Twice a year, I pack up all my unseasonal items of clothing and get the more appropriate ones out of hibernation. I wrote about it back in 2015 for this blog, and have also videoed myself opening the suitcase and getting excited about things I'd forgotten I owned. As I'm currently packing for a somewhat... Continue Reading →
Clothing and textile archives are fascinating places. Although, as a fashion historian, you might expect me to visit archives as part of my research, they're also very useful places for designers to look for inspiration. Even more so now that many museums have extensive online catalogues with images, available from anywhere in the world, but... Continue Reading →
If you're on Instagram and are at all interested in underwear, you may have seen Heist's campaign for their soon to be launched new range. Best known for their tights that don't roll down or dig in, Heist are now expanding their offering to include what they call 'bodywear', and they're doing a good job... Continue Reading →
Sustainability can seem like such a huge subject, that it's easy to become overwhelmed and wonder what on earth you can do that will possibly make a difference. The more you read, however, the more you'll start to work out which aspects really speak to you and where you'd like to focus your efforts. For... Continue Reading →
Take the time to look closely enough and a garment can be read almost as clearly as words on a page. In this way, archives of garments can provide a unique window into the past, revealing valuable clues to how previous generations shopped, dressed and laundered their clothes. Intact department store tags allow us to... Continue Reading →
[SPOILER ALERT] This article contains mild spoilers for Westworld season 2, mostly in the form of discussion of costumes. I recently finished watching season 2 of Westworld and am still processing the clever storytelling, the visual brilliance, and the excellent performances from a delightfully diverse cast. Despite being set in a 'wild west' theme park,... Continue Reading →
Sustainability is such a huge topic that it can be hard to work out what you can possibly do that will make a difference. It's easy to become disheartened but, as Christopher Raeburn said at the BFC's London Craft Week event, "We're all part of the problem and part of the solution." We can all... Continue Reading →
Last Friday, the British Fashion Council hosted a panel discussion on sustainability, a pillar of their Positive Fashion initiative, as part of London Craft Week. Chaired by Frances Corner - Head of London College of Fashion and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of the Arts London - the discussion aimed to 'craft fashion through a... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I assume that everyone is on Instagram as much as I am, which is daft. Just because I use it daily to both share and to browse images, doesn't mean that everyone I know 'gets' that particular social media platform. Some folk might not be on it yet, some might have an account but... Continue Reading →
When I was studying on the MA History and Culture course (now called MA Fashion Cultures) at London College of Fashion, I learnt many things about fashion/costume/dress and met some amazing people. I learnt a lot from the academics who taught us, but also from my inspirational coursemates who asked questions I'd never have thought... Continue Reading →