

Second Life
Second Life
Hosted by Who What Wear co-founder Hillary Kerr, Second Life spotlights successful women who have made major career changes. Guests share lessons they've learned through fearlessly daring to pivot, and how they've used skills from their "first lives" to navigate their winding career journeys.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 14, 2024 • 26min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Hairstylist Scott King on How to Achieve Sabrina Carpenter's Perfect Curtain Bangs, His First Met Gala, and His Early Aughts Hair Icons
Scott King is an L.A.-based celebrity hairstylist who works with superstars like Sabrina Carpenter, Lucy Hale, Julia Michaels, and many more. King started his career in a Washington D.C. salon before making the jump to Los Angeles. He quickly signed with an agency and rose to the top of the hairstyling world, where he's known for creating chic and effortless looks. In 2015, he started working with Carpenter and has been instrumental in styling her supremely recognizable fluffy bangs and glossy blowout. This week, he joins us to talk technique, go-to products, and how his love for 2000s pop culture shaped his hairstyling aesthetic. Yes, he's also sharing the step-by-step guide to re-creating Carpenter's perfectly coiffed curtain bangs at home!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 12, 2024 • 58min
Beth Hutchens: Foundrae Founder and Creative Director
Beth Hutchens is the founder and creative director of the luxury jewelry company Foundrae. Beth started her career working in fashion, first as a trim buyer, and then assistant designer at the womenswear brand Cynthia Rowley. There, she met Rebecca Taylor, and the two bonded quickly over their shared tastes and dream of working in fashion. At age 23, Beth took the leap with Rebecca and co-founded the womenswear line Rebecca Taylor. Beth took on the CEO role, and over the next 18 years guided the company through massive growth, e-commerce, retail expansion, and eventually, acquisition. By 2014, she knew she wanted to do something new, so she stepped down from Rebecca Taylor and quickly launched her jewelry brand, Foundrae (”Rae” being in reference to her beloved grandmother). The new project allowed her to return to her designer roots, creating whimsical, sturdy, gorgeous pieces that draw the eye and the heart. The brand has become a favorite of celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Dua Lipa. Foundrae now has multiple stores across the U.S., with three more to come later this year in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 7, 2024 • 42min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Stylist and Costume Designer Shiona Turini on Crafting the 1960s Baltimore Fashion of Apple TV+ Drama Lady in the Lake and Styling Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour
Stylist, costume designer, and all-around fashion legend Shiona Turini joins Hillary this week to catch up since they last chatted on Second Life in 2019. Shiona's had an incredible career—from working for fashion magazines to breaking into costume design on HBO’s Insecure to styling Beyoncé’s showstopping Renaissance World Tour. Today, they get into all the nitty-gritty details of her latest project: designing costumes for the new Natalie Portman–led Apple TV+ series, Lady in the Lake. Shiona shares how she brought 1960s Baltimore to life through her costumes, from accessing archival street photography to collaborating with Valentino to create stunning pieces. Plus, she talks about the unique challenges of styling looks for Beyoncé and how she picks her future projects.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 5, 2024 • 60min
Kim Nemser: Warby Parker Chief Merchandising Officer and Head of Product Strategy and Operations
Kim Nemser is the chief merchandising officer and head of product strategy and operations at Warby Parker. Kim studied English and French in college, and started her career in investment banking at UBS and The Blackstone Group. Soon after, she noticed she preferred reading Women's Wear Daily over the Financial Times and thought she might want to work somewhere in the intersection of business and fashion. Four years into her time in banking, she took a pay cut and pivoted to fashion, first working at Italian men’s luxury goods house Tod’s, and then at J.Crew, where she worked closely with Jenna Lyons and helped launch new categories like its iconic jewelry line. After several years and massive growth at J.Crew, Kim wanted a change and a new challenge. So she joined Warby Parker in 2016, when the brand owned only 12 stores. In the years since, she’s guided Warby Parker through product development, merchandising, planning and strategy, and everything in between. She also championed the launch of Warby Parker’s extended sizes line, and developed a multifaceted protocol that puts sustainability at the forefront of the business.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 31, 2024 • 27min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Summer Swim Roundup: Swim Trends, Our Favorite Designers, and the Brands Creating Charms for Your Swimsuits
It’s getting hot out, which means it’s the perfect time for our editors to discuss this year’s hottest swim trends—from retro bikini briefs to Chanel-inspired black-and-white sets. Join our associate director of special projects, Kristen Nichols, and associate editor, Sierra Mayhew, to hear which brands are their go-tos for stunning swimsuits, their favorite swim accessories, and how one-pieces are actually more popular than bikinis right now. They also talk suits for larger chests, jelly sandals, and all the trends you need to know about for the rest of the summer. Plus, they’re answering listener questions!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 29, 2024 • 50min
Micaela Erlanger: Stylist and Recent Harvard Grad
Micaela Erlanger is a stylist and best-selling author. Micaela grew up loving fashion and styling, and followed that passion to Parsons School of Design, where she earned a degree in Strategic Design and Management. After graduating into an economy during a recession, Micaela hustled for experience, freelancing for movie shoots and fashion magazines before landing a full-time job with the iconic stylist Annabel Tollman. Tollman grew to become Micaela’s mentor, but after her untimely death in 2013, Micaela struck out on her own. After a successful partnership with her first client, Michelle Dockery, she began working with Lupita Nyong’o during her awards season run for 12 Years a Slave. Immediately, Micaela was topping The Hollywood Reporter’s list of most powerful stylists. Over the next decade, she grew her client list to include other A-listers like Meryl Streep and Kelly Clarkson, moved into private and bridal styling, wrote a book, and so much more. In 2020, she decided she wanted a change, so she applied (and was accepted) to Harvard Business School’s Program for Leadership Development. She graduated with an Executive MBA this past April and is now figuring out what she’ll do next. She’s creating her second life as we speak!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 24, 2024 • 21min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Actor Laura Harrier on Her New Collection With Reformation, Style Influences, and Favorite Look She's Ever Worn
This is not a drill! Laura Harrier's collaboration with Reformation just dropped. The actor and former model, who can be seen in next year's Michael Jackson biopic, designed an 18-piece collection with the brand, and it has all of the '90s chill-girl vibes we need for the summer. From the perfect miniskirt to a re-creation of Laura's favorite pair of vintage pants, this collection has it all. She's here to talk to Kat about her history with fashion, her design influences, and of course, all the details on the partnership with Reformation. Plus, they chat about her favorite pieces and the '90s icons that inspired the collection. Laura's collaboration with Reformation is live now, so check it out before it sells out!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 22, 2024 • 51min
Julie Chung: Ophthalmologist and T3 Co-Founder
Julie Chung is an ophthalmologist and the co-founder of the hair-tool company T3. Even while in med school to become a glaucoma and cataract surgeon, Chung always put effort into her hair in the mornings. However, her go-to hair dryer was ineffective and heavy. As a gift to Chung, her now-husband Kent Yu took it upon himself to create a lighter, sleeker model with innovative technology to combat frizz. Realizing the white space in haircare, Chung then designed a marketing strategy that positioned the hair dryer as a beautiful, luxe item. Thus, T3 was born and was an immediate success. The brand sold out multiple times and eventually had retailers who’d shunned it at first calling to stock its product. In the years that followed, Chung and Yu designed flat irons, curling irons, and other products, all in T3’s signature polished style. This year, they celebrated 20 years of T3 and launched their first hot-air styler, the T3 Aire 360. Chung still practices medicine but is increasing her time with T3 as she looks to the future of her independently owned brand.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 17, 2024 • 30min
The Who What Wear Podcast: Our Nordstrom Anniversary Sale It List: The Items, Brands, and Trends We’re Buying
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here, and with so many incredible items to shop, we thought you might need some help narrowing down your wish list. Join Kat Collings and our Who What Wear editors as they discuss their best purchases from the sale over the years, along with the trends and brands they’re shopping this year. Plus, since the Anniversary Sale gives you great deals on new arrivals, they’re discussing which items to stock up on now for your fall wardrobe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 15, 2024 • 58min
Shea McGee: Interior Designer and Co-Founder of Studio McGee and McGee & Co.
Shea McGee is an interior designer and the co-founder of Studio McGee and McGee & Co. Shea originally worked in communications, but after redecorating her first home with her husband and eventual co-founder, Syd McGee, she found that she had a natural talent for design. She took interior design classes at her local community college to build skills and confidence and attracted clients in her neighborhood and on Instagram. In 2014, she and Syd took a chance and sold their house in California, using the proceeds to move to Salt Lake City and launch their business. Soon, Shea’s classic yet modern style and behind-the-scenes looks on social media were attracting customers from all over the country. She built a virtual design services business and eventually, an e-commerce business with the launch of McGee & Co. Shea also starred in the Netflix renovation show Dream Home Makeover and designs a line of furniture with Target named Threshold Designed With Studio McGee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.