Casci Ritchie is a PhD candidate and associate lecturer studying Prince, fashion, and fandom at Northumbria University. She has published widely about Prince’s sartorial legacy in peer-reviewed academic journals including Critical Studies in Men’s Fashion, Queer Studies in Popular Culture, Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture and most recently the Journal of Asia-Pacific Pop Culture. Her book On His Royal Badness: The Life and Legacy of Prince’s Fashion, was published in 2021 as part of 404 Ink’s Inkling series. Listen in as we discuss her early memories of Prince, her lifelong study of his work, his fashion... but also his world building.
INTRO
2mins - First memories of Prince, and standing next to the TV...feeling the static from Gett Off! Listening to Prince's Hits cassette in the Green Mondeo.
4mins - Born in the year of Lovesexy!
5mins - When did you realise that Prince's work could become a lifetime pursuit? "First and foremost I'm a fan...". Obsessed with John Waters, Pee Wee Herman and Bette Davis too. 'Eccentric, creative and fabulous people'.
6mins - Seeing Purple Rain at 14 and getting into fashion. "Prince was always on my mood board."
7mins30s - Studying Prince for years as an independent researcher alongside work...'when you do a PhD it's just the beginning of your research.'
9mins30s - 'The idea of Prince & Fashion, with a focus on the labour aspect and fan culture as well...'
11mins30s - What's going on with the Prince of the late 1970s? Casci unpacks the different sartorial elements. 'Very typical of a young adult finding themselves...through dress.'
14mins - Prince's experiments in fashion, thrift stores, borrowing, wearing women's clothing...
17mins - 'Becoming Prince': The Beautiful Ones book, and understanding elements of Prince's early imagination and dress-sense. The influence of his parents, musicians in North Minneapolis...and getting dressed to the 9s in the 1970s.
22mins - Heroes and influences...
23mins - Make Up.
26mins - World Building...'in a world called Fantasy'
30mins - Prince's female kinship. 'He surrounded himself with incredible women...and loved female energy.' Sly Stone's fashion, and James Brown's performances...expressing sexuality and sensuality. 'He liked the way particular fabrics felt on his body...'