Fern Mallis – aka “fashion’s godmother” – is a legend in the industry. She’s the founder of New York Fashion Week and the former executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Over decades working behind the scenes, Fern has seen it all – from disasters, to demanding personalities, to less-than-friendly behavior. So it makes sense that Fern told us her best piece of career advice is refreshingly simple: Just be nice. Your move, Miranda Priestly. 

In this episode, Fern shares: 

Her behind-the-scenes look into the fashion world 

The origin story of Fashion Week 

How she’s thought about reinventing herself and her career

Why she’s never stuck to a career plan 

How she got her biggest opportunities by raising her hand 

Psst: Need a movie rec? Catch “Scrambled,” at a theater near you starting February 2nd. Rated R, under 17 not admitted without parent.