Silhouettes: The Fashion History Podcast

• Royal Fashion Unveiled: The Making of ‘Dress Codes'

  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/silhouettespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Thanks for listening, and stay fab everyone.Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Silhouettespodcast for more updates

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• The Hepburn Style: Katharine and Her Designers

  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 designersThe 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/silhouettespodcast⁠⁠⁠Thanks for listening, and stay fab everyone.Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ @Silhouettespodcast for more updates

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• The Truth Behind Colour in Victorian Fashion

  In this episode, we explore the transformative role of color in Victorian fashion, uncovering how it not only shaped trends but also challenged societal norms. We’ll dive into the fascinating story of mauveine, the synthetic dye that revolutionized the fashion industry. But it’s not just about the technical side—join us as we break down common misconceptions about color in the Victorian era, explore how color influenced everything from class identity to social status, and examine how it became a key marker of emotion and morality. Discover how the rise of vibrant hues in fashion was intertwined with cultural shifts and technological advances, and how color grew in popularity to become an essential element of self-expression. Tune in to learn why the Victorians’ obsession with color still resonates in modern fashion today.Join the Behind The Seams family to support the podcast and access bonus content: ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/silhouettespodcast⁠⁠Thanks for listening, and stay fab everyone.Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ @Silhouettespodcast for more updates

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• The Origins of Cottagecore

  In this episode, join me to explore the fascinating origins of the Cottagecore aesthetic! Come with me to connect the dots between the historical past and the modern-day Cottagecore movement, touching on the rise of floral prints, country living, and Laura Ashley’s iconic designs. Whether you’re a fan of vintage style or curious about history’s influence on today’s trends, this episode uncovers the hidden stories behind a timeless aesthetic, by tracing its roots back to 18th-century France, where it was popularised by none other than Marie Antoinette, to exploring the history of aprons as both functional and fashionable garments in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tune in for a whimsical, historical exploration of fashion, culture, and the allure of the simple 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

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• Tales of Textiles: Fashion within The Royal School of Needlework collection

  Join me and Dr.Isabella Rosner, embroidery historian and curator of the Royal School of Needlework, to discuss their brand new exhibition "Tales of Textiles". This new intimate exhibition, Tales of Textiles: The RSN Collection in Focus highlights the life of key pieces from the Royal School of Needlework’s Collection & Archive with a focus on English embroidery. Objects on display span three centuries and tell a story of wear and use, protection and care, tradition and innovation, and stitchers domestic and professional. Exhibits include a fragile embroidered mirror frame dated 1653, a Georgian man’s waistcoat, and a late 19th century Royal School of Needlework-designed cushion cover. The exhibition takes place in one of our Embroidery Studios at Hampton Court Palace and will run from 25 September 2024 to June 2025.  Isabella offers her insights into the curation process of the exhibition, and we also discuss the exciting work that we have undertaken together to research, and catalog, much of the amazing fashion and costume held within the collection, and available to see on display at this extinction. Link to purchase a ticket and a private tour, are available here- https://royal-needlework.org.uk/events-exhibitions/tales-of-textiles-the-rsn-collection-in-focus/ https://royal-needlework.org.uk/product/tales-of-textiles-talk-private-view/ https://royal-needlework.org.uk/archive-collection/

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