The Recovering Elitist

Robin Givhan on Virgil Abloh & Taking Yourself Seriously

Rarely am I star-struck—but as a young fashion student, this week’s guest loomed large in my consciousness. Robin Givhan is a Pulitzer Prize–winning fashion critic and, quite simply, the gold standard. Her work has shaped how we understand clothing not as decoration, but as a lens through politics, race, labor, aspiration, and identity. Her latest book, Make It Ours: Crashing the Gate of Culture with Virgil Abloh, becomes a jumping-off point for a conversation I’ve long wanted to have: why Virgil Abloh resonated so profoundly—even for those of us who didn’t necessarily love the clothes themselves. We talk about symbolism versus craft, legacy, and how desire in fashion is framed differently depending on who’s doing the wanting—why men are seen as strategic and in control, while women are labeled obsessive or irrational. It’s a thoughtful, clarifying, and quietly revelatory conversation about power, taste, and cultural permission.

April Gargiulo On Doing More with Less

April Gargiulo is the founder of Vintner’s Daughter, the cult skincare brand revered for its uncompromising quality and singular focus. Her botanical serum has become a modern icon—beloved by consumers and editors alike—not because it chases trends, but because it defies them. In a culture obsessed with “more,” April has built an empire on restraint, integrity, and devotion to process. In this episode, we talk about the courage it takes to build slowly in a world that rewards speed. April shares how craftsmanship, patience, and purpose became the foundation of her business—and how simplicity can be a radical act. Together we explore what it means to separate worth from noise, and why the truest form of luxury might just be doing less, better. xx William

Billy Cotton On Being of Service

On this week’s episode, we welcome Billy Cotton, an interior designer whose work is defined by clarity, confidence, and a deep respect for history—spaces that feel both bold and enduring.  We talk about his upbringing, what it means to lose everything in a sudden house fire, and how starting over created an openness to forging an entirely new creative path. Billy is deeply imaginative, but what struck me most was his practicality—his understanding of how to work with clients, serve real needs, and navigate the balance between art and commerce without losing integrity. His work may cut through with strength, but this conversation is surprisingly tender. xxWilliam

Christina H. Moon On Common Threads

Dr. Christina H. Moon is a writer, anthropologist, and professor at Parsons School of Design whose work traces the hidden lives of fashion—how clothes carry the weight of memory, migration, and meaning. Through her research and essays in Vestoj, Christina studies the people and processes behind what we wear, revealing how fashion isn’t just an industry but a mirror of human behavior—of care, aspiration, and belonging. In this episode, we talk about the anthropology of fashion and elitism— what it means to see fashion not as frivolous, but as a deeply human language. Christina helps us all understand that behind every garment is a story—and that style, at its best, is a study in empathy.  xx William

Fran Burns On Changing Your Life (and Shoes)

Fran Burns is a celebrated stylist and creative consultant whose work has defined fashion’s most evocative imagery for decades. Having collaborated with Vogue, i-D, and Gucci, she’s built a career on instinct, taste, and storytelling. In recent years, Fran has expanded her practice beyond fashion—studying Nutrition and Complementary Medicine and later training as a Transformative Coach. Today, her work bridges beauty and wellbeing, style and substance, helping others reconnect to their own creative and emotional intelligence. In this episode, we talk about courage, curiosity, and what it really means to evolve. Together we explore why true growth rarely comes in the form of radical reinvention, but through small, conscious shifts—microdoses of change that move us closer to who we already are. xx William