Wear about
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Fashion is never just about the clothes. That’s the mantra of May Farooq and Cat Lee, the dynamic hosts behind Wear Abouts – a podcast by Manchester Fashion Institute that unravels how fashion impacts all of our lives. From female representation to brands moving up north, Wear Abouts covers a gamut of on-trend topics. aAh! caught up with May and Cat to chat about the podcast and how hosting it has shaped their thoughts on fashion.
What does fashion mean to you, personally?
May: Fashion for me is storytelling. It’s not entirely just about the clothes – it’s everything else that encompasses identity and how it can reflect who we are on both a personal and collective scale. The intentionality of fashion, from the campaigns to the marketing of a brand, is what truly matters to me. The way in which fashion communicates is what I’m most interested in.
How do you think fashion reflects identity and culture?
May: I think fashion is so clearly inherently tied to culture. It reflects society and heritage, acting as a visual language that almost preserves cultural identity.
Cat: They’re intertwined, with both influencing the other. Fashion can be used for celebration, to incite change and to build community.
What current issue in fashion do you think needs more attention?
May: Luxury fashion feels as though it’s losing its credibility. I think the most recent example of this would be John Galliano joining Zara. Galliano is, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest designers of all time. For a designer of that esteem, who has worked with brands such as Dior and Margiela, to then return to fashion through a partnership with Zara just feels like a kick in the teeth for luxury fashion. It’s meant to be exclusive and good quality yet Zara is the complete antithesis to the fundamental cores of luxury, something which Galliano seemingly stood for his entire career. It’s clear that the old luxury we once knew has been stripped of its very essence and fashion seems more money-oriented than ever before.
How do you choose topics or guests for the podcast?
May: We choose topics and guests based on the core themes of our podcast: sustainability, diversity and inclusion. These values tend to guide the conversations we have with our guests and their experiences, offering unique perspectives.
Cat: We also aim to spotlight creatives in the north – like our interview with Stockport-based fashion photographer Morgan Barfield – showing the opportunities here and celebrating their successes.
What has been the biggest challenge in making the podcast?
May: For me, the biggest challenge was becoming comfortable speaking on the mic. At first the idea of speaking to someone I’ve never met before for an hour straight did feel quite intimidating, especially when we can hear our own voices through the headphones. But as the episodes went on I’ve realised it’s really just a conversation. It became more natural and enjoyable once I forgot that the equipment was there.
What have you learned from hosting it?
May: I’ve learned so many interesting things from our guests. The one that stands out to me the most is the conversation we had with Jess O’Riley from J.O. Studio, who spoke about reusing tent waste for garments and accessories, highlighting the environmental impact of festivals. It opened my eyes to the different creative approaches to sustainability. Beyond that, I also gained a deeper appreciation towards the production of the podcast, working with the team – Imogen Burgess, Evie Atkins, Tilly Snaith, Mia Harvey and Alice Coombs. Seeing their dedication and the time they’ve put in has been incredibly inspiring. It was very motivating to be surrounded by such talented and hardworking women.
Has working on the podcast changed how you think about fashion or media?
May: It has definitely changed how I think about the future of fashion, especially when it comes to AI. Hearing industry professionals talk about how they use AI in their work has opened my eyes to its potential in fashion. I wasn’t particularly interested in AI before, but these conversations have helped me see how for some it can be used in creative ways. It’s made me realise that AI will likely become much more integrated into the industry.
Cat: Through speaking to a variety of talented individuals across the industry about their careers, it has shown me that there are so many different pathways you can take. I have found it fascinating to hear each guest’s personal experience and the moments that shaped their growth in order to get where they are now and how they found their place in the industry. Like May, I have also gained a greater insight into the work of a podcast team and the different roles involved. It’s been an incredible opportunity to be part of the team, and work alongside such passionate and hardworking people.
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