Katie Rodgers—formerly known as Paper Fashion—joins Dina for a rich conversation about creative evolution, digital beginnings, and the ongoing dance between art, audience, and authenticity. From posting fashion illustrations on WordPress to collaborating with brands like Coach and Christian Louboutin, Katie was an early pioneer of the art on Instagram movement.

Now based in Santa Fe, she shares how stepping away from social media—and New York City—helped her reconnect with herself and her work. Together, they explore the changing nature of brand partnerships, the artist-gallery dynamic in a post-Instagram world, and why Katie believes fear is often a compass for growth.

In this episode, Katie and Dina discuss:

• Katie’s digital origin story and the rise of Paper Fashion
• Early brand collaborations and navigating partnerships without a playbook
• Why she walked away from New York—and social media
• The tension between commercial work and personal expression
• How artists can use AI as a creative tool (without losing their soul)
• Advice for emerging artists and for marketers working with creatives

Whether you're a founder, marketer, or artist rethinking your next chapter, this conversation will leave you inspired to embrace change—and trust your gut.

Discover Katie's work here

Follow Katie on Instagram: @katierodgers

Recommended by Katie in this episode: Ignasi, Jenny Walton

About Origins of Influence

Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before Instagram influencers and TikTok trends, there was Tumblr — and few creators used it more brilliantly than John Jannuzzi. In this episode of Origins of Influence, Dina Fierro is joined by writer and creative director John Jannuzzi to explore the wild, weird, and wonderful internet of the late aughts and early 2010s.

John reflects on his digital beginnings with Textbook, a Tumblr blog that reimagined fictional characters in Fashion Week looks, and To My Wife, the viral romance Tumblr that earned him internet fame, a scathing Jezebel feature, and (almost) a TV deal. He and Dina also revisit the heyday of Fashion Twitter, the genius of the Lucky Style Collective, and the chaotic truth behind the infamous Condé Elevator saga.

Today, John continues to straddle the creative and strategic worlds with his Substack, Browser History, and a varied career that spans creative direction, editorial, graphic design and yes, cookies. This episode is a nostalgic deep dive for anyone who ever reblogged a runway image or live tweeted from the front row.

📸 Instagram: @johnjannuzzi

Recommended by John: Christine McConnell, Collectable Cities

About Origins of Influence

Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Origins of Influence, Dina Fierro sits down with Jennine Jacob—fashion blogging pioneer, personal stylist, and founder of the Iconic Style Studio.

Jennine takes us on a journey from her early days launching The Coveted, one of the first fashion blogs, to founding Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB)—a groundbreaking community that empowered creators long before the term “influencer” entered the mainstream. With raw honesty and refreshing humor, Jennine shares what it was like to build a digital empire, why she left it all behind, and how a single decision at a thrift store rekindled her creativity and visibility.

Today, Jennine helps women—especially those in midlife—reclaim their style, confidence, and voice through personal styling and her vibrant online community. We talk about social media sabbaticals, the power of dressing for yourself, and building a values-aligned business in a consumption-driven culture.

What we cover:

• Jennine’s accidental entry into the blogosphere (and her first fashion-related internet query!)
• Founding IFB and the early economics of fashion blogging
• Why she stepped away from Instagram—and what brought her back
• Rebuilding visibility through short-form video and sustainable styling
• The personal transformation power of style
• What women in midlife really need when it comes to fashion and self-expression
• Why she launched Closet Philosophy, her new podcast for stylish, pro-aging women

✨ Whether you're a longtime fashion nerd or a woman seeking to feel seen, this episode is a must-listen.

Follow Jennine:

📸 Instagram: @jennine.jacob

🎵 TikTok: @jenninejacob

🎧 Podcast: Closet Philosophy

Recommended by Jennine: @ElysiaBerman, @TheSilverLining_1970

About Origins of Influence

Hosted by longtime fashion and beauty marketer Dina Fierro, Origins of Influence is a limited series exploring the past, present and future of the creator economy through intimate conversations with pioneering influencers, creators and founders. From the days of LiveJournal and Tumblr to the dawn of Instagram, each episode revisits the platforms, posts, and pivotal moments that shaped digital culture — long before the algorithm. New episodes drop weekly. Show notes and exclusive content on Substack.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.