Textory - The Podcast

Black powder, dogs walking on hind legs and flying women - what was going on in Guernsey in the 17th century? In this episode we’re reading confessions of three women accused of witchcraft on the island - and, sadly, convicted.

Who was classic Hollywood’s favourite starlet and who was generally disliked? Which star cut her own dress before the film shoot? Did Ginger Rogers have no interest in fashion? Was Rita Hayworth actually shy? In this episode we’re reading first-hand tea from the Golden Era of Hollywood as described by Orry-Kelly, one of the industry’s most prominent costume designers.

In this episode we dive into the written works of Marilyn Monroe. Hollywood’s most famous blonde was also an occasional poetress, and her intimate writings reveal a person who was both complex and self-aware.

Is fashion the root of all evil? According to Philip Stubbes, a late 16th/early 17th century pamphleteer, it sure is! In today’s episode we’re reading his thoughts on fashion of the late 16th century that he described in “Anatomy of Abuses”.

What would you do if you had to live in a windowless, rotting room 45 sq ft (4m2) big with your spouse and three sick children? In this episode we're exploring the 19th century gutters of Edinburgh's Old Town, as described by a badass Victorian traveler Isabella Bird.

Are Americans intelligent? Back in 1895, this was the question a visiting Chinese diplomat asked himself attending a dinner party. Let's dive into this "Metropolitan Magazine" article and find out his thoughts on things such as the American storytelling, sense of humour and the American tipping culture!

Looking for a way to battle the heat? Fridtjof Nansen's diaries from his North Pole expedition might help you cool down! In 1893, Nansen and his crew took off on a small ship that was supposed to withstand the main problem of polar explorers at the time - getting viciously crushed by the ice. Listen to find out whether they succeeded!

What was the fashion industry like in 1920s Paris? What did fashion "sketchers" do and why was it a morally grey job? Which fashion houses were allowed free samples from fabric manufacturers, and which designers went bankrupt? Find out in this episode from writings by a fashion designer's Elizabeth Hawes.

Early 20th century Kansas saw a peculiar case of a Native American woman illegally occupying a burial ground. And not just any woman – Lyda B. Conley was a lawyer and frankly, a total badass. In this episode we’re reading a 1910 article about her and her sister's legal (and physical!) battle that ended up at the Supreme Court.

(sorry, no video this time!)

When cycling first became popular, the very participation of women in the sport was a topic of a public debate. But what about the women that made the decision to participate? In this episode we're reading tips and trick for female cyclists straight from 1896.