History, Undressed: Hayley N. Chow on Old Hollywood, Fashion History, and Finding Her People

There’s something fascinating about discovering the stories behind the glamorous costumes of Old Hollywood. Every gown, silhouette, and carefully chosen accessory tells a story, not just about the character wearing it, but also about the era in which it was created. For fashion historian and storyteller Hayley N. Chow, uncovering those stories has become more than a passion. It has become a way of connecting people through their shared love of history, fashion, and classic cinema.

I first met Hayley on May 27, 2026 at More Than Love: The Life & Art of Natalie Wood, an exhibition at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton, California. The exhibition celebrated the life and artistic legacy of the beloved Hollywood actress. During a special one-night-only event, Hayley joined curator Jamie Hiber and Natalie Wood’s daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, for a conversation highlighting some of Wood’s most iconic film costumes.

As I listened to Hayley speak, I was immediately impressed by her remarkable knowledge of costume design, fashion history, and classic Hollywood. Her enthusiasm was contagious. It was clear that she didn’t just study history—she genuinely loved bringing its forgotten stories to life.

Naturally, my curiosity got the best of me. I wanted to know more about the woman behind such fascinating insights. So, I tracked her down and invited her to be featured on Popbuff. To my delight, she enthusiastically agreed!

Hayley is the founder of History, Undressed, a platform that began as a personal passion project and eventually grew into a community of like-minded enthusiasts who share her love of fashion, film, art, and history.

Before launching her brand, Hayley spent more than a decade working as a fashion stylist across editorial, runway, and commercial projects. Her professional experience, combined with her fascination with classic films and the artistry of costume designers, laid the foundation for what History, Undressed would become.

Today, she continues to celebrate the often-overlooked creative minds behind iconic Hollywood looks while inspiring a new generation to appreciate the beauty and significance of fashion history.

In this exclusive Popbuff Q&A, Hayley talks about her journey from fashion styling to historical storytelling, the influence of Old Hollywood, the power of social media in rediscovering the past, and the dreams she has yet to fulfill.

A Conversation with Hayley N. Chow

Popbuff: You’ve had such an interesting career journey—from working in high fashion to becoming an author, poet, gallery director, and now the founder of History, Undressed. How did those different chapters lead you to where you are today?

Hayley N. Chow: Interestingly enough, History, Undressed was present through every single chapter of my career. It was the one thing that remained stable in my life as I was evolving in my professional life, as well as self-publishing three books.

But through those different phases, it was always a side hobby—until suddenly, it slowly became more of an actual job. Yet that doesn’t diminish the fun of it all. The page will always be a hobby because I love what I do. I ensure that I am always enjoying creating, researching, and sharing. I will always go about navigating History, Undressed as a true passion project.

It was a happy accident that people from all over the world began following along, and I am eternally grateful for that. The support that I have been lucky enough to gain has helped open doors that I’d never thought imaginable. It’s taken me all over the world, allowed me to collaborate with superstars that I’ve always looked up to, as well as make a name for myself in the Dallas film and fashion community.

Yes, many milestone moments have come my way through the power of social media, but to me, the most beautiful outcome thus far has been the people I’ve had the joy of connecting with, both online and in person. True friendships were made simply because I have been able to find my people—the people who share the same adoration and passion as I do for film, fashion, and history.

Popbuff: The name History, Undressed immediately grabs your attention. How did you come up with the name, and what does “undressing history” mean to you?

Hayley N. Chow: Funnily enough, for years the page operated under “Stilettos and Bandaids,” the name given from its conception. I was still working as a stylist at the time and enjoyed the idea of tripping and falling your way to the top of the fashion industry.

However, as the page grew, I knew at a certain point it needed a rebrand, as the name boxed me into strictly fashion-related content. I wanted to explore more than simply fashion. Film, art, and history deep dives were becoming more and more fun for me to delve into.

I came up with a list of possible names that encapsulated all of that (History, Undressed being one of them), and my friend helped ensure that History, Undressed was the way to go.

To me, undressing history is unveiling lost treasures of the past. My favorite thing to do is research fun facts about films, costume designers, and fashion history in general.

I always wanted my page to be more than images and videos. I wanted it to be educational—a place where you could learn. In order for me to create educational content, I have to educate myself first. I’m always learning, and I just so happen to share what I learn.

It’s a joy to have built a strong community that enjoys learning about fashion and film history as much as I do.

Popbuff: You spent more than a decade in fashion, including editorial, runway, catalog work, and Dallas Fashion Week. How has your fashion background influenced the way you tell historical stories today?

Hayley N. Chow: It’s funny because I feel as if my days in the industry are so distant now. If anything, I owe the birth of History, Undressed to my days working as a fashion stylist.

I started the page strictly as a landing page where I could catalog my inspiration for styling—which happened to be pulled from Old Hollywood films.

Regarding its lasting influence, I would say that I truly come from a place of knowledge because I’ve lived and breathed the fashion industry for such a long time. Therefore, I have such a strong appreciation for costume designers.

I highlight costume designers of classic films more than anything, when their names are usually swept under the rug. This has also helped me connect with current-day costume designers in Hollywood, and that has been a beautiful thing. Something I could have never imagined.

It has also helped me form a reputable name for myself in the fashion world, both locally and globally. I thoroughly enjoy working with Dallas fashion professors, visiting archival clothing collections locally and nationwide, and meeting mentors that I am always learning from.

Popbuff: Fashion can reveal so much about a particular era. What can clothing teach us about history that we might not learn from textbooks?

Hayley N. Chow: Something we don’t typically learn is how one dress, one garment, one accessory, or one hairstyle worn on screen can impact the course of fashion.

Take the famous Letty Lynton dress worn by Joan Crawford in the 1932 film by the same name. The puffed sleeves, ruffles, and silhouette caused such a phenomenon after the film’s release that the craze was dubbed the “Letty Lynton effect.”

It became so popular that Macy’s in New York is said to have sold half a million copies.

Popbuff: Social media has changed the way people discover history. Do you think platforms like Instagram and TikTok are helping a younger generation become more interested in the past?

Hayley N. Chow: I most definitely believe social media has helped with the resurgence of interest in history, particularly fashion history.

The hot thing to do now on a Hollywood red carpet is to secure an archival piece, and Halloween costumes are often inspired by iconic costumes of the Golden Age.

Costumes worn in classic films that otherwise would have gone forgotten are easily discoverable now that we have so many wonderful Old Hollywood content creators on social media platforms.

These creators are sharing the niche that they already love, and the masses are able to learn from them.

Popbuff: What is one historical misconception or overlooked story that you wish more people knew about?

Hayley N. Chow: I truly wish people knew more about the designer Ray Aghayan.

My favorite star, Doris Day, wore his designs in most of her films. One of her most famous film costumes is a bright orange sequined gown, complete with a white jacket lined with orange sequins.

Many have credited Norman Norell as the designer (as Norell was typically known for his sequined designs), but it was, in fact, the brilliant work of the underrated name that is Ray Aghayan.

Aghayan was also fellow designer Bob Mackie’s life partner—another beautiful story that often goes unknown.

Popbuff: With your background in fashion, literature, art, and history, what would be your dream project if there were no limitations?

Hayley N. Chow: I don’t believe in limitations. I live my life as if anything is possible, both personally and professionally, and I think that is what has gotten me this far.

A dream of mine is to be able to program a recurring film festival of some sort that highlights costumers of the Golden Age. Preferably, I would love for it to be in collaboration with a historic theatre. My favorite kind.

I believe in manifesting, putting your biggest dreams out into the world, and understanding that anything is possible.

Popbuff: What’s next for Hayley N. Chow and History, Undressed? Are there any upcoming books, projects, collaborations, or stories you’re excited about?

Hayley N. Chow: I took a good deal of time off from History, Undressed last year, my first time doing so in fifteen years, to visit France two separate times.

I came back with a finished manuscript, and earlier this year I published it—my third poetry collection.

As for collaborations, I always look forward to working my next film festival, as there’s nothing I love more than conversations with fellow creatives.

I’ll be interviewing filmmakers at the upcoming Dallas International Film Festival Shorts at the end of October, and I’m beyond excited.

Festivals highlighting short films are something I’ve grown to love. Short films are highly underrated, in my opinion. An artist’s capability of telling a full story with meaning and impact, sometimes within as little as fifteen to twenty minutes, inspires me to no end.

The fact that DIFF is now an Oscar-qualifying film festival makes it all the more special. As DIFF has grown through the years, bigger and bigger stars have made their way to the Dallas film industry’s red carpets.

I’m truly honored to be a part of Dallas’ rise in the film world.

Popbuff: If you could spend one day in any period of history—and dress for the occasion—which era would you choose?

Hayley N. Chow: I adore this question.

If you were to ask me this question several years ago, I would have most likely stated the 1940s or ’50s. As I’ve delved more into the pre-Code era in the past years, my answer now would probably be the 1930s.

I love the over-the-top decadence of that era. The glamour, the silhouettes, the fabrics. Jean Harlow always comes to mind when I think of that era.

The on-screen costumes were more risqué than those of the Hays Code era, and I think that’s what draws me in.

Beyond the Glamour: Keeping Fashion History Alive

What I enjoyed most about my conversation with Hayley was discovering how a simple passion project could evolve into something so meaningful.

Her journey is a wonderful reminder that following your interests can lead to unexpected opportunities, lasting friendships, and a community of people who share the same enthusiasm.

I also appreciate how she brings attention to the costume designers whose work helped shape some of Hollywood’s most memorable moments. We often remember the stars who wore the glamorous gowns, but not always the talented artists who created them.

Through History, Undressed, Hayley is helping ensure those stories—and the creative legacies behind them—are not forgotten.

And perhaps that’s what makes history so fascinating. There’s always another story waiting to be discovered.

Thank you, Hayley, for sharing your journey and your passion for fashion, film, and history with Popbuff readers!