Back Row with Amy Odell

What did Love Story get wrong about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette? Amy Odell sits down with Kate Storey, author of White House by the Sea, to break down what really happened inside the Kennedy compound — and how the show fictionalizes their lives, relationship, and famous Cape Cod summers. And she answers the urgent question: was there really a breakfast board?! Kate spent years reporting on the Kennedy family and shares what the show gets right, what it gets completely wrong, and what their real lives were actually like behind the scenes. Sign up for a Premium subscription to Back Row to hear Part 2. Go to BackRow.net to get newsletter access included with your subscription. Or sign up in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. CHAPTERS 01:06 why everyone is watching “love story” 03:00 inside the real Kennedy compound 06:00 how the show fictionalizes Hyannis Port 08:20 how John and Carolyn really started dating 12:10 when the paparazzi began 13:00 JFK Jr.’s Cape Cod childhood 15:40 the treasure diving story 17:50 the infamous boat moment 19:20 the “breakfast board” truth 21:00 Carolyn vs the Kennedy family (real story) 23:30 what Carolyn was actually like 27:00 their dinner parties and private life 28:30 how they really got engaged 30:00 iconic photos vs reality 31:00 how accurate is the show overall? 34:00 their final plans for the house 36:00 why they didn’t prioritize security Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the audio version of the Back Row newsletter published Tuesday, March 17. After waiting two years for John Galliano's next move, we finally know he's going to Zara. In this analysis, Amy talks about why fashion people have forgiven him for his antisemitic and racist tirades that became public in 2011 and led to him losing his job at Dior — and why this move is a risk for Zara. Amy finishes with the "Loose Threads" news roundup, featuring Adrien Grenier's Devil Wears Prada 2 laments and a funny update about Gwyenth's clothing auction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Odell is joined by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan of ⁠Go Fug Yourself⁠ and the ⁠Drinks With Broads⁠ newsletter to break down the biggest fashion stories from Oscars night—and what they reveal about Hollywood right now. They discuss Anna Wintour’s surprise appearance (and why she’s leaning into The Devil Wears Prada 2), the backlash against Timothée Chalamet and what it says about celebrity culture, and the ongoing dominance of luxury brands like Chanel and Dior on the red carpet. Plus: the state of red carpet coverage, why it feels increasingly sanitized, and the looks that worked—and didn’t. In part two, we get into the media’s Ozempic discourse, Chanel vs. Dior, and why the K-pop Demon Hunters cast didn’t get the attention they deserved. CHAPTERS 00:00 The Oscars as luxury marketing 05:00 Why everything in Hollywood is too long 09:30 The biggest fashion stories 10:30 The problem with red carpet coverage 19:00 The Timothée backlash 26:00 Kylie Jenner and celebrity optics 29:00 Anna Wintour at the Oscars 35:00 Chanel vs. Dior 40:00 The best (and safest) looks Don't forget to ⁠sign up for the Back Row newsletter.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paris Fashion Week wrapped up the Fall 2026 shows, so Amy Odell and New York Times bestselling author Dana Thomas are handing out the Fashion Month Awards. Together they break down the biggest moments from New York, Milan, and Paris Fashion Week, including: • Prada’s viral runway stunt • Marc Jacobs’ comeback in New York • The rise of fashion watch parties bringing fans into the shows • Why tech billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg are suddenly sitting front row • The best trends and the weirdest trends of the season • What Chanel’s new era could mean for fashion They also talk about how fashion shows—and fashion media—are changing as creators, newsletters, and independent platforms reshape the industry. Part two of the Fashion Month Awards is available to Back Row Premium subscribers. Sign up at BackRow.net to get newsletter access and more exclusive fashion reporting included with your subscription, or in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Chapters: 00:00 — Introducing Dana Thomas and the Fashion Month awards 01:25 — Is fashion entering a new generational era? 04:10 — The shift from magazines to creators and newsletters 06:40 — Loudest viral stunt: Prada’s layered runway trick 10:15 — Fashion watch parties and opening shows to the public 15:35 — Why fashion shows might become spectator events 20:55 — Sleeper hit of the season 24:30 — Most awkward front row celebrity 28:00 — Tech billionaires invade fashion week 31:50 — Hardest-working front row celebrity 34:20 — Best trend of the season 36:40 — Weirdest trend: the return of tails Links and Resources: Amy Odell - Instagram Back Row newsletter Dana Thomas Instagram Deluxe (book) Gods & Kings (book) Fashionopolis (book) Style Files (newsletter) Credits: Produced by Amy Odell. Audio editing by Joyce Ciesel, video by Jonathan Voytko. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Odell sits down with Liz McNeil and RoseMarie Terenzio, authors of JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography, to discuss the real romance between Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr. that inspired the FX show Love Story, executive-produced by Ryan Murphy. Terenzio assisted JFK Jr. in the 90s at George magazine, and McNeil covered him as an editor for People. For their book, they interviewed more than 150 people who knew him. They share personal encounters with the couple and people in their inner circle, talk about what John would have made of the frenzy over his style today, and explain what in 'Love Story' is pure fiction. PART TWO, including discussion of how the Kennedy family deals with relentless press and the REAL reason for that famous fight in the park, is available to Premium subscribers of ⁠Back Row. Sign up at backrow.net for full podcast and newsletter access, or through Apple Podcasts or Spotify. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why everyone is talking about JFK Jr. and Carolyn again 01:25 What the FX show “Love Story” gets right (and wrong) 06:10 Why Gen Z is suddenly obsessed with them 07:10 The truth about JFK Jr.’s style 12:10 What drew John and Carolyn together 21:00 What Carolyn Bessette was really like 29:30 Carolyn’s struggle with paparazzi 35:30 The iconic wedding dress 39:15 What the show said about the famous park fight Links & Resources: Partner message: Go to beehiiv and use the code AMY30 to get 30 percent off a subscription. Get RoseMarie and Liz's book: JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography Sign up for the Back Row newsletter Follow Amy Odell on Instagram Follow Liz McNeil on Instagram Follow Rosemarie Terenzio on Instagram This episode was produced by Amy Odell, with audio editing by Joyce Ciesil and video editing by Jonathan Voytko. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paris Fashion Week is off and running. Jonathan Anderson's fall 2026 Dior show kicked off the week — and Amy liked it a lot more than she expected! She reads her review of the show from the Back Row newsletter, which discusses how fashion has become mass culture and why designers like Anderson need to reach aspirational shoppers. She ends with the "Loose Threads" news roundup, featuring Condé Nast offloading 'Them,' and more. PLUS, a teaser from Monday's interview with JFK Jr.'s biographers (8:45), inspired by the FX show Love Story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy sits down with Noëmie Leclercq of luxury news outlet Glitz Paris to debate the "Hermès game" (aka everything customers allegedly have to do in order for boutiques to offer them the chance to purchase a Birkin or Kelly bag). They discuss pre-spends, background checks, and Hermès’ apparent alliance with Lauren Sánchez Bezos. Noëmie also talks about why superfakes have become a big problem; how the class action lawsuit in the U.S. has affected Hermès sales practices; and the secret “grey market” where billionaires buy the most exclusive bags. In Part 2, Noëmie and Amy discuss whether or not the Birkin bubble has popped, why the market for "superfakes" is booming, and the (grim) outlook for Birkins on the secondhand market. Part 2 is available to paid subscribers of backrow.net (which includes full newsletter access) or through Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Chapters 00:00 — Introducing Noëmie Leclercq of Glitz Paris 01:10 — Is Hermès really stalking their clients? 03:00 — Breaking down the Hermès game 05:40 — Hermès locations: US vs. France 06:00 — Who is the ideal Hermès customer? 07:40 — This French law requires Hermès to background check clients 12:10 — The pre-spend: does Hermès really need to sell furniture? 19:00 — What is the grey market for Hermès products? 24:40 — The Hermès lawsuit: how did it change the game? 28:40 — Can the Birkin be overexposed? 30:20 — Listen to part 2 for Noëmie’s take on if the Birkin bubble has popped Links & Resources: Back Row newsletter Amy Odell — Instagram Noëmie Leclercq — Glitz Paris This episode was produced by Amy Odell and edited by Amy Odell, Joyce Ciesel, and Jonathan Voytko. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Odell talks with fashion director-turned-entrepreneur Marina Larroudé about why she left Teen Vogue for Barneys -- and then started her own brand. Marina recalls Style.com's earliest days; how top brands really weren't on board with the internet; what it was really like to work for Anna Wintour; and what she saw from inside the industry that convinced her there was a big business opportunity in footwear. Part 2 is available to paid subscribers at BackRow.net (which includes full newsletter access) or through Apple Podcasts or Spotify. In Part 2, Marina talks about how she makes walkable heels; what it was like for Taylor Swift to wear her shoes on the Eras tour; and her plans for the future of Larroudé. Products mentioned in this episode: ⁠Boat shoes⁠ ⁠Fuzzy lined ballet flat⁠ ⁠Dolly platform sandal⁠ (the same style Taylor Swift wore): ⁠Stella sneaker⁠ CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Introducing Marina Larroudé 03:00 — Why are people so fascinated by Anna Wintour and the Condé Nast world? 05:30 — What does the fashion director at Teen Vogue do? 09:00 — Marina's experience at Style.com 13:30 — The Bella Thorne photoshoot disaster 16:30 — Marina's experience working with Anna Wintour 18:40 — Why Marina left fashion media to work at Barneys 25:10 — On founding Larroudé: "No one was making high-quality shoes for drop-off" 35:00 — How Marina makes Larroudé's shoes comfortable 38:30 — Listen to part 2 for Marina's take on what makes a walkable heel Back Row newsletter Amy Odell - Instagram Marina Larroudé: Instagram Larroudé: Website Instagram TikTok This episode was produced by Amy Odell and edited by Amy Odell, Jonathan Voytko, and Joyce Ciesel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the audio version of the Back Row newsletter published February 17, 2026. Why don't fashion designers view Olympic figure skating the way they do red carpets — as a forum to exploit for brand impressions? The sport is fabulous, glamorous, and awe-inspiring, after all. Amy digs into how figure skating costumes are made and why the world's top ready-to-wear designers generally don't want anything to do with making them — and why the athletes also aren't clamoring for brands to step in. Plus, a special New York Fashion Week report (6:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 is available to paid subscribers at backrow.net (which includes full newsletter access) or through Apple Podcasts or Spotify. In Part 2, Amy and Lila debate the Saks Fifth Avenue bankruptcy — detailing the brand's fraught relationship with Amazon, the possibility of government intervention, and what it all means for the future of the department store. On this episode of the Back Row Podcast, Amy talks with Lila Delilah, THE Madison Avenue Spy, about the current unhinged state of luxury retail — from the "Very Important Client" system to how luxury brands deal with all-out frenzies over once-secret sales. They also discuss the Hermès game, brands that have threatened to sue Lila, and more. CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Introducing Madison Avenue Spy 5:10 – Were there VICs in 2010? 7:00 – How have luxury sales evolved? 13:10 – The lines are getting out of control 15:00 – What are the most legendary sales right now? 16:10 – Will The Row do invitation-only sales? 20:00 – Hermès shoppers are begging for appointments 27:00 – The brands that threatened to sue Madison Avenue Spy 31:10 – The bag-buying experience at Chanel vs. Hermès 34:40 – Reacting to the “Great Reset” 37:45 – Was Hermès ever really a fashion brand? 41:00 – What could break the spell Hermès has on shoppers? Links & Resources: Back Row Newsletter Amy Odell - Instagram Madison Avenue Spy: Substack Website Instagram TikTok Telegram This episode was produced by Amy Odell and edited by Joyce Ciesil and Jonathan Voytko. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are awards shows still about movies — or are they now luxury fashion marketing disguised as cultural prestige? And who’s actually funding all these celeb red-carpet appearances — the studios, the stars, or the brands? Amy Odell is joined by Debra Birnbaum, Editor-in-Chief of awards season news outlet Gold Derby, to break down how modern awards campaigns actually work and why the fashion is so important. Amy and Debra talk Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme press tour and if it was too annoying to win (23:10); who really pays for all the glam (14:30); and how the Met Gala came to overshadow the Oscars (33:30). Subscribe to Amy's Back Row newsletter: https://www.backrow.net/ Follow Amy on Instagram Follow Debra Birnbaum on Instagram Check out Gold Derby for more awards season predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 of this episode is available to paid subscribers at backrow.net (which includes full newsletter access) or through Apple Podcasts or Spotify. After years of quiet luxury, opulence is back in fashion. In this episode of the Back Row podcast, Amy traces the origins of fashion’s current obsession with excess — all the way back to… Bravo? Joined by Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam of the wildly popular Watch What Crappens podcast, they discuss how Real Housewives culture shaped today’s luxury landscape, even as the fashion world distanced itself from reality stars. Lauren Sánchez may be one of the most talked-about attendees at couture week — but Bravo stars have been doing her look for 20 years! They also talk about how much Bravo helped get Gigi and Bella Hadid's careers going, Rachel Zoe's debut on RHOBH, and more. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introducing Ben & Ronnie of ‘Watch What Crappens’ 01:20 – Lauren Sanchez’s style is just the Bravo look 05:00 – Breaking down the Bravo aesthetic 10:40 – Are Sky tops coming back? 16:50 – Will fashion ever accept the Real Housewives? 24:30 – Would the Hadids have happened without Bravo? 27:30 – What’s up with Mauricio’s Chanel blanket? 30:40 – Is Rachel Zoe too confident for the Real Housewives? 37:10 – Bravo misidentified a Kelly bag 40:20 – The Birkin that costs $1,000,000 (before you can buy it!) 44:30 – Is plastic surgery the new Birkin? Links & Resources: Back Row newsletter Back Row Podcast: Apple Spotify YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2, Ana Andjelic and Amy Odell break down Meghan Markle’s new brand As Ever, how The Row quietly built one of the most powerful luxury brands in fashion, and what's next for Chiara Ferragni after her acquittal. Part 2 is available to paid subscribers at backrow.net (which includes full newsletter access) or through Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Celebrity brands are everywhere—but what separates the ones that thrive from those that fail? Can fame alone turn a celebrity idea into a lucrative enterprise? In this episode of the Back Row Podcast, Amy Odell sits down with branding expert Ana Andjelic (former Chief Brand Officer of Esprit & Banana Republic, author, and the voice behind the newsletter The Sociology of Business) to break down the secret formula behind the most successful celebrity businesses. From Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop to Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty and Hailey Bieber’s billion-dollar sale of Rhode, they explore why fame alone isn’t enough, how authenticity clashes with marketing hype, and what it really takes to turn star-power into a lasting cultural phenomenon. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction: Why some celebrity brands succeed while others fail 03:20 – What is Gwyneth Paltrow even selling at Goop? And with the relaunched Gwyn clothing line? 09:10 – The death of quiet luxury: where does Gwyn fit? 10:50 – Apple Martin and Gwyneth’s viral Calvin Klein moment 11:30 – What’s kept audiences captivated by Gwyneth for 30 years 18:00 – Predicting the future of Gwyneth’s brands 21:10 – Alex Cooper and Unwell Hydration is more than just trendy water 29:00 – The key to Hailey Bieber’s $1 billion brand deal 32:45 – Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty is playing the long game 35:00 – Shay Mitchell and Toddler Face Masks: rage bait or reputation ruin 36:00 – Meghan Markle’s brand As Ever: “Last time I talked about her, I got raked over the coals” Links & Resources Back Row Newsletter Amy Odell - Instagram Ana Andjelic: Instagram The Sociology of Business (Newsletter) The Business of Aspiration (Book) Hitmakers (Book) This episode was produced by Amy Odell and edited by Amy Odell and Jonathan Voytko. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this holiday episode of The Back Row Podcast, Amy Odell shares a special installment of Retail Confessions, featuring an anonymous interview with a former Harrods sales associate. The interviewee discussed what it was really like working on the shop floor at one of the world’s most famous luxury department stores — from intense sales pressure and demanding clients to the unspoken rules of the über-rich. To preserve anonymity, the interviewee’s responses are read by Amy’s husband, Rick. Sign up for Back Row Premium to hear more episodes like this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Odell talks with model and writer Lauren Chan about what she calls a "recession of size inclusion" in fashion. After years of progress, brands are reverting back to casting “straight size” models by default —and the consequences go far beyond aesthetics. Lauren shares a fashion week story that captures the problem perfectly: a major entertainment cover shoot featuring a size-12/14 talent had no designer samples available, Amy and Lauren discuss why it matters when the fashion industry ignores bigger bodies; how AI will affect body diversity in fashion; the impact of GLP-1s; and more. Follow Lauren Chan on Instagram. Follow Amy Odell on Instagram. Subscribe to the Back Row newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOR PART TWO OF THIS PODCAST, sign up for Back Row Premium in Apple or Spotify. In part two, Amy gets Dana Thomas's thoughts on Emily in Paris after watching it for the first time; how French attitudes toward plastic surgery compare to those in America; and how the French feel about the Bezos billionaire lifestyle. In this episode of the Back Row podcast, veteran fashion journalist Dana Thomas joins Amy Odell to talk about Emily in Paris! She reveals what it was really like to actually live the fantasy of moving to Paris at 18 years old to work in fashion, how it influenced her style, and how actual French fashion is so different from the show. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why Emily in Paris works as fantasy 01:30 Dana Thomas’s real “Emily in Paris” story 03:40 Modeling and learning French beauty and style rules 06:40 French chic vs. American cool 09:50 Life as a teenage model in the 1980s 12:00 Falling in love and moving to Paris 14:00 How French women actually dress 17:20 Scarves are very important 22:30 The French style formula, explained 26:20 Handbags, pockets, and why French women don’t carry much 29:00 Men’s style in Paris vs. the "Emily in Paris" fantasy Links & Resources: Back Row newsletter Amy Odell - Instagram Dana Thomas Instagram Deluxe (book) Gods & Kings (book) Fashionopolis (book) Style Files (newsletter) This episode was produced by Amy Odell and edited by Amy Odell and Jonathan Voytko. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gwyneth Paltrow has long been known for promoting various wellness fads that drive experts crazy. Long before she was publicly singing the praises of raw dairy products, she would publish "detox" diets each January. These were the foundation of Goop's wellness business. In this excerpt from Amy's latest book Gwyneth: The Biography, hear about how Goop began, how its viral diet advice generated great controversy (along with invaluable notoriety) in its early days, and how health and medical experts felt about it all. Get the full Gwyneth audiobook here. Get Gwyneth: The Biography in hardcover or ebook here. Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from Gwyneth by Amy Odell, read by Chante McCormick. Copyright © 2025 by Amy Odell. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What can we glean about Condé Nast's politics from recent current events? Teen Vogue has been shuttered, but Vanity Fair's Trump 2.0 package was a journalistic achievement of the sort rarely seen these days. Anna Wintour is a known Democratic supporter and fundraiser, yet she's been cozying up to the Trump-supporting Bezoses for Met Gala money. Amy Odell is joined by comedians and cultural critics Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton, who host the highly addictive and excellent Good Noticings podcast, to figure out what this all says about Condé Nast right now. Plus, Melania Trump’s $40 million documentary, and how it ties back to all of this. Chapters: 0:00 – Welcoming the Good Noticings podcast 0:37 – Vanity Fair’s major Trump 2.0 article and what it says about Condé Nast 4:42 – Anna Wintour is leaning into controversy 6:30 – Why did the Trump team do the Vanity Fair story? 7:15 – Christopher Anderson’s photo spread 8:53 – The discourse around Karoline Leavitt’s lip filler 15:16 – Reacting to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos sponsoring the Met Gala 25:34 – The fashion relevancy of Melania Trump’s $40 million documentary 29:26 – Would Vogue put Melania on the cover? Speculation! 33:06 – How will controversy affect the Met Gala’s future? Links & Resources: Good Noticings Podcast Apple⁠⁠ Spotify TikTok: @goodnoticingspod Instagram: @goodnoticingspodThe Olivia Nuzzi Good Noticings episode Claire Parker Instagram: @clairethescare Ashley Hamilton Instagram: @ashleyhammm Back Row Newsletter ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Amy Odell Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can a 2.5-hour artsy, originally scripted film open at the box office? The Marty Supreme cast is so determined to get us to the theater for this movie that they're wearing full monochromatic orange for promotional appearances. Gwyneth Paltrow is being strategic with her fashion choices in other ways, and helping daughter Apple's prospects in the process. This is the audio version of the Back Row newsletter published Thursday, December 18, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

World-renowned Real Housewives expert Dame Brian Moylan joins Amy Odell on the Back Row podcast to talk about Rachel Zoe's debut on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! They analyze what Rachel and Bravo gain from her joining the cast and why fashion people are so eager to get on this show. Then they recap all of Rachel's scenes in the first two episodes of season 15, and do some investigative journalism on Mauricio "Mo" Umansky's disturbing Chanel couch. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro to Dame Brian Moylan 02:41 - Why did Rachel join the cast? 07:26 - Why fashion people are joining Real Housewives 11:09 - Recapping Rachel's scenes in episode 1 12:38 - DOES MAURICIO HAVE A CHANEL COUCH? 13:28 - Why are all the Birkins unclasped? 27:11 - Rachel and Roger's shocking split 33:22 - Rachel cooks bacon and eggs 36:00 - What is Rachel implying about Roger's girlfriend?! FOR PART TWO OF THIS PODCAST, sign up for Back Row Premium in ⁠Apple⁠ or ⁠Spotify⁠. In part two, Brian and Amy recap RHOBH season 15 episode 2 and play the game "Cast or Pass," in which Amy gives Brian a fashion person and he decides whether or not to fantasy cast them as Real Housewives. Links & Resources: Back Row newsletter Follow Amy on Instagram Brian Moylan Instagram RHOBH Vulture recaps The Housewives: The Real Story Behind the Real Housewives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices