S2 E47 Fashion Design Student Tate Clough

Cocktails With Friends

S2 E47 Tate Clough

In this episode, host Bob Cutler sits down with Tate Clough, the youngest guest to appear on Cocktails with Friends—a 21-year-old fashion design student, kitchen team member at Birdies, and aspiring model. Their conversation blends deep respect with light-hearted banter, exploring how Tate’s calm, competent energy in the kitchen is matched by bold creativity in fashion. From cleaning up the back of house to sketching hundreds of designs for class, Tate brings thoughtfulness and ambition to every setting.

Key Topics

Fashion as Identity and Empowerment

Tate views clothing as a way to show the world who he is—mixing confidence, creativity, and comfort into a personal expression that breaks from Maine’s rural fashion norms.

The Future of Sustainable Design

From upcycled fabrics to locally sourced materials, Tate’s vision for fashion includes eco-consciousness and community-driven aesthetics, inspired by real-world experience and classroom training.

Modeling, Mentorship, and Maine Roots

Despite modeling opportunities and big-city aspirations, Tate stays grounded through his work at Birdies and the mentorship of supportive family, professors, and now even Bob Cutler himself.

Episode Index

1:04 – Tate reflects on joining the Birdies kitchen and how a smooth team dynamic makes the work flow.

4:00 – His Instagram handle (@Tate with 9 A’s) reflects his personality and love for fashion.

6:21 – Tate explains how fashion became a personal expression and why "look good, feel good" is a daily mantra.

10:34 – He walks through the design process from sketching hundreds of looks to building a full line concept.

19:03 – Bob and Tate agree: no tie is sometimes the right tie, especially if you want to feel like yourself.