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Torn

Gus Casely-Hayford unpicks the hidden histories behind what we wear by exploring ten key moments in fashion spanning the globe and five centuries.

Radio 4,13 episodes

Episodes

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Omnibus 2
Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East, tells a human-centred history of fashion.
02 Sep 2022,57 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Introducing Torn
This is Torn - the series that unpicks the hidden histories behind what we wear.
15 Aug 2022,3 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Calico cotton
Gus Casely-Hayford tells the story of what makes cotton contentious and revolutionary.
22 Aug 2022,14 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Indian chintz dress
Gus Casely-Hayford explores the triumphs of black Americans in fashion from slavery to now
23 Aug 2022,15 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Wax Print
Gus Casely-Hayford explores the history of wax print fabric worn by Africans.
24 Aug 2022,14 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Mauve Mania
Gus Casely-Hayford explores how synthetic dyes have changed us and the planet.
25 Aug 2022,14 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Viscose Rayon
Gus Casely-Hayford explores the history of viscose rayon, first known as 'fake silk'.
26 Aug 2022,14 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Readymade Suit
Gus Casely-Hayford unravels the past and present of garment sweatshops.
29 Aug 2022,14 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Fisherman Sweater
Gus Casely-Hayford discovers how the traditional fisherman sweater entered into fashion.
30 Aug 2022,14 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Miniskirt
Gus Casely-Hayford explores the controversial history of the miniskirt.
31 Aug 2022,15 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Ray-Ban
Gus Casely-Hayford charts the history of Ray-Ban sunglasses from Aviators to Wayfarers.
01 Sep 2022,15 mins
The stories behind the clothes we wear
Air Jordans
Gus Casely-Hayford tells of how Air Jordans kickstarted a revolution in trainers.
02 Sep 2022,15 mins
Ominbus 1
Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East, tells a human-centred history of fashion.
26 Aug 2022,57 mins