German Fashion History Podcast

An English-speaking podcast dedicated to the study of German fashion history. We will return from our brief intermission on April 16th.

Weimar Fashion: Made in Germany Ep. 6 - Special Announcement

From the Prussian Royal Court to ’20s Berlin RTW, listen for small sampling of what’s to come and a special announcement.

04-28
06:00

Made in Germany: Weimar Fashion Ep. 5

Come dream your wildest phantasmagoric dreams of fashion in this episode where we explore the storied allure of the display window and Berlin department stores.

04-16
27:53

Weimar Fashion: Made in Germany Ep. 4

Explore a fresh take on the story of fashion journalism and women like Johanna Thal, Helen Grund, and Lily von Nagy, who became the voice of style for Weimar-era Germany. In this episode, we will revisit Ullstein Verlag––one of Germany's illustrious fashion publications, Die Dame. And if you love lil feminist or Marxist theory, you're in for a treat!

03-19
25:15

Weimar Fashion: Made in Germany Ep. 3

Escape with me as I explore the scintillating world of fashion & Weimar film. From, Metropolis, to the Konfektions Komodie and the Silent Era catwalk, listen to how it all came to life.

03-13
18:34

Weimar Fashion: Made in Germany Ep. 2

From the street style of sex workers, Irmgard Keun's The Artificial Silk Girl, to the birth of the "Neue Frau" & flapper, explore the grit & glamor of it all.

03-07
17:26

Weimar Fashion: Made in Germany Ep. 1

Explores the many social, political, and economic currents that laid the foundation for this iconic zeitgeist. From revolutionary artists and movements like Georg Grosz's November Group to Berlin's black market economy, explore the Weimar Era's varying shades of austerity and intrigue.

03-01
23:56

FINALE--Supersized: Denim on Demand/in Demand––the Story of Jeans in the GDR.

From plagiarised Levi's to the GDR's own designer-label denim, explore the contentious history of all things jeans and their coveted status. For episode notes, please click here: https://bit.ly/3h18PH5

12-19
16:56

BONUS: Putting the Krampus Back into Christmas

Discover lore and life of Krampus from his Germanic pagan origins to his celebratory presence today. This episode covers: Krampus, Krampuslauf (Krampus runs), Frau Perchta, Perchtenlauf (Perchtenruns) the Kinderschreckfigur, Witchcraft, Paganism, German Folklore & the Wild Jagd

12-05
18:24

Das ist Punk: DIY, Punk and the Black Market Fashion Economy-PT 2

Explores the GDR’s underground fashion scene, Chic Charmant & Dauerhaft, Allerleirauh, Sibylle Bergemann, Sven Marquardt, Ute Mahler, Dorothea Melis, Robert Melis

11-27
14:24

Das ist Punk: DIY, Punk & the black market fashion economy—PT 1

Explores DIY, home sewing, Punk subculture, the black market fashion economy

11-22
19:16

Gespenster der DDR - A Halloween Special

From East Germany’s haunted hospitals to Sarah Khan’s “Séance with the Stasi”, discover a more spectral side of the GDR

10-29
33:15

Fake It Til You Make It: Synthetic Fabrics, Weaving a National Identity

This episode explores: the East German textile industry, synthetic fiber production, Malimo, Dederon & Praesent 20, fashion, DIY, 60s fashion fads. 

10-16
22:11

Whose Bauhaus Is It Anyway? Fashion & Architecture Part 2

This episode explores: socialist modernism in Germany, East German fashion photography, Arno Fischer, Günter Rössler, Berlin architecture, ’70s DIY fashion. Transcript & images to this episode can be found here.

09-26
36:57

Whose Bauhaus Is It Anyway? Fashion & Architecture Part 1

This episode explores: Post War Germany & the Bauhaus, Political Tensions & Contested Definitions of Modernism—East be West, East German Interior Design, Consumerism & Fashion as a Common Denominator. Images and transcript to this episode can be found here.

09-03
26:56

Season 2 Trailer - Mark Your Cals for Friday, September 4

Get ready for a brand. spanking. new. season where we’ll dive deep into the world of fashion in the German Democratic Republic. While last season was all about gaining a concrete understanding about tastemakers, gamechangers and the every day realties of fashion and dress in the GDR, this season we’re nerding out hard on fashion/art theory and big ideas. Checkout some key ideas for what’s to come: -Fashion & Architecture -- Signifiers of a Communist Utopia -Selvaging Dreams & a Fashion Economy--Denim in the GDR -The Rise of Punk & Fashion Counter Cultures in East Germany

08-14
01:45

Got a Haute Minute? Weekend Reads: Sozialistische Moderne/ Socialist Modernism in Germany

Take a tour of the GDR’s most-celebrated architectural monuments, stroll through the beautiful austerity of its abandoned buildings and listen to my latest book review. Follow @scattermyashesataldi for images.

07-31
07:39

FINALE--Eighties Ragers of Fringe Fashion & Perestroika–PT 2

From Perestroika to the provocative fashion photography of Sven Marquardt and the fall of the Berlin Wall, it's time to bid your goodbyes to fashion in the GDR with our season finale.

07-29
26:54

Eighties Ragers of Fringe Fashion & the People’s Patterns–PT 1

From underground fashion collectives like CCD (Chic, Charmant & Dauerhaft) to Sibylle under scrutiny, step into this 80s throwback. Click here for images this this week's episode.

07-21
36:29

Weekend Reads: Mode Fotografie Underground DDR 1979-1989/ Fashion, Photography, Underground 1978-89

From punk, queer and counterculture to fashion photography explore the visual activists & creative collectives of East Germany who saw sartorial expression as the ultimate revolt. Check out images from this groundbreaking exhibit  here.

07-18
12:13

Seventies Dreams of Denim & DIY—PT 2

From the GDR’s newly branded “Wisent” , “Boxer”, and “Goldfuchs” denim jeans, Sibylle’s escapist editorials to the Stasi’s efforts in psychological warfare, explore fashion under a surveillance state. Find all images and editorials referenced in this week's episode here. 

07-14
33:16

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