No one likes the feeling of being betrayed, but everyone loves a tale of betrayal. Ryan Murphy’s new season of Feud, titled Capote vs. The Swans, delivers that with all the seduction and glamour that comes with a story about New York socialites. This latest installment focuses on Truman Capote, the renowned novelist, and his sometimes endearing, sometimes manipulative relationship with the women who became known as his “swans.” The series debuted this week, following last week’s premiere with an after-party in the ballroom of the Plaza Hotel—where else?
Not only is the show compelling, but the costumes are a dazzling time capsule mid-century New York life—at least, as it was lived by Babe Paley, Slim Keith, C.Z. Guest, Lee Radziwill, Joanne Carson, and Ann Woodward. Style icon and actress Chloë Sevigny portrays Guest, and she joined Chloe and Chioma on the podcast, along with costume designer Lou Eyrich, to discuss their fascination with swan lore and fashion.
They got into the challenges of finding vintage these days—we learned that museums are scooping up a lot of the best pieces—and Chloë reflected on Lou’s uncanny ability to pull the right 1977 Givenchy suit dress when the occasion called for it. Chioma also asked Chloe S. about her 2023 closet sale, which Chioma attended, and what her current method is for storing and cataloging her epic clothing archive.
Also in this episode, Chioma and Chloe break down the standout moment from couture: John Galliano’s show for Margiela Artisanal. They talk about the body-enhancing shapes and silhouettes, as well as Pat McGrath’s incredible doll-like makeup look on the models, and why—in this moment—an emotional, theatrical runway show was what we all needed. Fashion, with a capital F, is back.