Garmology - A podcast about clothes, and stuff.

This week, join us on a captivating journey to Cologne, Germany, as we sit down with Niklas Hoppe, the embodiment of vintage flair known as Vintagebursche. From a 16-year-old metalhead to a sartorial connoisseur of 1920s fashion, Niklas unfolds his fascinating evolution.

Delve into the realms of vintage recreation, role-playing, and Niklas's venture into writing a sewing book for crafting your own vintage garments. We explore the intriguing concept of "The Rules," dissecting their meaning and relevance. Plus, discover the expansive community that has rallied behind Niklas's work across various media platforms. Tune in for a riveting story of transformation, style, and the allure of timeless fashion.

You can find links to all Niklas activities and the book here , as vintagebursche on Youtube and as @vintagebursche on Instagram.

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can  buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

This week, we embark on a journey to Brighton to talk to Allan Brown about his profound connection with nettles. Allan's unwavering commitment to crafting a garment from inception unfolded against the backdrop of his local woodlands, where the unassuming nettle became a transformative medium.

Delicately harvesting and methodically drying the plants, the meticulous process of extracting fibres and skillfully spinning them into thread, culminating in the weaving of cloth and the creation of a dress — a testament to the resolute spirit of one man's quest.

Allan's odyssey is now encapsulated in the cinematic portrayal, "The Nettle Dress." Through this film, he not only shares the intricacies of his undertaking but also delves into the profound background, reflective thoughts, and therapeutic nuances of the spinning process. Join us as we navigate the tapestry of Allan's journey, a story woven with threads of dedication, mindfulness, and the profound beauty found in the simplicity of nature.

You can find Allan on Instagram as @hedgerow.couture

Full info about The Nettle Dress film is on the web at nettledress.org and on Instagram as @nettledressfilm

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can  buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

Get ready for an engaging chat with Mark Musgrave, the creative force behind the ethical micro-brand The Level Collective. They craft robust backpacks, purposeful clothing, and useful tools, blending old-world craftsmanship with a modern minimalist flair—all while championing environmental stewardship.

Mark, a self-professed product design enthusiast, is an accidental entrepreneur juggling numbers while staying true to his design ethos. Collaborating with local artisans, he transforms visions into reality. Amid this, he shares the secret to his success: establishing boundaries for a harmonious work-life balance—a personally sustainable approach to making it all work.

You can find The Level collection on the web as thelevelcollective.com and on Instagram as @thelevelcollective

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

This week I'm heading back to Scotland for a chat with Clare Campbell of Prickly Thistle, a self-proclaimed rebel mill outside Inverness. From a background as a chartered accountant, Clare took a u-turn, or maybe a swerve, when she discovered a passion for the traditional tartan and from there decided to establish a mill, using ancient looms, with no clue at all about how to use them. We get into what it means to run an ethical and transparent business, getting off social media, going zero waste, what B Corp status means and how being a rebel can mean doing this the opposite way of established business practices.

You can find Prickly Thistle on the web at pricklythistle.shop.

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

This week, we're diving headfirst into the captivating world of clothing with Rebecca Smith, author of "The Happy Dresser"! Join us on a journey as we explore the profound significance of garments in our lives, unlock the cherished memories they hold, and unravel the compelling stories woven into our very fabrics. We talk about the impact of fashion on our well-being, peek inside the treasure troves of our wardrobes, and get into the pros and cons of crafting our very own couture. Is social media a platform for judgment or perhaps a sacred diary of self-expression? Naturally, sustainability gets a look-in as we chart a course towards a more eco-conscious future. And let's not overlook the allure of a certain pair of dazzling gold boots that's sure to leave you in awe!

You can buy "The Happy Dresser" on the web here, and find Rebecca on Instagram as @rebeccaweefsmith

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

This week we head back to Accrington in Lancashire for a follow-up chat with Iain Trickett. We get to hear how an interest in vintage army clothing led to bringing a retired chap in Mexico back to the loom, how a high street brands cancelled order gets a new lease of life in Iain's ultimate jacket, how knocking on a door holding a pair of socks can lead to interesting things, and how tweed really is the technical fabric of the future. Oh, and much more.

You can find Trickett on the web at trickett-england.co.uk and on Instagram as @trickettengland

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

Due to illness, this week sees a rerun about my favourite cloth, Harris Tweed! This weeks episode is all about Harris Tweed, a legend among cloths and arguably the most socially significant of fabrics. My guests this week are Lorna Macaulay and Rebecca Hutton from the Hebridean Islands. Lorna is CEO of the Harris Tweed Authority, promoters and protectors of the tweed, and Rebecca Hutton, an independent single-width weaver at Taobhtuath Tweeds. We talk about the history of weaving, life on the islands, how the actual Harris Tweed came to be, the significance of the Orb symbol and the legal protection, life as a weaver, the ups and downs of Harris Tweed and more. Lots of good stories, solid information and more than a few laughs.

The Harris Tweed Authority is on the web harristweed.org and on Instagram as @harristweedauthority.

Rebecca Hutton and Taobhtuath Tweeds is on the web as taobhtuathtweeds.com and on Instagram as @taobhtuath

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

Today's episode takes us to Macclesfield, where Brita Hirsch is celebrating 5 years since starting The Tailoring Academy. From an inconspicuous start upstairs at the local haberdashery shop to its current incarnation with 40 students from a wide range of nationalities and ages, both in-house and online. As per usual, the route that led there isn't straightforward and Brita is happy to share the story. Get ready for a heady mix of historical, industrial, esthetical, the Great Northern Cloth, research, collaborations and a little engineering.

You can find Brita and The Tailoring Academy on Instagram as @tailoringacademy and on the web as www.tailoringacademy.co.uk

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

Today we head to the small island of Guernsey to learn more about the legendary wool sweater often known as the "ganzie". Rachael Laine is the owner of Le Tricoteur, maker of guernseys on Guernsey and we gain insight into what exactly makes a ganzie, the historical nature of the garment, the stories of old, and how it fits into modern times. Oh, and how Rachael happened to buy her family company without realising her family had actually started it! And also, just what are the origins of the company name?

You can find Le Tricoteur on Instagram as @letricouteur and on the web as letricoteur.co

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast at via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

Season premiere! This episode is about the epic task set by Justine Aldersey-Williams of The Wild Dyery and Northern England Fibreshed to create a pair of jeans from seed entirely in the UK. You might think this sounds simple enough, grow some fibres, dye, weave and sew, right? That's what Justine thought when starting out. Listen in to hear the twisty tale of learning many new skills, finding plenty of help, a fair few unexpected problems and what might be the most costly jeans in the UK.

You can find Justine on Instagram as @thewilddyery and The Wild Dyery on the web here and Northern England Fibreshed here.

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast at via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.