Despite being usually hidden from view, underwear is an important aspect of our clothed selves. Everyone knows that it can keep us warm or cool, ensure we are comfortable, provide support, and help us feel fresh. What many people forget is that it also provides the foundations for our chosen clothed identity, whatever our age... Continue Reading →
While at the V&A for a study weekend in conjunction with their current Undressed exhibition, one of the attendees asked if I'd seen the contestants on this year's Great British Sewing Bee trying their hand at making a bra. I hadn't seen any of the current series and so, when I got home, headed over... Continue Reading →
On Thursday 12th May, I headed up to Manchester for the launch of Fashion & Freedom at Manchester Art Gallery. The exhibition is part of 14-18 NOW, a five-year programme of arts events connecting people with the First World War. Working in partnership with cultural organisations across the UK, 14-18 NOW is commissioning "new work... Continue Reading →
Inspired an exchange with Dr Ben Barry on Twitter the other week, I decided to look into what my 'take' on fashion really is. What excites me or drives me to read and learn more about what we wear, why we wear it and the industry surrounding it. I'll tell you this now, it's not... Continue Reading →
Last Friday, I made a brief appearance on all 40 BBC local radio stations as part of the Georgey Spanswick show. Prompted by a Daily Mail article* by Sandra Howard on the supposed return of the bullet bra - or at least the more pointed shape that was popular in the mid twentieth century -... Continue Reading →
Over the past few years, I have become rather fond of archives. As I wrote in my post The Joy of Archives, I've always had a fondness for old clothes as touching a piece of the past is a powerful window into history. Whilst looking at images of what people used to wear is fascinating;... Continue Reading →
I was recently invited by artist Rosalie Schweiker to give a talk to her bra research group, as part of an ongoing project to start a bra shop for large cup and plus sizes which "thrives on cheap humour, not overpriced sexism". Here is a summary of what I covered in my talk. It's a... Continue Reading →
In the lead up to the next Costume Society #CSFashionHour Twitter discussion which I will be hosting, on the topic of underwear, I have decided to base my September 'Lust List' around innovative underwear of the past. 1) Kestos bra One of the first commercial bras to be developed with two separate cups, Kestos was... Continue Reading →
Building on the research I did as part of my MA at London College of Fashion, I have a few exciting talks coming up in the autumn that will give me a chance to share my knowledge. On Saturday 17th October 2015, I will be presenting at the Costume Society's study day, held annually at... Continue Reading →
A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Fashion on the Ration exhibition at the Imperial War Museum (IWM). Having lived in London for almost a decade, I am somewhat ashamed to say that I hadn't visited IWM before, despite having paid frequent visits to IWM North on Salford Quays back when I lived in... Continue Reading →