Ep. 11: Gem app founder Liisa Jokinen on the joy of second hand clothing and documenting personal style around the world
This week on Closet Philosophy, we talk with Finnish street style archivist, photographer, and founder of the Gem app, Liisa Jokinen. Liisa has been documenting what people wear on the street for more than 20 years—and in doing so, she’s built a visual time capsule of personal expression, cultural shifts, and everyday creativity.In this episode, we dig into:How second-hand shopping is freedomHow clothing choices offer clues about identity, mood, and valuesWhat changed when she moved from Helsinki to New YorkHow she developed the Gem app for vintage and secondhand shoppingWhy older women are some of the most exciting dressersAnd how to cultivate your own style voice over timeLiisa also shares her philosophy on dressing for yourself, what makes a great outfit, and why individuality—not trends—is the future of fashion.Find Liisa:Street style archivist and founder of GemExplore her photos: NYClooks.comInstagram: @nyclooks, @hellooks and @liisajokinen
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Ep. 10: The power of pattern: Artist Windy Chien on knots, creativity, and control
Artist and former Apple exec Windy Chien joins Closet Philosophy this week to talk about how she left a high-profile tech job to follow a totally different thread—literally. Windy became world-renowned for her intricate and sculptural knot work, which she began exploring during her transformative project The Year of Knots. In this conversation, we dive into the parallels between fiber and fashion, the deeper meaning of making things with your hands, and how creativity becomes a form of identity, discipline, and even rebellion.We explore:How tying knots helped Windy reclaim authorship of her lifeThe connection between personal style and artistic voiceWhy repetition is powerful—and not boringWhat it means to be a beginner on purposeWhat she loves about getting older (and no one tells you about)And why constraints can be the key to freedomWindy also shares her take on aging, being a late bloomer, and how we don’t need to retire our style as we get older.Find Windy:Artist & author of The Year of KnotsSee her work: windychien.comFollow her on Instagram: @windychien
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Ep. 9: Style, status, and self-love: A Conversation with stylist, designer, and closet philosopher Wale Sanni
In this episode of Closet Philosophy, we talk to stylist and luxury handbag designer Wale Sanni about what personal style really means—and it has little to do with what we wear. Wale shares how he went from sneakerhead to Saks stylist, why timeless style is about emotional connection, and how status, self-worth, and fashion are always intertwined.We also dive deep into:Why people say they don’t care about status but they usually doWhy quality isn’t just about fabric—it’s about how you care for your clothesThe deeper meaning of the Walmart BirkinHow self-love is the foundation of great stylePlus, Walle shares his take on what three things are actually worth investing in if you want a wardrobe that works and feels meaningful.Find Wale:Stylist & co-founder of Nero ChicagoFollow him on Instagram & TikTok: @stylebywale
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Fear less: Style, strength, and joy with Manny Martins Carmen
This week, we sit down with the joyful and unapologetically bold influencer Manny Martins Carmen—a 61-year-old model, weightlifter, painter, and accidental content creator who encourages her followers to “age like a rebel.” What started as a creative outlet during COVID has become a movement of radical self-expression, vibrant style, and fearless aging.We talk about dressing up for joy (even if you're just going to the optometrist), the healing power of movement, and how style can shift your mood and the energy of a whole room. Manny also opens up about recovering from a cancer diagnosis, competing in powerlifting, and applying for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at 60+. Her message? Your joy is contagious—and it's never too late to be fully, loudly, you.Topics We Cover:Why dressing up when you don’t feel like it is a powerful moveHow creative disciplines (like graphic design and abstract art) can shape personal styleUsing fashion as a form of emotional regulationWhat powerlifting taught Manny after cancer and injuryMidlife confidence, visibility, and pushing back against patriarchal beauty standardsThe design principles behind good outfits—and good paintingsThe real reason she applied to the Sports Illustrated model searchWhy wearing a bigger size might be the most liberating thing you do all yearFollow Manny:Instagram: @mannyfashionstylistArt account: @mannymartinscarmenTikTok & YouTube: @mannymartinscarmen💌 Subscribe to our Substack for deeper dives, style essays, and behind-the-scenes content!#ClosetPhilosophy #AgeLikeARebel #MannyMartinsCarmen #MidlifeStyle #PowerLiftingOver60 #StyleIsNotNeutral #AgingOutLoud #StyleAsJoy #NotYourDaughterStyle #WearTheSequins
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Is personal style ever truly personal? A deep dive with author and Elle editor Véronique Hyland
In this mind-opening conversation, Véronique Hyland—features director at Elle magazine and author of the acclaimed book Dress Code: Unlocking Fashion from the New Look to Millennial Pink—helps us unpack the hidden forces shaping how we dress. From the myth of the “female gaze” to the politics of effortlessness, this episode asks big questions about power, gender, class, and whether we can ever truly dress just for ourselves.We explore fashion as communication, resistance, and identity—and why “I don’t care what I wear” is almost always a lie. Plus, we get personal about aging, influence, cringe, and what it means to keep evolving your style in a culture that worships youth.If you've ever stood in front of your closet wondering who you're getting dressed for—this one’s for you.Topics We Cover:How she coined the term “Millennial pink”The commercialization of the female gazeWhy effortlessness is its own kind of performanceHow personal style can be armor—and storytellingThe privilege of “not caring” about fashionWhy influencers burn out—and what’s changing in that worldWhat fashion can learn from sportsThe difference between authentic style and aesthetic conformityHer journey from Juicy Couture to ELLE editor—and everything in betweenFollow Véronique:Instagram: @veroniquehylandColumn: Style Points on ELLE.comBook: Dress Code (available now)💌 Subscribe to our Substack for deeper dives, style essays, and behind-the-scenes content.#ClosetPhilosophy #DressCodeBook #VeroniqueHyland #PersonalStyle #FashionPolitics #FemaleGaze #EffortlessStyle #MidlifeFashion #NotInvisible #AgingOutLoud #StyleAsResistance
Think it doesn’t matter what you wear? Hosts Jennine Jacob and Kristen Philipkoski uncover the ways your personal style is not just personal. What you choose to wear every day is a political act, whether you’re aware of it or not. And putting thought into your personal style is not superficial, unintelligent, or a waste of time. Along with guests including bestselling authors, scientists, entrepreneurs, and more, the Closet Philosophy podcast explores how what we wear influences and reveals what’s within.
México