Redressing Fashion

London’s autumn exhibition calendar is full of fashion, art, and unexpected stories. In this episode, I share a selection of exhibitions that caught my attention as fashion storyteller and style coach—from a Schiaparelli show I consider one of the best I’ve seen to displays that explore identity, memory, and the ways museums tell stories through dress. While not necessarily showcasing clothing, all exhibitions on the list engage with fashion in its different forms of expression. I also look at what makes an exhibition feel meaningful beyond the objects on display, and why fashion can open up conversations about history, culture, and who gets represented.💡 Keep this episode handy if you’re planning to be in London this fall.⚡ Do also tune in if you’re curious about fashion’s place in the wider world, as many comments of how fashion history, art, identity, and museum display intersect are sprinkled throughout.Full episode transcript, photos, and further resources: https://laurabelru.com/11-must-see-fashion-loving-exhibitions-in-london-this-autumn/ ------------WORK WITH ME 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/ 🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/ 🗺️ Luxury fashion tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/ 👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/ ------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/ 📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/ 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru  📱 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@laurabelru ------------CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome back to Redressing Fashion!02:54 Last chance to see Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art07:07 Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life and Style08:10 The 90s: Art and Fashion at Tate Modern12:44 Tim Walker’s Fairyland: Love and Legends18:50 Tradition/Rebellion: Coming-of-Age Style in Kitakyushu, Japan20:48 Charan Singh: Your Tongue in My Mouth22:50 Es Devlin: Other Worlds24:17 Ossie Clark + Celia Birtwell26:25 Constantinople to Istanbul: One City, Two Empires29:34 Two final displays at the V&A31:45 My newest “brilliant” idea

Dr. Laura Beltran Rubio, fashion historian and style coach, shares a personal recap of London Fashion Week focused on what actually mattered to her: how designers rework cultural dress, how garments are made, why business readiness matters, and whether runway shows are still the best way to present fashion. It’s a thoughtful, insider view shaped by Laura’s multiple roles as historian, buyer, stylist, and advisor.In this episode, Laura looks at a wide range of designers and presentations, from Indian, Korean, West African, Colombian-Chilean, and European craft traditions to the practical realities of production, pricing, and selling. She also asks a bigger question: do fashion weeks need the runway at all?Full episode transcript, photos, brand names and websites, and further resources: https://laurabelru.com/a-fashion-storyteller-in-london-fashion-week-recap/ ------------WORK WITH ME 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/🗺️ Luxury fashion tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@laurabelru ------------THANK YOU!Special thanks to I.DEA PR for the many invitations and hospitality during London Fashion Week, and to Fashion Scout for making me part of their community since I first moved to London already 3 years ago.------------CHAPTERS00:00 Let’s talk about London Fashion Week!01:51 How I go through fashion week06:51 Redressing cultural influences from the Indian subcontinent13:30 Reconstructing the Hanbok16:09 Borrowing European textile traditions19:45 Materiality: textiles and weaving22:55 Nostalgia, manufacture and sustainability in Anciela27:28 My obsession with menswear29:40 A beautiful human behind a beautiful brand31:12 The one that made my inner horsegirl happy32:49 Where’s the business?!36:35 Do we actually need a runway?40:32 We’ve made it!

Dr. Laura Beltran-Rubio reflects on her first year after leaving academia and what that shift has meant in practice, emotionally and professionally. This episode is a personal solo reflection on career change, but it also offers concrete takeaways for anyone navigating a major pivot, especially across academia, cultural work, and independent practice.Full episode transcript, photos, and further resources: https://laurabelru.com/i-quit-academia-one-year-ago-heres-what-ive-learned/ ------------WORK WITH ME 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/ 🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/ 🗺️ Luxury fashion tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/ 👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/ ------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/ 📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/ 📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@laurabelru  ------------RELEVANT LINKS5 questions that unlock your personal style and make fashion feel effortless: https://laurabelru.com/5-questions-that-unlock-your-personal-style-and-make-fashion-feel-effortless/ Apply for style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/redress-your-style/ ------------CHAPTERS00:00 Hello again!00:41 An end-of-summer reflection04:06 The disillusionment with academia10:48 Five lessons from my first year out of academia11:38 Lesson 1. On academic PTSD16:20 On breaking free from academic structures24:19 Lesson 2. On the value of the humanities27:24 What building a business means29:58 Lesson 3. No part of the journey is wasted34:59 Applying academia into style coaching36:20 Lesson 4. On transferable skills45:34 Lesson 5. The contradiction I've been living with50:00 Episode recap

In this episode, Dr. Laura Beltran-Rubio revisits the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Schiaparelli exhibition and explains why it left a much stronger impression than expected. She shares how the show uses object analysis, visual storytelling, and exhibition design to illuminate Elsa Schiaparelli’s work, her collaborations, and the house’s revival under Daniel Roseberry.This is a solo episode focused on fashion history, curatorial practice, and the relationship between fashion and art. Laura also reflects on the limits of the “genius designer” narrative and on how exhibitions can educate through carefully chosen objects, not just spectacle.Full episode transcript, photos, and further resources: https://laurabelru.com/fashion-becomes-art-review-of-schiaparelli-at-the-va/ RELEVANT LINKS ✨Fashion-loving exhibitions in London: https://laurabelru.com/10-must-see-fashion-loving-exhibitions-in-london-this-summer/Another mention of the Pomellato exhibition: https://laurabelru.com/a-trip-to-paris-fashion-history-and-my-journey-in-style/ ------------WORK WITH ME 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/🗺️ Luxury fashion tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@laurabelru 

In this episode, Kailey Waskall (@occupationbeauty) joins Dr Laura Beltrán-Rubio to discuss the intersections between accessible makeup, fashion, and occupational therapy. In this conversation, we reflect on the personal and societal importance of self-expression through style and beauty as we challenge industry and social norms about accessibility and fashion. We underline that inclusive beauty and fashion are not just practical concerns but vital avenues for personal empowerment and societal progress. Everyone benefits when design prioritizes accessibility, diversity, and self-expression.Full episode transcript, photos, and further resources: https://laurabelru.com/accessible-beauty-with-kailey-waskall/ Follow Kailey Waskall at Occupation Beauty for resources, tips, and a community committed to accessible beauty:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/occupationbeauty/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@occupationbeautyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@occupationbeautySubstack: https://substack.com/@occupationbeautyConsider subscribing to Kailey’s free Accessify database for ongoing updates on adaptive and inclusive products.------------WORK WITH LAURA 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/🗺️ Luxury fashion tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive and transcripts: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@laurabelru ------------CHAPTERS00:00 Soundbites00:40 Hello, Kailey Waskall!01:24 Kailey's journey to accessible beauty05:56 Parallel journeys in fashion and beauty07:56 When beauty falls to the wayside...08:57 Quick words about the internet10:54 What is accessible makeup?12:34 Beauty and Universal Design16:42 The next wave of inclusion is disability inclusion18:23 The nuances of clean beauty and sustainability25:01 Navigating information abundance26:28 Aligning with your moral compass30:06 When you have less choice33:00 Filtering information and building trust36:16 Makeup, fashion, and self-expression41:11 Fashion, makeup, and mental health42:55 Occupational fashion...?44:54 Accessibility helps us all!46:33 How to make fashion and beauty more accessible?50:34 Three little things to make beauty more inclusive53:35 Thank you! and next steps

Join host Laura Beltrán Rubio as she shares her recent Paris adventures centered around fashion, art, and personal style coaching. Discover how travel intertwines with self-expression and professional growth, and get inspired to explore your own style journeys.Full episode transcript, photos, and further resources: https://laurabelru.com/a-trip-to-paris-fashion-history-and-my-journey-in-style/ ------------WORK WITH ME 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/🗺️ Luxury fashion tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@laurabelru ------------CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome back!01:44 Personal shopping in Paris04:03 A fashionable stay08:32 Our day-by-day itinerary in Paris10:52 Lunch at Le Grand Café12:43 Matisse at Grand Palais14:29 A nap and a bookstore run17:27 Wine at Mon Square19:06 First personal shopping session20:22 A visit to Paris's oldest jewelry house24:13 Shopping intermission: Lunch at Le Voltaire24:54 Back to shopping: Maria de la Orden27:27 Quick stop at Galeries Lafayette28:51 Dinner at Mischief29:55 Method dressing for Calder31:19 Shopping at Le Marais34:36 Dessert break and our final stop: Chanel35:42 Last dinner at Recoin38:30 One last exhibition: Pomellato43:11 A small rant about fashion exhibitions45:50 One last ritual: Angelina48:13 And of course I cried!50:58 Thank you! & PSA

Unlock the secret to truly expressing your authentic self through style. As a seasoned fashion historian and personal stylist, I reveal my unique sociological approach to uncovering your Style Essence—a deep, personal core that guides what you wear and how you express yourself through fashion. This episode isn’t about trends; it’s about understanding who you are and shaping your style such that it reflects your identity, values, and ambitions with confidence and authenticity.Imagine your style as a story—one that encapsulates your cultural roots, life experiences, dreams, personality, and ambitions.In this episode I introduce my powerful five-question framework that helps you unearth your true style motivations, from childhood memories to aspirational visions of your higher self. As we go through the questions, I also share my own journey with style, illustrating how personal history, cultural identity, and life changes shape our fashion choices.KEY DISCOVERIESThe sociological foundation of style as a social and political negotiation, not just personal preferenceHow our earliest fashion memories influence current style frustrations or confidenceThe importance of knowing your Fashion Why and how wardrobe ingredients tell your storyHow to align your clothing choices with your core identity and ambitionsPractical exercises—including journaling and visualisation—to connect with your ‘style future self’STYLE ASSESSMENT FORMhttps://laurabelru.com/redress-your-style/FURTHER RESOURCESFashion theories in action: https://laurabelru.com/fashion-theories-in-action/Must-see fashion exhibitions in London this summer: https://laurabelru.com/10-must-see-fashion-loving-exhibitions-in-london-this-summer/On pocket activism: https://laurabelru.com/loose-thoughts-on-making-a-difference-with-our-everyday-choices/------------WORK WITH ME 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/🗺️ Luxury fashion tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@laurabelru ------------CHAPTERS00:00 Excavating your Style Essence04:23 Fashion vs style06:46 Uncovering your Fashion Why09:13 Five questions to reconnect with your style10:48 Start with who you are20:33 Early memories of fashion27:56 More recent experiences39:29 Connect with your Higher Self45:43 Manifesting with your style journey47:59 Three Little Things

Join me as I explore ten exciting exhibitions in London that every fashion enthusiast should visit. From royal celebrations to contemporary critiques, this episode covers must-see showcases that blend fashion, art, music, and history—perfect for your summer cultural itinerary. Thanks for tuning in, and happy fashion exploring!🚨 Book your FASHION HISTORY & SHOPPING TOUR OF LONDON — https://laurabelru.com/contact/For all links, references and more information about the exhibitions mentioned, visit: https://laurabelru.com/10-must-see-fashion-loving-exhibitions-in-london-this-summer/. ------------WORK WITH ME 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/📍 Fashion history & shopping tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 Instagram: https://tiktok.com/@laurabelru ------------THANK YOU!To Dr Madeleine Hadden for the invitation to view The Music is Black: A British Story.------------CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome back to Redressing Fashion!02:29 Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style05:51 NIGO: From Japan with Love08:26 Paint, Pattern, Print09:56 Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art14:17 The Music is Black: A British Story19:02 Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait21:39 James McNeill Whistler25:33 Jewel Tones30:43 High Seas; Closed Skies35:13 Zurbarán38:57 Coming soon!

Welcome back to my adventures as a fashion historian and style coach—and to a new and upgraded version of my Life Lately. I hope you do take that ‘upgraded’ seriously because we’re experimenting with new formats (blending audiovisuals with writing) and finally reporting from the other side of my most recent life changes.In this episode I reflect on shedding the last of my academic identity, embracing styling as my main and preeminent professional practice, and connecting deeply with creative passions. I’ve come to call June as my ‘happy artsy month’ but it was also one heavy in self-discovery and the courage required for any new beginning. I hope you like it!View all links, restaurant names and art references at https://laurabelru.substack.com/p/the-other-side-of-academic-trauma.------------WORK WITH ME 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/🗺️ Fashion history tours of London: https://laurabelru.com/storytelling/👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹✨ Redressing Fashion archive: https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurabelru------------CHAPTERS00:00 Embracing Change: A New Chapter in Life02:18 I’ve closed a chapter so I needed a break!08:09 Wait—but I’m still researching10:35 Order of the day11:52 A new experience of London in June15:04 London Gallery Week(end)15:33 A workshop with Campbell Addy20:09 A daytrip to Hastings20:56 Collecting as the pursuit of love22:01 A couple of exhibitions (more next week)23:48 Treasure House Fair27:03 London eats in June28:11 What I read in June: French!31:33 A murder mystery32:34 A new love of fantasy34:59 The *one* fashion history book that made the cut36:39 Upcoming adventures

Today, I’m joined by Kaitlyn Moore, a body image advocate and influencer, to explore the realities of existing in fashion as a fat girl. We dive into how fashion industry norms impact fat bodies and discuss strategies to empower diverse self-expression through clothing. This candid conversation is packed with insights for anyone interested in challenging fashion stereotypes and embracing authentic self-acceptance—regardless of your body size! Tune in for some tips to break the rules in fashion, an analysis of changing trends around body size and beauty ideals, and some unfiltered thoughts on what sustainable fashion should really address.ABOUT KAITLYNKaitlyn is a plus size lifestyle creator based in the Bay Area, CA. She encourages folks of all shapes and sizes to live their lives with confidence. In addition to being a body image advocate, she is a cat mom of 4, line dancing instructor, pickleball enthusiast, avid reader, and expecting her first baby this summer.📱 Kaitlyn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sass.and.cellulite 📽️ Kaitlyn’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sassandcellulite 🎙️ Kaitlyn’s podcast, “A Dose of Sass”: https://open.spotify.com/show/3CTWLGNVigz6hYxt4YgLk2 -----------------FURTHER READINGS 📚BOOK - Lauren Downing Peters, Fashion Before Plus-Size: Bodies, Bias, and the Birth of an Industry* (Bloomsbury, 2023).ARTICLE - Lauren Downing Peters, “You Are What You Wear: How Plus-Size Fashion Figures in Fat Identity Formation,” Fashion Theory 18, no. 1 (2014): 45–71.------------WORK WITH LAURA 🧚🏻‍♀️👗 Style coaching: https://laurabelru.com/style/ 🎙️ Speaking and guest lecturing: https://laurabelru.com/speaker/ 👩🏻‍🏫 Writing, editing, research, and other academic support: https://laurabelru.com/contact/ ------------STAY IN TOUCH 🌹 ✨ Redressing Fashion (blog & podcast): https://laurabelru.com/redressing-fashion/ 📧 Substack: https://laurabelru.substack.com/ 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabelru 📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurabelru 📽️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurabelru