Every Outfit – Episode 238: On the VMAs, Wuthering Heights, Phoebe Philo

Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Chelsea Fairless & Lauren Garrone

Episode Overview

This episode is a classic "hotline" and mailbag hybrid from Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garrone, in which the duo responds to listener questions, Instagram prompts, and pop culture developments. Emphasis is on fashion at the 2025 VMAs, hot takes on the new Wuthering Heights adaptation, the viral Phoebe Philo video, and sprawling chats on design, pop culture, and the fabric of the fashion world—always with their signature wit, irreverence, and encyclopedic knowledge of all things style and SATC.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. VMAs 2025: Fashion and Flops

(Starting ~02:32)

• Chelsea and Lauren admit they’re “aging out of the VMAs” but grudgingly tune in for fashion and spectacle.
• Award highlights: Ariana Grande won with a 20-minute “short film” music video neither host has watched in full.
  • “It was an Ariana Grande song called Brighter Days Ahead that I've never heard.” — Chelsea (03:03)
• Complaints about MTV: MTV barely airing music videos, so the awards feel increasingly anachronistic.
• Red carpet breakdown:
  • Ariana Grande: Wore a subdued, elegant Fendi look coordinated with stylist Law Roach.

    “It is subversive to wear something like this to the VMAs because this dress is not flashy, it is not revealing...which is punk in its own way.” — Chelsea (03:56)

  • Sabrina Carpenter: In sheer red Valentino with a lilac marabou stole; notes of Dolly Parton, Bob Mackie, and Cher. Bowman after-party looks sourced from The RealReal trigger the hosts’ approval for buying archival.
  • Doja Cat: Balmain, but the look felt off—“very Sabrina Carpenter-esque.”

    “The look is really giving The Nanny, like, Fran Drescher ‘The Nanny.’” — Lauren (06:56)

  • Ice Spice: In Charlotte York’s Sex and the City Ralph Lauren dress; the hosts love the archival pull but feel the look didn’t match her persona.

    “I think I'm just over people pulling archival looks in general… I wish people would wear more stuff off of the Runway.” — Lauren (07:58)

  • Lady Gaga: Wore Marc Jacobs, but her hair choice drew critique for clashing with the outfit’s vibe.
• Observation: The VMAs lack “star power” and designer clout compared to years past—now, it’s more about the stylists.

2. Tim Burton x Lady Gaga Music Video

(09:11)

• New Lady Gaga song for the “Wednesday” series soundtrack, directed by Tim Burton.
• Hosts pan the overuse of CGI/AI in the video and see Tim Burton’s era of digital “magic” as past its prime.
• Discussion of “Mayhem Ball” concerts—Chelsea’s exhaustion with pricey diva events.

3. The “Semi-Viral” Phoebe Philo Video

(10:41)

• Topic: Is Phoebe Philo ignoring Stella McCartney at an LVMH Prize jury event?

  “She's wearing a leather J, she looks so fucking cool. And yes, she walks straight past Stella McCartney…” — Chelsea (11:02)

• “Cool girl energy” epitomized. Clarifies there's no actual documented beef—just internet extrapolation.
• Brief history of Philo & McCartney’s intertwined careers, from Central St. Martins to Chloe.

4. Iconic Fashion Homes

(14:14)

• Listener asks about top fashion-industry interiors:
  • Halston’s apartment: “It’s so iconic.”
  • Elsa Peretti’s all-cream 1970s apartment
  • Betsey Johnson: Maximalist pink-and-black 1980s loft.
  • Anna Sui, Diana Vreeland: Admired maximalism; Lauren leans minimalist, with shoutouts to Donna Karan’s zen Manhattan penthouse.
• “Living Well” (NYT Magazine interiors compendium) gets a plug.

5. Prêt-à-Porter (Ready to Wear) Film

(17:28)

• Listener inquires about Robert Altman’s satirical fashion movie.
• The hosts adore it, especially Linda Hunt & Tracey Ullman’s dueling editors and on-location 1994 Paris fashion show footage.
  • “The cast of this movie is so incredible…” — Chelsea (18:17)
• Acknowledge that it bombed on release but has aged into a cult oddity.

6. “What Happened to Louella Bartley?”

(20:25)

• Intense, multi-layered answer:
  • Career end: 2009, after which she pivoted collaboratively (Marc by Marc Jacobs, Hillier Bartley, Calvin Klein under Raf Simons).
  • Personal tragedy: Painting after her son’s death; Lauren references a Guardian piece on her career shift.
• Quote: “Imagine if Egon Schiele paintings involved Adidas track pants.” — Chelsea (22:33)

7. Random Fashion/Design Deep Dives

• Notable bags: The Louis Vuitton x Comme des Garçons “holy” tote is for “smart people” (23:26).
• Diffusion lines: Lamenting the death of Marc by Marc, C by Chloe, and mid-tier accessibly-priced sub-brands.
• Fashion musts: Wish for a return of proper linings and slip dresses.
• Chemo patient headwear tips: Samantha from SATC is an inspiration (“headscarves with drama”).

8. Wuthering Heights Movie Trailer (35:34)

• Hosts’ confession: Haven’t read the book or seen the movies.
• Special guest “Elizabeth,” (Lauren’s cousin and English teacher):
  Builds a detailed case for why the trailer fundamentally misunderstands the text:

  “In the novel, there is no bodice ripping, there's no finger licking, there are no horse whips. It's not sexual at all...The novel is focused on abuse and power and cruelty and depravity, but that's not sexual.” (31:11)

• Hosts’ verdict:
  • Approve of a “horny” adaptation for fun (“We should do this with more movies, like a really slutty Of Mice and Men.” — Chelsea, 32:39)
  • Critique the whitewashing of Heathcliff—shoutout Andrea Arnold’s accurate casting.
  • Predict Wuthering Heights will be fashion-forward, divisive, and a Valentine’s Day event.

9. Pop Culture & Showbiz Riffs

Isabelle Huppert on White Lotus?

• Chelsea: “She’s not above being on The White Lotus”; would love her as a staff member.
• Both expect the France season to feature a grande-dame French actress (Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Adjani, etc.).

Favorite Autumn Movies:

• Lauren: “You’ve Got Mail,” “Bed of Roses,” “Royal Tenenbaums.”
• Chelsea: “Practical Magic” is trumped by “Witches of Eastwick” as the “slutty version.” Loves Turner Classic Movies’ “Douglas Sirk autumn” movies (“Written on the Wind”).

10. Nepo Babies

• Best: Jane Fonda, Liza Minnelli, Sofia Coppola (“Classic!”). Lauren offers Bella Freud, Stella McCartney, Osgood Perkins, Romy Mars, Francesca Scorsese.
• Worst: “Nepo babies with public daddy issues”—Brooklyn Beckham, John Owen Lowe, Hunter Biden, Charlie Sheen.
• Camp-value exception: Chet Hanks (“Maybe he is the best. Maybe we have this all wrong.” — Chelsea, 43:11)

11. LGBTQIA+ & Sex Dreams

• Memorable call: Female listener/professor dreamed she had lesbian sex with Chelsea.

  “I hope she gave me, like, triple Ds.” — Chelsea (46:34)

• Discussion on decoding “cultural lesbianism” around Indigo Girls/Melissa Etheridge fandom among boomers.

12. Listener Q&A Lightning Round

• Where to meet a tall, age-appropriate mask lesbian? Go to lesbian parties/bars, adjust expectations.
• Jussie Smollett Netflix doc: Documentary raises “reasonable doubt” but doesn’t prove innocence; the hosts are critical of all angles.
• Fashion police videos for the future: They're gearing up for a more visual podcast, just need the tech and for Chelsea’s “cheilitis” to clear up.
• Favorite influencer: Interiors and food influencers trump fashion ones—Trisha Paytas called the “Lucille Ball of our time.”

13. Motherhood & Death Row Meals

• Lauren: “Seamless” transition to motherhood isn’t real—“Where I am right now in this journey… would be like asking me if I like swimming when I’m currently stuck in a rip current.” (64:08)
• Death row meal picks:
  • Chelsea: Thanksgiving dinner (“unless it’s from prison—then I’d rather have Domino’s”)
  • Lauren: Multi-part meal: Bellinis, caviar, mac and cheese, chicken fingers

14. Listener Oddities

• Wikipedia traffic: Chelsea’s name dominates clicks (“I don't understand Wikipedia...Does this mean people are searching my name?” — Chelsea, 56:16)
• LA Burger Inflation: $23–$45 burgers (Chateau Marmont/Sunset Tower), but In-N-Out remains $4. The real outrage? Sandwich prices.
• If money was no object: Chelsea wants Chanel 255 or LV x CdG holy bag; Lauren wants a rare suede Kelly bag.

15. Sex and the City (and And Just Like That)

• Critical response to Taffy Brodesser-Akner/Wesley Morris “Cannonball” podcast:
  • Don’t conflate hate for And Just Like That with hating middle-aged women.
  • Hosts agree the “friend dynamic change” is plausible, but AJLT tone/structure is what alienates fans.
• Random SATC production flubs:
  • Season 6, Ep 10—Samantha’s compulsive fruit stabbing (cited at 6:40 mark by “David from West Hollywood”)
  • Season 2, Ep 13—Lighting gear reflected in Carrie’s TV.
  • The “rose-petal menu” prop used inconsistently.
  • Carrie’s incorrect pie-baking method (“just a baked pie crust and some raw apples in it… that’s not a pie.”)

Notable Quotes

• “We are aging out of the VMAs, although I still watch them for some reason.” — Chelsea (02:44)
• “You know who looked like Sabrina Carpenter this year? Doja Cat.” — Chelsea (06:26)
• “Imagine if Egon Schiele paintings involved Adidas track pants.” — Chelsea (22:33)
• “We're just sick of being a pay pig for all of these divas…” — Chelsea (10:25)
• “We should do this with more movies, like a really slutty Of Mice and Men.” — Chelsea (32:39)
• “Bella Freud… Osgood Perkins... that's what I want from my Nepo babies for sure.” — Lauren (41:47)
• “If you can't fit your phone inside it, that's when it becomes insane.” — Chelsea (25:12)
• “Where I am right now in this journey… would be like asking me if I like swimming when I'm currently stuck in a rip current.” — Lauren (64:08)
• “You know, sometimes Subway just is that good.” — Chelsea (52:08)

Timestamp Highlights

• 02:32: VMAs fashion breakdown begins
• 06:33: Doja Cat's Balmain look
• 07:12: Ice Spice in Ralph Lauren
• 09:11: Lady Gaga x Tim Burton video
• 10:47: Phoebe Philo viral video
• 14:14: Fashion designer homes
• 17:28: Robert Altman’s Prêt-à-Porter
• 20:25: Louella Bartley’s post-fashion life
• 26:25: “What do you wish designers would resurrect?”
• 31:11: Elizabeth the English teacher on Wuthering Heights
• 35:34: Isabelle Huppert and White Lotus casting
• 39:09: Autumn movie picks
• 41:41: Nepo babies: best/worst
• 45:29: Listener sex dream confessional
• 46:55: Gen Z gay caller on Indigo Girls
• 50:02: Jussie Smollett doc discussion
• 58:00: Adding video to the podcast?
• 61:42: Fashion/food influencer faves
• 65:45: Death row meals
• 67:26: LA burger/sandwich price inflation
• 68:48: If money were no object—dream bags
• 72:37: SATC / And Just Like That questions
• 79:42: Favorite bizarre/blooper moments from SATC

Memorable Moments

• The “hot bag” joke about combining mailbag and hotline formats (“that sounds terrible”—Lauren, 02:15)
• The intellectual dissection of Wuthering Heights by an English teacher cousin (“there's no finger licking, there are no horse whips”)
• The mini-camp about “who is the LV bag with holes actually for?”, leading to a rant about impractical purses.
• A college professor “outing herself” via sex dream with Chelsea, and subsequent discussion of dream anatomy accuracy.
• A truly granular reader inquiry: “How much does a cheeseburger cost in LA?”—leading to a cost-of-living breakdown.
• The “rose petal menu” prop continuity flaw saga.

Conclusion

With their snappy banter, forensics-level fashion analysis, and sensitivity to listener queries, Chelsea and Lauren deliver another jam-packed episode full of both deep-dive knowledge and “fuckette”-grade delight. The show glides from VMA fashion and fashion house history to greater existential questions: what constitutes “worthwhile” nepo baby-ism? Is the holy-grail designer bag ever worth bankrupting yourself? Are autumn movies only valid if set in New York?

No matter the topic, the Every Outfit take is equal parts irreverent and incisive—further proof that their obsessions with culture, clothing, and commentary are endlessly generative and deeply relatable.

End of summary.