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Fashion Exhibition

13/2/2020

8 Comments

 
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Something a bit different to my usual posts but yesterday I went to an exhibition of clothing from 1886 to 1966 at Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and I thought you might like to see a little bit of it. I love history and I am fascinated by clothing from the past. I love watching period dramas to get a glimpse of days gone by so whenever there is an exhibition of fashion from the past I enjoy going to see it. Since becoming a mum, I haven't been to a gallery or museum to see things that are of interest to me so this was a real treat. The lovely thing about Walker Art Gallery is that there is an excellent area for children, so my dad could look after my little one there whilst I viewed the exhibition and there were so many lovely activities there to keep them occupied. 
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The collection of clothing had belonged to Emily Tinne and is the largest collection of any one person's clothing in a UK gallery. She was an affluent woman and had a real spending habit. Her family had no idea of the sheer amount of clothes that she bought until after she passed away in 1966. Most of what was found was unworn with the price tags still on. The collection was incredible as the pieces were a mixture of daywear, evening gowns, children's clothing, accessories and coats. 
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Some of her items were from ordinary shops, others made by dressmakers and some were designer pieces. It was said that she often bought clothing because she wanted the shop assistants to earn their commission, so in this respect she was a charitable woman however there is no doubt that she definitely had a spending habit.
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I loved these beautiful examples of lace collars and look at the tiny children's shoes below!
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Below is a picture of a bathing suit.
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I really loved the examples of children's clothing, there were so many beautiful embroidered details. 
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Emily's evening gowns were stunning. She loved wearing black and chose such elegant pieces adorned with beads and lace. She even had just the front of a beaded gown in her collection and it explained how you could buy dresses in pieces which is something I'd never heard of before.
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At the end of the exhibition were pictures and advertisements about the large department stores in Liverpool which brought back memories for my mum and there were some that even I recognised from the 80s when I was a child. Below is Cripps which is where my mum got her wedding dress from.
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It was so nice to take a peek into history and immerse myself in the fashions of the past. It saddens me that our high street shops and department stores are closing, I would love it to go back to the way it was where we would all be buying less, it would be of a better quality and we would cherish what we have rather than the fast fashion of today. Viewing this exhibition was a lovely reminder of this and will help me to access the clothing in my wardrobe and who knows, I may even delve back into dressmaking again one day. That's where my online name Vintage Sewing Box comes from, my love of vintage fashion and sewing patterns, and it was lovely to revisit this yesterday. The exhibition is on until 1st March 2020 if you would like to visit it too. 
8 Comments
Tracy Nixon
14/2/2020 04:54:26 pm

What a day out for you! I used to be a primary school teacher and we visited the Discovery Museum in Newcastle several times. One year they had a special 'History of Clothes' exhibition and it was amazing! I have always been interested in the history of fashion, my favourite historical period being the Victorian Era! I also enjoy watching Historical dramas, such as Victoria, just to see the fashions!

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Emma
15/2/2020 09:47:30 pm

We are so similar Tracy because I am a primary school teacher but on a break at the moment being a full time mum, and I love historical dramas and the Victorian age. Have you seen the new BBC documentary Secrets of the Museum? All about the V and A, it’s fascinating x x

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Tracy
16/2/2020 02:16:19 pm

Yes, I have been watchingS ecrets of the Museum too! It is a fascinating watch! I really enjoyed this post! Keep us up to date with your visits!

Flashinscissors link
16/2/2020 12:09:13 pm

I was fascinated to read your post. It’s amazing what can yet be discovered from people’s private collections! I’m so glad you wrote about the show as i wouldn’t be likely to see the show personally. A real eye opener into the period. Particularly how they were able to buy parts of dresses!
Barbara x

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Emma
19/2/2020 04:00:53 pm

I’m so glad you found it interesting Barbara! It was a great show and I’m really glad I went x

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Sarah Costello
22/2/2020 08:02:57 pm

That looks so interesting Emma...Liverpool is on my "must visit" list!

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Emma
24/2/2020 08:49:11 pm

Oh your love it Sarah! Thanks so much for reading my post x x

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Veronica
22/6/2020 09:14:07 am

What an interesting post, I will definitely go to see the clothes if I ever get up to Liverpool. A large number of my clothes, mainly 1970s and 1980s, are in the Fashion Museum at Winchester. My grandfather was a tailor in Doncaster and taught me aspects of tailoring when I was in my early teens. My mother did dressmaking, and I learned needlework at school. So I made all my clothes for both work and leisure. What pleasure I have from all my sewing, clothes, embroidery, quilts! However, I made a double sized quilt for a friend, similar style to your work, using old embroidery combined with gentle plains and Liberty. She was thrilled. A couple of years later I happened to see it on her bed and was horrified that it had faded to a shadow. She had Machine hot washed it regularly in strong detergent as both her dog and cat
regularly lay on it on her bed! And I hadn’t even taken a photograph of it.

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    About the Author
    My name is Emma and I love all things sewing, especially EPP. My little blog is the place where I document what I'm making. I hope you enjoy reading what I'm up to! All opinions are my own and I only share things that I think you will love. Thank you for taking the time to stop by. 

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