Exhibition Archives: 1930s Fashion and Photographs

The American stock market collapsed on 29 October 1929. After a slight upwards movement, the market collapsed again. The ensuing financial crisis became one of the defining moments of US history as an entire country’s economy came down like a house of cards. The Great Depression had global implications as the effect of the economic downturn spread like a …

Volunteer Voices: NHS Uniforms Through the 20th Century

The Fashion and Textile Museum is extremely fortunate to work with many talented volunteers. We’ve been keeping in touch with our volunteer team digitally during our closure and we’re pleased to be sharing their fabulous contributions to the Fashion and Textile Museum Blog with regular first Volunteer Voices posts. All across the news these days …

Download: For Fans of the Fan

Fans were a popular accessory throughout the 20th century. Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles were fashionable, advertising fans became big business and ostrich and peacock feather fans became de rigueur among high society. While fans may have waned in popularity today, we’re sure they’ll still make a beautiful backdrops for your designs – or …

Let’s Face The Music And Dance: 1930s Shopping and Style

While we navigate our path through this uncharted territory, we should not underestimate the power of fashion in our daily struggle to maintain our equilibrium. Whether we want to cocoon ourselves in comforting layers, or lift our spirits by flouncing around the house in our most glamorous glad rags, our choices of clothing not only …

Isolation Inspiration: Tricia Guild

We hope you're all keeping well and managing to stay inspired at home! However, just in case you need a little extra inspiration, we thought we'd continue with our Isolation Inspiration series - this time with creative force behind Designers Guild, Tricia Guild! As a master of interiors, Tricia is the perfect person offer us …

Exhibition Archives: The Glamour of Bellville Sassoon

Introduction Bellville Sassoon, founded in 1953 as Bellville et Cie by Belinda Bellville, projected an image of sophisticated, glamorous dressing through 50 years of fashion. From its first youthful, pretty collections created by Bellville as a response to the serious, staid dressmaking of Mayfair to its flattering eveningwear and spectacular red-carpet looks, the company was …

Volunteer Voices: Women’s Workout Wear of the 20th Century

The Fashion and Textile Museum is extremely fortunate to work with many talented volunteers. We've been keeping in touch with our volunteer team digitally during our closure and we're pleased to begin sharing their fabulous contributions to the Fashion and Textile Museum Blog with our very first Volunteer Voices post. Womenswear worn for sports and …

Couture Inside Out: Bellville Sassoon

One of our most popular and long-running workshops is Couture Inside Out. This workshop is the rare opportunity to join the Museum’s exhibitions team to view the ins and outs of couture construction; to take an up-close and intimate look at selected garments from the Fashion and Textile Museum Collection. While we can’t bring this …

The Evolution of Pyjamas

Since many of us are currently spending a lot more time at home, we're all probably spending a little more time than usual in our pyjamas - we know we are. Given that they’re currently making up such an important part of our collective wardrobes, we thought now would be a good time to show …

Download: Zandra Rhodes Puppets

If you were inspired by our last our last post, featuring an interview with Dame Zandra Rhodes, then this is the perfect chance to get creative! Download Need some ideas to get you started? Here's some of our favourite images of Zandra and her past work! Dame Zandra Rhodes. Photograph by Simon Emmett. Zandra Rhodes …