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SKILLS PAY BILLS: A Sew Loka Podcast
Chicana fashion designer, Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski, was introduced to sewing at a very young age by her immigrant parents. In 2013, she opened a sewing studio named Sew Loka. As a Mexican-American female business owner, Claudia is breaking down barriers, blurring societal norms and proudly welcoming BIPOC and underserved communities through affordable, edgy, and upcycled handmade goods. This SKILLS PAY BILLS podcast will focus on the local makers and creators that excite and inspire Claudia. The podcast is filmed inside of the "Sew Loka" sewing studio located in historic Barrio Logan, San Diego. Thank you for listening!!!
SKILLS PAY BILLS: A Sew Loka Podcast
Skills Pay Bills #108 - Ashley Nell Tipton @ashleynelltipton
Project Runway Season 14 winner Ashley Nell Tipton @ashleynelltipton joins us to share her journey as the first designer to feature plus-size models on the Project Runway stage. At 23, Ashley broke barriers in the fashion industry while navigating the intense pressures of reality TV.
In this candid conversation, Ashley reveals the challenging behind-the-scenes reality of filming - from isolation and strict production rules to the emotional toll of competition. She opens up about how winning changed her life, the unexpected costs of sudden fame, and finding strength through her grandmother's memory and spiritual guidance.
We also explore the vibrant San Diego sewing community and discuss the importance of connecting local designers and celebrating talent outside of major fashion hubs like LA. Ashley shares her vision for building stronger creative networks and supporting emerging artists.
Topics Covered:
Behind the scenes of Project Runway
Breaking barriers in fashion
The San Diego creative community
Mental health and self-care
Finding resilience through visualization
Building creative networks
A must-listen for fashion enthusiasts, aspiring designers, and anyone interested in the realities of pursuing creative dreams. #sewloka #sandiego #sewing #ashleynelltipton
https://sewloka.com/
Thank you for continuing to support Sew Loka and Skills Pay Bills, we appreciate you!