The Materialist : A Podcast from At Present

On Instagram, it looks effortless: the infinity pools in the Maldives, the safari sunsets in South Africa, the couture fit checks against a perfect backdrop. Laura and Nicolas Herbert — known to their hundreds of thousands of followers as @laurandnicolas — seem to embody the ultimate lifestyle: global travel, editorial style, and a business powered by beauty.

But as Laura reveals in this week’s episode of The Materialist, the dream is much more complicated.

From Antwerp to Everywhere

Laura began her career in Antwerp’s fashion world. But a six-month trip with Nicolas — meant as a sabba...

This week on The Materialist, I’m joined by Tiffany Lopinsky — co-founder and president of ShopMy, the platform quietly powering your favorite creators.

We cover a lot of ground: the evolution of influencer marketing, why affiliate and subscription revenue might just save the creator economy, and what it takes to build something useful, without a playbook.

Tiffany speaks with the clarity of someone who’s seen behind the curtain — first as a content creator herself (shout out to Boston Foodies), and now as the operator behind a platform with 175,000 creators and 30,000 brands.

“There’s no playboo...

Victoria Gomelsky and Marc Bridge Live from the Fabulous Venetian Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.

Welcome back to The Materialist. I recorded this special episode live from the jewelry shows in Las Vegas—the annual gathering point for the industry’s global village. Fittingly, I sat down with Victoria Gomelsky, Editor-in-Chief of JCK Magazine, contributor to The New York Times, and one of the most thoughtful chroniclers of the jewelry world for over two decades.

Victoria and I talked about what keeps her coming back to JCK after 23 years, why jewelry is still a face-to-face busi...

What do you get when a journalism grad, Dallas native, and self-described jewelry “nepo baby” builds a piercing empire in the middle of a pandemic? You get Wildlike—a brand that’s as much about identity, memory, and reinvention as it is about sparkle.

This week on The Materialist, I sit down with my friend Alysa Teichman—co-owner of Ylang 23 and founder of Wildlike—to talk about the deeply personal reasons people get pierced (divorce, fertility, “hot girl summer”), the role jewelry plays in our emotional lives, and what it means to grow up inside a family business and the...

This week on The Materialist, I sit down with milliner and creative force Gigi Burris, founder of Gigi Burris Millinery and the nonprofit Closely Crafted, which champions artisanal production in the U.S.

We talk about how Gigi went from sewing hats as a Parsons student to dressing Rihanna and being a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist—while keeping her studio (and her soft-coated Wheaten Terrier shipping manager, Brooklyn Bow) right in the heart of Chinatown. She shares what it means to build a niche brand in an age of sameness, the surprisingly diverse world of hat-wearers, an...

Marc Bridge and Sophie Cohen (@stylewithsoco), The Hotel Chelsea, May 21, 2025

In today’s episode of The Materialist, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sophie Cohen, a fashion influencer whose authenticity and vibrant style have garnered a dedicated following across social media. Sophie’s journey from high school style page to full-time influencer is both inspiring and eye-opening, offering a unique behind-the-scenes look into the evolving business of influencer marketing. Here's a recap of some of the best parts of our conversation.

The Power of Authenticity in Fashion

Sophie has always believed that fash...

What does it mean to make something lasting in a world built for speed? In this episode of The Materialist, I sit down with Sam Broekema, Editor in Chief of Only Natural Diamonds, to talk about permanence, disruption, and the enduring power of jewelry.

Sam shares his journey from a small town in Wisconsin to the fashion departments of Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and InStyle, where he honed his editorial vision. Now, at Only Natural Diamonds, he’s building a platform that champions storytelling over sales — and elevates diamonds not just as luxury goods, but as cultur...

Cassie Thorpe doesn’t just talk about luxury fashion—she makes you feel why it matters. In our latest episode of The Materialist, the undisputed queen of Tiny Bag Energy joins me to unpack the emotional logic behind the circus of style. Cassie is incisive, hilarious, and uncommonly generous about the things that spark obsession: Alexander McQueen blazers, vintage Chanel rings, and bags shaped like plastic pigeons (cheers to you JW Anderson).

We talk about what it means to curate a personal archive—and why her “love hand” (yes, that’s a thing) features not only her engagement r...

Every so often, a guest joins The Materialist who manages to collapse categories: intellect and indulgence, strategy and sparkle, Prada and Gramsci. This week, that guest is Tariro Makoni.

Tariro is a strategist, writer, and the voice behind Trademarked, one of the smartest (and funniest) Substacks on the internet. She writes about fashion, politics, and consumer behavior with such clarity and candor that you’ll never look at a sweater—or a tariff—the same way again.

In our conversation, we dig into:

* The emotional logic of “frivolous” purchases

* Why women drive 85...

This week on The Materialist, I had the joy of sitting down with Colin Keane Lynch, the artist and jeweler behind Keane. His work has been part of At Present’s assortment for years, but this conversation offered the time to slow down, zoom out, and ask how meaning is made—through hands, history, and a thousand degrees of heat.

Colin’s pieces are hand-formed from glass in his Brooklyn Navy Yard studio—each one made by him, start to finish. But as we talked, it became clear that the true through-line in his work isn’t just craft...

“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 editorial fashion translates into real-world dressing. Our conversation spans the California wellness scene ($18 smoothies!), the art of finding...

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 traditional notions of “forever.”

* Why “quiet luxury” is replacing flashy status symbols, and what this means for the futu...

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. Premium – Why a $20,000 handbag performs the same function as a $1,000...

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 serves as both personal expression and historical artifact.

She highlights the work of designers past an...

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 of the corporate fashion machine—and what it taught her about scaling a busine...

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 discusses her passion for collecting—from vintage clothing and jewelry to unexpected treasures found at estate sales and auctions. She highlights so...

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 episode, Gabrielle reflects on her early love of fashion, inspired by family legacies an...

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 of intentional shopping.

Alexandra provides insights into her curatorial process, her inspirations, and the special allure of Holiday on...

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 independent jewelry and the enduring allure of pieces that transcend trends.

Together, the group explores why jewelry ma...

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 most treasured piece—a Himba bracelet made of PVC. (Below in white)

* How her fath...

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 focus on jewelry, a tangible art form that resonates deeply with him.Presley discusses launching his jewelry business in 2020, emphasizing the importance of u...

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 hidden details that evoke emotion and delight.

But this episode isn’t just about Annika—it’s also about the artists...

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 Things:

Jalil Johnson : At Present BOLD Ring (The Jalil-tastic gold one)

EliorRen...

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: Pamela’s talismanic eye. She made this for herself as...

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 mentions loving sustainable fashion brands:

Naomi Nomi

Christine...

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 references from our episode with Leya Kaufman.

Leya Kaufman (@kaufmom) with Marc Bridge (@marcbridge).

St...

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 launches are anticipated by jewelry lovers everywhere.