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.

description