Desert Island Dress

• From Vogue to the FT — Jo Ellison brings fashion smarts and fun to the island

  Kicking off our fourth series, we are so excited to welcome Jo Ellison to Desert Island Dress. Jo Ellison, as many of you will know, is the editor of HTSI/ How to Spend It at the Financial Times, and formerly Fashion Editor at the Financial Times and Features Editor at Vogue. Having Jo spend time in the “hot seat,” as Katrina would call it, was a dream come true, and we really hope she enjoyed the conversation as much as we did. We were particularly delighted to learn how influential Ireland and Irish culture have been for Jo — from her early teenage crushes, through her first journalistic job in Cork at the Cork Examiner, cutting her teeth as an apprentice, to spending the last 30 years in domestic bliss with a previous guest and friend of Desert Island Dress, Irish playwright Enda Walsh!  What a fabulous guest to kick off the series! We absolutely loved chatting with Jo, and we left the conversation as total fangirls of the one and only Jo Ellison. Enjoy this episode!  🎨 This series features hand-drawn sketches of each of our guests by artist Louise Boughton @louiseboughton_✨ Stay connected with Desert Island Dress:📸 Instagram: @desert_island_dress🌐 Website: www.desertislanddress.com ⭐ Don’t forget to follow, rate & review the podcast — it really helps more people find us. 💌 And if you're enjoying Desert Island Dress, please do share your favourite episode with a friend!

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• Post-analysis: Effort, Authenticity & the Ritual of Dressing - reflecting on conversations with Mandy Johnston

  In this post-analysis episode, we reflect on our conversation with Mandy Johnston and explore the themes that stuck with us—effort, authenticity, and the subtle power of getting dressed.From the blurred lines of post-COVID workwear to the quiet authority of a well-chosen outfit, we discuss why what we wear still matters. We also share a standout clip from The Diplomat that perfectly captures the politics of appearance in public life.Don’t forget to catch Mandy’s full episode from earlier this week, and follow us to stay updated on what's happening next with Desert Island Dress.

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• Wearing Confidence: Mandy Johnston on Style, Identity, and the Power of Clothes

  In this episode of Desert Island Dress, journalist, broadcaster, and communications expert Mandy Johnston joins us to share the stories behind the clothes that have shaped her life. From career-defining purchases to sentimental staples, Mandy reflects on the power of dressing with intention, the fine line between fashion and style, and why great clothes—like great friends—stand the test of time.We also explore the shifting boundaries between workwear and leisurewear, the emotional weight of investment pieces, and how fashion plays a role in confidence and communication.📌 Follow Mandy Johnston on Instagram: @mandyjohnstonpr📌 Learn more about Mandy's radio show Taking Stock on Newstalk: https://www.newstalk.com/shows/taking-stock-834298📌 Keep up with Desert Island Dress on Instagram: @desert_island_dressNext Episode: We’ll be back this Friday with our post-analysis episode, where we reflect on Mandy's choices and dive deeper into the themes that emerged in this conversation. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!🎧 Desert Island Dress is available on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe, rate, and review to help us keep sharing these incredible stories!

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• Postanalysis: Wearing our Values - Reflecting on Role Models, Resilience & Representation

  In this post-analysis episode of Desert Island Dress, we reflect on our powerful conversation with Leon Diop. We explore his choice to wear a Charles Oliveira hoodie and what it reveals about resilience, identity, and surrounding yourself with positive role models.We also unpack the cultural urgency of Netflix’s Adolescence, the rise of harmful online influencers like Andrew Tate, and the critical need for young people—especially boys—to see strength in empathy, discipline, and belonging.From martial arts to mindset, this is an episode about the values we wear and the influence they carry.📌 Follow Leon Diop on Instagram: @leon_diop_📌 Learn more about Black & Irish: https://blackandirish.com/📌 Keep up with Desert Island Dress on Instagram: @desert_island_dress🎧 Desert Island Dress is available on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe, rate, and review to help us keep sharing these incredible stories!

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• Leon Diop: Dressing for Identity, Belonging & Being Black and Irish

  In this episode of Desert Island Dress, we’re joined by activist, community leader, and founder of Black & Irish, Leon Diop. Through his chosen garments, Leon shares his journey of self-expression, resilience, and identity—exploring what it means to be both Black and Irish in modern Ireland. We talk about the power of storytelling, the importance of representation, and the personal experiences that led him to create Black & Irish, a platform dedicated to amplifying Black and mixed-race Irish voices.Leon reflects on childhood nostalgia, the impact of fashion as a form of self-expression, and how clothing connects us to our past, our culture, and the communities we belong to. We also get into an unexpected connection with Mariah Carey, the role of sport in shaping identity, and the importance of finding confidence in your own skin.This is a conversation full of warmth, humour, and deep insights, and we are so grateful to Leon for sharing his stories with us. 📌 Follow Leon Diop on Instagram: @leon_diop_📌 Learn more about Black & Irish: https://blackandirish.com/📌 Keep up with Desert Island Dress on Instagram: @desert_island_dressNext Episode:We’ll be back this Friday with our post-analysis episode, where we reflect on Leon’s choices and dive deeper into the themes that emerged in this conversation. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!🎧 Desert Island Dress is available on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe, rate, and review to help us keep sharing these incredible stories!

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