Dressed: The History of Fashion

Episode: Get Dressed with Us in 2026!
Release Date: March 18, 2026
Hosts: April Callahan & Cassidy Zachary

Episode Overview

In this lively check-in, April and Cassidy reconnect with listeners after a hiatus, offering a warm update on their recent projects, classes, and an enticing preview of what's coming in Season Nine. The duo dives into behind-the-scenes work, shares fascinating tidbits from their teaching, highlights upcoming exhibitions, and unveils details for their 2026 Paris fashion tour. The episode is packed with engaging anecdotes, insider fashion history, and teasers for fresh content—perfect for returning fans and new listeners alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Status & Season Nine Announcement

• The hosts clarify they're not fully back, but wanted to tease "exciting new things" (01:41).
• Announcement: New season debuts May 6, 2026 — their ninth! (26:50, 27:10)
• "We're still here... what we've been up to." — Cassidy (08:08)

2. Recent Teaching Highlights

April's Schiaparelli Course

• Taught a two-part Schiaparelli class, covering the designer’s impact and upcoming V&A retrospective.
• Breaking news: Schiaparelli had American licensing deals as early as 1929—fact from the unreleased V&A book:

  "Her licensing deals with American companies started as early as 1929... not a trip she speaks about in her memoir." — April (03:00)

• Upcoming Dressed episode on Schiaparelli expected soon.

Cassidy's Fashion Icons Prequel Course

• Focused on fashion from 1770s to 1840s via Marie Antoinette, Jane Austen, and young Queen Victoria.
• Queen Victoria, often overlooked for her fashion sense, was fashionable before her long period of mourning:

  "For a good 20 years she actually was fashionable and in conversation with fashion." — Cassidy (04:41)

• Jane Austen’s fashion awareness was deeper than imagined.

3. Jane Austen & Regency Fashion Resources

• Reference to their 2023 episode with Hilary Davidson (05:19).
• Davidson’s research has helped decode "lost" Regency fashion terms, like "list slippers"—revealed as shoes woven from fabric selvage, changed into after dancing (06:42–07:14).
• The dual meaning of “gown”—both garment and length of fabric—discussed with amusement (07:14–07:54).

4. Fashion History Courses Available Online

• Cassidy's “What Women Wore” courses (1770s–1920s) available at dressedhistory.com (08:08–08:47).
• April's Schiaparelli course also available (08:28).

5. The 2026 Paris Fashion Tour

Dates & Registration

• Paris trip confirmed: August 30–September 6, 2026.
• Second week possibly added if demand is high (12:44).

Tour Highlights

• Dior Museum: A staple of the trip.
• Azzedine Alaia Foundation: Awaiting details on new exhibition.
• Royal Thai Dress Exhibition: At Musée des Arts Décoratifs, covering Queen Sirikit’s life, her diplomatic fashion, and collaboration with Pierre Balmain (13:46–15:24).

  "Clothing that simultaneously promoted her Thai heritage... but also French haute couture." — Cassidy (14:26) "She was active in promoting and preserving a lot of these historic ancient crafts in Thailand." — April (15:55)

• Jim Thompson & Thai Silk: Post-WWII revival of the Thai silk industry and its global impact (15:55).
• Palais Galliera: Paris’s preeminent fashion museum, show on “Weaving, Embroidering, and Embellishing” with rotating exhibitions (17:01–17:54).

  “Their collection eclipses the Met… hundreds of thousands of objects.” — April (17:17)

• Versailles & the Petit Trianon: Day-long immersive experience; lectures on Versailles court fashion and etiquette, garden tours, lunch at La Flotille (18:52–22:35).

  “We give a 30-minute talk on fashion at the Court of Versailles… systems of power and status.” — April (19:46)

• Walking Tour: The Rue de la Paix, home to legendary houses (18:52).
• Exclusive Visits:
  • Workshops at storied silk manufacturer Au Ver à Soie (23:20)
  • Needlepoint specialist Annie Bouquet
  • Private after-hours tour of Palais Garnier, including ballet costume shops (24:29–25:09)
  • Meeting with haute couture embroiderer Rebecca Devaney

Memorable Quote:

“Probably the most magical experience on our tour is getting to experience that [Versailles and Marie Antoinette’s farm] with you all.” — Cassidy (22:35)

Fun Moments:

• Lighthearted banter about “meeting the Phantom” at the Paris Opera (25:21–25:36).

6. Season Nine & Upcoming Content Previews

April's Upcoming Episodes:

• History of Palestinian embroidery, with a related exhibition in Antwerp.
• Interview with Kat Debo on the Antwerp Six.
• Episode on “Fashion Beyond the Binary” (27:31–28:13).

Cassidy’s Upcoming Episodes:

• New conversation with Ben Hollingham (Guinness World Records) about “heaviest costume” and other fashion records (28:18–29:47).

  “The 1938 Marie Antoinette costume reportedly weighed more than she did.” — April & Cassidy (29:44–29:47)

• Biography of Charlotte Brontë through her surviving garments, with author Eleanor Houghton (29:59).

Hosts’ Acknowledgement:

“We have a full season coming your way, dress listeners, sorry it’s taken us so long, but we are here.” — Cassidy (30:50)

7. How to Connect & Community Info

• Courses, Paris tour, newsletter at dressedhistory.com (30:59, 31:44)
• Listener favorite book recommendations at bookshop.org/shop/dressed (32:02)
• Patreon and Airwave Network options now available for ad-free listening (32:23)
• Social: Instagram (@dressed_podcast), Facebook, newsletter sign-up, listener email: hello@dressedhistory.com (31:25, 31:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Her licensing deals with American companies started as early as 1929… not a trip she speaks about in her memoir.” — April (03:00)
• “For a good 20 years she actually was fashionable and in conversation with fashion.” — Cassidy (04:41)
• “List slippers were woven from the selvage of fabric.” — April (07:09)
• “Their collection eclipses the Met… hundreds of thousands of objects.” — April (17:17)
• “We give a 30-minute talk on fashion at the Court of Versailles… systems of power and status.” — April (19:46)
• “Probably the most magical experience on our tour is getting to experience that with you all.” — Cassidy (22:35)
• "[The 1938 Marie Antoinette costume] reportedly weighed more than she did." — April (29:44)
• “We have a full season coming your way, dress listeners, sorry it’s taken us so long, but we are here.” — Cassidy (30:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:41 — Season Nine teaser and hosts’ update
• 02:01 — April’s Schiaparelli class & upcoming exhibition
• 03:00 — Fascinating new research on Schiaparelli
• 04:41 — Cassidy’s prequel course on 18th-19th century icons
• 05:19 — Reg. episode on Jane Austen’s wardrobe
• 06:42–07:14 — "List slippers" defined
• 08:08–08:47 — Online courses announcement
• 12:44 — Paris trip dates and logistics
• 13:46–15:55 — Queen Sirikit and Royal Thai Dress exhibition
• 17:01–17:54 — Palais Galliera and exhibition overview
• 18:52 — Behind-the-scenes Paris tour exclusives
• 19:46 — Fashion lectures at Versailles
• 22:35 — Immersive Versailles experience highlighted
• 23:20–24:24 — Historic silk, embroidery, and unique behind-the-scenes visits
• 24:29–25:09 — Behind-the-scenes at Palais Garnier (Paris Opera)
• 26:50–27:10 — Season Nine debut date (May 6, 2026) announced
• 27:31–28:13 — April previews Season Nine episode topics
• 28:18–29:47 — Cassidy’s Guinness World Records episode preview
• 29:59 — Charlotte Brontë’s wardrobe biography episode
• 30:59 — Website and class info
• 31:25–32:23 — Bookshop, Patreon, social, and newsletter info

Summary

This update episode is a celebration of both the past and future of fashion history on Dressed. April and Cassidy’s dynamic friendship and expert insights make the episode warm, accessible, and informative—mixing corrections of historical myths with fun personal anecdotes, fashion deep-dives, and interactive invitations to join their expanding community. If you crave more context and stories behind what we wear, season nine (starting May 6, 2026) promises to deliver, with topics ranging from Schiaparelli and the Antwerp Six to Guinness World Records and beyond.

Stay connected:

• Website & classes: dressedhistory.com
• Book recommendations: bookshop.org/shop/dressed
• Ad-free listening: Patreon & Airwave History+
• Social: Instagram (@dressed_podcast), Facebook
• Contact: hello@dressedhistory.com

“May you consider what getting dressed means to you.”—April (31:25)