Podcast Summary: The Run-Through with Vogue Episode: Bella Hadid Is British Vogue’s Cover Star | PLUS Harris Dickinson’s Directorial Debut at Cannes
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Hosts: Chioma Nnadi (Chioma) & Chloe Malle (Chloe)

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this engaging episode of The Run-Through with Vogue, hosts Chioma Nnadi and Chloe Malle delve into the latest happenings in the fashion and film industries. The episode spotlights British Vogue's cover star Bella Hadid and celebrates Harris Dickinson's directorial debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

2. Harris Dickinson’s Directorial Debut at Cannes

[00:59 - 02:02]
Chloe and Chioma kick off the episode by expressing their admiration for Harris Dickinson, highlighting his multifaceted role in his film Urchin, where he not only directs but also writes the screenplay.

Chloe Malle:
"He also wrote the film which he's, you know, it's a one-man band. What more do you want from Harris?"
[00:59]

Chioma Menardi:
"He hosted our fashion and film party here after the BAFTAs and he was just delightful and everybody was charmed by him."
[01:38]

Harris's connection with prominent figures like Nicole Kidman, whom he met at the Met Gala, is also discussed, emphasizing his growing influence in both the fashion and film worlds.

3. Bella Hadid's Glamorous Cannes Look

[02:02 - 08:25]
The hosts transition to discuss Bella Hadid's stunning appearance on the British Vogue cover and her presence at Cannes. They admire her "honey blonde" hair and her choice of a "seductive black number" by Saint Laurent, noting how she masterfully highlights her jewelry over the dress itself.

Chloe Malle:
"She's sort of the inexplicable queen of Cannes."
[02:20]

Chioma Menardi:
"She's wearing this gorgeous, very languid black Saint Laurent dress. I couldn't tell if they were flats. I don't think so."
[03:00]

The conversation also touches on the high fashion elements that root Bella as a perennial favorite at such prestigious events.

4. Cannes Dress Code Controversy

[03:24 - 06:43]
A significant portion of the episode addresses the newly updated Cannes dress code, which bans voluminous skirts, trains, and sheer dresses to maintain "decency" and ensure smooth traffic flow on the red carpet.

Chloe Malle:
"I find egregious about it is the fact that it was the updated dress code was released on Monday, the day before the festival opened."
[03:24]

Chioma Menardi:
"I still hate that they have that dumb dress code."
[03:20]

The hosts express frustration over the short notice given to stylists, making it challenging to adapt their meticulously crafted designs. They cite last year's incidents where strict dress code enforcement led to uncomfortable moments on the red carpet.

Chloe Malle:
"It seems that the way people are dealing with it is by not dealing with it at all. I saw a lot of Bella's body, and I saw a lot of volume from other individuals."
[05:14]

5. Protein Chic and Fitness Trends

[08:33 - 12:04]
The discussion shifts to the rising trend of "Protein Chic" in fashion, inspired by the increasing focus on fitness and muscle-toned bodies. Chloe references an article by Jose that humorously connects this trend to popular culture elements like White Lotus.

Chloe Malle:
"Plus White Lotus. The protein shake being an essential plot twist."
[10:22]

They explore how brands like Collina Strada and Balenciaga are designing clothes that cater to sculpted physiques, linking this movement to the broader impact of health and wellness trends influenced by substances like Ozempic.

6. Highlights from Events: Princess of Wales and Connor Ives

[12:04 - 15:13]
Chioma shares experiences from recent high-profile events, including meeting the Princess of Wales at the presentation of the Elizabeth II Award to Patrick McDowell. The episode also celebrates Connor Ives, a British-American designer known for his upcycled fashion, who won the Vogue Fashion Fund.

Chioma Menardi:
"Everyone was completely obsessed with the fact that the Princess of Wales was there. She looked incredible... She's very interested in their process and is clearly getting behind the British fashion industry."
[12:07]

Chloe Malle:
"Connor made this T-shirt in support of the trans community in the U.S. and it went viral, raising $800,000."
[14:51]

The hosts commend Connor's innovative approach to fashion and his commitment to social causes, highlighting the viral success of his "Protect the Dolls" T-shirt.

7. In-Depth Interview with Harris Dickinson and Nicole Kidman about Urchin

[16:35 - 43:35]

7.1. Meeting Nicole Kidman and Filming Experiences

Harris Dickinson recounts his first meeting with Nicole Kidman at the Met Gala, leading to their collaboration on Urchin. He shares anecdotes about their interactions and the challenges of filming with trained animals.

Harris Dickinson:
"I thought, well, I could sort of pretend I haven't seen her, as I often do... but I was nervous, so Margaret walked me over and introduced me."
[18:42]

Nicole Kidman:
"She's talking about your cat, Misty. If Misty knew Nicole knew his name, it would be even more arrogant."
[20:23]

7.2. Exploring Character Development and Themes

The conversation delves into the thematic elements of Urchin, focusing on identity, masculinity, and the complexities of human relationships. Harris emphasizes the film's departure from typical erotic thriller tropes, aiming for emotional depth and relatability.

Harris Dickinson:
"I think that was something that was very important for him. And also his directness was always in the script, his honesty with Romy Nicole's character."
[25:02]

Nicole Kidman:
"It's both erotic and a thriller, but it's not just that. And it is very emotional and you see such arcs of both characters."
[28:34]

7.3. On-Set Dynamics and Trust Building

Harris discusses the importance of building trust with directors and co-stars quickly to ensure a smooth filming process. He praises Nicole Kidman's playful and bold approach, which fosters a creative and supportive environment.

Harris Dickinson:
"We felt very comfortable with each other very soon. And then we just got into it and did it."
[31:40]

7.4. Audience Reactions and Impact

The episode highlights diverse audience reactions to Urchin, ranging from humorous comments to discussions on liberation and emotional connection. Harris shares touching and funny feedback from viewers, illustrating the film's broad impact.

Harris Dickinson:
"People are unafraid to say exactly what they think, particularly when they've just seen it. Like, we've been doing these screenings and... an 80-year-old woman grabbed me and said, 'I can't wait to get home and use that vibrator.'"
[29:21]

7.5. Personal Insights and Future Plans

Harris opens up about his personal life, including his relationship with his partner and their collaborative projects. He also shares his holiday plans and aspirations to reconnect with cooking, adding a relatable and personal touch to the interview.

Harris Dickinson:
"I'm gonna get back in touch with cooking. I lost that a little bit this year because I was busy, so I really just want to make some nice food."
[42:40]

8. Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Content

As the episode wraps up, Chloe and Chioma tease future content, including more on Harris Dickinson's work and upcoming fashion and culture news. They also highlight Little Gold Men, a new show by Richard Lawson, offering daily updates from Cannes.

Chloe Malle:
"Join us to get your bi-weekly fashion and culture news."
[16:36]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Chloe Malle:
  "She's sort of the inexplicable queen of Cannes."
  [02:20]

• Chioma Menardi:
  "I still hate that they have that dumb dress code."
  [03:20]

• Harris Dickinson:
  "People are unafraid to say exactly what they think, particularly when they've just seen it."
  [29:21]

• Nicole Kidman:
  "It's both erotic and a thriller, but it's not just that. And it is very emotional and you see such arcs of both characters."
  [28:34]

Final Thoughts

This episode provides an insightful look into the intersections of fashion and film, celebrating influential figures like Bella Hadid and Harris Dickinson. With candid conversations and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, The Run-Through with Vogue offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of current trends and creative processes in the industry.

Produced by:
Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma, Joanna Solotaro
Engineered by:
Jake Loomis, James Yost
Mixed by:
Mike Kutchman, Stephanie Kariuchi
Executive Producer:
Stephanie Kariuchi
Head of Global Audio:
Chris Bannon

This summary is intended for informational purposes and encapsulates the key discussions and moments from the specified podcast episode.