Questioning Fashion – Détails, épisodes et analyse

How the hell are you all? We’re so sorry for the radio silence. I hope you know we never stopped thinking about you.

The fact is, we haven’t had an awful lot of head space since October, when Ali decided to shut up shop.

Why did she do it? It was literally the best vintage dress hire shop in the southern hemisphere and had so many fans and regular customers.

As any small business owner with a shopfront knows, it’s never as simple as that.

So listen to the story, as recorded in Jo’s daughter’s newly built cubby house (a temporary replacement for our Bell Street studio).

Mentioned in this episode…

UsefulBox Sewing School

Slogue workshops and Directory

Casablanca

Ekoluv

Fashion Alta Moda

Just a reminder, as mentioned in the pod, the next few episodes will be from our ‘vault’, starting with an interview with Thread Together’s Anthony Chesler. The organisation diverts an annual 700+ tonnes of unsold new fashion from landfill to help people below the poverty line. We get the lowdown and address the (overproduction) elephant in the room.

We’re also dedicating an episode to you, the listeners, as we open the mailbox and answer some of your burning fashion questions.

Speaking of which, email any questions or comments and please use the codeword ‘Acorn’ in the subject line (we’ll explain later…)Email: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au

We’d love a review on Apple Podcasts

And follow us here..instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcastinstagram.com/jogambaleinstagram.com/alidibleytiktok.com/@bellstreet

So it turned out Ali and Jo were visiting Europe at the same time! And since even family holidays bring up questions of fashion for these girls, they figured they’d stay in touch via voice notes (quirkily posing here as answer machine messages for your audio pleasure).

What happened next? Christian Lacroix, for one. 80s silver ruffles at Portabello Rd, for another. The Case of the Missing Pile of Favourite Clothes. Veja in-store repairs in Paris. Humana charity stores in Barcelona and Berlin. Not to mention the sticky willies, ginger spotted dick and BIBA!

Have you had any amazing finds at overseas op shops or vintage stores?

Email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.auOur social media accounts:instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcastinstagram.com/jogambaleinstagram.com/bellstreettiktok.com/@bellstreet

This week we're talking clothing care and sharing our favourite tips for washing, repairing and storing our clothes - because true sustainable fashion isn't about only buying from ethical brands or going op shopping all the time, it's about wearing the clothes you already own forever.Email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.auOur Instagram accounts:instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcastinstagram.com/jogambaleinstagram.com/bellstreetOur TikTok accounts:tiktok.com/@bellstreettiktok.com/@slogue_joannegambale

If you don't already know Terrance Williams - a fashion designer and influencer from Dallas, Texas - then boy are you in for a treat.We get to know the man who rose like a phoenix when a post went viral and filled his inbox with hate.We hear how he grew up poor and as the only kid of colour in school, was bullied for his secondhand clothes, began a law degree with ambitions of helping asylum seekers then found his "inner truth" through sustainable fashion.Now he models his gorgeous designs for hundreds of thousands of followers, puts racist and homophobic trolls in their place without even a grain of vitriol, and inspires others to let go of stale binary fashion ideals if that isn't their truth.Find Terrance here and follow him on Instagram and TikTok for some utterly joyful content.And if you'd like to stay in touch with us, subscribe to our monthly Substack here!

Or email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au

Our Instagram accounts:

instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcast

instagram.com/jogambale

instagram.com/bellstreet

Remember how Downton Abbey used to LOVE doing Christmas Specials? Well, this is ours.
We take a deep dive into Downton's costumes, do some weird impressions of McBride and Violet, and discuss how Jo met one of the Downton maids at drama camp in Manchester, England.
Ali as always has done some actual research so listen for some fun facts.

We also ask each other to come up with a new character to play in the show - and that same question goes out to you guys!
Maybe a long-lost cousin of Matt's or an evil new cook who murders Mrs Patmore..??

Email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au

Our Instagram accounts:
instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcast
instagram.com/jogambale
instagram.com/bellstreet

Our TikTok accounts:
tiktok.com/@bellstreet
tiktok.com/@slogue_joannegambale

Can't wait to be back in 2024 (and don't forget to repeat-watch The Nanny in time for our next FF)

In our last official episode of the year, we head back to Ali's History Corner and learn all about sequins and sparkle. We talk about the EU's recent glitter ban, the history of sequins and how to style sequins.

Email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au

Our Instagram accounts:
instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcast
instagram.com/jogambale
instagram.com/bellstreet

Our TikTok accounts:
tiktok.com/@bellstreet
tiktok.com/@slogue_joannegambale

This week Ali tells Jo all about Oleg Cassini, a costume and fashion designer who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s and led an action-packed life throughout Europe, Hollywood and New York.

Oleg Cassini loves to credit himself with... well, basically everything. What's your claim to fame?

The interview with Gene Tierney is here

Email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au

Our Instagram accounts:
instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcast
instagram.com/jogambale
instagram.com/bellstreet

Our TikTok accounts:
tiktok.com/@bellstreet
tiktok.com/@slogue_joannegambale

Today marks the release of the most FABULOUS new book about vintage and personal style.

We were lucky enough to talk to the author of the book, deliciously titled How To Be Fabulous, for this week's episode, about all things vintage, secondhand, personal style and "bowerbird capsule wardrobes". 

Charlotte Dallison has worn many (fabulous) hats, from owner of a vintage boutique, Chez Charlotte, to journalist, podcaster and now author.

She's been on many a style journey too, from 2000s teen to vintage purist pin-up queen to her current "classic bombshell" look, so she knows all about the process and has pearls of wisdom to match. 

Order Charlotte's book HERE or support your local bookstore - in Ali's case Gleebooks.

Charlotte's Instagram account:
instagram/charlottedallison


Have an answer to this week's or any of our questions to you?

Email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au

Our Instagram accounts:
instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcast
instagram.com/jogambale
instagram.com/bellstreet

Our TikTok accounts:
tiktok.com/@bellstreet
tiktok.com/@slogue_joannegambale

We get all fangirly with our latest guest, fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes Bell, who's absolutely killin' it in the UK with her infinite knowledge on the subject.

She's turned what she admits was a dry subject to study (cue snores in the lecture room) to a relatable and fascinating phenomenon that sees her as a regular on panels as well as the average Pom's favourite cosy TV show, This Morning.

Ali has read her book twice, and we recommend you all do the same - Big Dress Energy is such an easy read but full of mind-blowing concepts that will help you get better at conscious shopping and developing your own style that transcends trends.

We talked about the real explanation of dopamine dressing (it's more than just colour!) and how that compares to Shakaila's own 'wearapy' theory (which you will LOVE, we promise).

We got overexcited when she mentioned a course she now runs on fashion psychology, for which we are hoping some generous podcast sponsor might one day foot the bill.

Find Shakaila here:
instagram.com/shakailaelise
www.instagram.com/fashionispsychology

This is her book - a FAB Christmas present for yourself or a loved one..
But try to buy it at your local book shop - this one is Ali's...
And this is Shakaila's course ... (worth the investment if you're a stylist - and think of all the money you will save once you're out of your shopping rut!!)

And remember our question for you guys:
What is your 'big dress energy' moment?
It could have happened already or it could be a fantasy for the future, but it's a moment when what you wear (doesn't have to be a dress of course) makes you feel larger than life. 

You can answer directly via Spotify or on our podcast Instagram page
OR
Email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au

Our Instagram accounts:
instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcast
instagram.com/jogambale
instagram.com/bellstreet

Our TikTok accounts:
tiktok.com/@bellstreet
tiktok.com/@slogue_joannegambale

We catch up with the delightfully named Gwen Venn of Save the Children to talk about the Love Rack, a super fun and clever initiative that allows the op shop to sell clothes in need of repair to those happy to take them on.
As advocates of "better done than perfect" and "lazy sewing" if it means you get more out of your wardrobe and dump less on op shops, Ali and Jo are BIG FANS of this idea, especially as it will help those who make a side hustle from reselling.
But what about the rest of us, who can barely sew on a button?
That's why Gwen at Save the Children has asked Ali and Jo to host a 'Basics of Hand Sewing' workshop at the Marrickville store this month.
As we write, tickets are already sold out, but if you'd like to see more of such events, email the girls so they can convince local councils to throw some money at it.

Email us: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au

Find Gwen Venn on Instagram @gwen_venn 

Our Instagram accounts:
instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcast
instagram.com/jogambale
instagram.com/bellstreet

Our TikTok accounts:
tiktok.com/@bellstreet
tiktok.com/@slogue_joannegambale