Stylist and content creator Alysia Cole joins Melissa and Matt for an unfiltered conversation about authenticity in the wedding industry and beyond. From carving out space for plus-size and queer clients to balancing social media vulnerability, Alysia shares how she navigates visibility, criticism, and creative freedom. They dig into body neutrality, identity fatigue, and why aesthetic doesn’t have to mean exclusion. This episode is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply honest—just like Alysia herself.

https://www.instagram.com/alysiacolestyling/

https://stan.store/alysiacolestyling

Key Topics:

• The emotional labor of representing marginalized identities in the bridal industry
• Understanding body neutrality vs. body positivity
• Navigating online criticism, social media boundaries, and staying authentic

Takeaways:

• Not all representation feels empowering—context and intention matter
• Body neutrality offers a more sustainable self-view than forced positivity
• Staying true to your values in business (even when it costs you money) is worth it

Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/

Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story

fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

Fashion designer, product developer, and pattern maker Xochil Herrera Scheer joins Melissa and Matt for an energetic and heartfelt conversation on the future of American manufacturing. They dig into the cultural narratives, real challenges, and everyday decisions that can help shift consumer habits and bring ethical production back into focus. From why Walmart collaborations to gatekeeping factories hurts the industry, Xochil lays it out with transparency, optimism, and a touch of humor.

https://www.instagram.com/fashionxochil/

https://xochil.com/

🧵 Key Topics:

Why U.S.-made fashion still matters (and what’s holding it back)

The truth about factory transparency and ethical supply chains

How individual habits influence systemic industry change

✅ Takeaways:

Even a small increase in domestic production (from 3% to 5%) would be transformative

Ethical manufacturing should be the baseline—no matter the country

Sharing, collaboration, and storytelling grow the movement more than secrecy ever could

Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/

Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story

fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com

In this episode we talk with Jake from Southland Heritage—a platform and directory listing over 350 American-made brands—to talk about intentional consumerism, community collaboration, and why he hopes his directory eventually becomes unnecessary. Jake shares how he vets companies, his vision for American manufacturing, and how small, conscious choices can spark a bigger cultural shift. From stainless steel tumblers to made-in-Ohio trash cans, Jake can point you in the right direction.

https://www.southland-heritage.com/

https://www.instagram.com/southlandheritage/

Key Topics:

• Why stainless steel goods labeled “Made in USA” are nearly impossible to find
• The emotional and practical journey behind curating a vetted list of American-made brands
• Building a collaborative ecosystem between makers, consumers, and directories

Takeaways:

• You don’t have to be perfect—small intentional choices can drive big change
• Transparency and storytelling help brands build trust and earn loyal followings
• Jake’s long-term goal is for his curated list to become obsolete—because American-made becomes the norm

Melissa @ deMelis Atelier https://demelisatelier.com/

Matt @ Bards https://www.bardsclothing.com/our-story

fabricofamericapodcast@gmail.com