Vintage 1950s cocktail dresses and fetish shoes
- cocktail red#B22234
- taffeta black#111111
- patent heel#0B0B0B
- pearl#EDE6D6
Her daily uniform from the vintage stock she bought and resold
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Season 1 · Episode 1
Dianne Brill
Every name, club, book, song, night and look from the interview - 116 references and 315 mentions in this episode. So exciting!
Mood of the episode
The presenters’ on-camera looks
Dianne's on-camera look (S01E01)
On camera- blush pink#CFB2A5
- platinum/honey blonde#C9A994
- royal blue#4867BE
- white#E4E2E7
- silver#D3CABE
- red lips#B5302F
Platinum-blonde voluminous waves; smoky bronze-plum eye make-up and red lips; large silver hoop earrings; cobalt-blue deep-V top; big silver 'BRILL' nameplate necklace; purple nails
In front of a glass display cabinet and a wall of white orchids
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The guest: downtown 'queen of the night', designer, model, author and make-up entrepreneur. Links to her Night Fever episode on WOW
FashionFashion designer, model and 1980s style icon; Mugler muse
Heard as “Diane / Diane Bear / Diane Brill / Diane Bro”
31in this episode61 across allThe city itself: where Dianne arrived and started out selling her clothes to shops like Trash and Vaudeville
18in this episode243 across allDianne's close friend; directed the Cars video she appeared in; she describes his real personality
FashionStarted as a fashion illustrator; championed downtown style
Heard as “Andy / Warhol”
18in this episode150 across allNightclub impresario (Danceteria, Pravda, Palladium); Dianne's partner and husband, who orchestrated many of her big breaks. Links to his own Night Fever episode
Heard as “Rudolph”
13in this episode29 across allHost; recounts discovering Dianne as a Michigan teenager in 1984
FashionClub Kid with flamboyant looks
Heard as “James / James St / Jimmy Clark”
10in this episode125 across allWhere Dianne held a birthday party and first wowed Fenton; Rudolf's club
Heard as “Dan's interior / Danceteria / Dancetier / Densateria”
10in this episode57 across allDowntown contemporary; Dianne describes a prickly relationship and a missed baby-shower invitation
FashionPop style icon; Dianne says she wore corsets as tops before Madonna
10in this episode31 across allA Danceteria time capsule in a missile casing; dug up on West 21st Street in 2017, causing a bomb scare. Dianne's list of contributors isn't confirmed in press reports
FashionDianne put an underwire in it
Heard as “bomb / time capsule”
9in this episodethis episode onlyDianne's mother, raised in Havana and a big influence on her graciousness
FashionBought old dresses for dress-up play
Heard as “My mom / Noni / my mom / my mother”
8in this episodethis episode onlyDesigner who booked Dianne for his shows after Rudolf seated her next to him; she was a muse of the house for years
FashionFashion designer
Heard as “Mugler”
6in this episode14 across all- 6in this episode7 across all
Co-host; co-founder of World of Wonder. No Wikipedia page of his own; links to WOW
Heard as “Barbado / Randy”
5in this episode60 across allWhere Dianne lived before New York, working at Estée Lauder
5in this episode60 across allOpened once, then shut down; still talked about years later
Heard as “one night”
5in this episodethis episode onlyCo-host; co-founder of World of Wonder. No Wikipedia page of his own; links to WOW
Heard as “Fenton”
4in this episode41 across allHer daily uniform from the vintage stock she bought and resold
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “cocktail dress / fetish shoes”
4in this episodethis episode onlyHer first way into the scene; where she met the trench-coated Belgian
Heard as “Mud / mud”
4in this episode65 across allShe wore vintage corsets and bustiers as tops early on, she says before Madonna and Gaultier
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “bustier / corset”
4in this episodethis episode onlyDianne says Warhol kept trying to set them up
Heard as “Basquiat / Jean-Michel”
4in this episode17 across allThe next wave of the scene, which she embraced
FashionScene defined by costumes and looks
Heard as “club kids”
3in this episode73 across allDianne's bestselling style and beauty book (Penguin, 1992)
FashionBeauty and style guide
Heard as “Boobs / boobs”
3in this episodethis episode onlyWhere James first saw a tiny photo of Dianne
FashionFashion and culture magazine
Heard as “Bedding Fair / Vanity Fair”
3in this episode5 across allPremiered the Cars video; Warhol's MTV shows
3in this episode22 across allDowntown performer James lists among Warhol's circle; also in the time capsule story
FashionKnown for his towering pompadour and stage looks
Heard as “John Sex / John sex”
3in this episode11 across all- 3in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more card
- 3in this episode13 across all
Club famous for constantly reinventing itself (heard as 'Ariel')
FashionThemed décor and costumed crowds
Heard as “Area / Ariel”
3in this episode70 across allClose friend; contributed to the buried time capsule and appeared in her Palladium show
Heard as “Haring”
3in this episode37 across allDianne notes people now say her look is pure Drag Race
FashionDrag superstar
Heard as “Roo”
3in this episode31 across allRan an iconic cover of Dianne with the lotto numbers and no headline
FashionCover photo of her money dress
3in this episode6 across allDianne appeared on his show the night of her New York Post cover
Heard as “Letterman”
3in this episodethis episode onlyFormer assistant who, Dianne says, imitated her and intercepted her invitations; spelling unclear
FashionStarted copying Dianne's rubber skirts and blonde hair
Heard as “Itza”
3in this episodethis episode onlyClub in the Vanity Fair photo of Dianne and Sting
Heard as “Lime White / Limelight”
2in this episode32 across allWhere James read about Dianne as 'it girl, menswear designer'
FashionWarhol's fashion and celebrity magazine
Heard as “advertising in interview / interview magazine”
2in this episode6 across allShe designed menswear, including for the Late Night band
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “menswear”
2in this episodethis episode onlyHow Dianne remembers James bouncing up to her: lunchbox, big hair and detailed flowing clothes
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “lunchbox”
2in this episodethis episode onlyThe night at Danceteria when Fenton first saw Dianne enter
Heard as “Frankie”
2in this episodethis episode onlyBand playing their first NYC show the night Fenton saw her
Heard as “Frankie”
2in this episodethis episode only- 2in this episode10 across all
Her dream before New York; 'on the way out' when she arrived
FashionDisco-era glamour
Heard as “Studio 54 / Studio was”
2in this episode43 across all8th Street punk boutique where Dianne sold her vintage finds
FashionPunk fashion boutique
Heard as “trash and vaudeville”
2in this episodeonly counted here · named on 2 more cardsStore owner who, Dianne says, was tough on her but bought her vintage stock
FashionStylist and boutique owner
Heard as “Pat Fields”
2in this episode15 across allArea co-founder Dianne credits for that club's brilliance
Heard as “Eric”
2in this episode10 across allDianne recalls a bomb scare there years later over the time capsule she had buried
2in this episode8 across all- 2in this episode4 across all
- 2in this episode5 across all
Huge hair, highest heels, cinched waist, curves and sparkle, worn every day and night
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “Diane Bro look / biggest hair”
2in this episodethis episode onlyRudolf compared Dianne's look to her
FashionBombshell glamour reference
Heard as “Mansfield”
2in this episode6 across all- 2in this episode16 across all
Her outfit for the New York Post cover with the lotto numbers; the cover itself wasn't found online
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “gold dress”
2in this episodethis episode onlyDianne's famous appearance
FashionShe dressed the show's band in menswear
Heard as “David Letterman show / doing David Letterman”
2in this episodethis episode onlyAs told on the show, her ex styled a new girlfriend like her; James compares it to the film's plot
FashionMakeover plot
Heard as “Vertigo”
2in this episodethis episode onlyHer signature pieces, which Dianne says her former assistant later copied
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “rubber”
2in this episodethis episode onlyHer former employer was Itza's previous boss
FashionNightlife and fashion host
Heard as “Barsh”
2in this episode38 across all- 1in this episode34 across all
- 1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more card
Dianne is introduced as a YouTube sensation with her show The Brill of It All
1in this episode7 across allWhere teenage James was 'stuck' in 1984
Heard as “Saginaw”
1in this episodethis episode only- 1in this episode24 across all
- 1in this episode2 across all
Pictured with Dianne at Limelight in the Vanity Fair photo
1in this episode2 across allWarhol-directed video with 'Hello' on Dianne's décolletage
FashionHer body-art look in the video
Heard as “Cars video”
1in this episode2 across allHer look in Warhol's Cars video
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “decolletage”
1in this episodethis episode onlyWarhol assistant named among the downtown 'tribe' James read about
Heard as “Ming Vaz”
1in this episode6 across allDowntown model James lists among the scene's stars
FashionModel and Stephen Sprouse muse
Heard as “Terry Toy”
1in this episode8 across allPhotographer whose party pictures in Interview showed Dianne around town
Heard as “Makos”
1in this episode4 across all1984 video nightclub on West 21st Street where Makos photographed Dianne
Heard as “private eyes”
1in this episodethis episode onlyNamed by James as less famous to him than Dianne
FashionAndrogynous 1980s style icon
1in this episodethis episode onlyNamed by James as less famous to him than Dianne
FashionGender-bending 1980s style icon
1in this episode33 across allNamed by James ('Cindy') among the era's stars; identity assumed from context
Fashion1980s thrift-store style icon
Heard as “Cindy”
1in this episodethis episode only- 1in this episodethis episode only
DJ and late friend who described Dianne's gift for making people feel important
1in this episode13 across all- 1in this episodethis episode only
- 1in this episodethis episode only
London New Romantic figure Dianne hadn't yet discovered when she lived there
FashionNew Romantic style icon
1in this episode4 across all- 1in this episode7 across all
Dianne remembers Trash and Vaudeville and Pat Field's shop on 8th Street advertising in Interview when she arrived
FashionIconic downtown boutique
Heard as “8th Street”
1in this episode16 across allClub that was winding down when she arrived
1in this episode37 across all- 1in this episode3 across all
Danceteria co-owner who bought the missile shell and waited to reclaim the time capsule
Heard as “Argento”
1in this episode3 across allOlder friend, an example of how age didn't matter in the scene
1in this episode2 across allRudolf seated Dianne next to the King of Spain at a dinner
Heard as “king of Spain”
1in this episodethis episode onlyRudolf arranged for her to sit next to Mugler, which led to modelling for him
FashionStart of her Mugler runway years
Heard as “Mugler table”
1in this episodethis episode onlyFashion house she modelled for as a muse for about nine years
FashionFashion house
Heard as “house of Mugler”
1in this episodethis episode only- 1in this episodethis episode only
A Belgian who looked like a 1940s detective drawing, which she chased round the Mudd Club
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “trench coat”
1in this episodethis episode onlyFilm-noir reference for the trench-coated Belgian
FashionTrench-coat noir style
Heard as “Bogart”
1in this episodethis episode onlyUsed as today's reference for the curvy silhouette Dianne pioneered
FashionBody-shape and fashion influencer
Heard as “Kardashian”
1in this episode2 across allDianne says she wore corsets before Gaultier made them famous
FashionFashion designer
Heard as “Gaultier”
1in this episode10 across allAnother bombshell Rudolf compared her to
FashionBombshell glamour reference
Heard as “Diana Doris”
1in this episodethis episode only- 1in this episodethis episode only
Fans now compare her look to the show's queens
FashionDrag fashion
Heard as “Drag Race”
1in this episode14 across all- 1in this episodethis episode only
Where her mother bought old bridesmaid dresses for dress-up
FashionThrift source of her first costumes
1in this episodethis episode onlyThrift-store bridesmaid dresses her mother bought for dress-up games
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “bridesmaid”
1in this episodethis episode onlyDianne recalls watching Dynasty with Warhol at Cornelia's before going out
FashionDebutante style figure
Heard as “Cornelia”
1in this episode5 across allWhat Dianne recalls watching with Warhol before going out
Fashion1980s shoulder-pad glamour
1in this episode2 across allAppeared with Dianne in Warhol's TV projects
1in this episode4 across allWarhol's manager/producer named among his TV collaborators
Heard as “Fremont”
1in this episodethis episode onlyWarhol's MTV series; Dianne is in the 1985 pilot
Heard as “MTV shows”
1in this episodethis episode onlyFriend Dianne regrets not saying goodbye to
FashionFashion designer
Heard as “Sprouse”
1in this episode3 across allAM/PM promoter behind the 1985 Williamsburg Bridge outlaw party (heard as 'veto')
Heard as “veto”
1in this episode5 across all- 1in this episode2 across all
Vito Bruno's 1985 outlaw birthday party for Details editor Annie Flanders on the bridge; Dianne was a guest
Heard as “outlaw party”
1in this episode2 across allShow for New Millionaires Club, Dianne's menswear label, with Dolly Parton, Duran Duran and lotto winner Curtis Sharp
FashionGold dress sewn with dollar bills
Heard as “millionaires club”
1in this episodethis episode only- 1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more card
Famous 1982 New York lotto winner who appeared in her Palladium show
Heard as “Curtis Sharp”
1in this episodethis episode onlyMentioned by James as another woman Letterman bantered with
Heard as “Tama”
1in this episode2 across all- 1in this episodethis episode only
Club Kids leader; Dianne praises his early looks and hosting
FashionClub Kid known for outrageous costumes
Heard as “Ehlig”
1in this episode123 across allNamed among the people creating new looks every day
FashionPerformance-art fashion icon
Heard as “Lee Bari”
1in this episode13 across allAs told on the show, a Club Kid her ex dressed up to look like Dianne. No page of her own; links to Club Kids
FashionClub Kid look-alike styled after Dianne
Heard as “Julie Jules”
1in this episode3 across all- On camera
In front of a glass display cabinet and a wall of white orchids
FashionPlatinum-blonde voluminous waves; smoky bronze-plum eye make-up and red lips; large silver hoop earrings; cobalt-blue deep-V top; big silver 'BRILL' nameplate necklace; purple nails
—in this episode - On camera
In his home library with packed bookshelves and a white studio microphone
FashionPale grey mock-turtleneck; dark teal rectangular glasses; shaved head
—in this episode - On camera
In front of a grey-green floor-length curtain with a ring light
FashionNavy-and-orange Breton-striped top; pale translucent rectangular glasses; shaved head
—in this episode - On camera
Home office with a signed poster for Bob Colacello's Warhol memoir Holy Terror, shelves of pink boxed collectibles and family photos
FashionDark navy baseball cap; thick black-and-tortoiseshell rectangular glasses; navy and royal-blue colour-block crew-neck sweater
—in this episode
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