Welcome to our very first episode as we delve into the state of postwar Germany, its manifestations in fashion & the origins of the German Democratic Republic’s clothing industry.

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Welcome to the East German Fashion History Podcast. This is an English-speaking podcast dedicated to better understanding the fashion culture of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1949 through 1990.

Tune in every Tuesday where we’ll do a chronological deep dive into the canons of the GDR from iconic fashion publications like Sibylle, to the Dior of the DDR, Heinz Bormann and the often brooding glamor of its tastemakers & photographers like Arno Fischer, Sven Marquardt and Dorothea Melis.

We will also explore the storied aspirations and harsh realities of East German fashion retail and the need for a strong DIY culture. Another, critical component is looking at punk & counterculture movements like the CCD (chic,charmant und dauerhaft).

Above all else, this podcast is about sharing research & resources to build a good foundation for understanding German Democratic Republic through fashion, textiles, dress & style.