Episodes
Vive la Révolution: Make-up Gets Ugly
In this week’s episode, Ben and Lucy are taking their diamanté magnifying glass to the face itself, and thinking about a new fashion coinage: Ugly Make-up, or Brutalist Make-up. Reflecting on the origins and motivations of this creative,...
Black Portraiture & the Getty Museum Challenge
interview with Peter Brathwaite
Episode 42: Thoroughly Modern Molly
Lucy and Ben discuss the bold and beautiful, strong and soft, powerful and playful creations of Molly Goddard
Episode 39: Scandalous! Beaton & The Bright Young Things
Lucy and Ben explore the life and times of Cecil Beaton
Episode 38: When Lucy Became Mariella
An interview with Ben about his new book
Episode 37: Viva Victoria! The enduring appeal of Victoriana
In a suitably festive episode, Lucy & Ben consider a form of cultural expression that’s ever relevant: Victoriana. From the costumes of Queen Victoria, via the bravura public readings of Charles Dickins, to a contemporary interpretation of the ‘Victor
Episode 36: Pharaohnic Fashion: Egypt, Art Deco and Costume
Lucy talks with Egyptologists Dr Colleen Darnell and Professor John Darnell (@vintage_egyptologist) to reflect on the enduring cultural and sartorial appeal of the land and history of Tutankhamen. From rampant consumerism to studied attention to detail, t
Episode 35: Playful Pageantry: Costume revelry at the Royal Opera Hou…
Every year from the late-nineteenth century Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House opened its doors for a night of costumed revelry. Urbanites from all social levels dressed up and vied for some very special prizes, from grand pianos to bicycles. Lucy …
Episode 34: Gender Bender: Behind the Seams with Craig Green
Gender Bender: Behind the Seams with Craig Green. In this week’s episode, Lucy and Ben begin a new mini-series that looks in-depth at the work of fashion designers whose clothing engages with themes we regularly explore through costume; chiefly identity
Episode 33: Sirens’ Call: The Underwater World of Mermaids & Mermen
Dress: Fancy has yet to venture off-shore: until now. In this week’s aquatic-themed episode, Lucy introduces Ben to the complex and beautiful world of the merpeople, a diverse community who dress as mermaids and mermen to seek personal and communal …
Episode 32: Shimmer & Shine: The Pearly Kings & Queens
London has many august traditions, but few are as beautiful, striking and good-natured as that of the Pearly Kings and Queens. Exploring the origins of the Pearlies, the meaning of their highly detailed, sparkly garments, Dress:Fancy were invited to atten
Episode 31: Little Podcast of Horror
Little Podcast of Horror: Season Six commences on the year’s biggest day for fancy dress: Halloween! Always looking to raise the costume stakes, Lucy and Ben consider costume inspiration from some unlikely sources, including the Pre-Raphaelites, Audrey
Episode 30: Fancy That! Dressing Up Comes of Age
In this indulgent, nostalgic birthday episode, Lucy & Ben review a year’s worth of super-niche, sequinned dressing up stories. Talking about the podcast’s origins, they revisit their favourite episodes and re-live their most exciting excursions. The s
Episode 29: Still Standing: The Costumes and Curation of Elton John
In an especially glittering episode, Lucy and Ben discuss the costumes (off stage and on) of the inimitable Rocket Man, Elton John. Reviewing the Star’s sartorial choices decade-by-decade, and comparing them to Julian Day’s interpretations in the rece
Episode 28: Into the Pleasure Garden - The RA Summer Show Lates Event
Getting into the summer spirit in central London, Lucy and Ben re-join the Royal Academy for another Lates costumed extravaganza. Talking with revellers, hosting the Georgian Moonlit Promenade and, most importantly, bestowing rosettes on the very best of