Podcast Summary – Dressed: The History of Fashion

Episode: Come Get Dressed with Us in New York City!

Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: April Callahan, Cassidy Zachary

Brief Overview

In this special “minisode,” April and Cassidy break from their usual schedule to announce the return of Dressed’s highly exclusive New York City fashion history day tours, taking place December 3–5, 2025. The episode offers listeners a detailed preview of the three-day, fashion-packed itinerary, brimming with behind-the-scenes experiences at iconic New York institutions. Even if you can’t attend, the hosts walk through the unique access, exhibitions, fashion history highlights, and notable guest experts awaiting participants.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Announcement & Tour Overview

• The hosts step in on an unscheduled Friday to share the re-launch of their popular New York City day tours after strong listener demand.
• Each day is structured as a “mix and match separates” format, allowing participants to attend any combination of the three days—each offering a distinct agenda.
• Emphasis is placed on exclusive, behind-the-scenes access not available to the general public, guided by museum professionals and fashion historians.

Day 1: The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

[03:36–07:30]

• FIT: The day is spent at FIT, alma mater to both hosts.

  • Begins with a private, hands-on session in the museum’s study collection, led by Cassidy, tracing 100 years of women’s fashion evolution—from 19th-century corsets to Dior couture and American sportswear by Claire McCardell.
    • “Have you ever wondered what the inside of a Victorian era corset looks like and feels like? Or have you ever wondered how bustles work?” (Cassidy Zachary, 04:32)
  • April leads a tour of FIT’s Special Collections, where guests handle rare paper-based ephemera, such as 18th-century fashion plates, designer sketches, fashion photographs, and period magazines.
    • “Authors, costume designers, museum curators, and a lot of top contemporary fashion designers actually use FIT Special Collections as this really specific reading resource.” (April Callahan, 05:33)
  • Each year features all-new objects, offering even return guests a fresh experience.

• Exhibition Tour:

  • The day concludes with a curator-led tour of “Dress Dreams and Desire: Fashion and Psychoanalysis,” the first exhibition to explore fashion’s intersections with psychoanalysis. This includes a chance to meet curator Dr. Valerie Steele and past podcast guest Raisa Britannia.

Day 2: New York Historical Society & The Metropolitan Opera

[07:30–10:57]

• Morning at New York Historical Society:

  • Curator tour of “The New York Sari,” an exhibition tracing the sari’s impact in NYC and its role in blending tradition, culture, and modernity.
    • “It tells the story of the sari as an essential part of the cultural fabric of New York City … a metaphor for the ways in which the individuals who wear and create saris have straddled tradition, culture and modernity in their work, art and lives.” (April Callahan, 07:33)
  • Free time is allotted for guests to explore “The Gay Harlem Renaissance” (1920s-30s Black LGBTQ history) and the Tiffany Gallery, which houses 100+ decorative works by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
    • “It’s like you’re transported to a magical garden.” (Cassidy Zachary, 09:09)

• Afternoon at The Met Opera:

  • Participants gain unprecedented access to the opera house and its costuming studios, including the “Behind the Scenes: Costuming the Met” exhibition, hands-on views of costumes, wigs, and props in production.
    • “They’re basically throwing their doors wide open just for us with unparalleled access.” (April Callahan, 03:11)
  • A highlight includes a private talk with Tony Award-winning designer and artist-in-residence Clint Ramos.
  • Special Offer: Even non-attendees can use code "Dress" for 20% off opera tickets, including La Bohème.

Day 3: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

[15:43–19:22]

• Morning Off: Time to explore NYC independently.

• Afternoon at the Met Museum:

  • April leads a 2-hour tour exploring “hidden recesses” of the Met, focusing on iconic fashion in the collections—ranging from ancient Egyptian and Renaissance beauty rituals to the color black’s rise in fashion, Native American sustainability, and Manet’s women in pants.
    • “We’re going to explore historic cosmetic practices … and discover the fashionistas of the Renaissance who cemented the color black as fashion’s favorite color for centuries to come.” (April Callahan, 16:21)
  • Special viewing at the Antonio Ratti Textile Center, with up-close (but non-touching) experiences of textiles spanning 3,000 BCE to modern day.
    • “Textiles literally weave the story of civilizations.” (Cassidy Zachary, 17:58)
  • Museum staff use enhanced imaging technology to show guests fiber and weave structures.

Booking & Final Details

[19:28–20:58]

• Listeners are encouraged to sign up ASAP due to limited space.
• FIT and Opera days anticipated to sell out quickly.
• Additional festive bonuses await in NYC during the tour period, like holiday lights, window displays, and iconic seasonal activities (Rockefeller Tree, Central Park skating).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Every day, we all get dressed.” (April Callahan, 00:14)
• “Each day is a truly unique itinerary. It’s created exclusively for our dress travelers and it’s jam packed with behind the scenes experiences which are not available to the general public.” (Cassidy Zachary, 02:22)
• “Have you ever wondered what the inside of a Victorian era corset looks like and feels like? Or have you ever wondered how bustles work?” (Cassidy Zachary, 04:32)
• “Authors, costume designers, museum curators, and a lot of top contemporary fashion designers actually use FIT Special Collections as this really specific reading resource.” (April Callahan, 05:33)
• “It tells the story of the sari as an essential part of the cultural fabric of New York City … a metaphor for the ways in which the individuals who wear and create saris have straddled tradition, culture and modernity in their work, art and lives.” (April Callahan, 07:33)
• “We cannot stress enough how special this is, as none of this is available to the general public.” (Cassidy Zachary, 09:29)
• “We hope to see you there … to get dressed with us in the Big Apple.” (Cassidy Zachary, 20:48)

Important Timestamps

• 01:45 – Special minisode announcement & purpose
• 02:07 – Overview of tour “mix and match” format
• 03:36 – Day One: FIT tour details
• 05:56 – FIT Special Collections experience
• 07:30 – Day Two: New York Historical Society, The New York Sari
• 09:20 – Afternoon at The Met Opera, exclusive access
• 15:43 – Day Three: Met Museum highlights
• 17:39 – Antonio Ratti Textile Center preview
• 19:28 – Booking details & encouragement
• 20:48 – Holiday activities and tour wrap-up

Additional Resources & Listener Engagement

• DressedHistory.com for bookings, newsletter, online courses
• Social: @Dressed_Podcast (Instagram, Facebook)
• Book recommendations: bookshop.org/shop/dressed
• Listener email: hello@dressedhistory.com
• Special Met Opera code and other links in show notes

Tone

Warm, enthusiastic, and friendly, the hosts’ excitement is contagious as they share insider experiences and their enduring passion for fashion history. The episode is an open invitation—part travelogue, part fashion history feast—celebrating New York City’s cultural riches and the joy of fashion’s past and present.