By Giulia Piceni. Cover images Grezzo by Unrefined Creative Studio.
When I first heard about this new project, I thought it was the most anachronistic idea ever. Launching a podcast in 2025? The more obvious move would be to start a TikTok account, a space to roast, review, and react to the latest shows and collaborations with that signature bitchy flair of someone who knows everything and therefore feels entitled to judge everything.
But GREZZO takes the opposite route. It rejects the algorithm-based paradigm in favour of something slower and more human. Its tone is conversational and peer to peer, free from hierarchies, guided instead by a genuine desire to discover and grow together. In the most unfiltered and unhinged way possible, it gives space to intrusive thoughts, second guesses, opinions, and uncertainties: all the messy, brilliant stuff that defines your twenties, a decade to experiment, to explore, and to throw yourself into adventures that might just change everything forever.
Why We Started GREZZO, a Fashion Podcast for Gen Z
How did the idea for Grezzo come about, and what inspired you to start a fashion-focused podcast?
The idea for GREZZO came about almost a year ago, in February 2024. Elisa and I were already working together at our creative and production agency, Unrefined Studio, but we wanted to take things a step further — to create something parallel yet different. At that time, podcasts and YouTube formats were starting to grow again in Italy, though they were still few compared to today.
We realized that, unlike quick TikTok-style content, producing something long-form and meaningful could truly reflect who we are and how we work. What began as a simple idea slowly took shape. Everything seemed to align — we met the right editor, found the perfect location, and started developing the creative direction.
Naturally, we decided to talk about what we love most: fashion, art, and contemporary culture. Then came the big leap — hosting it ourselves. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. We’ve always been the “bad Tuscans” who speak their minds, and that’s when we understood our strength: turning our raw, unpolished way of speaking into our identity.
Instead of trying to sound glossy or exclusive, especially in the fashion world, we wanted to be open and relatable — to talk to everyone and explain this world in our own way. And that’s exactly how GREZZO was born: raw, honest, and 100% us.
The Creative and Technical Skills Behind GREZZO
How did your education prepare you for creating a fashion podcast? Which skills from school helped you the most?
We can definitely say that Istituto Marangoni Firenze was fundamental in allowing us to produce such a large project independently. After graduating, we realized what truly sets Marangoni apart from other schools: it doesn’t just teach you to think, it teaches you to do. The school gave us all the tools to take on big projects that might otherwise have felt out of reach. Marangoni teaches you to build, to persevere, and to think big.Our degree in Fashion Styling and Creative Direction was key. We learned how to research, communicate through images, and produce shoots, campaigns, and videos — all the foundations of GREZZO. Without those skills, we would never have been able to bring the project to life, especially not exactly the way we envisioned it.
Picking Podcast Topics That Actually Speak to Gen Z
How do you decide which topics to cover? Is there a particular “filter” you apply to ensure the content resonates with Gen-Z listeners?
Elisa and I choose the topics together, based on what interests us most and what we feel could spark meaningful conversations; something that teaches a bit more, or opens up parallel, often current, discussions. There’s no real filter, but we do try to bring some order to the two hundred ideas we’ve listed so far.
We like to find a balance between more technical subjects — for listeners already into fashion — and lighter, catchier topics that can attract a wider audience.
How do you balance fashion trends with deeper insights or cultural commentary in your episodes?
For us, fashion is never just about trends, it’s a reflection of culture, society, and identity.
When we choose a topic, we always start from something current or visual, but we use it as an entry point to dig deeper. A new trend, a designer, or even a viral moment can become a way to talk about bigger ideas: how people express themselves, how the industry communicates, or how culture is evolving. We like to mix the immediacy of fashion with slower, more reflective conversations. That balance keeps GREZZO authentic — it’s not about chasing trends, but about understanding what they say about the world we live in.
Podcast Storytelling vs. Social Media: What Makes GREZZO Unique
Do you approach storytelling differently for podcasting compared to social media or fashion magazines?
Absolutely. Storytelling in podcasting is completely different from how we communicate on social media or in fashion magazines. Those platforms rely on visuals — everything has to be immediate, polished, and carefully curated. You have only a few seconds or lines to capture attention, so it’s often about image over process.
With GREZZO, we do the opposite. The podcast lets us slow down and really talk. It’s not about a perfect result; it’s about the story behind it — the thoughts, doubts, and real experiences that shape what we do. That’s why we want GREZZO to be relatable, honest, and true.
In podcasting, we can be ourselves: make mistakes, laugh, disagree — and that becomes part of the storytelling. It feels intimate, like inviting listeners into our world rather than presenting something from afar. Fashion, art, and culture are starting points, but through conversation we explore how they connect to real life, emotions, and society.
So yes, the narrative changes completely. It’s less about presenting and more about sharing. That honesty and rawness is what makes GREZZO different from other spaces we create in.
Keeping Listeners Engaged in a TikTok Era
How do you keep listeners engaged with longer podcasts in a TikTok-driven world?
It’s true — attention spans seem shorter than ever, especially with TikTok and other fast-content platforms. But that’s exactly what makes podcasts valuable right now. People are exhausted by content that disappears in seconds and are seeking slower, more intentional storytelling that connects on a deeper level.
The podcast medium allows space for depth, reflection, and emotion. It’s not about chasing algorithms; it’s about creating dialogue and sharing something real. Engagement doesn’t come from being short and snappy, but from being authentic. When you speak honestly and show your true personality, people listen — whether it’s for 30 seconds or 30 minutes.
We see GREZZO as a space that’s raw, open, and human. We don’t just want to entertain; we want to build a real connection with listeners. Younger audiences are starting to crave that again — content that takes time, feels genuine, and lets them relate to the voice behind it. The podcast world may evolve in format, but its essence — creating real connection through storytelling — is more valued than ever.
As fashion stylists, how does your professional work influence the podcast, and vice versa? Does the podcast let you experiment creatively in ways styling doesn’t?
Our work as fashion stylists and the podcast are deeply connected and constantly feed into each other.
Styling teaches us to think visually — how to communicate ideas or feelings through images, textures, and moods. That mindset naturally translates to GREZZO: even as an audio format, we approach each episode with a sense of visual storytelling, focusing on how it feels, not just what it says.
At the same time, the podcast gives us a freedom that styling often doesn’t. Fashion projects come with limits — clients, briefs, brand directions — while GREZZO is entirely ours. It’s a space to experiment, be spontaneous, and explore ideas that might not fit in traditional creative work. We can be open, ironic, messy, emotional, and that freedom often recharges our creativity for styling projects.
The podcast has become a creative lab. It’s where we test concepts, words, and emotions before translating them into visual form. That exchange — between image and voice, styling and conversation — keeps both sides of our work alive and evolving.
Where do you see Grezzo heading in the next few years? Are there new formats, collaborations, or platforms you are considering?
We’d love to experiment with new formats, like interviews, live sessions, or even collaborations with artists and brands that share our mindset.
At the same time, we don’t want to force the process. Grezzo has always been about authenticity and instinct, so we’re letting things unfold naturally. We want to keep that freedom, to play, to test, to grow organically.
So yes, there are a lot of ideas bubbling up, but for now we’re just enjoying this first chapter and the energy that’s coming with it. The rest will follow, step by step.
Advice for Aspiring Fashion Podcasters and Creators
If a young aspiring fashion podcaster wanted to follow your path, what advice would you give about starting and sustaining a successful podcast?
The first thing we’d say is: just start.
It’s easy to overthink, wait for the “perfect moment,” or compare yourself to others, but momentum comes from doing. You don’t need all the tools, connections, or a fully polished idea — you need curiosity, commitment, and your own voice.
Second, be authentic. Don’t try to imitate trends or chase what’s popular. The strength of a podcast, especially in fashion and culture, is your perspective — how you see the world, what excites you, what makes you laugh or think. That honesty is what engages listeners and keeps them coming back.
Also, remember it’s a long-term project. Growth won’t happen overnight, and sustaining a podcast requires patience, experimentation, and a willingness to learn as you go. Treat it as a creative lab: try formats, test topics, fail, adjust, and evolve.
Finally, bring your full creative self. GREZZO works because we combine research, styling, creative direction, and storytelling. Whatever your background, let all your skills inform your podcast. That’s how your work will feel rich, layered, and uniquely yours.
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Elisa Cresci is an Alumna in Bachelor in Fashion Styling & Creative Direction at Istituto Marangoni Firenze.
Elena Murratzu is an Alumna in Bachelor in Fashion Styling & Creative Direction at Istituto Marangoni Firenze
