CONSISTENCY IS THE JOB
BUILDING A FASHION CAREER WITHOUT A ROADMAP

In this solo episode of Through the Back Door, I talk about what consistency actually looks like when you’re building a non-traditional fashion career.

After a week of being sick, exhausted, and close to skipping this recording altogether, I reflect on why showing up anyway matters, especially when you’re working inside the fashion industry while building your own brand on the side. From meeting followers who feel shut out of fashion, to navigating visibility, self-belief, and building something without permission, this episode is an honest look at the unglamorous part of building a career.

If you’re balancing a fashion job with content creation, designing your own path, or building in the dark before anyone notices, this episode is for you.

Consistency isn’t about motivation. It’s about keeping promises to yourself.

Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify and all major platforms

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Follow the host, Claire Vastola
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlintofashion

Fashion networking & resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workinginfashion
Substack: https://workinginfashion.substack.com

Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode — more fashion deep dives coming soon.

In the first-ever solo episode of Through the Back Door, we talk ambition — what it really looks like, why it gets labeled as “cringe,” and why it’s the real engine behind success in the fashion industry.

We are celebrating episode number 20!

I reflect on my week in New York fashion, from attending the Chanel watch party to noticing how fashion culture is becoming more community-driven, creator-led, and accessible. From there, I connect pop culture, history, and real life — pulling inspiration from The Gilded Age, the rise of fashion content creators, and the relentless networking that helped figures like Kim Kardashian long before their success felt inevitable.

This episode is about owning what you want without apology, especially in fashion, where nothing is handed to you. We talk about taking up space before you’re invited, legitimizing yourself when no one gives you permission, and understanding that success is often engineered, not accidental.

I wrap with a weekly inspiration list — what I’m reading, wearing, and loving — plus a quick update on what’s coming next for the podcast.

If you’re a designer, creator, stylist, or anyone building something from the ground up, this episode is for you.

Links & Mentions

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr Joe Dispenza
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401938094

Mary & Shelly – Guitar Strap Bag
https://maryandshelly.com

Miista Boots
https://www.miista.com

Summer Fridays – Lip Butter Balm
https://summerfridays.com

Summer Fridays – Sheer Skin Tint
https://summerfridays.com

🎧 Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify and all major platforms
Watch the full episode on YouTube

Follow the host, Claire Vastola
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlintofashion

Fashion networking & resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workinginfashion
Substack: https://workinginfashion.substack.com

Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode — more fashion deep dives coming soon.

In this episode of Through the Back Door, Claire sits down with Jessie Collier, founder of Working Women Agency, to talk about personal branding, mindset shifts, and embracing nonlinear career paths in the creative world. Jessie shares how she turned confusion around traditional career advice into a mission-driven brand that helps women own their unique journeys. Together, they unpack the power of LinkedIn, the importance of soft skills, and how visibility and authenticity can open unexpected doors. The conversation dives into navigating pivots, using AI to scale creative work, and building a career that truly aligns with your values.

Connect with Working Women Agency:
Instagram: @workingwomenagency
Follow Jessie: @jessiecollier

Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify and all major platforms
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Follow host Claire Vastola: @girlintofashion
For fashion networking: @workinginfashion
Read more on Substack: workinginfashion.substack.com

Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode — more fashion deep dives coming soon.

this episode, Claire sits down once again with model Riley Woodell to talk about what it really takes to build a career in fashion in 2025. Riley is one of those rare people we get to watch evolve in real time — blending modeling, social media, and genuine support for emerging designers in a way that feels transparent and refreshing.

We talk about her experience at Paris Fashion Week this September — a pivotal moment in her career that showed how different the Paris scene is from New York. In Paris, you need representation; in New York, grit and showing up can still open doors.

Riley also shares what it means to grow with a brand, describing how working with labels like Jane Wade feels like being part of a creative family — the same people, the same energy, season after season. We get into the behind-the-scenes realities of modeling, how she balances authenticity with opportunity, and her advice for anyone trying to make it in fashion today.

🎧 Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify + all major platforms
👀 Watch the full episode on YouTube
📡 Follow host Claire Vastola: @girlintofashion
📬 For fashion networking: @workinginfashion
📝 Read more on Substack: workinginfashion.substack.com
💫 Follow guest Riley Woodell: @rileyhundleywoodell

💌 Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode — more fashion deep dives coming soon.

On this episode of Through the Back Door, I sit down with Nimay Ndolo — content creator, influencer, and all-around creative force — for a conversation that goes everywhere: fashion, social media, politics, spirituality, and even a little woo-woo. ✨ Nimay shares her unique perspective as a creator navigating today’s cultural landscape, and together we explore how style, identity, and expression collide with the digital world. It’s insightful, playful, and full of those unexpected turns that make the best conversations.

Follow Nimay: @nimayndoeaux

Listen on Spotify + all major platforms
Watch the full episode on YouTube
Follow host: @girlintofashion
For fashion networking: @workinginfashion
Read more on Substack: workinginfashion.substack.com

💌 Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode — more fashion deep dives coming soon.

If you’re into fashion on social media, there’s no doubt you’ve come across @notsoquietluxury either it is the content, accent or the topics. I always find myself coming back for Nikesh’s pov becuase he isnt always pointing out the obvious—the kind of stuff you don’t see from a lot of other fashion commentators. I stumbled across NotSoQuietLuxury a few fashion weeks ago, and ever since, I’ve been following his content and knew I had to have him on the podcast.

I’m always curious how people get into the things they love in fashion—how they learn and come to really know it. To my surprise, this isn’t even Nik’s main job. He’s actually a pharmacist in real life, which I think adds to the sincerity of his fashion commentary and criticism—because he isn’t “owned” by any brands.

We talk about fashion’s intersection with social media, influencers, and how his content has gotten him into some of the hardest-to-access spaces. But it’s not always greener on the other side. I feel like having a point of view like Nik’s in the fashion world is honestly rare and lucky.

He’s been called overly critical—but in a world where it feels like everyone is a yes-man for a brand deal, we need more people like Nik. People who can speak thoughtfully and clearly about what’s really going on in fashion—who actually provoke conversation. Because isn’t that why we came to social media in the first place?

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Follow Nikesh: @notsoquietluxury
Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify and other streaming platforms
Follow the host, Claire Vastola: @girlintofashion
For fashion networking: @workinginfashion
Read more on Substack: workinginfashion.substack.com

Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode. More fashion deep dives coming soon.

I spoke with Molly Rooyakkers (@style.analytics) about how trends can sometimes feel huge online—but don’t always show up in real life. We got into the nuance of interpreting digital trend cycles and how sometimes what looks like a viral trend is really just a curated moment that doesn’t break through beyond the screen.

We also talked about sustainability—how her platform walks the line between showing trends people are drawn to (often through fast fashion) while still encouraging mindful consumption. Molly emphasizes using what you already have, repurposing existing wardrobes, and building a personal style narrative instead of constantly chasing the next new thing.

What really stood out to me was how she translates raw data into thoughtful storytelling. Whether it’s recession-core theories like “the big bag” making a return or why skinny jeans come back around, she’s not just presenting numbers—she’s giving them context. That’s the real art of Style Analytics: turning charts and numbers into culturally relevant, useful insight for people who just need a little inspiration.

This episode also gets real about content creation. We talked about the balance of working a 9–5 while building an online presence, the creative burnout that comes with constant production, and the tension between monetizing a platform and keeping it passion-driven. Molly’s in a space a lot of creators can relate to—loving her current career while still wanting to explore the possibilities of what her online voice can become.

Follow Molly Rooyakkers / Style Analytics: Instagram: @style.analytics Substack: styleanalytics.substack.com

Find the host Claire Vastola and the podcast online:Listen to Through the Back Door on Spotify and other streaming platforms.Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@girlintofashion⁠For fashion networking, follow ⁠@workinginfashion⁠Read more on Substack: ⁠https://workinginfashion.substack.com/⁠

Subscribe, rate, and share if you loved the episode. More fashion deep dives coming soon.