Tower and Town, September 2019

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Arts Review

On a recent visit to the V&A to see Dior, Designer of Dreams, I learnt that in 1950, on a trip from Paris hosting a charity fashion gala in London, Dior’s fashion show was raising funds to open a new costume museum in Britain. That museum is now the prestigious Fashion Museum in Bath, housing a collection of over 100,000 objects. Originally named as the Museum of Costume in 1963, its collection grew out of a large donation (approximately 5,000 items) from the writer and collector Doris Langley Moore. A lavish assortment, the museum’s collection and archive has grown expansively from other generosities including donations, and as a result, it has become one of the world’s leading museums of historical and contemporary dress.

A History of Fashion in 100 Objects is a timeline showcasing items from the Tudor and Jacobean period, right up to the present day. New to this headline exhibition are Glove Stories and Collection Stories, a specially selected gallery of 19th century garments chosen by the curator, exposing the ‘hidden narratives’ lying deep within the personal stories of these garments and accessories. It includes everything from a wedding dress made in New York, to silk satin shoes made for and worn by Mary Chamberlain.

One of the most astonishing items I studied was a glove worn by Elizabeth I at her coronation. It is remarkable that such an item has survived so long, and surreal to see history in the flesh! The beautiful, ornate, highly skilled embroidery on so many of the garments and accessories, particularly those from the Regency period. was truly astonishing. And to think, furthermore, that is was all done by hand and by candlelight!

Other standout pieces for me were Ferragamo high heels worn by Alicia Markova in the 1950s, a black woollen ‘New Look’ suit worn by Margot Fonteyn, and a 1930s synthetic evening gown with a red velvet feature back.

The entire museum collection is clearly displayed, the collection on show carefully chosen, and above all, it is fascinating seeing in close detail such beautiful objects with fascinating personal stories attached to each of them.

A History of 100 Objects and Collection Stories are ongoing displays. Glove Stories runs until 1st March 2020, and Dress of the Year 2018 runs until December 2019.

Gabriella Venus