consultancy providing end-to-end support to brands, retailers, and other organizations operating in luxury fashion and beauty.  In this episode, Burak tells Mission about how he believes lockdown has impacted the creative fields, preparing tomorrow’s students for what’s to come, and what sustainable design truly entails. FIND BURAK Instagram: @burak_ny  FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Burak Cakmak on what sustainable design really entails

Alexi Lubormirski is among one of the most accomplished names in fashion photography. Since being taken under the wing of notable photographers like Katie Grand, Lubormirski, who is also of noble descent, has contributed to many publications, including Harper’s Bazaar US, Harpers Bazaar UK, Vogue Mexico, Vogue Germany, Vogue Russia, Vogue Spain, Vogue Korea, Vogue China, Vogue Nippon, Men’s Vogue China, Numero Tokyo, W Korea, GQ USA, and Allure. Beyond just his creative work, Alexi also uses his platform to enact social change. Creatives 4 Change is Alexi’s initiative to make the fashion and entertainment industry more compassionate, ethical, and moral by asking creatives to abstain from using animal materials, including fur, feathers, and exotic skins in their projects and jobs. As the program’s manifesto states, “The simple fact is, that this job and the enjoyment that comes with it, should not come at the expense of others; whether it is people, animals or the environment.” Tune in as Alexi tells Mission about his first steps into the world of fashion photography, where he looks for inspiration, and how he challenges the landscape of the industry by encouraging creators to be more compassionate and ethical in their work. FIND ALEXI Website: alexilubomirski.com Instagram: @alexilubormirski FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Alexi Lubomirski on how the creative field has changed post-Instagram

Tina Lutz Morris arguably has one of the most impressive CVs in fashion today, having collaborated with nearly every big name in the industry. Since joining Issey Miyake’s Paris atelier shortly after graduating from Paris’s ESMOD, Lutz has been on a non-stop course for greatness, trailblazing through the fashion industry all the while. After her time at Issey Miyake, Lutz then lent a hand to names such as Calvin Klein, Barneys, The Limited, and Puma. Deciding finally to take matters into her own hands, Lutz founded women’s ready-to-wear brand Lutz & Patmos, for which she served as creative and branding director for 10 years. During that time, she not only saw through high-profile celebrity collaboration with the brand, but also oversaw a number of philanthropic and socially-conscious initiatives using the brand’s platform. Most notable, she launched organic knitwear collections and worked with female artisan collectives in Bolivia, Uruguay, and Peru in an effort to create sustainable production methods. Lutz’s collaborative approach to design, one that is as sensitive to sustainability and creativity as it is to maintaining a distinctive aesthetic, has helped redefine the role of a modern fashion designer. In this episode, Tina tells Mission about her first steps into the heart of the fashion industry, what led her to founding her own companies, and how she makes the fashion industry work for her. FIND TINA Website: tinalutz.com Instagram: @lutzmorris FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Website: missionmag.org  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Tina Lutz Morris on working with Issey Miyake post-graduation

In this week's episode we talk to Libby Haan, designer, musician, and fashion PR veteran. Several years after a breast cancer diagnosis and various related surgeries, Haan was having a hard time finding comfortable shirts and undergarments. So she decided to create her own. In 2018, Haan launched Who Shirt Company, a label of soft, wearable shirts with built-in shelf bras. Haan utilized her 20-year career in fashion PR to build the label, and her personal experience with cancer gave it a cause. The shirts are made in America, all production waste is recycled, and $5 of every Who shirt purchase goes right to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. During this episode, Libby tells Mission about breaking into the fashion industry, her stories from the not-always glamorous fashion world, and her candid accounts of life with breast cancer. FIND LIBBY Personal: @haaninthecity Work: @whoshirtcompany Website: whoshirtcompany.com FIND MISSION HOSTS Karina: @missionmagazine Website: missionmag.org --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mission-magazine/support

Libby Haan on how surviving breast cancer led to an entrepreneurial venture

Mission Magazine Editor in Chief Karina Givargisoff and Texas singer songwriter Sharleen Spiteri speak to different icons about what their personal mission is that drives them.

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My Mission Is...

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