A Note From The Host: This is one of my favorite conversations with a behind-the-scenes fashion insider. I love this discussion for its niche and unique perspective. Megan Ryley is Senior Vice President of Product Development + Production at Aimé Leon Dore, the luxury streetwear brand that everyone is talking about, but that Megan tells me---has a much wider audience than what that category actually evokes, in words. The longtime textiles expert and fashion production veteran tells us what it’s like to work in the industry of fashion, which she describes as ‘chaos’; every single day there’s going to be something unexpected that happens. From owning her own factory and working across cultures, to what women are REALLY up against as bosses in the workplace and how fabric sourcing plays an incredibly important role in the expression of a garment---Megan shares her experience and fashion’s fascinating backstory. Episode 170 of Story + Rain Talks also delivers some great advice: cutting out the ‘fluff’ and being very direct with her expectations is what has made Megan truly successful in her work… and if you are planning to start a brand? The most important thing that you can do, is be very connected to your customer base. Hear Megan’s perspective on how we're entering into a unique part of history when it comes to fashion, where people are so uniquely attuned to their own sense of style and how, in turn, creatives and designers are given so much more space to do their thing. It was lovely to listen to the juxtaposition in how she lives and does life, juggling her high power and high pressure job, and of course---hear all about how cult brand Aimé Leon Dore approaches storytelling and delivers a lifestyle.

+ tamara rappa