Every Outfit Podcast – Episode 241:
"On Lilith Fair, Milan Fashion Week, Jane Birkin (Feat. Marisa Meltzer)"
Release Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Chelsea Fairless, Lauren Garroni
Special Guest: Marisa Meltzer
Episode Overview
In this rich and lively episode, Chelsea and Lauren dive deep into three intersecting worlds: the much-discussed "Lilith Fair" documentary (and its broader pop culture and feminist legacy), the drama and renewal of Milan Fashion Week, and the enigmatic, enduring allure of Jane Birkin—capped off with an in-depth interview with author Marisa Meltzer. The tone is candid, witty, and affectionate—peppered with memorable anecdotes, nostalgia, and a critique-laden but loving eye on the state of fashion and culture.
Key Segments
1. Concert Nostalgia: Nine Inch Nails, Oprah, and Prince
[01:29–04:36]
- Lauren opens by discussing her recent Nine Inch Nails experience, including thoughts on merch and the unique staging.
- Chelsea reflects on seeing Oprah amid the onset of the 2020 pandemic, and Lauren tells the story of Prince’s historic attempt to save the Kia Forum by playing 20 nights in a row.
- Themes: generational nostalgia, the evolution of live music, and the cultural status of iconic venues.
“I'm gon honest. I was born middle-aged. I'm just aging into the age I've always been.” — Lauren [04:36]
2. Media & Boycotts: Disney+ Drama, Jimmy Kimmel & Hulu Guilt
[04:36–06:53]
- Lauren discusses her earlier comments on Disney+ boycotts in relation to the Kimmel controversy, apologizes for underestimating the power of economic protest, and references high-profile responses (including Cynthia Nixon).
- Critique of performative activism as illustrated by Noah Centineo’s subscription faux-pas.
- The hosts admit they kept Hulu just to see the new Lilith Fair documentary, joking about the moral complexity.
3. Lilith Fair — Documentary Review & Cultural Impact
[06:54–20:38]
- Chelsea and Lauren excitedly unpack "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery," expressing disappointment that the planned reunion performances were canceled in solidarity with Kimmel.
- Chelsea shares personal memories of attending Lilith Fair in '98 and '99, describing the lineup and the festival’s distinct, inclusive energy.
“The vibe was so incredible … truly a high I've been chasing ever since.” — Chelsea [11:24]
- Discussion of 90s misogyny: how female musicians like Jewel were introduced and parodied, women not being played back-to-back on radio, shock jock culture.
- Lauren and Chelsea debate whether a Lilith Fair revival is still necessary—today’s pop female artists (Taylor, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish) headline solo, but they mourn the earnest, community-driven spirit.
- The hosts laud the festival’s musical and demographic diversity and touch on its camp moments (Jewel yodeling, group performances).
- Memory lane: the impact of 90s one-hit wonder female-driven storytelling songs (“Where Have All the Cowboys Gone,” “Sunny Came Home”).
- Lauren confesses to childhood internalized misogyny around Paula Cole’s unshaven armpits, relating it to broader cultural double standards.
- Comparison of Lilith Fair’s positive energy to the contemporary crisis at Woodstock 99, and the awkwardness of male-dominated festival Q&As.
“There actually were people like Patti Smith … that performed there as well. And also Sinead. Oh, my God. Like, all that footage of Sinead …” — Chelsea [14:10]
4. Film Review: "Weapons" — Subversive Horror, Loss, and Witchcraft
[23:14–29:41]
- Lauren and Chelsea review Zach Kreger’s horror film "Weapons," grappling with how to discuss it without spoilers.
- Plot setup: Children mysteriously flee their homes, possibly as a school-shooting metaphor, or a meditation on grief.
- Chapel Roan’s psycho-witch character is highlighted.
- Chelsea and Lauren debate whether the film means anything or simply adopts a surreal tone. They compare it to works by Jordan Peele (logic holes), "Magnolia" (ensemble), and "Rashomon" (multiple perspectives).
- Fascination with horror tropes and visual references (Korn’s “Freak on a Leash,” scary older women).
“Where you're like, okay, so everyone has ring footage of their children leaving their homes. None of these parents have put the footage all together to be like, hey, do we think they ran to the same place maybe?” — Lauren [27:07]
5. Milan Fashion Week Recap — Gucci, Versace, Jill Sander, Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana
[29:46–58:22]
Gucci by Demna
- Analysis: Surprise drop via lookbook and film; reinterprets the brand via "family portraits," shot by Catherine Opie.
- Discussion on Gucci’s evolving identity (no real ready-to-wear code pre-Tom Ford), Demna’s reference-heavy approach, speculation on how much creative leeway he has as an “extreme designer.”
- Fashion film ("The Tiger") is panned: too long, tonally off, "felt like an SNL skit." Demi Moore stars as "Barbara Gucci," with a surreal L.A. power fantasy storyline.
“I watched this film and I was like, I do not get this. I do not like this. It did a good job of selling the clothes, but as a movie ... it's not funny and it just keeps going.” — Chelsea [37:00]
Versace by Dario Vitale
- Vitale's debut: sharply 80s-inspired, overtly queer, referencing Versace’s roots in subculture, sex worker, and BDSM aesthetics.
- Lauren is shocked by rough opening looks but warms up to the collection’s camp, color, and archival references. Both appreciate the move toward a less "hot and fuckable" female customer and a bolder embrace of gay male style.
“Make Versace gay again. It got too het with Donatella.” — Lauren [45:03]
Jill Sander by Simone Bellotti
- Bellotti’s work praised for modernizing the minimalist Jill Sander ethos; Chelsea is emotionally moved by model Guinevere van Seenus’s appearance.
- Unique silhouettes and use of layering lauded.
Bottega Veneta by Louise Trotter
- Trotter’s debut is seen as “very strong”—oversized, textural, returning to some pre-Lee/Blasi sensibility. Both hosts love the workwear influence.
- Soft critique: Chelsea misses idiosyncratic color and quirk from previous directors.
“Most of it isn't real clothes ... at best, there'll be like three of these pieces at the store.” — Chelsea [54:39]
Dolce & Gabbana — Upstaged by Meryl Streep
- The only memorable thing about this season’s Dolce show is Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci attending in character as Miranda Priestly and Nigel for “Devil Wears Prada 2” filming.
- Dolce is described as “rhinestone encrusted pajamas”—the PR stunt outshines the fashion.
6. Models of the Moment: Return of Grunge/Early Aughts Icons
[49:50–51:53]
- Nostalgic love for models like Guinevere van Seenus, Maggie Rizer (briefly a real estate agent!), and Tasha Tilberg, signaling fashion’s cyclical embrace of unconventional beauty.
- Appreciation for unique over “bombshell” appeal.
7. Special Interview – Marisa Meltzer on Jane Birkin, "It Girl" Status & More
[58:47–End]
Jane Birkin: Myth, Legacy, and Reality
- Chelsea and Marisa discuss Birkin’s actual British roots (not French!), her accidental yet direct role in inspiring the Hermès Birkin bag, and her complex relationship with notoriety.
- Dissection of Birkin’s partnership with Serge Gainsbourg: intense, occasionally violent, deeply dramatic, and both hosts' ambivalence as to whether Serge was attractive ("He seems like he fucks ... but I can't get over what I imagined to be the smell." — Marisa [62:10]).
- Marisa recommends film, music, and documentary entry-points for "Birkin novices":
- Films: "La Piscine", “Death on the Nile”, "A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries"
- Docs: "Jane B. by Agnes Varda", "Jane by Charlotte"
- Birkin’s anti-Chanel style, love of basket bags, & punky approach to "it girl" life.
Celebrity, Media, and Fashion Lore
- Reflections on the power of images, and how celebrity identity becomes divorced from the actuality of a person.
- Talk turns to Marisa’s recent NYT profile of Sofia Coppola and Marc Jacobs, and their enduring influence—personal and pop cultural.
“Sofia Coppola is one of those IT girls who has truly endured ... she’s kind of beat the Nepo Baby allegations by, you know, proving her own sort of talent and vision.” — Marisa [77:27]
- Deep dive into Sofia Coppola’s Chanel book project, the lasting impact of approachable yet rarefied style icons, and the intricate connections of fashion’s “it-girl” web (Coppola, Birkin, Kate Moss, Kim Gordon).
Recent Fashion Collaborations
- Discussion of the Manolo Blahnik x Marie Antoinette collection (designed for Coppola’s film), lauding its drama but admitting it feels too costume-y for either to wear.
Preview & Event Plug
- Marisa and Chelsea talk up their upcoming LA event celebrating "It Girl: The Life and Legacy of Jane Birkin" and reflect on the lessons in image, agency, and contradiction in Birkin’s legacy.
- Marisa: “It's about when things overshadow you and then trying to actually talk about who the woman is.” [67:51]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I was born middle-aged. I'm just aging into the age I've always been.” — Lauren [04:36]
- “It was just the perfect vibe sponsored by Starbucks.” — Chelsea (Lilith Fair) [12:21]
- “There actually were people like Patti Smith ... that performed there as well. And also Sinead ... all that footage of Sinead ... it made me so sad that I didn't go in 1997.” — Chelsea [14:10]
- “Make Versace gay again. It got too het with Donatella.” — Lauren [45:03]
- “He seems like he fucks ... but I can't get over what I imagined to be the smell.” — Marisa (on Serge Gainsbourg) [62:10]
- “Sofia Coppola is one of those IT girls who has truly endured ... beat the Nepo Baby allegations by ... proving her own talent and vision ... feels relevant now. I'm always impressed by her.” — Marisa [77:27]
Key Timestamps
- Lilith Fair Documentary Review: [06:54–20:38]
- "Weapons" Film Discussion: [23:14–29:41]
- Gucci/Versace/Jill Sander Fashion Week Deep Dives: [29:46–58:22]
- Meryl Streep & Devil Wears Prada 2 at Dolce & Gabbana: [55:12–58:22]
- Special Interview with Marisa Meltzer: [58:47–End]
Conclusion
This episode serves up the ultimate intersection of fashion nostalgia, feminist pop culture critique, and the mythology of it-girls—anchored by Chelsea and Lauren’s razor-sharp banter and Marisa Meltzer’s insight. Whether you’re yearning for the earnest empowerment of 90s music festivals, keeping tabs on the changing creative winds of Milan, or searching for the real Jane Birkin beneath the bag, this conversation offers substance, style, and wit in equal measure.