Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud

In this conversation, Courtney Love, the iconic lead singer of Hole and a fierce advocate for female empowerment in rock, shares her journey of artistic rebellion and resilience. She discusses her experiences with pole dancing as a form of freedom from addiction and speaks candidly about the pressures of fame, including being influenced by David Bowie to change her music. The dialogue delves into the complexities of body image, vulnerability in performance, and the nostalgic ties between fashion and personal identity, making for a captivating listen.

Rachel Jones is a multidisciplinary artist working with painting, installation, sound and performance. Jones explores a sense of self as a visual and visceral experience, using motifs and abstraction to grapple with the intangible emotional and psychological truths of being. Jones completed her BA Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art in 2013 and an MA Fine Art at the Royal Academy Schools, London, in 2019. Recent solo exhibitions include the Museum of African Diaspora, San Francisco, (2024), the Long Museum, Shanghai, China (2023) and the Chisenhale Gallery, London (2022). She was included in Mixing It Up: Painting Today at the Hayward Gallery, London (2021), followed by other institutional group exhibitions at the Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, D.C., Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arizona (2022) and others. She was an artist in residence at The Chinati Foundation, Marfa, Texas in 2019 and the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art in 2016. Jones’s work is housed in prominent institutional collections, including those of the Long Museum, Shanghai; Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam; Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles; Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York; and Tate, London, where her piece 'lick your teeth, they so clutch' (2021) is currently on display as part of the Tate Britain's rehang. Alongside her painting and performance practice, Jones also designed the BRIT Awards 2024 trophy, which was presented to all winners. In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Bella Freud and Rachel Jones discuss Karaoke in art, the allure and threat of the colour red, and appearing in a Loewe campaign shot by Juergen Teller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Consani is an American model. She is also a social media star - performing brilliant and hilarious skits on tiktok, garnering her millions of followers and fans. A fearless advocate for trans visibility, Alex Consani is redefining beauty standards and electrifying the fashion industry. She burst onto the scene at just 12 years old and has since established herself as one of the top models in the world. She has walked for global fashion powerhouses including Tom Ford, Versace, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and many others. In 2024, she made history as the first openly transgender woman to win the British Fashion Council’s Model of the Year award. In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Bella Freud and Alex Consani discuss being Trans in the fashion industry, what makes for an obsession, and great British slang. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Graydon Carter is a celebrated Canadian journalist, editor, and cultural commentator best known for his 25 years as the Editor of Vanity Fair. Born in Toronto, Graydon Carter began his career in journalism in Canada where he co-founded Spy magazine in 1986. The satirical monthly became famous for its sharp, irreverent take on media, politics, and celebrity culture, establishing him as a critical voice in American media. In 1992, Graydon Carter became the editor at Vanity Fair, transforming the magazine into a powerhouse of long-form journalism, celebrity profiles, and cultural commentary. Under his leadership Vanity Fair became known for its investigative reporting - breaking a number of key political scandals; also the much anticipated photographic spreads and covers featuring Hollywood stars, shot by the legendary photographer Annie Liebovitz. Graydon Carter stepped down from Vanity Fair in 2017, founding Air Mail, a digital weekly aimed at worldly readers interested in culture, politics, and style. With his signature wit and curatorial flair, he has published his memoir 'When The Going Was Good' with author James Fox. In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Bella Freud and Graydon Carter discuss the joys of ironing, creating desirable trinkets for people to 'take home' from the Vanity Fair party, and whether it was Aerosmith's Steve Tyler, or Kate Moss who actually said 'nothing tastes like skinny feels.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bethann Hardison, a trailblazer in fashion and activism, reminisces about her groundbreaking career as one of the first Black models. She discusses her role in the 'Battle of Versailles' show and the formation of the Black Girls Coalition with Iman, aiming for equitable representation in fashion. Hardison reflects on her early shoots with Bruce Weber and shares insights on advocating for diversity within Brides Magazine. Her journey unveils the complexities of identity, cultural heritage, and the ongoing fight for inclusion in the fashion industry.

Sam McKnight, a legendary hairstylist with a 50-year career, shares his journey from a Scottish mining town to the pinnacle of fashion. He discusses the transformative power of hair, drawing connections to personal identity and self-acceptance. The conversation dives into memorable experiences with iconic figures, like Princess Diana's life-changing haircut. McKnight also reflects on the chaotic yet collaborative nature of fashion shows and the importance of innovation and growth in both life and career, proving style can evolve beautifully at any age.

Marina Abramović, the legendary performance artist known for her extreme endurance and direct audience engagement, shares her creative journey. She dives into the ideas that happiness doesn't foster great art and the necessity of climax in performances. The conversation touches on confronting shame through art and how transformative experiences shape identity. Abramović also humorously recalls a peculiar collaboration involving 400 live rats, showcasing her commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Her reflections illuminate the deep connection between personal sacrifice and creative expression.

Es Devlin is a British artist and stage designer celebrated for creating large-scale, emotionally resonant installations and performances that fuse light, music, language, and space. Her work has shaped the visual identity of global tours for artists including Beyoncé, Adele, The Weeknd and U2, while also redefining the theatrical landscape through her work with the Royal Opera House, National Theatre, and the Metropolitan Opera. Es Devlin brings a poetic sensibility to her immersive environments. Her public art installations—such as Forest for Change at Somerset House and Poem Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai—invite audiences to reflect, explore, and engage with urgent global themes. In October 2024 she unveiled CONGREGATION, a large-scale choral installation created in partnership with UK for UNHCR, The Courtauld and King's College London.  Es Devlin’s designs have been exhibited at major institutions including the V&A, the Serpentine Gallery, and the Venice Biennale. She is a Royal Academician, the recipient of numerous awards, and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to stage design. In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Bella Freud and Es Devlin discuss the logistics of raising a steel orb out of the sand in the Moroccan desert for the St Laurent menswear show; seeking out jumble sales in Time Out magazine when she was 11; and making a collage for her bedroom from a catalogue of Japanese art that turned out to be full of pornographic illustrations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hanif Kureishi, a celebrated British author and screenwriter, shares his journey navigating identity and creativity after a life-changing accident that left him temporarily paralyzed. He reflects on how trauma shaped his writing and self-image, exploring the dynamic relationship between clothing and attraction. Kureishi's fascinating tales from the punk scene and his personal evolution highlight the impact of fashion on identity. He also discusses the role of therapy in enhancing creativity, revealing insights gained through personal struggles and the collaborative spirit of creative gatherings.

Susie Cave, the British model and designer behind The Vampire's Wife, shares her captivating journey from being scouted at just 14 to launching her gothic-romantic fashion brand. She reminisces about her first encounter with Nick Cave and the emotional weight of personal style, revealing how cherished outfits reflect deep memories. The conversation also delves into how creativity can serve as a powerful outlet for grief, demonstrating the transformative effects of art and the bonds formed through shared fashion experiences.