V&A Museum

Hi guys!

I haven't posted in ages and I feel really bad about it 😂 every week while I was off I knew I needed to and wanted to post but I just got so lazy!! I was doing a bit of overtime at work, finishing deadlines and I went on holiday to be fair, but in that time I could have been writing I decided to either watch telly or go out.. oops.

Anyway I wanted to write today about the Fashioned by Nature exhibition which I attended for my birthday back in October. This exhibition ran from the 21st of April 2018 to the 27th January 2019, so you can't see it anymore however, they currently are exhibiting the Dior exhibition which I must say, looks pretty amazing! I really hope I get a chance to go to it.

The V&A museum itself is truly stunning. I'd never been before, but I know I'll definitely be going back in the future. I went to dinner with my friend Kavun after uni, he come up to meet me for my birthday as I'd been wanting to go to the Fashioned for Nature exhibition for some time now, and knew it was going to stop in the coming months.

The exhibition itself was rather intriguing, I hadn't really been to an exhibition quite like it before. I have been to a small Dutch Costume Museum in Amsterdam which showed little relevance, but the scale was huge at the V&A museum.

The fashion presented was created from plant and animal fibres, thus, giving the name to the exhibition itself. It showed fashion and accessories from 1750 to present day.

Here are some key facts I found out from the Fashioned for Nature exhibition:

• French silk importation to Britain was banned in 1766
• Dressmakers (Mantua Makers) spread information about the latest style by making fashion dolls (1750-1800)
• Fashion plates were spread giving an insight as to what individuals were wearing at court (1750-1800)
• New technology made bright coloured fabrics and clothing more affordable, away from London, men and women wore wool, linen and cotton to be more practical at work and home (1750-1800)
• Inspired by Classical dress, high-waisted styles were popular in the early 19th century (1810-1830)
• Woven cashmere shawls in the Indian style were a practical accessory compared to the fragile fans (1810-1830)
• Evening dresses in the 1820's were made from colourful silk for a popular choice or a newly invented machine-made net.
• Gold tinsel or embroidery for occasions were used to style the skirt hem (1810-1830)
• Silk black crepes were worn in time of mourning (1810-1830)

• Men could wear a brightly patterned waistcoat to stand out, either brought from an outfitter or hand-embroider by his wife or daughter (1840-1860)
• By 1840when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert married, it was customary for a bride to wear white silk or fine white muslin. The male garments were silk waistcoats with silver coloured thread

• Cage Caroline was invented in the 19th century. The light, long wire replaced layers of garments such as petticoats, meaning women's dress became bigger and more voluminous (1850-1870)
• Research in the chemical industry lead to the invention of chemical dyes (1850-1870)
• The British medical journal warned the dangers of magenta dye including arsenic (1869)
• Department stores and dressmakers copied fashion trends, therefore shopping became a popular activity for all of the community and society (1870-1910)
• In early 20th century, societies in Europe became interested in East Asian fashion. Liberty & Co. created garments such as kimonos as they were sought after by society (1905-1915)
• Paul Poiret was one of the most revolutionary couturiers of the time, he disliked Edwardian fashion and banished garments such as the corset and introduced high-waisted gowns and asymmetrical wraps. He was inspired by eastern samples (1905-1915)
• Dance crazes in the 20th century such as the Charleston, influenced couture houses like the Callot Soeurs created lightweight evening dresses with details made from new plastics (1920-1930)

• The incorporated society of London Fashion Designers was formed in 1942

• André Courrèges pushed couture towards a younger demographic and therefore and challenged traditional couture techniques to create the Space Age (1960-1970)
• Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren's shop was the centre of London's Punk movement (1975-1985)
• The internet has had a huge impact on fashion, from trend forecasting to online blogs. (1990-)

While we was at the V&A Museum there was an upcoming designer Carla Fernandez was showing her fashion show, which was also very exciting to see as it was my first fashion show!



So, that's a little post on the Fashioned for Nature exhibition at the V&A Museum, and if you are a fashion lover I 100% recommend this museum!

There are going to be more posts coming too, about an exhibition I went to in Amsterdam, and my recent visual merchandising experience for work, as well as my new presence on the fashion app '21 Buttons'.

Catch up soon!
Mitch x