On Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting the Liberty in Fashion exhibition at London's Fashion and Textile Museum. Celebrating the 140th anniversary of Liberty, it charts the company's history and its role in setting key fashion trends over the years. It's a relatively intimate affair and utterly delightful, but if you want to go you need to get your skates on as it finishes at the end of the month!
Not usually a huge fan of the 1920s, I couldn't help being enamoured with the exquisite collection of silk and lace kimonos. I've definitely had kimonos on the mind lately!
1930s designs always excite me and this blouse is no exception. The smocking on the shoulders, the collar and the embroidered cuffs could easily look fussy, but here they look simply elegant.
The feminine dresses from the 1930s and 1940s are also captivating. I spent ages examining each one and discovering new design details every time I went back. The exhibition had a good mix of professionally-made and homemade dresses, lending itself to some fun comparisons.
I even surprised myself by being quite partial to some of the late 1960s and 1970s dresses. A number of them, dare I say it, look quite wearable!
My only slight qualm was that among the 150 items displayed, I could only find one recognisably 1950s dress. This was particularly disappointing as some of the fashion sketches on show looked really promising.
I still thoroughly recommend a visit, but be set aside the notion of quintessential Liberty prints and be prepared embrace a real range of designs!
P.S. Big thanks to everyone who entered my recent Sew Essential giveaway - the lucky winner is Miss Maddy Sews!!!
I saw this recently too marvelous!
ReplyDeletebest daisy j x
God, I am drooling over the prints and cuts of these clothes. You are so lucky you got to see this. Cheers, Michele
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was very lucky indeed!
DeleteThanks for sharing. My husband wouldn't have agreed to crossing the Atlantic to see it. The dresses are lovely, prints fabric everything. :)
ReplyDeleteAaaw, wish you could have seen it in person!
DeleteWow, that exhibition looks absolutely amazing, wish I could see it! but I am sooooo excited about winning the giveaway! Thanks again :) xx
ReplyDeleteCongrats again :o)
DeleteKimonos keep appearing to me. I think it's a sewing sign!!!
ReplyDeleteYep...do it :o)
DeleteI went to see this too and totally recommend it. So many beautiful things! I just wish it was bigger...although they'd need a massive space go really do 140 years justice. But definitely worth a trip
ReplyDeleteYes, it was very small and intimate...I would definitely have loved to see more, especially from the 50s as I feel it was lacking in that department!
DeleteSo interesting - I also went to this exhibition and have also seen other people's round-ups but you seem to have selected different garments to everyone else! I agree - an amazing exhibition.
ReplyDeleteI guess we all have different interests and that probably reflects in what we choose to photograph :o)
DeleteThe neckline on that black and floral 1930s dress! I really want to make something like that now.
ReplyDeleteI know, right!
Deletelooks like heaven!
ReplyDeleteFelt like it too ;o)
DeleteBeautiful clothes! Lots of inspiration for the 1930s dress I'm making.
ReplyDeleteOooh, how exciting for you!!!
DeleteI was so sad to have missed this this, so thank you for such a lovely roundup. Those kimonos are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome Sue!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous exhibition. Thank you so much for sharing these lovely photos.I am involve with all the textiles. Xx
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! Not as good as up close, but hopefully a nice taster ;o)
DeleteLovely! I love those kimono-like dresses! Looks super comfy :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, they are beautiful!
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