In this week's episode of The Art of Costume Podcast, we step into the royal court with Elizabeth (1998), featuring the Oscar-nominated costumes of Alexandra Byrne.Travel back to the dawn of Elizabeth I’s reign, as the young queen played by Cate Blanchett navigates treachery, power, and passion on her path to becoming the legendary Virgin Queen. From gilded gowns dripping in pearls to the stark, iconic white visage that would define her image for centuries, Byrne’s costumes capture both the vulnerability of a woman and the majesty of a monarch in the making.
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American Primeval with Costume Designer, Virginia B. Johnson
In another bonus Emmys episode of The Art of Costume Podcast, we are joined by the brilliant Virginia B. Johnson, costume designer for American Primeval and newly minted Emmy nominee for Outstanding Period Costumes.In our conversation, Virginia walks us through her creative journey on this ambitious series—discussing the extensive research process, her collaboration with Indigenous Cultural Consultant Julie O’Keefe, and the care that went into representing the Shoshone characters such as Red Feather and Winter Bird. We also explore the survival-driven costumes of the traveling group, the unique challenges of costume breakdowns, and the design of Sara Rowell, played by Betty Gilpin.From the extremes of landscape and climate to the massive scale of Fort Bridger’s bustling settlement scenes, Virginia shares how her team brought authenticity, grit, and humanity to every character. Don’t miss this thoughtful discussion on the artistry and meaning woven into the world of American Primeval.
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Live! Sketch to Screen: A Conversation with HBO and Max Originals’ Costume Designers
In a special episode of The Art of Costume Podcast, Spencer shares something extra special—our very first LIVE episode! Earlier this summer, Spencer partnered with HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery to moderate Sketch to Screen: A Conversation with HBO and Max Originals’ Costume Designers.In this exclusive panel, eight Emmy-nominated costume designers take us behind the scenes of their groundbreaking work: Bojana Nikitović (Dune: Prophecy), Kathleen Felix-Hager (Hacks), Caroline McCall (House of the Dragon), Ann Foley (The Last of Us), Susan Lyall (Mountainhead), Helen Huang (The Penguin), Christina Flannery (The Righteous Gemstones), and Alex Bovaird (The White Lotus).Usually reserved for TV Academy and Guild members, this conversation is now all yours. From the deserts of Arrakis to the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, get ready for a live celebration of artistry, imagination, and Emmy-worthy costumes that make us proud to be costume nerds.
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Dune: Prophecy with Costume Designer, Bojana Nikitović
This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, Spencer is joined by 2025 Emmy nominee Bojana Nikitović, the brilliant costume designer behind Dune: Prophecy. In this fascinating conversation, Spencer and Bojana explore the veiled mystique of the Sisterhood, the formidable presence of Valya Harkonnen, and the opulent world of the royal Carrino family. Bojana also takes us behind the seams of Princess Ynez’s breathtaking wedding dress and reveals how textiles became the foundation of her design process in bringing this chapter of the Dune universe to life.
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Memoirs of a Geisha
This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, Spencer and Elizabeth step into the enchanting world of Memoirs of a Geisha to celebrate the Oscar-winning costumes of designer Colleen Atwood.From Sayuri’s dazzling debut ball to the dark elegance of Hatsumomo, and the refined grace of Mameha — played by one of our absolute favorites, Michelle Yeoh — Spencer and Elizabeth explore how Atwood’s masterful costumes weave together beauty, drama, and storytelling in every scene.Slip into your finest silk, pour yourself some tea, and join us for a conversation as mesmerizing as a geisha’s dance.
The Art of Costume Podcast is a podcast hosted by Elizabeth Joy Glass and Spencer Williams, dedicated to highlighting the best in costume design. Join us each week as Elizabeth and Spencer break down the costumes from some of our favorite films and television shows, meet the costume designers, and go behind the scenes to find out what the costumes mean to the story and how they were created.
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