Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud
Bella Freud
Each week join the renowned fashion designer Bella Freud as she invites a special guest to ‘lie on the couch’ and explore the connection between fashion and identity. Bella’s conversations begin with questions about style and what we reveal through the clothes we wear. Bella also shares her own anecdotes and the conversations expand into deeper discussions on life’s universal themes—love, identity, culture, anxiousness, and even politics.
Through a series of tailored questions, Bella creates a relaxed, intimate atmosphere where her guests—ranging from fashion icons to cultural figures in sport, art, music and literature reveal more about themselves than they might expect. Fashion is often dismissed as superficial, but in this podcast, it becomes the lens through which we examine our inner lives, relationships, and society.
From Kate Moss to other notable guests, Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud offers a unique, thoughtful, and engaging conversation that goes far beyond what we wear: diving into the unspoken language of clothing and the ways in which we use style to navigate and communicate in the world.
www.fashionneurosis.com
www.fashionneurosis.substack.com
@fashioneurosis_bellafreud
Through a series of tailored questions, Bella creates a relaxed, intimate atmosphere where her guests—ranging from fashion icons to cultural figures in sport, art, music and literature reveal more about themselves than they might expect. Fashion is often dismissed as superficial, but in this podcast, it becomes the lens through which we examine our inner lives, relationships, and society.
From Kate Moss to other notable guests, Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud offers a unique, thoughtful, and engaging conversation that goes far beyond what we wear: diving into the unspoken language of clothing and the ways in which we use style to navigate and communicate in the world.
www.fashionneurosis.com
www.fashionneurosis.substack.com
@fashioneurosis_bellafreud
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 13min
Fashion Neurosis with Willy Chavarria
Willy Chavarria, an influential American fashion designer known for his advocacy and vibrant designs, shares his journey from migrant farmworker roots to Paris Fashion Week. He discusses using fashion as a vehicle for political storytelling, citing the emotional significance behind his collections. Chavarria reveals how his designs empower underrepresented communities and emphasizes the importance of sincerity in fashion. With personal anecdotes about his upbringing and inspirations, he explores the delicate balance between identity and style.
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 19min
Fashion Neurosis with Annie Leibovitz
Annie Leibovitz, a legendary photographer known for her captivating celebrity portraits and her time with Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair, shares insights into her storied career. She discusses her memories of photographing John Lennon just hours before his tragic death. The conversation explores her journey through fashion, candid thoughts on the aging process, and the influence of Susan Sontag on her work. Leibovitz also reflects on the intersection of art and life, balancing personal projects with assignments while finding purpose in every photograph.
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 20min
Fashion Neurosis with Richard Russell
In a captivating conversation, Richard Russell, an influential record producer and founder of XL Records, shares insights from his eclectic music journey. He reflects on writing to Gil Scott-Heron while exploring the intersection of music and personal freedom. Richard discusses his unique approach to fashion, inspired by hip-hop and comfort, and the role of clothing in first impressions. He opens up about overcoming self-doubt and burnout, the healing power of music, and the importance of mentorship in creativity. Join him for an enlightening dive into art and resilience!
12 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h
Fashion Neurosis with IB Kamara
IB Kamara, a stylist, journalist, and creative director from Sierra Leone, dives into his multifaceted creative journey. He shares how fashion became his liberation and discusses his childhood in Africa without television, nurturing his imagination. Kamara reflects on overcoming insecurities, the joy of dressing others, and contrasts different cultural views on masculinity. He also touches on stepping into his role at Off-White, embracing his identity, and even reveals his morning routine, which includes writing, running, and making porridge.
30 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 10min
Fashion Neurosis with Rosalía
Joining Bella Freud, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosalía shares her creative journey and passion for fashion. She reveals her unique writing process, tapping into a pre-sleep state for inspiration. Rosalía discusses flamenco's emotional depth and how it shapes her romantic life, while also advocating for authenticity in fashion. The pair explore the influence of supermodels and artists on her aesthetic, addressing themes of risk, surrender, and the beauty of imperfection in both art and life.
Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 9min
Fashion Neurosis with Alexa Chung
In a lively conversation, Alexa Chung, the multifaceted presenter, writer, model, and fashion designer, reveals her personal style evolution and the influence of humor in her early career. She shares the profound impact of surviving the 2004 tsunami on her outlook, her thoughts on the essence of being an 'It' girl, and why she admires Miu Miu and Prada. Alexa also discusses tackling insecurities as a model, her writing process, and the importance of comfort in fashion, all intertwined with a nostalgic flair for British comedy.
7 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 19min
Fashion Neurosis with Arthur Jafa
Arthur Jafa, an acclaimed American artist and filmmaker, dives deep into the complexities of Black aesthetics in a captivating discussion. He shares his childhood longing for cowboy boots and reflects on how personal style impacts identity. Jafa explores the boundaries of culture through mixing and transposition, while examining the interplay of beauty and horror in art. He questions the disparity between the world's love for Black music and the acceptance of Black people, offering profound insights into the essence of Black creativity and representation.
Oct 22, 2025 • 52min
Fashion Neurosis with Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson is an American actor. Her father is the musician Marc Antony Thompson who founded the musical collective Chocolate Genius Inc. She was raised between New York and Los Angeles, making her stage debut as Ariel in the Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company production of The Tempest. Tessa has been nominated for two BAFTAs and a Primetime Emmy for her work in the 2021 film Passing directed by Rebecca Hall, and the 2020 film Sylvie’s Love. She is also known for her role as Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok and as Bianca in the Creed franchise.
Thompson founded her own production company Viva Maude in 2021, which has produced Hedda, the new adaptation of Hedda Gabler directed by Nia DaCosta, in which she plays the lead. Her fashion-forward style and elegance is the subject of much interest, and she is a muse to the American designer brand Rodarte.
In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Bella Freud and Tessa Thompson discuss playing male roles, tidying up the house in a heel, and fashion not being armour.
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42 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 28min
Fashion Neurosis with Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong, a celebrated Vietnamese-American poet and novelist, delves into the intersections of style, family, and writing. He highlights how thrifted fashion reflects his creative process and the personal symbolism behind his jewelry. Discussing the nuances between poetry and prose, he shares insights on artistic evolution and the importance of continual growth in style. Vuong also tackles profound topics like addiction, community fortitude, and the societal impact of the opioid crisis, all while connecting his lived experiences to his literary works.
Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 7min
Fashion Neurosis with David Cronenberg
David Cronenberg, the visionary Canadian director behind iconic films like The Fly and Videodrome, dives into the intersection of fashion, body, and identity. He humorously prefers comfy sweats over formal attire, while recalling the fashion influences of the 1960s on his youth. Cronenberg explores the beauty in body horror, shares insights on adapting literature, and reflects on his complex relationship with nudity. His discussions reveal how humor and existential themes intertwine in his films, showcasing the intimate connections between the body and our perceptions of self.
