The Art of Costume Podcast

A hitman, a boxer, a gangster’s wife, and a pair of bandits walk into a diner.
This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, Spencer and Elizabeth step into Quentin Tarantino’s iconic, nonlinear world of Pulp Fiction. Joined by legendary costume designer Betsy Heimann, the trio dives into the costumes that helped define one of cinema’s most influential films.
From Vincent Vega and Jules Winfield’s now-iconic “dressed to kill” suits to Mia Wallace’s effortlessly cool, endlessly referenced style—and of course, the legendary Jack Rabbit Slim’s Twist Contest—this episode unpacks how costume helps tell the stories of these characters in a film built on attitude, detail, and pure cinematic cool.
It’s sharp, it’s stylish, and it’s a little dangerous—so grab a milkshake, a royale with cheese, mind the briefcase, and join us for a very cool conversation about one of the most iconic films ever made.

In this episode of The Costume House with Spencer Williams, we journey to the shores of the new film, The Bluff.Spencer is joined by returning guest of the podcast, costume designer Antoinette Messam. Set against the backdrop of a Caribbean island under siege, The Bluff follows a woman whose hidden past resurfaces as a ruthless crew of pirates arrives—sparking a powerful story of identity, resilience, and confrontation.Together, they explore the rich research that shaped the film’s distinct visual worlds, from the clothing of the island’s community to the striking, weathered looks of the pirate crew. From the commanding presence of Bloody Mary’s cuirass to the way blood, salt, and sand transform the costumes on screen, this conversation dives into the textures and elements that define the film’s aesthetic. And yes—there’s also a red carpet moment that every costume nerd will appreciate.

It’s Oscar week, costume nerds, and on this episode of The Art of Costume Podcast, we’re heading back to the sun-soaked streets of 1969 Los Angeles to explore the Academy Award–nominated costumes of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.Join Spencer and Elizabeth as they break down the unforgettable looks of Rick Dalton, Cliff Booth, and Sharon Tate, the eerie style of the Manson Family, and even the costumes from the Western television series unfolding within the film itself. Along the way, Spencer shares some behind-the-scenes stories from Jay Glennie’s new book, dives into a bit of Hollywood lore, and—because it’s Oscar season—offers another passionate awards-season rant.Plus, this episode features special featurette clips from the film’s costume designer and Academy Award nominee Arianne Phillips, giving us a closer look at the craftsmanship behind one of modern cinema’s most memorable films. Join us as we journey back to the summer of 1969. 🎬✨

In a first for The Art of Costume, this episode of The Costume House with Spencer Williams steps beyond costume design and into a larger conversation about filmmaking itself.
Spencer is joined by directors and writers Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata, the visionary duo behind the 2026 Academy Award–nominated short film Two People Exchanging Saliva. Set in a surreal society where kissing is punishable by death and goods are purchased with slaps to the face, the film follows Angine, a woman navigating desire, repression, and absurd social rituals within the fluorescent aisles of a department store.
Together, they explore the film’s layered metaphors of intimacy, desire, identity, and repression, unpacking the surreal systems that govern this meticulously constructed world. From production design and visual references to the crucial role costume plays in shaping character and psychology, the conversation reveals how every aesthetic choice sharpens the film’s biting social commentary.
Sharp, strange, and deeply intentional, this conversation opens The Costume House to a broader creative lens—one where every detail matters.
Watch "Two People Exchanging Saliva" at this link: https://youtu.be/RuOEEu--j2Y?si=5hcg-kKQDxO_wQqn

Costume nerds... It is time. This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, we brave the windswept Yorkshire moors for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
First, Spencer and Elizabeth call to order the gathering of costume nerds to discuss the debate regarding period films and costume accuracy. Then our hosts dive headfirst into this passionate, chaotic, and beautifully toxic love story, unpacking Heathcliff and Catherine’s destructive devotion, the moody atmosphere, and, of course, the stunning costumes designed by Jacqueline Durran.
It’s stormy, it’s dramatic, it’s a little unhinged—and we absolutely have thoughts.