“You may not have heard of Ali Pew, but you are probably — indirectly — wearing something she told you to,” — Harriet Walker, the fashion editor of The Times of London Ali Pew , stylist, creative director, and creator of the influential newsletter Uniform , joins The Materialist to unpack the power of intentionality in personal style and curating life's meaningful objects. Ali shares her career journey from Conde Nast Traveler and W Magazine to Goop , offering insightful perspectives on how edit...
Apr 03, 2025•57 min
In the latest episode of The Materialist , I sit down with the brilliant Sally Morrison , a leading voice in the diamond world who spent decades shaping De Beers' iconic story. Together, we unpack how natural diamonds are evolving amidst the rise of lab-grown alternatives, changing generational attitudes toward commitment, and the shifting ways we define luxury. Episode Highlights: * How the diamond dream is adapting for younger consumers who value the authenticity of their journey rather than t...
Mar 14, 2025•50 min
In the latest episode of The Materialist , I sit down with my friend Ben Gilbert , co-host of Acquired , to talk about brands, luxury, and the meaning we assign to the things we own. Ben has spent the last decade dissecting the world’s most successful companies, and in light of his recent blockbuster five-hour episode on Rolex , we sat down to explore what makes something valuable —not just in dollars and cents, but in culture, psychology, and personal connection. What We Cover: 🔹 Luxury vs. Pr...
Mar 04, 2025•55 min
Marc Bridge with Fern Mallis, The Hotel Chelsea, February 10, 2025 In this special New York Fashion Week episode of The Materialist , Marc sits down with the legendary Fern Mallis , the architect of New York Fashion Week and a lifelong champion of independent designers. We discuss the origins of Fashion Week, the evolving landscape of American fashion, and the challenges facing young designers today. Fern also shares her passion for jewelry—how it tells a story, carries emotional weight, and ser...
Feb 14, 2025•31 min
Marc Bridge and Christina Caruso, The Carlyle Hotel, January 16, 2025 What does it take to make a career in jewelry—one that spans Sex and the City, Banana Republic, QVC, and a successful independent brand? Designer Christina Caruso joins The Materialist to share her fascinating journey from Parsons to corporate fashion and back to forging her own path. We talk about:✨ A chance encounter with Patricia Field that landed her designs on Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City ✨ The highs and lows ...
Jan 31, 2025•45 min
In this episode of The Materialist , host Marc Bridge , Founder + CEO of At Present , sits down with stylist, writer, and content creator Heather Hurst ( @Pigmamiii ). Heather shares her fascinating journey from a background in public health and lab work to becoming a curator of style and self-expression. They explore the interplay between permanence and ephemerality, the evolution of personal collections, and the deeper meanings behind the things we choose to adorn ourselves with. Heather discu...
Jan 21, 2025•51 min
This week on The Materialist , Superstar publicist and New York IT Girl Gabrielle Katz takes center stage in a lively discussion with At Present Founder Marc Bridge about her journey in fashion PR, the evolving industry, and the joy of being a thoughtful materialist. As the founder of Accent Projects , Gabrielle has collaborated with some of fashion’s most iconic brands, including Oscar de la Renta , St. John , and Edie Parker . Gabby rocking the At Present : Jalil Johnson BOLD Bracelet In this ...
Dec 27, 2024•55 min
In this episode of The Materialist, host Marc Bridge , founder and CEO of At Present , interviews Alexandra Mack , the visionary founder of Holiday on Madison. Alexandra shares her journey from co-founding the jewelry brand Rebecca de Ravenel to creating a unique holiday retail experience that emphasizes discovery and curation of rare, artisan-crafted pieces. They discuss the challenges and joys of finding and spotlighting unique items, the dynamics of their respective brands, and the importance...
Dec 18, 2024•53 min
In this special live-recorded episode of The Materialist , Marc Bridge sits down with three extraordinary guests at Parcelle in NYC to delve into the artistry and meaning behind jewelry. Adam Shulman and Heidi Nahser Fink, the creative minds behind James Banks Design , share their journey of crafting pieces that tell deeply personal stories and "sing" when they’re ready to connect with the world. Editor and curator Will Kahn ( @willsnotebook ) offers his insights into the evolving world of indep...
Dec 09, 2024•42 min
In the latest episode of The Materialist , Marc Bridge sits down with Mirta de Gisbert , a jewelry consultant and gemologist whose life and work are deeply intertwined with the stories behind every piece she encounters. From her multicultural upbringing in Spain and South Africa to her deeply personal connection to family heirlooms, Mirta shares how jewelry transcends adornment to become a medium of memory, empowerment, and legacy. Highlights from the episode include: * The story behind Mirta’s ...
Dec 05, 2024•45 min
In this episode of The Materialist , Marc interviews Presley Oldham , a jewelry designer whose path to creating unique, handcrafted pieces was shaped by his creative upbringing and personal exploration.Presley shares his journey, starting with a childhood in an artistic family—his uncle a fashion designer, his father a metalsmith, and his grandmother a fine artist—and his early pursuits in performing arts. These experiences, along with the introspection brought on by the pandemic, led him to foc...
Dec 03, 2024•44 min
In this episode of The Materialist , I sit down with the remarkable Annika Inez , a jewelry designer who blends Scandinavian minimalism with evocative, sculptural design. Anika takes us through her creative journey—from her early days in Sweden, surrounded by her entrepreneurial family, to her serendipitous start in a tiny Upper East Side storefront. Along the way, she shares her philosophy of letting materials "speak," her passion for creating timeless yet surprising pieces, and her love for hi...
Nov 27, 2024•34 min
What happens when bold choices meet impeccable taste? In this episode of The Materialist, I chat with Jalil Johnson , At Present’s Stylist in Residence and a true style trailblazer. From the creation of our Bold Collection to his love for jewelry history and a little “bad taste,” Jalil shares his unique approach to self-expression and storytelling through design. Join us for a fun, inspiring conversation about fashion, risk-taking, and the joy of objects that matter. A few of Jalil’s Favorite Th...
Nov 22, 2024•46 min
On a beautiful October afternoon, Marc paid a visit to Pamela Love ’s Santa Monica, CA home to chat design, filmmaking, company building, and the joy of 2 year olds. Amidst Halloween decorations (including Frankenstein’s monster in the front yard as seen above), balloons, and lollipops, Pamela shared how her mother’s begging led to her first job in jewelry, what it’s like to see random people wearing your pieces on the subway, and how gratified she is to be having fun again at work. Above: Pamel...
Oct 30, 2024•52 min
Fashion is fleeting, style is forever. Jacqui Getz retired after 35 years as a teacher and principal in the New York City Public Schools only to launch a new career as an Instagram influencer ( @thedetailsofstyle ), personal stylist, and passionate advocate for aging stylishly. We discuss sustainable fashion, why style matters, how what you wear should change as you get older, and why the most joy as an educator comes from confronting the confusion of the middle school years. In the episode she ...
Oct 16, 2024•37 min
At Present Founder + CEO Marc Bridge (“The Materialist”) talked with style editor, jewelry aficionado, and content guru Leya Kaufman about her personal journey, the most meaningful things in her life, and the future of style media. This conversation was recorded during New York Fashion Week on 47th Street in the Diamond District, NYC. During each episode of The Materialist, our guests share some of their favorite designers, artists, and pieces. Herewith, please find some of the most interesting ...
Oct 03, 2024•45 min
Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato are the Founders of Lizzie Fortunato , one of our favorite fashion jewelry brands. These twin-sisters began creating unique jewelry in their dorm room at Duke University and the brand began officially in 2008 when Kathryn, then working as a banker at Goldman Sachs, gave sister Lizzie her $10,000 annual bonus check to launch the business.Over the last 16 years, they’ve grown from a small office on the Lower East Side into a national jewelry brand whose seasonal launch...
Sep 17, 2024•55 min
