The Shoe in the Wall: Patrick Grant on why 'Less' is more

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In today's episode, ‘The Shoe in the Wall: Patrick Grant on why 'Less' is more’, we’re unpicking the threads of fashion, identity, and the objects we bring into our lives, starting with the clothes on our backs.

Joining us is none other than Patrick Grant - clothier, sustainability advocate, and judge on The Great British Sewing Bee. Patrick takes us on a journey through the history of clothing, the fight for quality over fast fashion, and why what we wear matters more than we think. He also reignited the legacy of Kevin’s great-great-great-great grandfather, Edward Tautz, by relaunching his clothing brand!

Then, it’s storytime with Granny’s Costume Trunk, where Kevin rediscovers the magic of childhood dress-up - becoming anyone with just a wig, a dress, or a pair of glasses.

We also debut an exciting new segment: Archie’s Neuro Nuggets! This week’s bite-sized insight? Fractals in Nature - what they are, why they’re everywhere, and how they might just make your life better. 

A fan favourite, it’s the return of Stump the Room! Test your trivia skills with some fashion-themed facts.

And before we wrap up, our correspondent Ahmad hits the streets to find out how YOU are fostering connection and community when the bells ring out across The Big Smoke. 

Links

Join Patrick Grant’s Newsletter: Community Clothing

Read ‘Less’ by Patrick Grant: William Collins Books

Learn more about Archie McAlpine’s work: Archie McAlpine Associates

Follow us on Instagram @thebigsmokevariety and leave us a 5-star review on your podcast app of choice! 

Chapters

(0:00) Intro

(1:23) Stump The Room

(2:20) Patrick Grant Interview

(1:01:35) Parish Notices

(1:05:07) Granny’s Costume Trunk

(1:09:56) Archie’s Neuro Nuggets

(1:11:44) Stump The Room Answers

(1:13:05) Outro

Hosted & Exec Produced by Kevin Bennett

Produced & Edited by Alex Graham

And a big thanks to Ahmad Wonly, our on-street correspondent