Purple floral dress, Anna Sui Exhibition, The Fashion & Textile Museum (2017, Previously unpublished)
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Photo of the Week
Green Cape Coat, Mary Quant Exhibition, V&A Museum, 2019 (Previously unpublished)
Photo of the Week
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Exhibition, V&A Museum, 2019 (Previously unpublished)
Photo of the Week
Mary Quant Tracksuit (1965-1975), Mary Quant Exhibition, V&A Museum, 2019
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Exhibition at V&A Museum – London
Last week I saw the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition at the V&A Museum, London. It had been a long time coming and I was not disappointed. From the moment I entered the exhibition it was a thrill to see all the wonderful creations. I had mainly only seen them in fashion photographs and film footage. I was particularly interested in early Dior, from his childhood up until his untimely death in 1957.
The V&A walked us through the collection beautifully, every room was a delight to see. With a wealth of creativity from the great man himself, and his subsequent creative successors at the House of Dior.
Dior Bar Suit – Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Exhibition, V&A Museum, London. 2019
Dior Collection – Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Exhibition, V&A Museum, London. 2019
It was a privilege and an honour to see many Dior masterpieces in one space. There were over 200 rare couture garments on show, along with accessories, photographs, film, vintage perfumes, original makeup, illustrations, magazines and possessions from Christian Dior’s personal collection.
Dior Corination Dress, V&A Museum, London. 2019
Dior Multicoloured Dress, V&A Museum, London. 2019
Dior Dress Collection, V&A Museum, London. 2019
The Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition made history as the most-visited V&A exhibition. It attracted a record 594,994 visitors during its run from February 2nd to September 1st, this year. For a brand that started in 1947, Dior shows no sign of slowing down, and I look forward to many more years of excellence.
Pat McGrath Labs – Selfridges, London
Pat McGrath has been one of the world’s leading influential makeup artists for 25 years now. Many of our favourite makeup trends have been driven by her. Since launching her own makeup brand, Pat McGrath Labs, four years ago, it has become a billion dollar business with over 100 products.
Affectionately known in the industry as “Mother”, she has now launched a store in Selfridges, London. The “Mothership” takeover will have the makeup collection in it’s entirety available in one place throughout the whole of Europe.
There are 24 window displays, limited edition designer curations from Commes des Garçons, Prada, Versace and more. The Pat McGrath Mothership will be at Selfridges, London until the 1st June 2019.
Pat McGrath was also one of the directors of the promotional film for the Mothership takeover at Selfridges, called A Technicolour Odyssey.
You Can Also Purchase Pat McGrath Labs on Amazon
Graduate Fashion Week – 2018
Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) 2018, was every bit exciting, rebellious and innovative. Packed with lots of personality and attitude, there were over 36 leading universities showing their collections and the creativity on show was immense.
The shows displayed a mixture of fun brightly coloured neon garments, for both men and women in yellow, pink and blue. Outerwear, bags and shoes used PVC and vinyl materials. Also shown were many stripes, geometric designs and transparent materials in classic and contemporary styles.
GFW is such an important showcase for students and the fashion industry. Its where upcoming talent can get scouted by experts. It’s also a vital opportunity to push forward fresh talent into the industry.
The four days of showing collections ended with a Gala Award show.
Some of the winners were:
Christopher Bailey Gold Award
Winner: Rebecca Wilson, Arts University Bournemouth
Runner up: Aurélie Fontan, Edinburgh College of Art
Rebecca received £10,000 for herself and her university received £2,000.
M&S Womenswear Award
Winner: Aurélie Fontan, Edinburgh College of Art
Runner up: Chantelle Guan, Ravenbourne
Debenhams Menswear Award
Winner: Hannah Gibbons, University of Brighton
Runner Up: Enki Allan, Kingston University
Visionary Knitwear Award
Joint Winner: Fraser Miller, De Montfort University
Jacaranda Brain, Nottingham Trent University
Runner up: Penny Gibbs, Northumbria University
George Catwalk to Store
Winner: Louise Clark, Manchester School of Art
Swarovski International Fashion Award
Winner: Danqi Chen, Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology
Runner up: Bao Wen Chen, Shih Chien University
Tu Scholarship Womenswear
Winner: Jennifer Healy, Manchester School of Art
Boux Avenue Lingerie Award
Winner: Daniella Jayes, De Montfort University
Runner up: Amelia Wilson, Northumbria University
Considered Design Showcase Sponsored by Johnstons of Elgin
Winner: Saskia Lenaerts, Kingston University
Runner up: Aurelie Fontan, Edinburgh College of Art
Judges 2018:
Christopher Bailey Gold Award
Diane Von Furstenberg, Founder / Designer, Diane Von Furstenberg
Christopher Raeburn, Creative Director, Christopher RÆBURN
Fabio Piras, MA Fashion Course Director, Central Saint Martins
Kevin Carrigan, Senior Vice President and Creative Director, Ralph Lauren
Gillian Wilkins, Fashion Director, Elle
Gena Smith, SVP, Head of Global Creative Recruitment, LVMH
Mandi Lennard, Fashion PR and Founder, Mandi’s Basement
Nathan Jenden, Chief Design Officer& VP Creative at DVF
Duvo Olowu, Senior Fashion Director at LOVE Magazine
Tim Blanks, Editor-At-Large, Business of Fashion
Catwalk Textiles Award
Polly Lennard, Founder and Textiles Expert, Selvedge Magazine
Lizzy Bowring, Catwalks Director, WGSN
Nigel Luck, Director of MA, Fashion Design and Technology, London College of Fashion
Debenhams Menswear Award
Steven Cook, Head of Fashion & Home, Debenhams
Alistair Waite, Senior Menswear Designer, Debenhams
Jim Chapman, Blogger, Jim Chapman
Sam Carder, Fashion Editor, Shortlist
George Catwalk To Store Award
Mary-Kate Campbell, Senior Buying Director, George
Tracey Lea Sawyer, Fashion Director, Fabulous
Zahra Rose, Influencer, Zahra Rose
More great images from Graduate Fashion Week 2018
All images courtesy of Task PR
T Shirt: Cult – Culture – Subversion – Exhibition Review – London
The Exhibition looks at the significance of the T-shirt and charts the journey of the T-shirt through the 2oth Century. It explores its various roles: as a symbol of rebellion, as an undergarment underneath formal shirts, and of course, as a carrier of slogans. There are examples from environmental organisations, punk-era slogans and good old propaganda.
I particularly enjoyed seeing Vivienne Westwood’s and Malcolm Maclaren’s private collection. From the early days of the Let it Rock, Sex, and Seditionaries era, her famous classic piece like the ‘God Save the Queen’ Sex Pistols T-shirt, to the more political shirts emblazoned with slogans like ‘Climate Revolution’, worn on the catwalk by Westwood. The exhibition is predominately about political statements, which have over the years been printed on cotton, including today. Also fascinating to see was the Biba shirt, the Choose Life shirt and the Live Aid shirt.
Featuring more than 100 cotton T-shirts and covering a period of 70 years, it works its way through 12 thematic categories, which focus on topics such as protest, concert culture, ecology, and printing techniques, it traces the history of the popularisation of the T-shirt in the 20th and early 21st centuries.
The exhibition ends on May 6th 2018, but well worth a visit if you can make it.
T-Shirt: Cult – Culture – Subversion is at Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3XF.
Open – Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am–6pm
Thursdays until 8pm
Sundays, 11am–5pm
Last admission 45 minutes before closing
Closed Mondays
Tickets – Advance booking online is recommended but tickets may be purchased in person on the day of the visit, subject to availability
£9.90 adults* / £8.80 concessions* / £7 students *Includes 10% gift aid
Children under 12 are free.
Tel: 020 7407 8664
Website