Dress Codes & Royal Power: Inside Kensington Palace with Matthew Storey
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/silhouettespodcastThanks for listening, and stay fab everyone.Follow the podcast on Instagram @Silhouettespodcast for more updates
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43:18
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
From corsets to suits, lipstick to boots, fashion has defined culture since the dawn of time. Welcome to Silhouettes: The Fashion History Podcast all about the importance of the clothes we wear. Join your host, Belle, as we delve deep into the rich, often unexpected history of fashion, the many ways it has framed our world and how it continues to define the human experience ✨
Portugal