The Run-Through with Vogue

Episode Title: An Exciting Vogue World Announcement! | PLUS How Costume Designer Arianne Phillips Creates Your Favorite Looks on Film
Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: Chloe Malle (“Mel”), Chioma Nnadi, Nicole Phelps, Virginia Smith
Special Guests: Arianne Phillips, Naomi Elize

Overview

This episode delivers a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming "Vogue World: Hollywood," highlighting the intersection of film and fashion, with special attention to the artistry and impact of acclaimed costume designer Arianne Phillips. Listeners are treated to key Vogue World event announcements, discussions on legendary costumes, and an in-depth interview with Phillips about her creative process, iconic collaborations, and reflections on fashion’s role in the movies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vogue World: Hollywood Preview

(00:36–13:00)

• Vogue World is heading to LA: The hosts, along with fashion market director Naomi Elize, set the stage for Vogue World’s Hollywood edition, which celebrates the long-standing marriage between fashion and costume design on the legendary Paramount lot.
• Atmosphere: Naomi describes the excitement in LA: “It is quite a brilliant scene to see…to be on the Paramount lots.” (04:18)
• Pre-show Activities: Fittings, style-outs for models, and the arrival of historic costume pieces are creating a “buzzy” energy on site.
• Costume Highlights: Archive pieces, like Galliano, are moved in giant crates; intricate fittings for Wakanda and Edward Scissorhands costumes demonstrate the craftsmanship required.

“The actual Edward Scissorhands costume? I think it took about two hours [to put on]...a lot of those buckles were found at vintage houses and just…attached on. It is super fragile and you have to be very careful putting it on.”
— Naomi Elize (08:08–08:16)

• Symbiotic Vision: Film and fashion are in dialogue more than ever, with modern designers reinterpreting classic costumes.

“It’s such a brilliant matchup to see the costume of The Great Gatsby reinterpreted by Miuccia Prada as a Miu Miu upcycled look…”
— Naomi Elize (06:36–07:01)

• Star Power & Easter Eggs: Nicole Kidman opens the show in custom Chanel; Gracie Abrams and Doja Cat (referenced as "Nostalgia Cat") perform in reinterpreted cinematic looks. Cameos and iconic film moments are woven throughout the event.

“It feels like Easter eggs for everyone watching, just to see these different characters walk around in the middle of the chaos of the actual show.”
— Naomi Elize (11:23)

2. Fashion News & Industry Updates

(13:01–21:18)

• Grace Wales Bonner at Hermes: The hosts celebrate Wales Bonner’s historic appointment as the new Hermes menswear designer, noting both the industry’s and public’s enthusiasm.

“She’s also the first Black woman to lead design at a major European luxury house, which is remarkable.”
— Choma (15:08)

• Louvre Heist Reactions: The group discusses the recent jewel theft at the Louvre, pondering the fate of historic gems and referencing pop culture (“it did feel like Ocean’s Eleven…there’s definitely a movie in the works about this” — Chema, 16:09).

• Red Carpet Roundup: The recent Academy Gala is dissected for standout looks, including Chase Sui Wonders, Charli XCX, and Zoe Kravitz in Saint Laurent, and a trend of runway-to-red-carpet translations.

“It was the first major red carpet event after fashion month...you saw how [collections] were translated for red carpet.”
— Choma (19:42–20:04)

3. Arianne Phillips in Conversation: From Iconic Film Costumes to Vogue World

(22:08–48:36)

Vogue World Collaboration (22:12–24:15)

• Phillips reflects on joining six other legendary costume designers to create new, collaborative looks for Vogue World: Hollywood:

“It’s really Anna Wintour’s brainchild...the conversation between film and fashion—and who better to have that conversation than costume designers?”
— Arianne Phillips (24:15)

Designing Sharon Tate’s Python Coat (26:02–28:40)

• The story behind Margot Robbie’s python coat from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: authentic inspiration from Sharon Tate, recreated by Phillips in faux snakeskin as a tribute to both Tate and designer Ossie Clark.

“Sharon was wearing this insane python coat...She mixed it in a way with this Indian jewelry, and I just thought it was uniquely her style…it was designed by the great fashion designer Ossie Clark…”
— Arianne Phillips (26:28–27:34)

Working with Designers: Marc Jacobs & Anna Sui (28:40–31:25)

• Collaborating with Marc Jacobs for Vogue World, sharing inspiration and anticipating his homage.
• Phillips recalls formative moments, including Anna Sui being inspired by her early editorial work:

“The first time I ever had a fashion designer comment on my work, I will never forget. And that was Anna Sui…she told me that an editorial story I had done…was on her wall, her inspiration board in her design studio.”
— Arianne Phillips (29:57–30:30)

Career Origins: Lenny Kravitz, Madonna, and True Collaboration (31:25–39:45)

• How Phillips broke into the industry: starting as Lenny Kravitz’s stylist, mixing vintage and designer pieces in the early NYC scene.
• On styling Madonna: “The single most challenging medium to work in—and the most rewarding…60 dancers, 700 pairs of shoes, acts and themes, collaborations with Gucci, Prada, Alessandro Michele.”
• The importance of curation and honoring Madonna’s fashion legacy.

Working with Tom Ford & on Oscar-Nominated Productions (39:45–41:08)

• Insights on collaborating with Tom Ford on his films (“one of the most prepared directors I’ve worked with...and yet also very generous about what I could bring to the table”).
• On A Complete Unknown (Bob Dylan biopic): the logistics behind fitting 7,000 costumes for hundreds of cast and extras.

Costume Archiving: Where Do They Go? (41:45–44:25)

• Studios technically own the costumes; sometimes they’re archived, auctioned, or donated. Tarantino and Madonna keep significant archives.

The Art of the Fitting Room (44:25–48:28)

• The intimacy and trust required between designer and actor to "find the character in the fitting room."
• Phillips prefers “over-fitting” (multiple fittings) for deeper design refinement.

“We're the only people in filmmaking who are like, 'Nice to meet you. Take your clothes off.' Right? It's super intimate...for me, the more time I spend with the actors, the deeper I can go with the costumes.”
— Arianne Phillips (45:58–47:15)

4. Memorable Quotes & Standout Moments

• “We've worked with designers from Tory Burch to remake the Atonement dress and Zac Posen who did the Bonnie and Clyde look. It really is one big marriage between fashion and film.”
  — Naomi Elize (11:23)

• “Everything is so considered, thoughtful, exacting. So cannot wait to see what [Grace Wales Bonner] does and also who she pulls in, because she's such a collaborative person.”
  — Chema (15:17)

• “When a fashion designer is inspired by film, then that gift is accessible to the public.”
  — Arianne Phillips (29:08–29:13)

5. Important Timestamps

• 00:36: Vogue World LA jet, behind-the-scenes travel banter
• 04:18: Paramount lot energy and pre-show preparation
• 08:08: Edward Scissorhands fitting insight
• 09:31: Vogue World performer lineup revealed
• 15:08: Grace Wales Bonner makes history at Hermes
• 24:15: Arianne Phillips discusses the film/fashion collaboration at Vogue World
• 26:28: Sharon Tate’s python coat story
• 29:57: The Anna Sui encounter
• 31:25: On starting out with Lenny Kravitz
• 35:27: On designing for Madonna’s tours
• 39:45: Working with Tom Ford
• 41:45: The afterlife of costumes
• 45:58: Finding character in the fitting room

Final Notes & Takeaways

• The episode is rich with industry anecdotes, from runways to red carpets to rising stars, but it centers on the unique dialogue between fashion designers and costume designers—culminating in the upcoming Vogue World: Hollywood event.
• Arianne Phillips’ reflections illuminate the artistry, collaboration, and deep human connections behind costume design, offering listeners an appreciation for both the iconic looks and the creative process that brings them to the screen.

For the live Vogue World: Hollywood experience, tune in Oct 26, 6pm PST at vogueworld.com.