Episodes

You Crazy Fool
July 31, 2020

You Crazy Fool

The Harlequin and Pierrot in Laughter and Life

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The Chiffon Trenches
July 24, 2020

The Chiffon Trenches

A Review of Andre Leon Talley’s Memoir

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Masqued Realities
July 17, 2020

Masqued Realities

The Stuart Court Masque

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Vive la Révolution: Make-up Gets Ugly
July 10, 2020

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,...

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Black Portraiture & the Getty Museum Challenge
July 3, 2020

Black Portraiture & the Getty Museum Challenge

interview with Peter Brathwaite

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Episode 46: Keep Your Distance
June 12, 2020

Episode 46: Keep Your Distance

Fashion & Fantasy After the Pandemic

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Episode 45: A Truly Splendid Spectacle
June 5, 2020

Episode 45: A Truly Splendid Spectacle

Queen Victoria’s Bal Costumé of 1842

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Episode 44: Bienvenue, Willkommen, Welcome!
May 29, 2020

Episode 44: Bienvenue, Willkommen, Welcome!

Dress: Fancy Goes to the Cabaret

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Episode 43: Hide and Seek
May 22, 2020

Episode 43: Hide and Seek

The Power & Provocation of Masks

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Episode 42: Thoroughly Modern Molly
May 15, 2020

Episode 42: Thoroughly Modern Molly

Lucy and Ben discuss the bold and beautiful, strong and soft, powerful and playful creations of Molly Goddard

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Episode 40: New Kids on the Block
May 1, 2020

Episode 40: New Kids on the Block

Exploring New York’s Club Kids

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Episode 39: Scandalous! Beaton & The Bright Young Things
April 24, 2020

Episode 39: Scandalous! Beaton & The Bright Young Things

Lucy and Ben explore the life and times of Cecil Beaton

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Episode 38: When Lucy Became Mariella
April 17, 2020

Episode 38: When Lucy Became Mariella

An interview with Ben about his new book

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Episode 37: Viva Victoria! The enduring appeal of Victoriana
Dec. 12, 2019

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

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Episode 36: Pharaohnic Fashion: Egypt, Art Deco and Costume
Dec. 5, 2019

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

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Episode 35: Playful Pageantry: Costume revelry at the Royal Opera House
Nov. 28, 2019

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 …

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Episode 34: Gender Bender: Behind the Seams with Craig Green
Nov. 21, 2019

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

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Episode 33: Sirens’ Call: The Underwater World of Mermaids & Mermen
Nov. 14, 2019

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 …

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Episode 32: Shimmer & Shine: The Pearly Kings & Queens
Nov. 7, 2019

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

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Episode 31: Little Podcast of Horror
Oct. 31, 2019

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

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Episode 30: Fancy That! Dressing Up Comes of Age
Oct. 3, 2019

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

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Episode 29: Still Standing: The Costumes and Curation of Elton John
Aug. 9, 2019

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

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Episode 28: Into the Pleasure Garden - The RA Summer Show Lates Event
July 29, 2019

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

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