Topic: Fashion & Style

Founded in Milan in 1913 by the Italian brothers Mario and Martino Prada, the original business focused on producing and selling luxury leather goods to an aristocratic and royal elite. With the advent of ready-to-wear and the expansion of fashion retail in the 1970s, Prada entered the global market under the direction of the founder’s granddaughter, Miuccia Prada. The now… Continue reading Episode #129: Devils Always Wear Prada: The Evolution of a Belle Epoque Brand

An in-depth look into the world of French couture fashion during the Gilded Age with author Elizabeth Block.  The world of couture designers during the Gilded Age and the Belle Epoque went far beyond just the designers themselves. Houses such as Worth, Doucet and Paquin and many others created the stunning gowns and dresses worn by both Europe’s and America’s… Continue reading Episode #44: Gilded Age French Fashion: The House of Worth and Beyond

Who doesn’t like to get a valentine perhaps from a mysterious admirer? Well, the practice of sending valentines goes back centuries and as we will see, valentines could mean something spiritual, an expression of friendship and love, or even a proposal of marriage. Carl is joined by historian and collector Nancy Rosin whose own collection of over 12,000 valentines from the past… Continue reading Episode #98: Be Mine: The World of Victorian Valentines

In addition to making a social statement through one’s designer gowns from the great Paris couture houses, Gilded Age hostesses made sure that in addition to the dresses and jewels, they wore the most fashionable hairstyles of the day. Hairstyles and the methods of hairdressing evolved dramatically over the 19th century from an “at home” activity… Continue reading Episode #97: The Gilded Age Art of Hairdressing

Just the name “Tiffany” evokes the glamour and elegance of the Gilded Age. But there is much more to the story than just the eponymous retailer who continues to sell fine jewelry and decorative objects today. In this episode, Carl is joined by Lindsy Parrott, the Executive Director of The Neustadt Collection, one of the country’s most important… Continue reading Episode #88: Louis Comfort Tiffany: Lighting the Gilded Age

Carl pays a visit to the Museum of the City of New York for a very special episode with Collections Manager for Costumes and Textiles, Elizabeth Randolph as they not only discuss the importance, style and design of the famous dress Alice Vanderbilt wore to her sister-in-law Alva’a ball, but have their discussion in the actual presence of the… Continue reading Episode #82: The Gilded Age’s Most Famous Dress: Alice Vanderbilt’s “Electric Light”