Garmology - A podcast about clothes, and stuff.

Nick Johannessen

Garmology is a podcast about our clothes, old and new, how they are made, and the impact they have, from a perspective of making, buying, wearing, collecting, evaluating and appreciating. With interesting guests, the aim is to provide a non-fashion view of the world of our clothes. Expect plenty of opinions! Garmology is made by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast at buymeacoffee.com/garmology Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

  1. Everything Is Vintage If You Wait Long Enough - With Shaun, Jon & Nick (#161)

    19/12/2025

    Everything Is Vintage If You Wait Long Enough - With Shaun, Jon & Nick (#161)

    In this festive roundtable episode, Nick, Jon, and Shaun gather to complain — politely — about modern shopping, resale platforms, and the strange reality of buying your own clothes back years later from a charity shop. They talk eBay deliveries that arrive whenever they feel like it, Vinted’s takeover of second-hand culture, AI-written listings that say nothing, and heritage brands that now come with a geography quiz. Along the way, there’s boiled wool, duffle coats, social media fatigue, and the realisation that the internet has slowly turned into a badly lit shopping centre. It’s a warm, funny, slightly grumpy end-of-year chat about clothes, trust, and why keeping one good thing for 20 years might still be the most radical idea of all. Festive, thoughtful, and lightly exasperated — just as intended. Featuring Shaun Brown and Jon Fowler, aka @these_rough_notes and @HeavyJon on Instagram. Early reviews of this episode are mixed, so your listening pleasure is uncertain: Tortoise Trends commented, «We appreciate the slow pace of the proceedings». VintageWear Weekly gushingly praised «At least they don’t mention whiffy vintage garms this time!» Giffnock Advertiser noted, «Local celeb Shaun gets properly stuck into the proceedings and we love it.» Stationary Engine Magazine said, «These guys sound like our kind of people.“ Teddy Bear Times said, «Gets a bit boring in the middle then better at the end.“ The Country Smallhold said, “They dress for the occasion but are they up to it?” Business of Fashion stated, «Clearly our days of shilling for the man are over, all hail the three kings.» Gentleman’s Quarterly: «A laidback and comfortably paced chat perfect for accompanying the preparation of sprouts». Amateur Carp Fishing Monthly said, “ It’s not really our thing.“ Carnoustie Guide & Gazette said, “It’s a podcast with men talking.“ From Twitter @JeansAndSheux «The scene appreciates the respect shown and offers a Peroni in return.» Motorway Lovers Weekly “Once again there’s no mention of the M45 “ Pitti Peacocks Annual whinges «We fail to appreciate the loathing of our beloved monk-strap shoes. This is dismal.» The Guardian pontificated «We’d be sure to recommend Garmology if we’d heard of it.» The Brighton Bugle blethered «Jon is clearly one of our finest local citizens and we really should shower him with appreciation.» Tønsberg Blad skriver «Jasså, så han holder ennå på? Kanskje på tide å rydde forsiden igjen...» 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.

    3h 4m
  2. Crafting Beauty From the Land: Tailoring, Natural Dyes & Local Wool with Alis Le May (#160

    03/12/2025

    Crafting Beauty From the Land: Tailoring, Natural Dyes & Local Wool with Alis Le May (#160

    Step into the studio with bespoke tailor Alis LeMay, whose Glasgow-based craft blends heritage techniques, natural dyes, British wool, and a deep respect for the land. In this inspiring conversation, Alis shares how chance encounters, traditional skills, and local collaborations shaped her journey from animation student to couture dressmaker — and why natural materials are at the heart of her latest project, Clò an Tìr (“cloth of the land”).  Discover:  The magic of British wool  How natural dyes shift and glow in changing light The rigour, romance, and reality of bespoke tailoring Glasgow’s forgotten textile history The joy of collaboration and apprenticing - Why fit, craft, and local production still matter And hear about incredibly large statues, made of wool! Whether you're into slow fashion, heritage craft, textiles, sustainability, or just a good creative origin story, this episode is a rich, warm, craft-filled journey. You can find Alis on the web at  alislemay.com and on Instagram as @alis_le_may   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.

    2h 1m
  3. Reviving dead sneakers - With Vinnie Tao at Sneakerpharm (#159)

    21/11/2025

    Reviving dead sneakers - With Vinnie Tao at Sneakerpharm (#159)

    What happens when a lifelong sneaker lover refuses to throw away his favourite shoes — and ends up building a full sneaker restoration business instead? In this episode, we meet SneakerPharm’s founder, the craftsman bringing dead, battered, sun-bleached trainers back to life using skill, chemistry, and a whole lot of patience. From reverse-engineering damaged materials to perfecting the art of whitening, reglueing, repainting, and rebuilding — this is a deep dive into the world of sneaker rescue and the culture around it. We talk about: 🧪 How he learned restoration through trial, error, and obsession 👟 Why certain sneakers are worth saving — even if they look beyond repair 🔥 The business of sneaker cleaning, detailing, and reviving rare pairs ✨ The surprising emotional stories behind the shoes people send in 📦 What it’s really like turning your passion into a full-time craft If you love sneakers, craftsmanship, or just great stories from people who really care about what they make, you’ll enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at a fascinating and fast-growing world. You can find SneakerPharm on the web at sneakerpharm.com and on Instagram as @sneakerpharm   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.

    1h 29m
  4. From Donegal with Love: The Molloy & Sons Story - With Kieran Molloy (#158)

    07/11/2025

    From Donegal with Love: The Molloy & Sons Story - With Kieran Molloy (#158)

    This week on Garmology, we’re off to the wild west coast of Ireland — to the home of Donegal tweed. Sixth-generation weaver Kieran Molloy joins us from Ardara, County Donegal, to talk about family legacy, the craft of weaving, and what it takes to keep a centuries-old tradition alive in the modern world. From looms beside the family home to a 1920s showroom on Fifth Avenue, the Molloy story is one of resilience, artistry, and an enduring love for colour and texture. We talk about the history and future of Donegal tweed, the fight to protect its name (like Champagne or Parma ham!), the challenges of staying natural in a synthetic world, and what it’s really like to run a small mill on the edge of the Atlantic — exporting to Japan, New York, and beyond. It’s a warm, funny, and deeply fascinating conversation about craft, identity, and why some fabrics carry the soul of a place. You can find Molloy and Sons on the web at molloyandsons.com and on Instagram as @molloyandsons This episode is also available on YouTube. 🎧 Garmology – a podcast about clothes, and the deeper stories behind them. 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.

    1h 26m
  5. The Shoe That Fits the Foot — Not the Market - With Andrew Turriff (#157)

    23/10/2025

    The Shoe That Fits the Foot — Not the Market - With Andrew Turriff (#157)

    This week on Garmology, we’re rethinking everything we thought we knew about shoes. From Nike internships and bespoke sneakers in L.A. to orthopedic labs in Canada, shoemaker Andrew Turriff has walked a long, winding path to creating Turiff Functional Footwear — a brand built on one radical idea: that shoes should actually work for your feet. We talk about his journey from art school to Fluevog to founding his own label, his discovery that most footwear ignores how the human foot actually moves, and how he set out to make rugged, repairable shoes that let you live, move, and feel better. This episode covers everything from the craft of shoemaking to barefoot philosophy, sustainability, and why “growth for growth’s sake” might be fashion’s biggest flaw. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about slowing down, making things well, and walking your own path — one pair of truly functional shoes at a time. You can find Andrew and Turriff Functional Footwear on the web at turriffshoes.com and on Instagram as @turriff_functional_footwear This episode is also available on YouTube. 🎧 Garmology — a podcast about clothes, and the deeper stories behind them. 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.

    1h 26m
  6. Whole-Cut Wonders: The Future of Heritage Shoemaking - Chris Woodford of Crown Northampton (#155)

    26/09/2025

    Whole-Cut Wonders: The Future of Heritage Shoemaking - Chris Woodford of Crown Northampton (#155)

    This week, we step inside the heart of British shoemaking. Our journey takes us to Northamptonshire, where craftsmanship and tradition run deep. Chris Woodford—6th-generation shoemaker and the man behind Crown Northampton and E. Woodford—opens the doors of his family’s factory to share stories of heritage, innovation, and the enduring art of making shoes. We chat about what it means to carry on a legacy while steering a modern business, the surprising freedom that comes when every worker has their own key, and the obsessive pursuit of making products as good as they can possibly be—using the finest leathers sourced from around the world. And yes, we dive into the wonderfully mad idea of crafting whole-cut welted sneakers that take 50 hours to make… and why people can’t get enough of them. This is a rich, two-hour conversation about passion, precision, and the quiet joy of making things that last. You can find Crown Northampton on the web at crownnorthampton.com and on Instagram as @crownnorthampton This episode is also available on YouTube.   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.

    2h 12m
5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Garmology is a podcast about our clothes, old and new, how they are made, and the impact they have, from a perspective of making, buying, wearing, collecting, evaluating and appreciating. With interesting guests, the aim is to provide a non-fashion view of the world of our clothes. Expect plenty of opinions! Garmology is made by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast at buymeacoffee.com/garmology Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.

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