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The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina
Welcome to The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie and Lina, a new weekly podcast hosted by DJ/activist Lina Bradford and fashion legend Connie Fleming, the show offers unprecedented access to the icons, secrets, and untold stories that shaped queer culture. Lina and Connie are both trailblazing women of transgender experience, with deep backgrounds hosting and performing in NYC’s most storied clubs—and pioneering on fashion runways. They bring their knowledge, stories, and relationships to “The Cutting Up,” offering audiences a backstage pass to authentic conversations that can only happen between true friends and industry legends. “The Cutting Up” goes deep on fashion, music, activism, and identity.
The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina
Pirate Boots & Punk Roots: Connie & Lina’s Tribute to the Iconic Vivienne Westwood
Okay Sugar, buckle up—because this episode was basically mine and Connie’s Olympics. From the moment we hit record, the energy was high, the accessories were rattling, and Vivienne Westwood was in the house hovering over the conversation like the patron saint of chaotic glam.
We kicked things off with a little accessory talk (because of course we did), and before long,we were deep in our feelings about our Westwood babies—yes, the squiggles, the pirate boots, and those corsets. Con and I traded stories - spiraling into memories of punk’s electric surge in the late 70s and 80s, back when fashion wasn’t just fashion—it was a full‑blown cultural riot.
And then came the icons. Pat Cleveland strutting through my imagination. Yoko Ono being...Yoko Ono. Grace Jones, obviously slaying from every angle. It felt like flipping through the coolest scrapbook ever made.
Just when you think we can’t get more ‘unserious’, we dive into fishbowl questions—fashion trends we’d banish, knockoff drama, and the teen fashion choices we wish we could time‑travel to fix. Chaos, laughter, and maybe a little too much honesty.
If you want the play‑by‑play, here’s your stylish timestamp menu:
• 00:00 — Hellos, hugs, and general fabulousness
• 00:18 — Accessories we’re unreasonably attached to
• 00:57 — Nostalgia hour: fashion shows we still dream about
• 01:16 — The Vivienne Westwood fangirl spiral begins
• 04:54 — Punk, politics, and platform everything
• 08:51 — Why color theory should come with a warning label
• 14:00 — Personal fashion lore (yes, the corset story is here)
• 17:11 — Iconic outfits and the Case of the Missing Corsets
• 18:02 — Fishbowl chaos: trends, tips, tea
• 21:05 — “Sun’s out, buns out” but make it fashion
• 23:41 — Teen fashion memories we survived
• 25:14 — Designer jeans and the era that shaped us
• 29:17 — Voting matters (and so does what you wear to the polls)
• 29:55 — Final thoughts and fabulous farewells
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cutting-up-a-kiki-with-connie-lina/id1849020008
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/200MOk48TaLRPLQvzx2UK0?si=6499dd094f704a10
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-the-cutting-up-a-kiki-wit-303161901
You can write to us at Kiki@TheCuttingUp.com
And follow us on instagram:
@TheLinaBradford
@TheRealConnieGirl
@PrideHouseMedia
The Cutting Up: A Kiki with Connie & Lina is a Pride House Media production.
Producers: Josh Rosenzweig & Matthew Breen.
Graphic Design Daryl Raymond.
Original Music by 808 BEACH (John “J-C” Carr & Bill Coleman), courtesy of Peace Bisquit.
Production Design by Darryl Dickens.
Our very special thanks to Jason Kanner for all your support.