There are many things that can be learnt about fashion history by studying surviving garments, but there is one question that I always get asked when I show my own personal research collection which is really tricky to answer simply by looking, or by touching the fabric with your fingers. How does it feel to... Continue Reading →
Last month, I saw a tweet from Amanda Vickery, Professor of Early Modern History at Queen Mary, University of London. It featured a black and white photograph of a mid-twentieth century shop window display. At the top of the window, there are three pairs of white, extremely oversized women’s briefs that were clearly made especially... Continue Reading →
Well, this year has been quite something, huh? Still, not even a global pandemic is going to stop me from announcing my Super Humans! Every year since 2011, I have shared a list of the people who have had positive impact on my life in the previous 12 months and, in my opinion, deserve an... Continue Reading →
As I think most of my blog's readers know by now, in addition to having a full-time job and updating this site in my spare time, I also help to run The Underpinnings Museum and undertake a bit of academic research into fashion history. I had originally been scheduled to deliver a talk on my... Continue Reading →
I have to admit that one of the biggest joys of having my own blog is being able to use it to shout about people who I think are doing amazing things. Every year since 2011, I have shared a list of the people who have had positive impact on my life in the previous... 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 →
The past few weeks have been hectic, to say the least, but there's been a lot going on to explain my relative lack of blog updates. I've got a new job at the same university (UAL) - which I'll be doing as a 12 month secondment, before returning to my previous role - and it... Continue Reading →
Pretty much everyone who knows me is now aware that, a few years ago, I did an MA part-time alongside my job and my Master's dissertation was on technology and the bra in the twentieth century. Since then, I have been looking for ways to share this research as I love talking about the things... Continue Reading →
I'm very pleased to announce that the exhibition I have curated for The Underpinnings Museum is now live on the site! Lift & Separate: Technology & the Bra features over 30 beautiful and fascinating historic objects, exploring some of the many innovations in pattern cutting, padding, wiring, fabric and fibre technology that were behind the... Continue Reading →
Earlier this month, I headed to Chatsworth House with Cat for an afternoon of fashion in the most fabulous of settings. Now, although I'd read a few articles about this exhibition before we decided to make the trip, I had never been to Chatsworth before. I knew that the exterior was used as Pemberley in... Continue Reading →