The Unpredictable - Pepe Muñoz | Crafting a Creative Life through Dance, Fashion, and Art

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we welcome Luke Radloff, a South African designer who launched his brand, Uni-Form, in 2019. Drawing deep inspiration from Johannesburg, Luke translates the city's vibrant energy into ultra-contemporary silhouettes that define his modular, slow fashion collection of trans-seasonal classics. Uni-Form has recently been honoured with the inaugural Fondation Azzedine Alaïa & Orveda award—a partnership that supports the next generation of fashion talent with purpose and passion. Join us as we dive into the journey of Uni-Form, exploring how Luke created his brand, built a community around it, and championed the concept of emotional tailoring. We’ll also discuss the evolution of South African fashion and what sets it apart on the global stage. Instagram: @uniformza Find out more about Fondation Azzedine Alaïa & Orveda Award here: https://fondationazzedinealaia.org/en/education/soutien-aux-talents/

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, I sit down with someone making a profound impact in the world of fashion—Victoria Jenkins, a disability designer, advocate, and founder of Unhidden Clothing. Besides being a former student of mine, Victoria is someone I am incredibly proud of. Victoria's journey began with her own experiences with gastrointestinal disabilities, which fueled her passion for advocacy. As a garment technologist in the fashion industry, she saw firsthand the challenges faced by her fellow hospital patients—people who struggled to find clothing that was both comfortable and stylish. This realization led her to launch Unhidden Clothing in 2017, a brand dedicated to creating adaptive fashion that empowers individuals with disabilities. Join us as we delve into the world of adaptive fashion, the growing awareness of ableism, and the powerful spending potential of those with disabilities. We also explore how Unhidden Clothing is helping people with disabilities not only find comfort but also enjoy fashion like never before. Instagram: @unhidden_clothing

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we welcome a trailblazer who’s making waves in the world of social media and teen entrepreneurship, Ava McDonald. Ava launched Zfluence, a rapidly growing agency connecting influential members of Generation Z with the brands they genuinely love, just two years ago. Her success has been nothing short of extraordinary. At just 20 years old, she’s already been featured in Forbes, delivered a TEDx talk, and earned a spot in AdAge’s ‘40 Under 40’—all while redefining how brands connect with Gen Z. We discuss the rise of teen entrepreneurship—are young entrepreneurs being taken seriously, and how are they shaping the future of business? Join us as we dive into Ava’s journey, exploring how Zfluence is adding authenticity to the social media landscape by harnessing the genuine brand passion of Gen Z. Instagram: @zfluence Find out more about Ava Mcdonald and Zfluence here: https://www.zfluence.com/

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we sit down with Gianmarco Messori, a key figure in the evolution of Italian craftsmanship—the second generation of a family-run brand that began its journey in the mid-’70s. Our guest today has not only upheld the legacy of Messori but has also steered the brand in exciting new directions. We explore how the concept of ‘Made in Italy’ has transformed over the past 40 years, and how our Gianmarco has introduced innovative business models that are shaping the future of the brand. From its roots in a small Italian town, Messori expanded across Europe and has now become a reference point for men’s tailoring in Africa. We also discuss the profound impact of COVID-19 on the fashion industry, and how Messori is adapting its tailoring to reflect the new normal in a changing world. Instagram: @sartoriamessori Find out more about Messori in Africa: https://www.messori.it/it-ww/africa.aspx

In 2020, fashion and gaming collided like never before. With lockdowns and social distancing pushing people into the digital world, gaming became an unexpected outlet for creativity and self-expression. As Fashion Weeks transitioned to digital platforms, iconic brands quickly noticed the potential of the gaming world, leading to collaborations on skins for popular games like League of Legends and The Sims. But one game stood out from the rest—Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This game not only captivated millions during lockdown but also gave rise to Crossing The Runway, an Instagram and Tumblr account dedicated to replicating iconic high fashion looks within the game. From recreating looks from brands like Prada and Chanel to collaborating with Valentino on a social media campaign and even recreating a cover for Vogue Italia, Crossing The Runway has become a must-follow account for fashion enthusiasts and gamers alike. In this episode of Textural Anthologies, I’m thrilled to welcome Richmond and Shel, the creative duo behind Crossing The Runway. Join us as we dive into their journey, the intersection of fashion and gaming, and how they’ve turned a love for style into a digital phenomenon. If you want to download some of the fashion looks created by Crossing The Runway for your AC avatars, or to find out more about their projects, check out their Tumblr account: https://crossingtherunway.tumblr.com, and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram! Instagram: @crossingtherunway

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we travel to the Netherlands to reconnect with visionary designer, Jeffrey Heiligers, who I first met in London back in 2014. Even then, I was captivated by his innovative approach to design, and today, his work continues to push boundaries in truly inspiring ways. During Dutch Design Week Virtual in October, our guest presented a groundbreaking project that he has spent the last 10 months developing—The New Standard 2030: The Right Choice—A Series of Positive Concepts. This project is a forward-thinking exploration of how design can evolve by the year 2030. Over the course of 10 months, he developed four concepts that re-engineer home and lifestyle products to align with his vision for a sustainable future. His approach is centred around re-valuing materials, re-framing production methods, reconnecting consumers with products, and revitalizing the technology and crafts used in the creation process. The New Standard in manufacturing is defined by low impact, purpose, and conscience—where recycling is integral to the design process, and the idea of disposing is simply out of fashion. Join us as we delve into his innovative concepts, explore how he’s setting new benchmarks for sustainable design, and discuss what the future of product design looks like as we approach 2030. Instagram: @jeffrey_heiligers www.jeffreyheiligers.com Dutch Design Week 2020, The New Standard 2030 https://ddw.nl/en/programme/3921/the-new-standard-2030

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we return to the vibrant heart of the rainbow nation, South Africa, to speak with Spero Villioti, a key figure in the evolution of South African fashion, and a true visionary, helping to shape the future of fashion in the region. Trained at the London College of Fashion and having served as a senior designer for Frank Usher, he went on to successfully run his own couture business in South Africa for over 25 years. His work has earned him numerous prestigious international and local awards, and he has reached the pinnacle of his field by designing for South Africa's elite. In 2011, his expertise in haute couture led to an invitation to lecture on Couture in Africa at Parsons The New School for Design—an acknowledgement of his influence and success. But his passion for fashion extends beyond his creations. In 2004, he founded a design school dedicated to educating, training, and guiding young visionaries to become leaders in the fashion industry. Today, that school stands as the top fashion school in South Africa, nurturing the next generation of fashion talent. Join us as we delve into his remarkable journey, discuss the origins of his school, explore the future of fashion education, and celebrate the ever-growing talent emerging from South Africa. Instagram: @villiotifashion  www.villiotifashioninstitute.co.za 

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, I’m honoured to connect with someone who has played a monumental role in shaping the fashion landscape of South Africa. Today’s guest is Lucilla Booyzen, the visionary founder of South African Fashion Week. For the past 23 years, Lucilla has been tirelessly mentoring, educating, and promoting incredible talents from across South Africa. As we approach the upcoming South African Fashion Week (October 22-24), which will be Africa’s first-ever fully digital fashion week, we dive into what it takes to pull off a three-day streaming program featuring 27 digital runway shows. In our conversation, we explore how Lucilla started South African Fashion Week, her unwavering commitment to developing local designer labels, and how she’s helping to shape a new South African aesthetic that’s gaining international attention. And let’s not forget—South Africa has produced finalists and winners of the LVMH Prize for the past two consecutive years! Join us as we learn more about the incredible journey of South African fashion, both on and off the runway. Instagram: @lucilla.booyzen Instagram: @safashionweek www.safashionweek.co.za

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we meet Pepe Muñoz—a multi-talented artist whose energy and passion are simply contagious. From his early days dancing in CATS to performing in an erotic Cirque du Soleil cabaret in Las Vegas with costumes by Thierry Mugler, Pepe has had a career as dynamic as it is fascinating. Pepe also served as Celine Dion's stylist and creative consultant, and he's now pursuing his passion as an illustrator. Truly, Pepe is a man for all seasons. For this episode, I decided to let the conversation flow naturally, without planned questions, to give you a raw and personal insight into Pepe’s incredible journey. We explore how he ended up where he is today and, above all, how it's never too late to follow your dreams. Join us for an inspiring chat that will leave you motivated to chase your own passions. Instagram: @p.e.p.e.munoz

In this episode of Textural Anthologies, we dive into the dynamic world of moving images with Niccolo Montanari, a consultant, film festival strategist, and publicist who specializes in fashion, lifestyle, and contemporary culture. Niccolo’s journey in the fashion film industry began as one of the founding members of the Berlin Fashion Film Festival. Since 2016, he has been at the forefront of the industry, consulting for brands, production companies, and film directors, helping them create and distribute compelling video content across a range of publications and film festivals. Join us as we explore what it takes to create a successful film festival, how Niccolo collaborates with creatives to bring their visions to life, and what the future holds for the ever-evolving landscape of video and film. Instagram: @niccolomontanari  www.niccolomontanari.com