
The Queen of Versailles with Christian Cowan - The Costume House with Spencer Williams
The Art of Costume PodcastShow Notes
In this episode of The Costume House, Spencer Williams steps into the dazzling world of Broadway with none other than world-renowned designer Christian Cowan. Known for dressing icons like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Zendaya, Christian makes his Broadway costume design debut with The Queen of Versailles. Spencer and Christian explore how he transitioned from the runway to the stage, what first drew him to the world of theater, and how he captured the spectacle, ambition, and unapologetic glamour of Jackie Siegel’s world. Christian opens up about building the show’s visual identity, crafting a larger-than-life Jackie for Kristin Chenoweth, and diving deep into historical silhouettes that would make any costume lover swoon. From the breathtaking Marie Antoinette gown adorned with hand-made silk flowers to the striking lilac python-skin dress, Christian breaks down the textures, textiles, and meticulous craftsmanship that shaped The Queen of Versailles into a feast of fashion, storytelling, and theatrical extravagance. ------- The Queen of Versailles" is playing now through December 21, 2025 at the St. James Theatre. Head to queenofversaillesmusical.com to get your tickets now!
More from The Art of Costume Podcast
I'm your number one fan! 🔨 This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, our spooky season series “Based on the Novel by Stephen King” continues with Misery, the chilling psychological thriller starring Kathy Bates and James Caan.
All work and no play makes for a very stylish horror episode. 🪓 This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, our spooky season series “Based on the Novel by Stephen King” continues with Stanley Kubrick’s chilling classic, The Shining, featuring costume design by the legendary Milena Canonero.
We all float down here. 🎈 This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, our spooky season series “Based on the Novel by Stephen King” begins with the 1990 television miniseries IT, and there’s no better way to kick things off than with Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Spencer and Elizabeth dive into the costumes designed by Monique Prudhomme for the unforgettable Losers Club, exploring how each character’s look helps define their personalities and bring Derry, Maine, to life. Of course, no conversation about IT would be complete without Tim Curry’s legendary transformation into Pennywise. Our hosts explore Curry’s remarkable career, the meticulous makeup process that created one of horror’s most enduring villains, and even hear some fascinating behind-the-scenes insight from the master himself, Stephen King. Follow The Art of Costume Podcast: Instagram: @theartofcostumepod TikTok: @theartofcostumepod
This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, Spencer and Elizabeth celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors! Our hosts dig into the costumes behind some of their favorite characters, from Seymour and Audrey to the nefarious Dr. Orin Scrivello and, of course, the fabulous Skid Row Urchins. They explore how the costumes help bring this strange, hilarious, and wonderfully twisted world to life, while also diving into the incredible behind-the-scenes production of the film, including the painstaking process of bringing the legendary Audrey II puppet to life.
Who is ready for some margaritas? This week on The Art of Costume Podcast, Spencer and Elizabeth dust off the spell books and return to the Owens sisters’ Massachusetts home for the cult classic Practical Magic, just in time for the new sequel. Together, our hosts celebrate Sally and Gillian’s iconic costumes, Stevie Nicks, and the world’s coolest aunts, who somehow make midnight margaritas and a centuries-old family curse look like a perfectly normal Tuesday night. From Sally’s romantic, free-spirited style to Gillian’s effortlessly cool witchy looks, they dive into the costumes that helped make this film a timeless Halloween favorite. So grab your tequila, light a few candles, and join us for midnight margaritas, sisterly chaos, and a very serious discussion about the most stylish witches in cinema. Follow The Art of Costume Podcast on Instagram at @theartofcostumepod and on TikTok at @theartofcostume.