Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East, unpicks the hidden histories behind what we wear. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford, director of V&A East, unpicks the hidden histories behind what we wear. Show more

This is Torn - the series that unpicks the hidden histories behind what we wear, featuring fashion items that changed the world, from the humble tote bag to the miniskirt.

This is Torn - the series that unpicks the hidden histories behind what we wear, featuring fashion items that changed the world, from the humble tote bag to the miniskirt. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford tells the story of how Air Jordans kickstarted a revolution in trainers, turning a simple sports shoe into one of the most covetable fashion items of all time. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford unravels the origin story of wax print fabric worn by Africans and finds its history spans three continents. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford finds that mauve dye was first synthesised by accident in the 1860s and led to an explosion in synthetic dyes that have changed us and the planet. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford tells the story of how the fisherman sweater became a fashion statement, and of the people working to keep the tradition alive. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford tells the story of the quest to make clothing at low prices and the past and present of sweatshops. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford tells the story of how calico cotton first grown in India gave rise to the global trade of a fabric that is both contentious and revolutionary. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford explores the history of viscose rayon, a textile with the power to shake up class dynamics and transform our natural world. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford’s story starts with an enslaved seamstress's alteration to a dress made of Indian chintz fabric and spans centuries of black struggle in fashion in America. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford charts the history of Ray-Ban sunglasses to find out how a piece of protective equipment designed for pilots evolved to become an iconic fashion item. Show more

Gus Casely-Hayford explores the history of one of the most controversial items of clothing we wear - the miniskirt. Show more