STEPH AUDINO: MAKING IT IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

“Whatever you're not changing, you're choosing” - Steph Audino

Our guest on today’s show has been at the forefront of the Australian fashion industry for over 15 years.

Steph Audino has created an iconic celebrity couture label that’s turned heads across the globe. She’s showcased her collections everywhere from New York to Paris Fashion Week, been celebrated in the pages of Vogue Magazine, annnnnd dressed everyone from Ariana Grande to Ashanti… oh, and did I mention she did it all from Perth?!

Today, we get to uncover how she built this big, beautiful fashion empire.

PLUS we dive into: 

• How to start a fashion label in 2025 

• Business advice for creatives 

• The importance of storytelling 

• Knowing your worth and setting your rates 

• The value of mentors 

• Making the most of big opportunities 

• Putting yourself where your clients are 

• Bouncing back after difficult times …and so much more!!!

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

02:10 - Steph as a kid growing up in East Perth

03:36 - Her early creations 

06:03 - Her early icons / inspiration

07:50 - Textiles at high school

09:44 - Sewing classes after school 

10:21 - Town Planning at uni

11:54 - Sewing at uni with Sandara

12:09 - Pivot moment - the final assignment break down

14:15 - Tafe in Fremantle

15:04 - Aurelio Costarella 

17:24 - Having a mentor / north star

18:39 - Steph gets her first client

19:53 - The 2 week Bentley Tafe experience

21:27 - Starting the label

23:19 - Social launch strategy 

24:30 - Storytelling + marketing + website build

26:06 - Steph goes to Bali

29:04 - Steph meets Dayu

31:05 - Steph + mum hitting boutiques 

36:00 - Steph teaching staff

38:50 - Early days of starting a label at home 

41:48 - Pricing in the early days

47:22 - End of first year milestones

48:18 - Production goes overseas

48:33 - New York Fashion Week

50:57 - Making the most of New York fashion week

53:41 - Moving to LA + highlights

55:43 - Moving home 

58:31 - At what point she felt like she made it

1:01:15 - Family and community

1:07:47 - 90 day game plan

1:12:16 - Starting a label in 2025

1:19:31 - Business Plan

1:22:45 - Success

CONNECT WITH STEPH AUDINO

Steph Audino Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaudinocouture

Steph Audino Website: https://stephaudino.com.au/