Whether you’re a fashion student, an experienced professional, or just want to take your fashion knowledge to the next level, podcasts are a great way to stay on top of current industry happenings and gain more knowledge in the field. Ink Magazine has selected four podcasts that talk about fashion’s past and present, and provide perspectives from many different backgrounds and areas of fashion. Give yourself a leg-up in the industry by learning how fashion history informs trends today, how Haute Couture began, and what makes up “the American look.” Make the most of your downtime by listening to these essential podcasts on Spotify, Stitcher, or Apple Music — all linked below.
The Cutting Room Floor
Designer, Recho Omondi, is a breath of fresh air on her podcast, The Cutting Room Floor. Launched in May 2018, she discusses the industry from the perspective of a young Black designer and business owner. Omondi’s voice comes from a place of honesty, authenticity, and passion. Though a designer herself, she tackles all sectors within the industry, often addressing diversity issues as well as working your way around the establishment. Her guests have included industry insiders like Marc Jacobs’ Director of Special Projects, Ava Nope, and Celebrity Stylist, Matthew Henson. Omondi asks questions from an industry outlier point of view, making The Cutting Room Floor the perfect podcast for aspiring fashion students, and frankly, anybody interested in entering the industry.
Unravel: A Fashion Podcast
Fashion nerds rejoice! If you’re looking to learn more about fashion history, or current issues and theory, this is the podcast for you. Unravel hosts, Jasmine, Dana, and Joy wanted to educate others about the importance of fashion history and help solidify the field as a serious subject of study. Highlights include necessary conversations about appropriation, and an episode on zoot suits, and pachuco(a)s with J.C. De Luna of Barrio Dandy. Some outstanding series the hosts take on are “Women in Pants,” “Minimalism in Fashion,” and “Fashion Under Fascism.” Prioritizing marginalized and underrepresented communities, Unravel: A Fashion Podcast does an excellent job of telling the stories of Black, native, queer, and feminist fashion history.
Dressed
Hosted by fashion historians, April Calahan and Cassidy Zachary, Dressed often coincides with exhibitions and book releases. The podcasters interview curators and authors, telling the stories of legendary designers from Charles Frederick Worth to Elsa Schiaparelli. You’ll hear the names of designers even the most seasoned fashion enthusiasts may not recognize. April and Cassidy talk about hair jewelry, fashion and politics, Black dandyism, and even the fashion styles of cults (Midsommar, anyone?). Give it a listen and you’re guaranteed to learn something new.
Business of Fashion
The Business of Fashion podcast is a great listening option if you love the publication, but that subscription is just not in your budget. The podcast is hosted by a variety of BoF staff, and covers ethical issues in fashion, talks with industry icons and rising stars, the future of the industry, and of course, what would BoF be without business talk. Some of the more recent episodes we recommend are “Tyler Mitchell’s Journey from Skateboarding to Photographing Beyonce,” and “H&M’s $4 Billion Inventory Challenge.” The program’s professional tone covers more business-related topics than anything else, but if that’s what you’ve been looking for this is the one.