Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud

Zadie Smith, a celebrated British novelist and essayist known for her captivating storytelling, dives into the intricate relationship between fashion and identity. She shares personal anecdotes, reflecting on the societal pressures of aging and the transition between seasons. The conversation explores the power of clothing to express mood and self-identity, while also addressing beauty standards and the evolution of personal style. Smith's insights on how fashion shapes confidence in social spaces offers a thought-provoking take on femininity and self-acceptance.

Kim Gordon is an American singer songwriter and visual artist, renowned for being the co-founder, bassist, guitarist and vocalist of the alternative rock band Sonic Youth. She has always been a figure of adoration and fascination for anyone interested in art and alternative forms of artistic expression. Her ability to be ahead of the game with the desires of the avant garde audience is legendary, whether it is with her music, clothes, or her personal style. This year she released her second solo album The Collective to huge critical acclaim. The Collective includes the hit single Bye Bye which became a mantra for people who enjoy being jolted out of familiarity. She is a magnet, also an introvert - this makes for an intriguing combination. Her quiet demeanour draws people towards her - it is exhilarating to be in her aura. She may not talk much, but what she does say means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Courteney Cox is an American actress and filmmaker. She is internationally famous for playing Monica Geller in the sitcom Friends which ran from 1994 til 2004, and Gale Weathers in the horror franchise Scream. Her portrayal of Monica turned her into a cult figure beloved by seven to seventy year olds - reruns of Friends play throughout the day and it is as popular as ever. Courteney herself is a master of comic timing: modest and endearingly funny this is further enhanced by her remarkable semblance of normalness in spite of being one of the most recognisable people on the planet. When she had finished lying on the couch for our Fashion Neurosis interview, she said she liked to walk - and skipped off down Ladbroke Grove on her own. In this episode for Fashion Neurosis Bella asks Courteney how she feels about being naked; is she nice or naughty; and her ambivalence about 90's dressing and shoulder pads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trinny Woodall is the founder and CEO of the hugely successful makeup and skincare brand Trinny London. She first came into the British consciousness through her makeover TV show with Susannah Constantine 'What Not To Wear' which launched in 2001, and became compulsive viewing. She embodies a disarming authenticity and enthusiasm, and her name Trinny has become a mononym. In 2023 she published her bestselling book Fearless, which although it is a manual for finding your own style could easily be the title of her memoir - summing up her attitude to life and the many challenges she has faced in her time. In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Bella asks Trinny about whether to compromise an outfit on the first date and when to be masculine or feminine in the boardroom. Trinny asks if she can analyze Bella.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric Cantona is the legendary French former professional footballer who played for Manchester United, retiring unexpectedly and to everyone’s dismay at the height of his success aged 30. He wore the iconic number 7 shirt with the collar turned up – something he turned into a trade mark look. Eric Cantona is revered and admired for his cryptic brilliance and his unpredictable approach to a direct question, as well as his winning game. In this episode of Fashion Neurosis Bella asks him about this upturned collar and how it came about; how he deals with restlessness, and why the way someone dresses overrides conventional ideas about attractiveness. Tune in to episode two of Fashion Neurosis to watch Eric Cantona on the couch as you have never seen him before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rick Owens, the legendary fashion designer renowned for his avant-garde gothic elegance, opens up about his obsession with the distortion of the human form through fashion. He reflects on his own physical transformation and how it impacts his design philosophy. The conversation also dives into the joys of social interactions and the unique comfort of not needing to hold a glass at events. With honesty and insight, Owens shares his personal journey through fashion, memory, and identity, making for an engaging listen.

Introducing Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud. Each week join the renowned fashion designer as she invites a special guest to 'lie on the couch' and explore the connection between fashion and identity. Expect exciting conversations covering a range of topics from love, identity, culture, anxiousness and politics, as Bella's celebrity guests reveal their insights, faux pas, turn ons and turn offs. Guests range from fashion icons and footballers to rock stars and writers, each offering a unique view point into why we wear what we wear. @fashionneurosis_bellafreudhttps://fashionneurosis.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices