Silhouettes: The Fashion History Podcast

Step into the suburbs and discover a side of fashion history you might not expect. In this episode we explore Kingston Glamour: Art, Innovation and the Suburbs, the exhibition that explores how Kingston became a hub of style, nightlife, and cultural innovation.

I'm joined by the curator from Kingston Museum to discuss the town's glamorous past, from late-night cabaret and race cars to Mary Quant at Bentalls and the rise of the local cosmetics industry. We also delve into the iconic Ace of Spades Roadhouse and uncover how suburban towns like Kingston played a powerful role in shaping and sharing fashion trends.

Join us in the suburbs to talk all things Kingston Glamour, and discover why fashion history isn't just a city story-it happens everywhere style and culture thrive.

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Wood, Museum Officer at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, where she has spent the last six years developing the museum’s learning programme, leading events, and working closely with the collection.

Jane Austen’s House is an ACE-accredited museum set within the very home where Austen lived, revised, and wrote her most beloved novels. It’s a treasured literary site — the only house Austen lived and worked in that is open to the public — and it holds an extraordinary collection of objects connected to her life, including letters, jewellary and surviving items of clothing and fashion.

With Rebecca’s deep expertise and years of hands-on experience at Jane Austen’s House, this episode offers a rich, insightful, and warm journey into the world of Regency fashion, the Austen family, and the objects they left behind.

In this special episode, we step behind into the cinematic world of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich-the UK's most filmed heritage site and backdrop to iconic productions like Bridgerton, The Crown, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Les Misérables to talk about their fantastic films tour; Wigs, Weddings, Powder and Palaces!

Joining us is Jonathan Coote, actor, writer, director, and the creative force behind the new film-themed tour marking 100 Years of Filmmaking at the College. With his deep knowledge of the site, Jonathan shares fascinating stories and insider insights into why this location, and the fashion we see on screen, continues to dazzle directors and audiences alike!

Plus, Jonathan reflects on the evolution of filming at the College over the past century and offers a sneak peek at upcoming centenary events.

Whether you're a film fanatic, history buff, or just love a good behind-the-scenes tale, this episode is a front-row ticket to the glamour, gossip, and grandeur of one of Britain's most beloved film locations.

Find out more at the Old Royal Naval College Website

Cosprop is one of the world's leading costume houses, known for supplying beautifully researched and constructed period dress for film, television, and theatre productions. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Sage Foley, Assistant Curator of the John Bright Collection at Cosprop.

Originally from Colorado, Sage has worked in costume for over a decade across stage and screen. Now based in London, she combines curatorial work with her background in design and her academic training in Dress and Textile History from the University of Glasgow.

We talk about what it means to dress history for performance, how Cosprop supports the visual storytelling of historical drama, and the fascinating challenges of curating a costume collection that is both archival and actively in use.

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In today's episode I am very excited to be joined by Grace Timothy to chat all things Goodwood Revival!

Grace is the Revive & Thrive Brand Lead at Goodwood. She curates the fashion talks and craft workshops at Goodwood Revival, the immersive celebration of classic motorsport and vintage fashion held at the Goodwood Motor Circuit every September. ‘Revive & Thrive’ is the thoroughly modern message woven through the Revival landscape, inspiring creative ways to rethink, repair and re-wear.  We talk all about sustainability in vintage fashion, the spirit of the revival and its relationship with fashion and how to acquire and curate the perfect vintage, mid century look! Rethink, Repair and Re-wear!

Tickets to Goodwood Revival 2025 are available here

In this episode, I am joined by Elizabeth The Thirsty - a drag queen historian who brings together two of her biggest passions: history and drag. Her work focuses on the Tudors, queer history, and especially fashion history - exploring how what we wear tells stories about identity, power, and culture across time.

Elizabeth creates engaging educational content online and brings that same passion to the stage, where she performs pop songs with a historical twist. We talk about how she uses fashion history in her work, the role of costume in drag and performance, and what it means to make history accessible through creativity.

We also talk about her upcoming live show Off with Her Headpiece!, happening on Friday 25th July from 7:30 to 9pm at Pride Hub Egham. Tickets are £5, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Terrence Higgins Trust. You can get yours via the Linktree in her bio or on the Pride Hub website.

If you're interested in the intersection of fashion, performance, and the past — this one's for you.

Thanks for listening and stay fab x

In this episode of Silhouettes, join me for a live and in-person tour of Kensington Palace's stunning new exhibition, Dress Codes, guided by Head Curator Matthew Storey.

Together, we explore the fascinating world of royal dress - its hidden rules, coded meanings, and the powerful expectations placed on those who dressed for court. Discover how fashion both reinforced hierarchy and offered moments of rebellion, navigating the delicate balance between conformity and self-expression in the royal spotlight.

Join the Behind The Seams community to support the podcast and access bonus content: ⁠www.patreon.com/silhouettespodcast⁠

Thanks for listening, and stay fab everyone.

Follow the podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠ @Silhouettespodcast for more updates

In this episode, I am joined by Matthew Storey, curator of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Historic Royal Palaces, to discuss the upcoming Dress Codes exhibition at Kensington Palace, opening March 13th, 2025.

Matthew takes us behind the scenes of the exhibition, sharing the inspiration, research process, and challenges of curating royal fashion spanning 500 years. From rare garments worn by figures like Princess Diana and Queen Victoria to the collaboration with the Young Producers, this episode offers an exclusive look at the fascinating world of royal attire.

This is part one in a two part series, tune in for a sneak peek of what’s to come at Dress Codes - a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in the intersection between fashion and daily life!

Join the Behind The Seams family to support the podcast and access bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/silhouettespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks for listening, and stay fab everyone.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Silhouettespodcast for more updates

In today's episode I'm joined by Joanne Fenn, Professor and Collections Manager/Museum Registrar at the Kent State University Museum about their latest exhibition The Hepburn Style: Katharine and her designers

The exhibition is on view through September 28, 2025 (extended from May 25). The exhibition contains over 70 garments, lobby cards, and photographs and features the work of three costume designers (Valentina, Adrian and Irene) who worked with Katharine Hepburn on stage and in the film industry. In addition, the exhibition exhibits ensembles worn by Hepburn at home, including negligees, several pant ensembles, and the swimsuit she wore for winter swims in the Sound by her Fenwick, Connecticut home. Overall, the exhibition allows the viewer to see the continuity of Hepburn’s famous style both on and off screen.

Join the Behind The Seams family to support the podcast and access bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/silhouettespodcast⁠⁠⁠

Thanks for listening, and stay fab everyone.

Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ @Silhouettespodcast for more updates