Episode Two - Fragile Ecosystems

Welcome to the Catwalk podcast series from V&A Dundee, where we explore the stories, people, and ideas behind the fashion show. In this episode, senior curator Kirsty Hassard is joined by the celebrated fashion photographer Robert Fairer, who gave the world a glimpse behind the curtain at some of the world’s biggest fashion shows. Catwalk: Art of the Fashion Show open now until 17 January 2027. You can find out more and book your tickets here: vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/exhibitions/catwalk-the-art-of-the-fashion-show

In this series, invited guests share their tactics, strategies, hopes, and dreams while reflecting on the many hats we choose to wear — and those we must — as creatives navigating overlapping political, social, economic, and climate crises. Together, they explore the essential approaches for sustaining artistic and cultural practices in response to the urgent challenges of our time. This episode welcomes musician SHHE and sound artist Riah Naief for a conversation on tactics, strategies, connection, and the power of listening in building collective practice. Hosted by Pepper Parkinson & Leyla Hussain Supported and Edited by Callum Mackie and Dundee Radio Club Music by Pepper Parkinson & Leyla Hussain

In this final episode of the series, we listen in to a conversation with Arit Anderson (gardener and broadcaster) and Dame Laura Lee (CEO of Maggie’s) as they talk through gardens, design and healthcare. Maggie’s is the cancer support charity where light, colour, and the garden play a part in making people feel welcome and in control of their wellbeing. The charity was both developed by, and named after, writer and garden designer Maggie Jencks, who is featured within the Garden Futures exhibition. This podcast series is part of the exhibition public programme for Garden Futures: Designing with Nature, which is open from the 17 May 2025 until 26 January 2026.

In this episode we listen to a conversation between two stewards of culture: Leonie Bell, our director here at V&A Dundee, and Vivien Sansour, founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, in Battir, Palestine. Together they talk through the journey of the seed, and how it has shaped design and the world around us. It bridges both of our current exhibitions Garden Futures and Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine. **Content warning: This episode contains depictions of genocide and death.** This podcast series is part of the exhibition public programme for Garden Futures: Designing with Nature, which is open from the 17 May 2025 until 26 January 2026. To book tickets, or for more information, please visit our website: vam.ac.uk/dundee

Dior’s garden-inspired collection of 1947 transformed the world of fashion. To explore that we’re joined by Garden Designer, and Writer Elizabeth Tyler (Vogue, New York Times), and Brigitte Richart, Director and Chief Curator at Musée Christian Dior in Granville, France. From Kim Jones’ work featured in V&A Dundee’s Garden Futures to Musée Dior’s current exhibition Jardins Enchanteurs, we’ll uncover how gardens - beginning with the one at Christian Dior’s childhood home and current location of Musée Dior - have remained central to the fashion house’s identity. This podcast series is part of the exhibition public programme for Garden Futures: Designing with Nature, which is open from the 17 May 2025 until 26 January 2026. To book tickets, or for more information, please visit our website: vam.ac.uk/Dundee For more information on Jardins Enchanteurs at Musée Christian Dior, please visit musee-dior-granville.com

In this fourth and final episode, we invited V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective, also known as the YPC, to take over its direction. Led by Mike, Evie, Natalia and Leyla, the YPC question the use of an AI generated image as the exhibition’s main identity. They speak with Neil McGuire (graphic designer and co-curator of AFC) about the image, and with author and journalist Emma Grae about the impact of AI on the Scots language. We also hear two creative writing pieces responding by Timika and Hannah-Linda, created in response to the exhibition. These works are the result of the YPC’s residency programme with students from the University of Dundee. Content warning: This episode contains strong language and may not be suitable for all listeners. Credits: produced by Evie, Leyla, Mike & Natalia from YPC Creative Writing responses from Timika Sukhai and Hannah Linda Hamilton, in residence Feb-March 2025, with thanks to Johanna Lindsay.

Join Monty Don and Kirsty Wark as they discuss hereditary habits, life changing moments and the ways a garden, a place where nature meets design, can shape our lives. We also hear from Branklyn Garden’s Kate White, a National Trust For Scotland garden, on how Dorothy & John Renton’s fascination with rare and exotic plants led to a lifelong commitment along the River Tay. This podcast series is part of the exhibition public programme for Garden Futures: Designing with Nature, which is open from the 17 May 2025 until 26 January 2026. To book tickets, or for more information, please visit our website: vam.ac.uk/dundee

In this third episode, we are joined by artists Hamshya Rajkumar and Mairi Mcfadyen to discuss their works across Ravenscraig and Abriachan Forest. Exploring themes of land stewardship, restoration and community, the conversation highlights the importance of cultural and ecological balance, the role of language in understanding landscapes, and the potential of art to foster deeper connections with nature. Hosted by Svetlana Panova, assistant curator at V&A Dundee. Produced by Troy Nelson and Svetlana Panova in collaboration with A Fragile Correspondence as part of our public programme. On display until 25 May 2025, you can find out more about the exhibition here: https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/exhibitions/scotland-venice-a-fragile-correspondence

Hear from the artists, designers, architects, writers and curators behind A Fragile Correspondence. In our second episode, Aaron McCarthy, Frank McElhinney, Becky Little & Tom Morton discuss their work on how environments adapt and show resilience in the face of environmental, social and economic change. Hosted by Svetlana Panova, assistant curator at V&A Dundee. Produced by Troy Nelson and Svetlana Panova in collaboration with A Fragile Correspondence as part of our public programme. On display until 25 May 2025, you can find out more about the exhibition here: https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/exhibitions/scotland-venice-a-fragile-correspondence

Hear from the artists, designers, architects, writers and curators behind A Fragile Correspondence. In this first episode, we have gathered just some of the creative team who have been with the project since its very beginning. They will walk us through that journey from Venice to Dundee, sharing the lessons learned when group curating and discuss what they hope the visitor will meet in the gallery. From Architecture Fringe, -ism Architectural Magazine and /other we have Andy Summers, Neil McGuire, Alissar Riachi, Kristina (Kicki) Enberg, Alyesha Choudhury and Carl Jonsson. Hosted by Svetlana Panova, assistant curator at V&A Dundee. Produced by Troy Nelson and Svetlana Panova in collaboration with A Fragile Correspondence as part of our public programme. On display until 25 May 2025, you can find out more about the exhibition here: https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/exhibitions/scotland-venice-a-fragile-correspondence