Fashion

#017 – Lauren Phelps: On Creativity, Pursuing Dreams, and Motherhood

November 12, 2018 Gregory Byerline Fashion, Relationships, The Arts 0 Comments

Lauren Phelps is an accomplished creative entrepreneur. I first knew Lauren as she achieved great success with her clothing line LEONA then as a client when I had the opportunity to photograph several seasonal lookbooks of her fashion designs.

“But for me the art is like my sacred place, and I don’t want it to ever not be because that’s when it becomes something I don’t want it to be in my life.”

~Lauren Phelps

She has continued her creative endeavors since then and now lives in New York where she continued her work in fashion then turned into an even deeper creative direction, which, of course, we talk about here.

And as always, we feature a Non-Profit Spotlight selected by our guest. Kick back and enjoy this conversation with Lauren Phelps.

 

 

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

  • 0:02:20 Nashville Fashion Week “Nashville Fashion Forward Fund” award
  • 0:08:58 Where Lauren’s creativity comes from
  • 0:13:03 CEO as a title
  • 0:20:20 Closing LEONA
  • 0:23:14 Sweet home Alabama
  • 0:28:28 Alabama to Nashville to New York
  • 0:31:10 Why Paris
  • 0:31:34 COO of Brandon Maxwell
  • 0:34:37 Non-Profit Spotlight: Samual Waxman Cancer Research Foundation
  • 0:36:59 Lauren’s mother
  • 0:43:32 How motherhood has impacted Lauren’s work and world
  • 0:47:17 “Each baby brings its own loaf of bread”
  • 0:49:26 Motherhood and mothering without a mother
  • 0:54:16 Moving to visual arts
  • 0:58:21 Choosing materials for mixed media pieces
  • 0:59:40 Lauren’s creative process
  • 1:02:37 Monochromania
  • 1:05:37 My creative envy
  • 1:08:03 Conversation as an audio portrait
  • 1:11:03 “If you could have one more conversation with your Mom…”
  • 1:12:44 Closing remarks

GUEST SOCIALS

Learn more about Lauren Phelps at these links
Official Website | Instagram | Facebook

RELATED INFO

Here’s a small sampling of pieces from Lauren’s clothing line LEONA, discussed in this episode from 0:02:20 – 0:23:14. Over a two-year period, Lauren created 350+ pieces.

 

 

 

Lauren Phelps photographed in her art studio. Photo courtesy of Lauren Phelps.

 

“Origin” mixed media by Lauren Phelps

 

“Interface” mixed media by Lauren Phelps

 

Finally, toward the end of our conversation (at 1:09:13), the topic turns to the give-and-take exchange that makes a good conversation as described in the give-and-take exchange of a photographic portrait session. Here are two film clips from Somewhere In Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. First clip below sets the scene…

…and this clip delivers the magic. Enjoy.

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

This episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight supports Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. The mission of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) is to eradicate cancer by funding collaborative cross-institutional research that identifies and corrects abnormal gene function that causes cancer. This research is the basis for developing minimally toxic treatments for patients, which is particularly crucial for children and seniors battling cancer.

Learn more about Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation at www.waxmancancer.org.

FOLLOW ALONG

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#016 – Tony Caldwell: On Hair Dressing, Entrepreneurship, and the Ability To Choose

October 12, 2018 Gregory Byerline Entrepreneurship, Fashion, Philosophy 0 Comments

My guest today is Tony Caldwell. Tony is a renowned hair dresser, entrepreneur, and fantastic conversationalist, as one would expect to experience when sitting in his salon chair.

We talk about his first-hand experience behind the scenes at many New York Fashion Weeks, his path to owning his own salon, how he approaches each individual client who comes to him to look their best, plus the fragility of the human body, the #MeToo movement, and several other unexpected twists.

“You just have to get personal with people, and you have to tell them the truth.”

~Tony Caldwell

And as always, we feature a Non-Profit Spotlight selected by our guest. Kick back and eavesdrop on this conversation as if you were sitting in a salon chair. Just like his work, this one is a unique one.

And finally, in every conversation we have, I encourage my guests to be real and raw if they so choose. Authenticity is essential. Sometimes that includes certain words or expressions that may not be suitable for young or sensitive ears. This is one of those episodes.

 

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

  • 0:01:56 What Fashion Weeks are like
  • 0:10:30 How Tony entered hair dressing career
  • 0:12:00 Depression ended football career
  • 0:14:31 The Viking gene
  • 0:16:23 Fashion Week’s creative inspiration
  • 0:21:29 How a hair dresser determines hair style direction
  • 0:23:54 The client challenge
  • 0:30:11 Tony‘s worst client
  • 0:31:58 Non-Profit Spotlight: Circle Recovery Meditation Group
  • 0:33:48 Martial arts & self-defense
  • 0:41:48 Knowing when NOT to do something
  • 0:43:01 Fragility of the human body
  • 0:43:33 Controlling adrenaline
  • 0:46:29 OSHO Collective & entrepreneurship
  • 0:55:25 Teaching and sharing knowledge
  • 0:59:16 Twisting a good thing
  • 1:03:12 #MeToo Movement by generation
  • 1:10:50 The Science of Getting Rich
  • 1:11:55 Getting info from the source
  • 1:18:27 Power to the people
  • 1:20:40 Closing remarks

GUEST SOCIALS

Learn more about Tony Caldwell at these links and savor the decadent deliciousness
Official Website | Instagram | Facebook

RELATED INFO

Photo of Osho Collective Salon

Interior of Osho Collective, Tony Caldwell’s salon in Nashville, TN

Here’s a collection of Tony Caldwell hair styles from shoots we’ve worked on together. Make-up by Katrina Brooks. Wardrobe by Makahla Ross. Photos by your host Gregory Byerline.

 

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

This episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight supports Tammy Roth, a traditionally trained psychotherapist specializing in a feminine model of recovery for women alcoholics who has spent 20 years finding many alternative methods to clear the energy, the subconscious, cellular memory and ancestral trauma that goes along with addiction.

The Her Circle Recovery™ model walks women through how they came into the world with a heightened sensitivity and explains the development of a dysregulated nervous system.  The sensitive person then absorbs environmental factors such as a dysfunctional family, disrupted attachment with the primary caregiver, generational trauma, etc. and ultimately becomes even more sensitive.

Tony also mentioned his support for Thistle Farms, offering women hope and healing through a holistic residential program, employment with one of our social enterprises, and a growing national and global network dedicated to changing a culture that allows human beings to be bought and sold.

FOLLOW ALONG

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FEEDBACK

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#015 – Abby Stahlschmidt: On Modeling, Objectification, and A Little Bit of Music

August 6, 2018 Gregory Byerline Fashion, Music, Philosophy 0 Comments

Welcome to another edition of Collected Clan … the podcast featuring conversational biographies of relatable people with real stories of triumph and tragedy plus successes and setbacks. I’m your host Gregory Byerline. People often come and go, but these people are the company you keep. Everyday people making their mark.

My guest today is Abby Stahlschmidt. Abby is a professional model with whom I’ve worked several times, and she’s also an accomplished violinist playing across the US and Europe. We talk about her music career so far and take a deep dive into the fashion and modeling world as we’ve both seen it, including a look at female objectification and how our work impacts people who see it. Abby also shares about a special organization she supports in this episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight. We end our conversation with an elevating celebration of femininity plus the mention of another playlist related to our conversation.

If you enjoyed this, subscribe and share with your friends, go to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, search for Collected Clan and subscribe. Ratings and reviews also help with spreading the word about these conversations.

 

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

  • 0:01:26 Introduction
  • 0:01:44 Abby the Violinist
  • 0:02:19 Abby describes her music
  • 0:03:29 Electric violin vs Acoustic violin
  • 0:08:14 Musical career highlights
  • 0:11:54 “Purple Rain” tribute cover
  • 0:16:22 Designing a custom tuxedo
  • 0:19:09 Non-Profit Spotlight: Camp Penuel
  • 0:20:42 Modeling segment introduction
  • 0:22:25 Photographing pageantland
  • 0:25:47 How Abby started modeling career
  • 0:28:56 Early along in modeling career
  • 0:30:26 Parental guidance for modeling career
  • 0:34:29 How Abby felt about her first photo shoot experience as a 12-year-old
  • 0:36:49 A shady experience with another photographer and how her agency responded
  • 0:39:27 Models are independent contractors
  • 0:43:05 Modeling and female objectification
  • 0:51:34 On retouching and superficiality
  • 0:55:10 Intimate portraits and intent
  • 0:58:31 Pre-sunrise photoshoot
  • 1:01:48 Celebrating feminity
  • 1:04:35 Songs that celebrate women
  • 1:08:15 Closing remarks

FOLLOW ALONG

For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:

FEEDBACK

Your thoughts, comments, and questions are welcome. Here’s how:

GUEST SOCIALS

Learn more about Abby Stahlschmidt at these links and savor the decadent deliciousness
Official Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

RELATED INFO

As promised in this episode, here’s a collection of photos and videos of topics discussed so you have the full experience of this conversational biography.

We start with a collection of photos Abby and your host Gregory have made together over the years.

Next is a collection of photos, videos, and Instagram posts of Abby for various projects she’s done. Starting off, Abby is currently performing throughout Europe withe Vivaldi Metal Project. See her play in this video of an unplugged arrangement. Hear more about Vivaldi Metal Project at 09:28 in this episode.

 

Abby stars in and sings “Turntable” in this video below. Here the full story at 10:08 of this episode.

 

After Prince’s passing, Abby recorded an instrumental version of “Purple Rain” which led to performing live for a St. Louis area dancer who is now paralyzed from a random drive-by shooting. Here here tell the story at 11:53 in this episode.

 

Here’s a sampling of favorites from Abby’s Instagram feed. Abby discusses her professional modeling career as our main topic at 20:41.

 

Toward the end of our conversation, around the 0:54:55 mark, I mention a line of intimate portraiture that I have created. The line is called Bellíntima, and you’re invited to learn more by visiting the official website for this photographic experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy this 40-song playlist of songs celebrating how wonderful woman are. Here the backstory of this playlist at 1:04:19 and be sure you listen to these great songs after the show.

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Camp Penuel, chartered in 1973, is a non-denominational charity focusing on inner-city and “at risk” children.

Camp Penuel’s headquarters and main location is Ironton, Missouri on Lake Killarney. This camp welcomes children from the St. Louis Metro Area, all Missouri, Illinois, Kensas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

Begun in 1994, our East Camp in Eldred, Pennsylvania reaches their local area and includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Washington D.C. Jeremy and Jena Walter lead this camp.

In January 2003, Penuel dedicated land in Esparaza, Costa Rica. Paul and Thelma Bernhagen, who worked at our main camp for over five years, lead the new operation. Not only Costa Rican children benefit from the camp, it will reach out to other countries in Central America.

Abby shares her affections about Camp Penuel at the 19:14 mark in this episode.

 

 

#001 – Amber Williams: Model, Scientist, Dog Lover

March 5, 2018 Gregory Byerline Dogs, Fashion, Science 0 Comments

Amber Williams talks about her experience as a model and wardrobe stylist, her professional career as a laboratory scientist, stem cell transplants, what it’s like to be single again in today’s modern world, plus our mutually favorite creatures…dogs.

For more conversations in this series, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, search for Collected Clan and subscribe. Ratings and reviews also help with spreading the word about these conversations. Thank you.

 

FOLLOW ALONG

For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:

RELATED INFO

DNA Stylix: Decoding the DNA of Fashion

Amber and I met in 2007 during our first of several photo shoots together. Here are a few favorites from those shoots.

 

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Since 1949 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has been on the forefront of blood cancer advances such as chemotherapies and stem cell transplantation leading the way to the targeted therapies and immunotherapies that are saving thousands of lives today.

LLS is changing the landscape of cancer with more than 300 active research projects that explore different avenues of new and adventurous research; ones with promise and ones that will save lives not someday, but today.