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 →
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 →
Every December since 2011, I have been publishing an annual list of people who have had positive impact on my life in the previous 12 months and, in my opinion, deserve an award for their greatness. These are the super humans who have shaped my life and brought me joy and inspiration - I want... Continue Reading →
As part of its quest to bring the history of underwear to a wider audience, making collections and research freely accessible online, The Underpinnings Museum is hosting a Twitter conference on Friday 12th January 2018. Anyone with a public Twitter account and an interest in the history of underwear is invited to submit their idea... 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 the first to admit that I've been a bit quiet on the underwear blogging front so far this year. It's not that I haven't been doing lots of underwear-related things though - far from it! - I just haven't had time to write about them yet. Following The Underpinnings Museum's successful Kickstarter campaign, a... Continue Reading →
Since 2011 I have been publishing an annual list of people who have had positive impact on me in the previous 12 months and therefore, in my opinion, deserve an award for their greatness. These are the super humans who have shaped my life and brought me joy and inspiration - I want to thank... Continue Reading →
After an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign, today is the launch of The Underpinnings Museum website. Thank you so much to everyone who pledged their support to the project and ensure that, not only did we raise enough to purchase period-specific mannequins and pay for more of the collection to be photographed, but we smashed through... Continue Reading →
Those of you who follow me on social media will know that I've been involved in a side project over the last few months, unsurprisingly relating to underwear. The history of lingerie is an important part of the history of women's changing role in society, yet it is rarely given the attention it deserves. The... Continue Reading →