Tag: Fashion and Textile Museum

The Fabric of Democracy: Propaganda Textiles from the French Revolution to Brexit

Published on 31st August 2023

The Fabric of Democracy: Propaganda Textiles from the French Revolution to Brexit at the Fashion and Textile Museum. Curated by design historian Amber Butchart, this exhibition explores printed propaganda textiles over more than two centuries. Discover how fabric designers and manufacturers have responded to political upheaval from the French Revolution through to Brexit. The mechanisation of textile industries from the mid-18th century led to the development of print techniques that could create more detailed imagery on cloth, quicker than ever before. These increasingly affordable processes ‘democratised’ textile decoration, allowing governments, regimes, and corporations to harness the power of print to communicate, from wartime slogans to revolutionary ideals. Propaganda is usually associated with public art and monumental sculpture. Through this exhibition, explore how fabrics have been used as a political medium both in the home and on the body, through furnishing and fashion. Find out how textiles were used as a tool of the state across the political spectrum, from communism to fascism. Discover how a fraternal crisis in the monarchy played out on cloth, and how democracies promote national identity through textile design. On display will be textiles from countries including Britain, America, Italy, Germany and Austria, ranging from French toile de Jouy to Japanese robes from the Asia-Pacific war, and Cultural Revolution-era Chinese fabrics which have rarely before been exhibited in the UK. Image credit: Peace in our Time Scarf 1938 on loan from the Paul and Karen Rennie Collection © Jonathan Richards. Find out more 

Out of the Blue: Fifty Years of Designers Guild

Published on 20th July 2020

The Fashion and Textile Museum’s 2020 exhibtion ‘Out of the Blue’ celebrates the work of influential design company Designers Guild. Founded by Tricia Guild OBE, Designers Guild started life in 1970 as a small section of a single shop in Chelsea’s Kings Road. The brand has since evolved and grown into a global enterprise, whose products have changed the way we view colour, pattern and texture in our homes. Out of the Blue unravels Tricia Guild’s unique and creative approach, focussing in on her inspiration, her intuitive design methodology and the techniques, processes and materials used. Frustrated with the lack of truly contemporary fabrics and wallpapers for interiors, Tricia’s vision was to create a lifestyle. Tricia showed people how to put the different elements of a room together; how colour, pattern, texture and form can combine to create a harmonious space. Offering unique access to Designers Guild’s archive, with never before displayed original designs and art work, Out of the Blue will showcase the story of Designers Guild, in settings that capture the changing tastes in interiors over the past five decades. Advance booking is essential.  Find out more/ Book tickets

Zandra Rhodes: Fifty Years of Fabulous at the Fashion and Textile Museum

Published on 08th July 2019

In celebration of fifty years of the Zandra Rhodes’ label, the Fashion and Textile Museum presents Zandra Rhodes: Fifty Years of Fabulous. This retrospective will highlight 100 key looks, as well as 50 original textiles. This comprehensive exhibition will explore five decades of the distinguished career of a British design legend. The acclaimed British designer Dame Zandra Rhodes DBE founded her eponymous fashion house in 1969 with a small collection. Her prints were Pop Art-infused commentaries on the world of Sixties Britain; the designer felt that there was inherent structure within the pattern that could work with and enhance the shape and construction of a dress. With this concept as a starting point and with her distinctive approach to cut and form, the house of Zandra Rhodes soon became one of the most recognisable labels in London. Exhibition Dates: 27 September 2019 – 26 January 2020 |  Book Online Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am – 6pm Thursdays until 8pm Sundays, 11am – 5pm Last admission 45 minutes before closing Closed Mondays Image: Dame Zandra Rhodes. Photograph by Simon Emmett.

Weavers of the Clouds: Textile Arts of Peru

Published on 11th June 2019

For decades, designers worldwide have been influenced by the traditional textiles of Peru. The Fashion and Textile Museum’s latest exhibition explores the processes and practices of both historic and contemporary Peruvian costume via garments, textiles, photographs, tools, illustrations and paintings, dating from pre-Hispanic to present day. Works presented include pieces by contemporary Peruvian fashion designers Meche Correa and Chiara Macchievello, photographs by Sebastian Castaneda Vita, Marta Tucci and Toni Frissell, Peruvian-inspired designs from Vivienne Westwood and Naeem Khan and a broad selection of both traditional and contemporary Peruvian art, produced in a multitude of fascinating mediums. With many artists of all forms now looking to Peru for inspiration, this is a very exciting time to examine the history and future of Peruvian arts. Weavers of the Clouds: Textile Arts of Peru is accompanied by the display A Thread: Contemporary Art of Peru, showcasing the work of 17 Peruvian artists. Book tickets

1930s Friday Evening Fizz at FTM

Published on 08th October 2018

Kick off your weekend with a swing and join the Fashion and Textile Museum for this very special Friday evening late night opening of Night and Day: 1930s Fashion and Photographs. Revel in 1930s style while sipping on a glass of fizz while viewing this glamorous exhibition   As a decade of design, the Thirties saw off the excess of the Jazz Age and ushered in the utilitarianism of World War II. As the flapper grew up, so too did her fashions. The new silhouettes of the 1930s played with the hard-edged chic seen in the Art Deco and Moderne styles, the unexpected as seen in the surrealists and the sensuality of silver screen sirens. The exhibition will explore the day and evening styles of the decade, complemented by photographs of the stars who championed them. With fashion as the lens, Night and Day: 1930s Fashion and Photographs will traverse the great period of social change that was the 1930s. Price: £12. All tickets include exhibition entry and a glass of fizz. Book online

Night and Day Fashion Textile

Night and Day: 1930s Fashion and Photographs

Published on 02nd October 2018

Following the success of 2017’s 1920s Jazz Age: Fashion and Photographs, the Fashion & Textile Museum have revealed their Winter 2018 exhibition: Night and Day: 1930s Fashion and Photographs.  As a decade of design, the Thirties saw off the excess of the Jazz Age and ushered in the utilitarianism of World War II. As the flapper grew up, so too did her fashions. The new silhouettes of the 1930s played with the hard-edged chic seen in the Art Deco and Moderne styles, the unexpected as seen in the surrealists and the sensuality of silver screen sirens.   The exhibition will explore the day and evening styles of the decade, complemented by photographs of the stars who championed them. With fashion as the lens, Night and Day: 1930s Fashion and Photographs will traverse the great period of social change that was the 1930s. Book tickets here

The World of Anna Sui

Published on 19th April 2017

From May 26th 2017 the Fashion and Textile Museum will open its doors to a new exhibition, celebrating one of the decade’s most famous fashion icons, Anna Sui.  Anna Sui is the classic American fashion designer. From Detroit to New York, her signature rock-n-roll romanticism reinvents pop culture for every new generation. Since her first catwalk show in 1991, Sui has shaped not only the garments, textiles, accessories, beauty and interiors which comprise her design universe, but also the course of fashion history. The World of Anna Sui features over 100 looks from the designer’s archive, presenting a roll call of archetypes from Surfers and School Girls to Hippies, Mods and Punks. This is the first time an American designer has been the focus of a retrospective exhibition in the UK. Exhibition Dates: 26 May – 1 October 2017 Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am–6pm Thursdays until 8pm Sundays, 11am–5pm Last admission 45 minutes before closing Closed Mondays Tickets Advance booking online is recommended but tickets may be purchased in person on the day of the visit, subject to availability £9.90 adults* / £7.70 concessions* / £6 students * Includes 10% gift aid Children under 12 are free. Book Online   Images: Anna Sui, 2011 © Anna Sui; The World of Anna Sui, book cover 2017. Isetan Mitsukoshi for Anna Sui Spring Summer 2012 © Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello

Inspirational Women of London Bridge

Published on 14th March 2017

Directory

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we’ve rounded up a host of leading ladies. Many of their achievements have shaped the climate of the area as it is today, however their influence transcends postcodes, cities, and even continents. They’ve motivated change in fields including nursing, fair-trade, fashion and LGBT rights: meet the Inspirational women of London Bridge…   1. Dame Zandra Rhodes DBE, RDI, Fashion Designer Zandra’s early textile designs were considered too outrageous by the traditional British manufacturers, subsequently she decided to make dresses from her own fabrics, pioneering the very special use of printed textiles as an intrinsic part of the garments she created. She has been Commander of the British Empire since 1997 (in recognition of her contribution to fashion and textiles) and has nine Honorary Doctorates from Universities in both the UK and USA Additionally, Zandra has set up the Fashion and Textile Museum on Bermondsey Street, here in London Bridge, which was officially opened May 2003 by HRH Princess Michael of Kent. Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta designed the museum in it’s trademark pink and orange – a stunning colour choice replicated in Zandra’s collaboration with Team London Bridge and the Greenwood Theatre in 2015. 2. Sophi Tranchell MBE, CEO of Divine Chocolate Sophi Tranchell, winner of Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year  (the most prestigious international award for social innovation) is the CEO of London Bridge based fair-trade chocolate company, Divine Chocolate. Appointed in 1999, she has led this innovative company, from a team of four with a very bold proposition, to the international £12.6m company it is today.  Her belief in, and dedication to, the company’s purpose and mission – to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers through a more sustainable and equitable trading relationship – has been fundamental to the company’s success.  The company’s unique business model – which gives cocoa farmers the biggest share, and seats on the Board, in addition to the benefits from Fairtrade – has become a leading example of what is possible both in the Fairtrade movement and of a social enterprise reaching international scale in a highly competitive sector. Quote – BBC News   3. Florence Nightingale  OM, RRC, Founder of Modern Nursing The Lady with the Lamp’s pioneering work during the Crimean war lead to revolutionary progression in the field of medical care for soldiers. Florence Nightingale became involved with St Thomas’s Hospital in London Bridge in 1859. This was the original site for her famous nursing school. The first trained Nightingale nurses began work on 16 May 1865 at the Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary. Now called the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, the school is part of King’s College London. Florence helped establish numerous nursing organizations throughout the remainder of her life and received numerous awards for her work, including the German order of the Cross of Merit and the French gold medal of Secours aux Blessés Militaires. Queen Victoria awarded her the Royal Red Cross in 1883. She was appointed a Lady of Grace of the Order of St John in 1904 and became the first woman to be awarded the Order of Merit in 1907. She was given the Honorary Freedom of the City of London in 1908. On May 10, 1910 she was presented with the badge of honor of the Norwegian Red Cross Society. Information from British Heritage.com   4. Amy Lamé Night Czar at London City Hall Amy Lamé was appointed by The Mayor as London’s first Night Czar in 2016.  The comedian and broadcaster has long and successful track record as a leader and collaborator in the cultural and creative industries. She is co-founder of the Olivier Award winning arts company and club night Duckie, having hosted the club every Saturday at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern for 21 years. Amy co-founded and chairs RVT Future, a voluntary LGBT+ community group campaigning to preserve the iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern. She is currently working to help tackle sexual assault against women on public transport, and boost the safety of women on nights out. These plans include hosting a City Hall summit with more than 100 women from different fields, including policing, councils and women’s rights groups. Quote – Evening Standard   5. Kerry Taylor  Founder of Kerry Taylor Auctions Kerry Taylor joined Sotheby’s in 1979 and rapidly rose through the ranks to become the youngest auctioneer in the company’s history at just 21. ??In 2003 she left to set up her own auction business, specialising in fashion and textiles. Since leaving Sotheby’s she has repeatedly attracted headline grabbing collections and historically important garments belonging to some of the most beautiful and fashionable women of the 20th century – Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Daphne Guinness, the Duchess of Windsor (again) and many others. However, it is her unrivalled expertise and experience built up over more than three decades, her interest, knowledge and passion for the subject, and her care and research of the items she handles that makes her sales unique. Kerry Taylor Auctions, based locally on Long Lane is now regarded as the world’s leading auction house specialising in vintage fashion, fine antique costume and textiles. Quote – Modcloth Blog   6. Women of Southwark Council: Mayor of Southwark Councillor Kath Whittam and CEO Eleanor Kelly Mayor of Southwark Cllr Kath Whittam was appointed in May 2016, and has a long record as a community activist. She’s serving as Chair of her Safer Neighbourhood Ward Panel, private residents’ representative on the Canada Water Campaign Forum, and Chair of the Rotherhithe Under 5’s Group at Time and Talents. Her lifelong interest in the natural environment has seen her become a Friend of Lavender Pond and Russia Dock Woodland. She has also been a very active member of The Amicable Society working with other members on the conservation of the two historic statues standing proud above the old Free School in Rotherhithe to restore their paintwork and brighten their traditional ‘bluecoats’. Meanwhile her commitment to education has continued in her role as School Governor first at Redriff School, Bacons College as parent governor and now Albion Primary School. Southwark Council CEO Eleanor Kelly was appointed as the council’s CEO in 2012. Her department has responsibility for regeneration, planning, human resources and corporate strategy. Eleanor has senior executive level experience in both public and private sectors, including substantial experience as Finance Director, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Executive at Tower Hamlets Council. Recognised by her professional accountancy institute as an expert in organisational management, for a number of years Eleanor acted as the national specialist examiner in this subject for the final year professional exams. She has held a number of non-executive directorships, most notably as a trustee of a charitable trust, and as a non executive chairman of the board of directors for a private consultancy company. 7. Caryl Jenner – Founder of the Unicorn Theatre The Unicorn Theatre was founded by Caryl Jenner as a touring company in 1947 with a commitment to giving children a valuable and often first ever experience of quality theatre, and a philosophy that ‘the best of theatre for children should be judged on the same high standards of writing, directing, acting and design as the best of adult theatre‘. Today, the Unicorn is the UK’s leading professional theatre for young audiences, dedicated to inspiring and invigorating young people of all ages, perspectives and abilities, and empowering them to explore the world – on their own terms – through theatre.