If you're into fashion on social media, there's no doubt you've come across the witty Brit who isn’t 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

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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.

In this episode, Claire talks with Rebecca-Jo about her journey through the fashion world—from modeling in Asia to becoming a content creator known for her bold, unfiltered take on style. Rebecca shares how she broke into modeling in the early aughts, a completely different world from today. She lived in model houses, traveled to places like China with nothing but a flip phone, and had to quickly learn how to navigate intense and often isolating situations. Working in Asia opened up new opportunities and gave her cultural insight, but also revealed the limitations of the industry—especially when trying to move from high fashion to commercial work. The pandemic hit hard, forcing her to adapt and find new ways to express herself creatively, like self-photography and online content. Through it all, she embraced her identity as an “unhinged fashion girly,” using social media to spotlight sustainable fashion, Canadian designers, and the emotional side of style. Claire and Rebecca-Jo also dive into the differences between fashion and shopping influencers, the power of authenticity, and the need for a stronger Canadian fashion identity. They reflect on how fashion can be a political and emotional tool, pushing back against perfectionism, societal norms, and the polished "clean girl" aesthetic. Rebecca-Jo shares advice for creators trying to find their voice, emphasizing the value of community, creative growth, and being true to yourself—even in a world that rewards conformity shorten this to be a instagram post saying tht there is a new episode out add allthe call outsn the bottoms

Follow Rebecca-Jo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthin.asia/

Find me 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.