No Permission Needed: Annie White on Building OLISE, Breaking Rules, and Backing Yourself

From Fashion to Fine Art: Caroline Chinakwe on Identity, Culture, and Building a Lifestyle Brand with Purpose

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with artist and founder Caroline Chinakwe for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about identity, creativity, and building a brand that reflects culture and truth. Caroline shares her unconventional journey from a 20-year career in fashion into the art world, a transition that was never planned, but driven by a desire to represent Black women with authenticity, strength, and beauty. She speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, starting again later in life, and why she refused to follow the narrative of the “struggling artist.” The conversation explores the meaning behind Chinakwe, not just as a name, but as a legacy, and how Caroline has built a lifestyle brand rooted in Afrofuturism, storytelling, and emotional connection. From her early experiences growing up between Nigeria and the UK, to creating work that celebrates colour, identity, and culture, her perspective is both honest and empowering. Caroline also opens up about motherhood, risk-taking, and resilience, sharing how being a young mother shaped her independence and drive, and how her work today is not only about creativity, but about visibility, representation, and creating space for others. This episode is a celebration of courage, reinvention, and the power of owning your story. In this episode: • Moving from music to fashion, and ultimately into art • Leaving the fashion industry and finding a new creative direction • Overcoming imposter syndrome and claiming the title of “artist” • The meaning behind Chinakwe and building a brand with legacy • Representation, culture, and redefining how Black women are seen • Creating a lifestyle brand rooted in Afrofuturism • Motherhood, independence, and starting young • Risk-taking, resilience, and building a business with intention • The importance of visibility and creating opportunities for others • Expanding the brand through retail, galleries, and global reach Headline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions, creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered.  https://www.calibreclimate.com/ [https://www.calibreclimate.com/] Perfect for: Artists, interior designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in identity, culture, storytelling, and building a purpose-led brand. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Chinakwe https://chinakwe.com/ [https://chinakwe.com/] Caroline Chinakwe https://www.instagram.com/carolinechinakwe/ [https://www.instagram.com/carolinechinakwe/] Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com [https://olisemagazine.com]Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/]

Design, Motherhood and Creative Leadership with Rose Murray of These White Walls

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with Rose Murray, founder of These White Walls, for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about creativity, identity, and the evolving role of the designer. Rose’s path into interior design was anything but traditional. With a background in anthropology and early experience in editorial, she began her career working alongside Nigella Lawson before moving into festival spaces, scenography, and hospitality. This organic journey shaped her belief that space is never neutral, it is a powerful tool for storytelling, identity, and human connection. Since founding These White Walls, Rose has built an award-winning studio known for its highly personalised, narrative-led approach across both hospitality and residential projects. Her work moves fluidly between public and private spaces, often blurring the line between the two. In this conversation, Rose reflects on the importance of relationships in design, the role of emotional intelligence in working with clients, and why interiors are about far more than aesthetics. She shares how her studio has evolved, from early micromanagement to creating a collaborative environment where creativity can flourish. Rose also speaks candidly about motherhood and leadership, and how becoming a mother has expanded her capacity, sharpened her vision, and reshaped her understanding of legacy. She challenges the lack of visibility for women in business during pregnancy and advocates for a more open, human conversation around creativity, leadership, and life. The episode also explores the future of design, from the impact of AI and technology to the increasing importance of human connection, cultural awareness, and meaningful dialogue in shaping spaces. This is a conversation about intuition, courage, and the belief that design is not just about what we see, but how we live, feel, and connect within a space. In this episode • Rose’s unconventional path from anthropology to interior design  • Working with Nigella Lawson and early editorial influences  • The connection between food, space, and experience  • Founding These White Walls and the meaning behind the name  • Creating a collaborative studio culture and evolving leadership  • Designing across hospitality and residential spaces  • Why relationships and emotional intelligence define great design  • The reality of creating highly private, unseen projects  • The impact of AI and the importance of human creativity  • Motherhood, leadership, and expanding creative capacity  • Representation, visibility, and women in business  • Designing for legacy and the future of the studio Headline Sponsor This episode is supported by Moroso, the luxury Italian design house renowned for turning furniture into works of art. For over 70 years, Moroso has collaborated with leading designers to create bold, expressive pieces that define contemporary interiors. https://www.moroso.it [https://www.moroso.it] Perfect for Interior designers, architects, creative founders, and anyone interested in the emotional and human side of design, building a studio with purpose, and balancing creativity with leadership, identity, and life. Listen and Watch Full video available on YouTube Audio available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/Guest Links Rose Murray https://www.instagram.com/rose_murray/ [https://www.instagram.com/rose_murray/] These White Walls https://www.thesewhitewalls.com/ [https://www.thesewhitewalls.com/] Follow OLISE Magazine Website: https://olisemagazine.com [https://olisemagazine.com/?]Instagram: @olisemagazine [https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/]

Design Without a Rulebook and the Power of Saying Yes: Brian Woulfe on Global Interiors and Building Designed by Woulfe

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with Brian Woulfe, founder of Designed by Woulfe, for a candid conversation about building an international interior design studio without a traditional path. Brian’s journey into design was anything but conventional. Originally trained as a musician, he found himself unexpectedly working on luxury properties in Thailand during the global recession, an experience that would shape his practical, on-site approach to design and business. Since then, Brian has completed projects across five continents and built Designed by Woulfe into a globally recognised studio known for richly layered residential interiors and deeply personal client relationships. In this conversation, Brian reflects on how saying yes to opportunities helped launch his career, why he believes trends are often misunderstood, and how great interiors are created through interpretation rather than imitation. He shares honest insights into running a design studio, from the realities of entrepreneurship and hiring the right team, to managing complex client relationships and navigating the pressures of creative leadership. Brian also discusses the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in design, why luxury will always depend on human connection, and how personal passions such as polo have helped him rediscover balance and avoid creative burnout. This episode explores the realities behind the images: the risks, resilience, and relationships required to build a global design practice. IN THIS EPISODE • How Brian moved from music into interior design • Moving to Thailand and designing luxury villas during the recession • Learning design through construction sites rather than studios • Why saying yes shaped Brian’s career • Building Designed by Woulfe into a global residential studio • Why trends often distract from authentic design • The impact of AI on creativity and design workflows • The importance of relationships in luxury design • Why networking and human connection still drive business • Entrepreneurship, burnout, and finding balance through polo HEADLINE SPONSOR This episode is supported by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Their goal is not just temperature control, but creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ [https://www.calibreclimate.com/] PERFECT FOR Interior designers, architects, studio founders, creative directors, and anyone interested in the realities of building a global design practice, navigating entrepreneurship, and balancing creativity with business leadership. LISTEN AND WATCH Full video available on YouTube Audio available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms GUEST LINKS Brian Woulfe https://www.instagram.com/brianwoulfe/ [https://www.instagram.com/brianwoulfe/]  Designed by Woulfe https://www.designedbywoulfe.com/ [https://www.designedbywoulfe.com/]  FOLLOW OLISE MAGAZINE Website: https://olisemagazine.com [https://olisemagazine.com/?]Instagram: @olisemagazine [https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/]

Cultural Luxury and Global Vision: Clint Nagata on Building BLINK Design Group

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Annie White sits down with Clint Nagata, Founder and Creative Partner of BLINK Design Group, for an in depth conversation about global hospitality design, cultural luxury, and building an international studio without ego. From leading iconic projects for One&Only, Six Senses, and Banyan Tree Dubai, to growing BLINK into a 120 person practice across Bangkok, Singapore, Dubai, and London, Clint shares what it really takes to scale a creative business while protecting its culture. Born in Hawaii and now based in Bangkok for over 20 years, Clint reflects on how travel shaped his worldview, why he believes luxury is no longer singular, and how cultural luxury designing through the lens of place has become central to Blink’s philosophy. He speaks candidly about walking away from projects when visions do not align, why losses can be more valuable than wins, and how humility, transparency, and friendship underpin his leadership style. Clint also shares the story behind A Wish to Remember, Blink’s internal travel award created in memory of a beloved team member, and explains why exposure to the world is essential if designers are to create meaningful hospitality experiences. This is a conversation about resilience, perspective, mentorship, and what it means to design for the next generation of global luxury travellers. In this episode • Growing BLINK organically into a global hospitality studio • Why cultural luxury is redefining high end design • Designing through interpretation, not imitation • Leadership without ego and building an egoless firm • Moving from creative to business leader • Why losses can be more valuable than wins • Transparency, open studios, and global team culture • Mentorship and shaping the next generation of designers • The story behind A Wish to Remember • Why Morocco is next on Clint’s design horizon Headline Sponsor This episode is supported by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high end homes. Their goal is not just temperature control, it is creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ [https://www.calibreclimate.com/] Perfect for Interior designers, architects, hospitality professionals, studio founders, creative directors, and anyone interested in global design leadership, cultural storytelling, and building a values led business. Listen and Watch Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Link: BLINK Design Group https://www.blinkdg.com/ [https://www.instagram.com/toniblack.official/] Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com [https://olisemagazine.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]Instagram: @olisemagazine [https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/]

Fighting Racism in Design: Toni Black on Resilience, Identity and Building House of Black

In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen Zeremariam sits down with interior designer and founder of House of Black, Toni Black, for a candid and powerful conversation about fighting racism in the design industry. Toni shares what it was really like trying to break into interiors as a young Black woman, including the bias she experienced during recruitment and interviews, and the resilience it took to keep going when doors repeatedly closed. She reflects on how prejudice shaped her strength, why representation still matters, and what it means to stand firm in your identity while building a business in a competitive industry. Alongside this, Toni talks about pivoting into lighting design, what it taught her about mood and atmosphere, and how her work evolved into hospitality projects shaped by emotion, memory, and the senses. She also introduces House of Black, a brand and interiors agency “where stories are lived,” bringing together strategy and design to build fully immersive concepts, from narrative and naming to scent, service, and spatial experience. In this episode • Toni’s creative upbringing and path into interior and spatial design • Fighting racism and navigating prejudice in recruitment • Resilience, perseverance, and standing up for your value • The power of pivoting, and what lighting design taught her • Designing through emotion, memory, and the senses • Leadership, loyalty, and building strong team culture • House of Black and holistic hospitality design • Delegation, burnout, and building a sustainable studio • Identity, heritage, and designing through multiple perspectives Headline Sponsor This episode is supported by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Their goal isn’t just temperature control, it’s creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. Caliber Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ [https://www.calibreclimate.com/] Perfect for: Interior designers, architects, students, studio founders, hospitality creatives, and anyone interested in leadership, resilience, identity, and building a more inclusive creative industry. Listen & Watch Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Toni Black https://www.instagram.com/toniblack.official/ [https://www.instagram.com/toniblack.official/] House of Black https://houseofblack.design/ [https://houseofblack.design/] Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com [https://olisemagazine.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]Instagram: @olisemagazine [https://www.instagram.com/olisemagazine/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/]