Today we’d like to introduce you to Monika/Miesha Lawrence/Russell.
Hi Monika/Miesha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Fashion Talk Tuesday is where runway meets real conversation.
Founded in the Pacific Northwest by fashion creative Miesha Russell and style storyteller Monika Thornton-Lawrence, FTT is a live digital platform spotlighting designers, stylists, models, and cultural disruptors shaping today’s fashion industry. From couture innovation and streetwear movements to sustainable design and creative entrepreneurship, each episode pulls back the curtain on the craft, business, and cultural influence behind the clothes.
Rooted in editorial style, beauty, advocacy, and brand strategy, we approach fashion as both visual art and economic power. Fashion Talk Tuesday isn’t just commentary, it’s community, connection, and a front-row seat to the future of fashion.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s true of anything worth building.
When we launched Fashion Talk Tuesday, we weren’t media professionals, podcast hosts, or production experts. We were simply two women who loved fashion, believed in the talent within the Pacific Northwest, and wanted to create a platform where people could share their stories. Like many entrepreneurs and creators, we started before we had everything figured out.
One of our biggest challenges has been helping people see the vision. The Seattle fashion community has incredible talent, but historically there haven’t been as many platforms dedicated to consistently spotlighting designers, stylists, models, photographers, and fashion entrepreneurs. We had to earn trust, build relationships, and demonstrate that we were genuinely committed to supporting the community rather than simply creating content.
We’ve also learned that growth often happens slower than people think. There are moments when you’re investing your time, energy, and resources without seeing immediate results. You have to believe in the mission long before the metrics catch up.
What has kept us going is the response from the community. Every time a designer tells us they gained visibility from an interview, a creative makes a new connection through the platform, or someone tells us they feel inspired after watching an episode, it reminds us why we started.
The challenges have ultimately made us stronger. They’ve pushed us to evolve from an Instagram Live series into an in-person podcast format, expand onto YouTube, and think bigger about the role Fashion Talk Tuesday can play in helping grow and strengthen the fashion ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that building community takes time. But when people come together around a shared vision, the impact is worth every obstacle along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Fashion Talk Tuesday is an independent media platform and podcast dedicated to spotlighting the people, stories, and conversations shaping the fashion industry in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
At its core, we specialize in creating meaningful conversations with designers, stylists, models, photographers, entrepreneurs, and creatives within the PNW fashion community. While fashion is the common thread, our discussions often go much deeper. We explore entrepreneurship, confidence, community building, sustainability, personal branding, creativity, and the realities of building a career in the fashion industry.
What we’re known for is creating a space where people can share the stories behind their work. We are less interested in simply showcasing a finished product and more interested in understanding the journey, challenges, inspiration, and purpose that brought it to life. We believe those stories matter because they help people feel seen, inspired, and connected.
What makes us especially proud is the community that has formed around Fashion Talk Tuesday. When we started, our goal was simple: create a platform that celebrated the incredible talent that already existed in our region. Over time, we’ve had the opportunity to interview emerging designers, established fashion professionals, founders, nonprofit leaders, and creatives who are making a meaningful impact. We’ve watched collaborations happen, relationships form, and opportunities emerge because people were introduced through our platform.
What sets us apart is that we are builders of community first and content creators second. We don’t see ourselves as gatekeepers of fashion. We see ourselves as connectors. Our focus has never been on chasing trends or creating exclusivity. Instead, we are committed to highlighting diverse voices, creating access, and helping strengthen the fashion ecosystem throughout Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Portland, and the broader Pacific Northwest.
As we continue to grow into an in-person podcast and expand our reach through YouTube and other platforms, our mission remains the same: to create a space where fashion, creativity, culture, and community intersect, and where the people behind the work receive the recognition they deserve.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing that might surprise people is that Fashion Talk Tuesday has never been driven by a business plan. It has been driven by curiosity.
Some of our favorite conversations have started because we attended an event, met someone interesting, or simply wanted to learn more about a person’s journey. We genuinely enjoy hearing how people got started, what challenges they’ve faced, and what keeps them going. That curiosity has led us to some incredible relationships and opportunities we never could have planned for.
Another thing people may not realize is that we’re students of the industry ourselves. While people often see us as hosts, we’re constantly learning from every guest who joins us. We’ve learned about sustainability from designers, branding from entrepreneurs, confidence from models, and leadership from founders. Every conversation leaves us with a new perspective.
I also think people are surprised by how much of Fashion Talk Tuesday happens behind the scenes. What viewers see is a one-hour conversation, but behind that are hours of outreach, research, relationship building, event attendance, content creation, and community engagement. It’s truly a labor of love.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that neither of us set out to become voices within the fashion community. We simply kept showing up. Over time, those consistent conversations turned into relationships, and those relationships turned into a platform. Looking back, it’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful opportunities come from being willing to start before you know exactly where the journey will lead.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashiontalktuesday?igsh=bWgwcGxxaGIzcnVw&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fashiontalktuesday?si=ITBa5U0QzEYTdr24
