Fashion Week is BORING & the REALITY of Fashion Retail with Carolyn Gray (Ep. 4)

In this episode of the podCASS I sit down with Carolyn Gray (@itscarolyngray on Instagram) who is a fabulous content creator, wellness brand owner and personal stylist with a very interesting past in fashion retail. We cover all topics from working in fashion retail, to the Tabi thief.
Carolyn's Instgram: / itscarolyngray
Listen to the podCASS: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
Follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @itscassiethorpe
Subscribe to my youtube channel: / @cassiethorpe

[@pheebschen5296]

This is sooo fun I wouldn't mind a chat with Carolyn Gray Ep. 2!! Thanks so much Cassie for bringing these inspiring, fun, wonderful hardworking people (yourself included) onto your show!

[@thepodCASSpod]

She is amazing!!! Ahh I’m just so lucky to know some amazing people 🤩🤩

[@newyorkcutie]

Carolyn is top tier when it comes to this fashion ! Thanks for sharing. ❤️

[@thepodCASSpod]

I totally agree!💖

[@nubnub75]

I love Carolyn’s personality! The chemistry is so great

[@thepodCASSpod]

She’s amazing! 💖

[@Cresitaaaaa]

That’s really upsetting what June did to her! Beating down another black women trying to get ahead in her career! This is why I hated fashion because I been through the same things. I hope she gets really far in her career and trust me all those people are going Bowing down at her feet

[@thepodCASSpod]

🙌🏽💖💖💖

[@sensto]

Cookie and Luxury Addict here that's late to this party, but here nonetheless! I thoroughly enjoyed this episode with two of my faves and love to see Cassie evolving, and Carolyn's star rising. Great session ladies.

[@surfergirlt2432]

Loved this entertaining, enjoyable conversation. You have a beautiful gift for making your interview guests feel comfortable and bringing out their best. May you continue to rise from strength to strength, both of you. 🙏

[@thepodCASSpod]

You’ve made my day! Thank you so much - I’m still learning so this really has given me encouragement 💖💖💖

[@avmochi6622]

This is my safe place to get into fashion topics. ☀️

[@thepodCASSpod]

Aahhh this is my favourite 🤩

[@AlexiaPreda-kj7qu]

This was so fun, I could listen to you 2 for a couple hours more! Great energy. Keep them coming!

[@thepodCASSpod]

Ahhh I’m so glad! 💖💖

[@karenmarierazee4589]

I love these podCass!! so much info and fun, and I learn so much. Thank you

[@tomekaross3820]

So enjoyed this convo … the chemistry is overflowing ❤

[@Its_chakecia]

This was SUCH a juicy conversation. I loved every bit of it, thank you!

[@PMG5inc]

I literally had the Telfar conversation this morning with my best friend, and then look Carolyn said the same thing! Sent the clip to my bestie.... I feel justified! CHEERS!

[@UdyOnTheGlo]

These are so relaxing & authentic to watch esp w my favs. I love all the insights ✨

[@thepodCASSpod]

Yay!! I’m happy you liked this! 💖

[@rachelburbidge4450]

Another excellent Pod Cass ..really look forward to watching the next..❤

[@thepodCASSpod]

Thanks so much!💖

[@sacb2000]

Really enjoyed this. First time watching your podcast, not sure why I have waited this long to come over hear, I knew it would be fun. I just started watching Carolyn recently, I think she is one to watch also. Loved you both together

[@thepodCASSpod]

Welcome aboard I'm glad you like it!! 💖

[@cindyandben3116]

This was so fun! I loved hearing her story and you Cassie are an excellent interviewer.❤

[@thepodCASSpod]

Omg thank you, I’m still learning! 💖

[@jab0623]

This was a great pod Cassie! ❤

[@thepodCASSpod]

Yayyy! 💖

[@fulloflife97]

Wonderful episode Cassie, I thoroughly enjoyed it! When you guys are mentioning items you would like to bring back, could you please pop a picture up on the screen? Thanks

[@krystalwithakofficial]

I got the mini Melissa x Telfar bag specifically for football games! 😅 You're only allowed to have a clear bag in the stadium. I love that the straps are long enough to crossbody!!

[@thepodCASSpod]

Great idea!!

[@valerieblouch5409]

Loved the chemistry between you two! Grab a cup of coffee and let's catch up! Loved this one!!🎉🎉🎉

[@justalex30]

I LOVED THIS!! Y’all are both so fabulous! ❤️❤️

[@thepodCASSpod]

Thank you so much!!🙈💖

[@justalex30]

@@thepodCASSpod you’re very welcome! 💖💖

[@MrsVMills]

Another gem of an interview. Charm, wit and intelligence- I agree with Carolyn Gray - you are going to be a huge star.

[@thepodCASSpod]

Don’t let my head get too big 🙈🙈

[@MainlyMaynes]

Loved this Casserol!!!!!! ❤❤❤ A recurring segment with you two would be awesome!!

[@thepodCASSpod]

I love my new nickname!! And Carolyn is a dream I hope she’ll be on again!

[@MrsVanB]

Thank you, Cassie! 😍 This was so much fun! I love Carolyn and I remembered her saying in one of her earlier videos about how much she loves you.😍 This episode was meant to be!🤩🥰

[@thepodCASSpod]

She’s so incredible!! 🤩💖

[@Chantaya]

Loved Carolyn's energy!

[@thepodCASSpod]

🤩🤩🤩

[@T.Nikki2]

Loved this episode ❤❤❤

[@thepodCASSpod]

🙈🙈

[@ubiquitousflow]

I love these windows into the fashion world! I also love the idea of a gossipy Nii! He seems so straight-laced!

[@thepodCASSpod]

Glad you're enjoying it! and he is a serious when he needs to be and truly a goof otherwise 😂

[@lezandit]

I could listen for hours! ❤

[@thepodCASSpod]

🥹💖💖

[@T.Nikki2]

I love how you both are cheesing so hard in the thumbnail 😂❤

[@thepodCASSpod]

Hahaha it was right before we started filming!

[@kaylheecarroll3186]

So happy for the podcass,you deserve it ❤😊!

[@thepodCASSpod]

Thank you so much!! 🙈💖

[@kaylheecarroll3186]

@@thepodCASSpod your welcome

[@deborahbell-theobservantch3759]

I cannot believe it! Only this past Friday after watching Carolyn talk about her career on her channel, I thought it would be great for her to hook up with Cassie! So happy 😊😊❤😇🙏🏼

[@thepodCASSpod]

Omgg you thought this into existence!

[@soniamills]

Loved this podcast with Carolyn G!

[@thepodCASSpod]

Glad you enjoyed it! 💖

[@zennaturalist2543]

She's right,we have her back and she is who she is and we love all of her in her glittery,embellished ways. Genuinely,we wouldnt let anything happen to her by ne means in our control ofcourse! This was another great episode,felt like two girls catching up on old times. 🌹🌹🌹

[@thepodCASSpod]

I feel so protected by this incredible community 🥹💖💖💖

[@vivilovr]

this episode is so...... mother i cant explain it... cassie is just on fire and the guests are all so interesting and funny and just so inspiring

[@thepodCASSpod]

🥹💖💖💖

[@amandahsawyer]

So great.

[@kiwanathomas228]

Well said Carolyn! You’ve definitely carved your own lane Cassie. This was a fun episode

[@thepodCASSpod]

💖💖💖

[@ianreject]

STOPPPP i love this episode

[@shervondavid6882]

Love it. Love Carolyn Gray!

[@thepodCASSpod]

So glad you enjoyed it!!

[@MsSocialLeslie]

Absolutely love it… I follow Carolyn as well. Brilliant $$..

[@thepodCASSpod]

Yay, thank you!

[@Iamjavonne]

So much fun!!!

[@thepodCASSpod]

🙈💖💖

[@judieannozine]

Y’all are 2 peas in a pod:). Thank you for showing the dress-note: show us all the things!!!!!

[@sandrahintz2617]

Yes I worked Erno Lazlo skin care in the late 70s for large department store. I was always called to be a witness for security and most were very wealthy clients. Kleptomaniac so sad and so much older to know better plus they had credit card with store.

[@thepodCASSpod]

My gosh! No shame!

[@Allthingscheri]

Omg. CG!!

[@csmtcqueen]

What a good interview/conversation

[@thepodCASSpod]

So happy you enjoyed it!!

[@nicholaschancefernanders7412]

Miss. Ann gave you her job 😂😂😂

[@demornaeclarke]

My fashion Cousin and Aunt - I’m LIVING 😍😅

[@thepodCASSpod]

Aahhhh 🙈💖💖

[@enricaw88]

Funny that you talked about fashion being boring these days, because I feel completely uninspired lately- I thought it was because I am a millennial, but you expressed my exact feelings!

[@thepodCASSpod]

The magic is lacking!! 💖

[@jiayilu8995]

Oh I watch you both ❤

[@thepodCASSpod]

💖💖💖

[@meadhbhgriffin]

Yay come through the Irish connection 🇮🇪💚

[@d.y.e3803]

Fun discussion. As for favorite designers D or A; Patrick Kelly, Willie Smith, Issey Miyake, and Dries Van Noten. Greetings from Los Angeles

[@thepodCASSpod]

You’ve got a great list right there! 💖

[@prettypuffprincess]

BOTH OF YOU ARE NATURALLY FUNNY AND BEAUTIFUL ❤❤

[@thepodCASSpod]

🙈💖💖

[@iamlbba]

Carolyn is so fun. I wanted to be part of the chat with you two 😅 💞

[@thepodCASSpod]

isn't she?! 💖

[@tryingtracy9329]

Oh she is so lovely, a lovely chat cassie 😊

[@thepodCASSpod]

She really is!!

[@ianreject]

yall have such a cute dynamic

[@thepodCASSpod]

Aahhh she’s so funny!

[@HoneyDarley]

When she said this is Dreis….

[@selasijubey8226]

Fab!!!

[@thepodCASSpod]

💖💖

[@EvelynM-vlogs]

Older, lil' ol' white women are the people most likely to steal from my roadside flower wagon as well. Even though they drive nice cars. They don't realize my home office window faces the road and I can see them.

[@thepodCASSpod]

My gosh!

[@franceshnni7380]

❤❤❤

[@JessicaDessus]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@nicolegari]

🥂🥂🥂🥂🍿

[@ranurene2018]

❤

[@pagethreemodel]

You sound like Paula Yates! Even down to your wittiness.

[@thepodCASSpod]

Omg 🥹🥹💖

[@sams3015]

0:40 we would love to have you Caroline 🇮🇪 It’s definitely more an old Hollywood name though

[@thepodCASSpod]

🤩🤩🤩

[@user-bg9ws7ys4k]

Maybe those little frail old ladies were simply lonely and discarded....and then somebody, or many bodies,😊 paid them a lot of attention ...just thinking out loud!

[@EvelynM-vlogs]

Nope, that's not it, see my comment. I've had an older, rich, white woman actually chat with me while I was working in the front flower beds, she took a bouquet, folded and put a blank piece of paper into the cash box and drove away in her expensive car. She was not lonely or discarded, she was self righteous.

[@user-bg9ws7ys4k]

@@EvelynM-vlogs there are those too...the entitled ones...but as I said they may be just the same - lonely and discarded....with or without money. Totally not condoning their behaviour though!

[@EvelynM-vlogs]

@@user-bg9ws7ys4k For anyone who can't afford a flower or bouquet, and takes one, I'm fine with. There are enough people that leave me tips that make up for the losses. The ones who take just because...that's a different story.

[@misha9397]

She so beautiful, Cassie..

[@thepodCASSpod]

She really is! 💖

[@missaia.com_]

Cassie plays Sims? 😭❤️❤️❤️

[@thepodCASSpod]

I used to hahaha

[@FashionFoodieBUM]

i’m with her with Telfar sorry

[@coding7196]

Bored? Yes, the styles are not changing and it's not the designers; it's us, the customers.

[@thepodCASSpod]

you have a very good point!

[@tayd.7373]

The dirty man rummaged through her stuff imo. He knew his fashion…

[@thepodCASSpod]

He really did!

[@ianreject]

stop the gvasalia beef is so

[@thepodCASSpod]

It’s my Roman Empire 😂

[@michellehill6166]

So Carolyn is ok with ripping a black designer. Talfour, really? Not cool at all. Black women are supporting a black designer and you are tired of it. He’s just starting out. And you can’t give him enough time to grow his business? But then say you respect him. But you are tired of black women wearing his bag? That’s was not cool at all to say that about a black designer who has broken through an industry that is dominated by European brands. It’s sad when black people look down on black brands but praise European brands. The fact that you are “tired” of seeing this bag when black women have taken the time to support a black designer. Do you know how many influencers brag about their Hermes Birkin bags? How many people got the Bottega woven bags? Everybody had those. But you are tired of seeing Talfour. I’m flabbergasted that a black women who understands the fashion industry would say that about an emerging black designer who has broken barriers in accessories space.

[@Random_Identity]

Idk who Talfour is, but Telfar is not an emerging designer. The brand itself has been around for almost 20 years. Carolyn Gray is allowed to have her own opinions, likes and dislikes. She was prompted with a question and she answered. I can assure she is not the only BLACK person who feels that way about those bags and their quality. In fact it you do a bit of research, you’ll discover that the ethos of his brand was never really about being high quality, but being a household name. What’s more concerning is that your comment seems to be insinuating that Black people should automatically throw all their support to Black owned brands, regardless of whether or not they like the product or service. As if it’s detrimental to the rights of Black folks if the collective isn’t walking lock step in support. 🥴 No need to try and play on emotions. Many like the brand and many don’t. Such is life.

[@michellehill6166]

I’m sure you are not a black person. That’s the problem. She said this to a white audience who isn’t going to understand how this is problematic. You just said you didn’t know who Telfar was. And then tried to tell me to do research. It looks you had to do research to even know how he was. I knew who he was because his brand has become a part of African American culture. Yes his business started in 2005 but his bag was launched in 2014 and didn’t get popular until 2020. But again you didn’t even know who he was. I have also heard him numerous times on interviews where is goals to have brand that was affordable. But if Carolyn had made that comment on a podcast where the audience had more black women, they would have called her out. It is not ok for us to hold European brands as a standard and then dismiss black brands. People have been wearing the same LV for decades but it’s considered vintage or classic. But when a black brand connects with women and black people are supporting it, she’s tired of it. And whether she is or isn’t the only black person who feels this way isn’t the issue. Because it’s quite common for black people to view European brands more favorably than black brands because we live in a culture that favors whiteness and white brands. That will always be battle for black designers. Now here’s an article that expresses my sentiments. Written by Shelton Boyd-Griffith, a black freelance Fashion and style editor www.popsugar.com/fashion/telfar-circle-bag-price-backlash-48723995 Here is another www.thecut.com/2022/04/telfar-criticized-black-owned.html This is not about black people having to be lock -step with one another -although in many aspects we need to be. This is about understanding that there is a bias towards European brands and that black brand have to fight through that bias. Again the Bottega woven bag is everywhere. The silly Loewe cartoon glasses are everywhere. But a black designer creates a classic shaped handbag that has a cult following and that’s the trend she’s tired of? It’s clear bias and it’s wrong.

[@Random_Identity]

@@michellehill6166no, I certainly don’t know who “Talfour” is. Were the demographics for this podcasts released to the public? I must’ve missed that. Your whole argument is that Telfar should not be mentioned because he’s a Black designer. Does this mean Black women should accept any and everything regardless of quality or lack there of? I’m also not sure why you’re comparing Telfar with Bottega. One is leather and has a long history of quality behind it. The other does not. To insinuate that she is biased against a Black designer based on her opinion on a bag is literally insane. She does not have to like the bag nor does she have to keep the opinion to herself. Parasocial relationships with businesses must end.

[@michellehill6166]

You have totally missed my argument. Hence you’ve proved my argument. That non-black person do not not have the cultural understanding to know why this is problematic. This about bias against black designers when compared to European designers. And You just illustrated it. Because Bottega has a long history, they can put Mediocre bag out, everybody wears it and it doesn’t get a criticism. But a black designer’s bag catches fire in 2020 and she’s already tired of it. Her response was to question about a trend that she was tired of. Not the quality. She’s already tired of a bag that has only been out for a few years. But the Hermes Birkin bag has been out since 1984. That’s almost 40 years and it’s practically the same design. And it’s considered a classic. Yes. Bottega has a long history. So does Hermes, Gucci and LV. And Telfar only has 20 years. And it took 20 years for his brand to reach cult status. And that is the whole point! Black designers are in competition with brands with more history and money. And they are automatically seen as poorer quality. Did you read the articles? There a plenty of of white designers who use vegan leather and have same quality and craftsmanship as Telfar and cost thousands of dollars more but don’t get the same criticism. What you haven’t addressed is bias against black designers. That is what I’m taking about. You can’t talk about parasocial in business without dealing with bias and racism in fashion. This is what I am addressing. She doesn’t have to like Telfar and I would have respected if she said she didn’t like it. Not liking a style is completely different. We all have different taste. I have a problem with a black so man saying she is tired of seeing a black brand that has gathered a cult following as if it’s a fleeting “trend”. Black designers deserve to be considered classics, and a staple to everybody collection just like LV, Hermes or lower brands like Steve Madden, Kate Spade or any white -American or European brand. That’s what this about. Bias. Instead of preaching to a black woman about what needs to stop in business. Seek to understand what I’m saying and why I think bias against black designers is a problem. I just listed articles as references to give you more context. There is more to this discussion than parasocial relationships in business. This is about bias against black designers.

[@Random_Identity]

@@michellehill6166the fact that you’re attempting to make this into an attack on Black culture & Black people as a whole is literally insane. Your point is that Black people shouldn’t dislike Black designers because there’s an unwritten rule that blind support is required. And IF you have the gall to dislike it for whatever reason, don’t you dare say it in front of non-Black people. Did I get that right? Let me get the Congressional Black Caucus, ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center and everyone else on the line because I did not know my civil rights were in jeopardy over a vinyl bag someone disliked.

[@traceygoodman6203]

You need better guests. Imagine if a white guest saying most thieves were little old black ladies. Oh dear 🤷‍♀️

[@Random_Identity]

She was speaking from her experience as a former security professional for a luxury department store. Furthermore, the greater point is that regardless of demographics, people steal. What’s the issue? It sounds like you’re fishing for problem.

[@MrsVMills]

Little old black ladies (no matter how well they are dressed) are usually scrutinised by security from the moment they enter a shop to the moment they leave - even if they wanted to steal they are seldom given the opportunity.