Conversations with QFIN (Queen's Fashion Industry Network)

As another year comes to a close, Conversations with QFIN hosts, Rebecca and Logan, rewind the clocks for a 2023 roundup of all things fashion! The duo have left their regular recording studio (Rebecca’s house) behind and headed home for the holidays, so the girls have a lot to catch up on in this episode’s R.E.P.O.R.T. Amid talk of winter break plans, Christmas lists, and the possibly overhyped New Year’s Eve, one thing is clear: 2023 was a year for the books! The hosts take us through the year in fashion, month by month, highlighting their favourite looks and stand out moments. From Rhianna’s red jumpsuit at the Super Bowl to the 70’s style of Daisy Jones and the Six, there was no shortage of iconic moments in 2023, including the start of Conversations with QFIN! Thanks for listening this year, we hope you enjoy each episode as much as our hosts love creating them for you. We wish you a very happy and safe holiday from all of us at QFIN and we’ll see you in the new year!

Meet your brand new host Michael Saxton, as well as one of QFIN's creative assistants this year, Sydney Chung. Join us as we chat about our start to the year, some plans for after school, manifestation techniques, and of course, the long awaited return of the Victoria Secret Fashion Show.

We're so excited to be bringing you a brand new season of the podcast, and we have a phenomenal stack of guests planned for our episodes this year. Stay tuned and stay stylish!

At the top of episode 2, hosts Rebecca and Logan give us the important deets about their Homecoming weekends and outfits: hair bows and off-the-shoulder tops were all the rage at Queen's this year. With Halloween on the horizon, the girls discuss costumes of the past and the present and might reveal what they're dressing up as this year. Following the weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. (including discussions of Rebecca’s alleged Swiftie status and more Cogro chai laments), the hosts dive into this week's topic.

Rebecca and Logan review the Business of Fashion website, each selecting and discussing an article. Rebecca highlights an Op-Ed piece from the sustainability section that reveals the climate costs that come with fashion week, discusses overproduction, and how we can be smarter consumers. Logan presents a technology article focused on artificial intelligence, and how AI is being used (or even abused) in both fashion and creative industries. Stay tuned for more episodes coming soon, and find all club updates on the QFIN Instagram: @q.fin

Links we used and referenced in this episode:

BOF: Op-Ed | The Climate Cost of Fashion Weeks Is Bigger Than it Seems

About the United Nations Environment Programme

BOF: How Copenhagen Became Fashion’s Sustainability Capital

The Momentum: WHAT IS CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

BOF: Fashion Execs Can’t Stop Talking About AI

BOF: AI Is Really Good at Designing Knitwear (Belts, Not So Much)

Welcome to the first episode of the Queen's Fashion Industry Network's podcast, Conversations with QFIN!! In this episode, our hosts Logan and Rebecca get to know each other in a Q&A style that includes Logan name-dropping her campus style icon, a ballet-core discrepancy, and the communal appreciation for Payless shoe stores. Please bear with us with the audio, we're fashion girlies and still getting used to audio equipment (slight beware to headphone users)! Stay tuned for the next episode about Business of Fashion coming out later this month!!

There’s something for everyone in this episode of Conversations with QFIN as the hosts talk their latest interests: creative directors, team sports, and Rebecca’s singing talents (live recording included). This episode highlights two creative directors of iconic brands Loewe and Ganni covering everything from early life to breaking into the industry. Plus, don’t worry if you missed the Super Bowl halftime show because Rebecca and Logan give us the highlight reel: were the rollerblades necessary? With lively recaps of Queen’s volleyball games and Love Island drama, the hosts prove that they can wear many hats - or berets, if you will.

Links from this episode:

Jonathan Anderson wiki

LVMH wiki

GQ's article about Jonathan Anderson

In Episode 3 of Conversations with QFIN, Rebecca and Logan discuss the fine line of Pinterest: at what point does inspiration lead to imitation? As they reveal their true thoughts about Pinterest as a source for inspo, the hosts bring to light common consequences of putting all your faith into the ultra-trendy app. Could "Pinterest Syndrome", idolization, unachievable aesthetics, and style homogeneity be haunting your carefully-curated boards?

All your favourite segments are back this week with a story of Rebecca’s regretted balayage era and Logan’s controversial appreciation for a certain 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant in this episode's weekly REPORT. Stay tuned for the QFIN Rundown to hear about all club news including our upcoming jewellery making event and fall lookbook - follow @q.fin on Instagram for more details!

Links from this episode:

Pinterest Syndrome Reddit Post

Urban Dictionary Definition of Pinterest Syndrome

Pinterest and the Death of Creativity

How Pinterest Killed My Creativity

The Pinterest Echo-Chamber

Conversations with QFIN: Bonus Episode Edition! In this episode, Rebecca and Logan are joined in-studio with Abby and Kailey, two female fashion entrepreneurs and founders of loungewear brand Grabbing Grapefruit. Connoisseurs of all things comfy and long time best friends, Abby and Kailey dish all the details on designing a life in the fashion industry. 

From discussing best friend/coworker balance to defining what size inclusivity truly means, this episode’s conversation is filled with fashion, burrito obsessions, Booktok controversy, and of course, bestie vibes. 

You can find and shop Grabbing Grapefruit on social media @grabbinggrapefruit, or online at https://grabbinggrapefruit.com/

Special thanks to CFRC Radio Station here on campus for the recording studio!

It’s the New Year and you know what’s in? Listening to Episode 5 of Conversations with QFIN! On this week's episode, things get real as Rebecca and Logan discuss their fashion “ins and outs” for 2024. If you are easily offended by the fashion opinions from two girls with a microphone, proceed with caution. As discussions of triggering maxi denim skirts, overstimulating turtle necks, and ballet flat woes ensue, this episode is sure to provide all the fashion advice you need for 2024. Stay tuned for the first Bonus Episode featuring the fashion entrepreneurs behind Grabbing Grapefruit - dropping soon!

Episode 7 of Conversations with QFIN marks the end of an era as Rebecca and Logan retire from their positions as co-hosts and say goodbye to listeners the only way they know how: with lots of laughter, random tangents, and words of (self proclaimed) wisdom. In today’s podcast grand finale, the girls are joined by Nick Rodd, a QFIN and Queen’s U alum for some conversation ranging from taxes to new balance loafers to all things menswear. Nick provides valuable insight on the menswear industry of past and present, while also offering words of advice to Rebecca and Logan as they deal with senior scaries in the final days of their undergrad careers.

Conversations with QFIN’s inaugural year might be coming to an end, but make sure to stay tuned for new hosts and episodes dropping in the fall. As Rebecca and Logan sign off, they want to say thanks for listening - we’re sure you'll be hearing from them soon.