Fashion critic Rachel Tashjian joins Amy Odell to unpack the biggest shifts happening right now in fashion media. From Vogue?s future to the creator vs. critic debate, AI-generated fashion models, $26,000 Versace dresses, and why fashion discourse seems to be getting meaner.
Rachel, formerly the Fashion Critic at the Washington Post and now Senior Style Reporter for CNN, breaks down:
Chapters:
00:00 ? Intro: Amy Odell welcomes Rachel Tashjian
00:21 ? Rachel?s new role at CNN
02:34 ? Why video matters in fashion journalism
03:54 ? Are people still reading? Changing media habits
04:22 ? Amy on books, audiobooks, and audience shifts
05:49 ? The rising tension in fashion discourse online
07:16 ? When commentary overshadows the clothes
08:22 ? Algorithms flatten expertise in fashion
09:29 ? Creators vs. traditional editors: a 15-year evolution
10:43 ? Substack, TikTok, and where fashion criticism lives now
11:35 ? Access, honesty, and the cost of true criticism
12:46 ? Do creators need editors? The ?no safety net? problem
13:19 ? Dior controversy: when brands exclude influencers
14:31 ? Should influencers follow critic standards?
15:35 ? Does Vogue still matter in 2025?
17:06 ? Why Vogue covers still trigger huge reactions
18:33 ? Anna Wintour?s influence across culture
19:32 ? How AI is about to transform fashion media
20:55 ? Performative fashion vs. post-Instagram design
22:33 ? Can AI replace fashion creators?
23:54 ? AI?s role in fashion advertising and image-making
24:43 ? Will AI replace human fashion voices?
25:31 ? The future: will Vogue become just covers?
27:14 ? The price conundrum: $26,000 dresses and who they?re for
28:55 ? What fashion brands really want from the public
30:49 ? TikTok?s misinformation problem in fashion
31:49 ? The Vogue rumor and how fake fashion news spreads
31:57 ? Three fashion creators Rachel loves
33:29 ? Three fashion creators Amy loves
Links & resources:
Back Row newsletter
https://amyodell.substack.com
Amy Odell Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/instamyodell/
Rachel Tashjian
CNN announcement: https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2025/10/07/rachel-tashjian-joins-cnn-as-senior-style-reporter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprophetpizza/
Creators mentioned
Kim Russell @TheKimbino: https://www.instagram.com/thekimbino/
Jay Tibbits: https://www.instagram.com/jaytibbitts/
Rashida Renée @:howtobeafuckinglady: https://www.instagram.com/howtobeafuckinglady/
Mandy Lee @OldLoserinBrooklyn: https://www.instagram.com/oldloserinbrooklyn/
Timothy Chernyaev @relaxitsonlyfashion on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@relaxitsonlyfashion?lang=en
Fashion Roadman: https://www.youtube.com/@FashionRoadman/videos
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2025-12-01
Link to episode