Fashion

Our latest exhibition, Rethread , opened recently and it is always such a joy to see different objects being shown off in all of their glory. The exhibition topic was inspired by the PSSN (Plastics Subject Specialist Network) and DATS (Dress and Textiles network) project A Curator's Guide to...

We recently acquired this lovely pair of celluloid heels (refer image below). Image credit: Katherine Pell They consist of a wooden heel that has been covered by a thin layer of black coloured cellulose nitrate (celluloid), which has then been decorated with paste stones and metal granulation...

Anya Hindmarch founded her business in London in 1987. The luxury brand is now known for its ground-breaking work in sustainability. It is committed to creating responsibly, and striving to innovate to reduce its impact on the earth, whilst also using its platform to drive education and discussion...

Having just watched a documentary about the 1970s sitcom ‘The Good Life’ last night, I was inspired to write this blog about MoDiP’s lovely Frank Usher maxi dress (refer image below). I am sure it would have been the kind of thing that Margo would have worn, perhaps accessorised with a sparkling...

We recently acquired these fabulous Chelseas ankle boots, designed by Mary Quant in 1967. In black coloured cotton jersey, enveloped in transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC), they were manufactured by G.B. Britton & Sons, Bristol. The trademark Quant daisy logo can be seen moulded into the heel and...

In today’s blog post I wanted to talk not only about a MoDiP object but also about two pieces that I own. Image ref: AIBDC : 006201 Image credit: MoDiP This beautiful object is a decorated brise fan. The scene appears to be Georgian/Regency but it’s not actually that old – we believe it is a modern...

In MoDiP we like to support and respond to various activities that happen across the AUB. This term our cultural partner TheGallery has been hosting a magnificent exhibition about fashion and diversity. Body Beautiful: Diversity on the Catwalk embraces inclusivity and body positivity and is open...

A few weeks ago, I was reorganising the MoDiP store when I came across a box containing some garment bags and clothes hangers that had been previously used to store the museum’s textile collection before we had our roller racking drawer units installed, back in 2010. In amongst these, right at the...

We have just put these wonderful Patrick Kelly sunglasses out on display as part of the About Plastics case in the museum. Image ref: AIBDC : 008474 Image credit: Katherine Pell Made in France in the mid to late 1980s, the frames are made from cellulose acetate with acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate)...

This bright, cherry red swimsuit never fails to make me smile and it is one of my favourite objects from our current exhibition, Beside the sea . It was designed by Martin White in 1937 as a ‘telescopic’, one-size-fits-all, swimming costume, which is essentially achieved by shirring with an...

In the post today I received a Pleco bag. It is unlike any other bag I have ever had. It came beautifully packaged in a box that echoes the construction of the bag itself with the product name in the form of a cut-out on the side of the box, temptingly revealing the colour of the bag inside. Image...

The museum recently (pre-covid) took receipt of a selection of 139 horn combs, acquired by the Worshipful Company of Horners to be accessioned into their collection, which has been cared for by MoDiP since 2010. Horn has been used since prehistoric times as a cheap, readily available, easily worked...