Little Black Dress Exhibition

Every Woman Has a Little Black Dress

What a great idea for an exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London: The Little Black Dress. The Little Black Dress exhibition is at the Fashion and Textile Museum from 20 June 2008 to 25 August 2008 and charts the history of this powerful fashion icon while displaying celebrity Little Black Dresses.

Trends come and go but for over 90 years the Little Black Dress has remained a powerful fashion icon--a constant on the catwalk, red carpet, and in many women's wardrobes. The Little Black Dress exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum explores the role of this celebrated garment in women's lives and fashion history. Against a backdrop designed by award-winning film, stage and set designer Michael Howells, the exhibition charts the development of the little black dress from the 1920s to the present day.

It explores the stories behind women's favorite little black dresses and highlights the creativity of contemporary British designers in reinventing the genre. The display of over 60 garments draws on the personal archive of vintage dresses collected by fashion designer Andrew Fionda (of the label Pearce Fionda). Andrew's collection is complimented by garments submitted by over 20 of the country's leading designers and of course dresses from women with an interesting story to tell.

Supermodel Erin O'Connor, officially opened the exhibition and said, "When I travel I always pack a little black dress. It's like a blank canvas which can be dressed up or down, whatever the occasion. I think when you buy your first little black dress, it's a sure sign that you've grown-up."

Many women feel the same way and the dresses featured in the exhibition range from haute couture to the high street to the downright quirky with some of the highlights including:

• Joanna Lumley's Jean Muir dress that 'transformed my life utterly'
• Anouska Hempel's dramatic puff-ball, most recently modelled by Hilary Swank in Tatler
• Julien Macdonald's flowing creation worn by Victoria Beckham in That Extra Half Inch
• Artist Grayson Perry's black rubber dress by Squirky by Vin and Omi
• Young designer and favourite of Anna Wintour, Christopher Kane's black leather mini dress
• Osman Yousefzada's modern interpretation on the LBD worn by Thandie Newton
• Other designers include Amanda Wakeley, Barbara Hulanicki from Biba, Giles Deacon, Nicole Farhi, English Eccentrics, Betty Jackson, Pearce Fionda, and of course Zandra Rhodes--the original founder of the Fashion and Textile Museum (FTM).

  Dates

  Friday 20 June to Monday 25 August 2008

  Opening Times

  Wednesday to Sunday: 11am - 6pm
  Last admission: 5.15pm

  Venue

  Fashion and Textile Museum

  Nearest Tube Station

  London Bridge
  Use Journey Planner to plan your route by public transport.

  Tickets

  Adults: £5
  Students and concessions: £3
  Free entry for under 12s.

  Entrance to the Café/Bar and Shop is free of charge. All are open daily with the exception of the shop which is open Wednesday to Sunday 11am - 6pm.

The exhibition takes us through the developments since its inception in 1926 when Coco Chanel showcased a simple black jersey dress in American Vogue, which she described as 'the new uniform of modern women'. Vogue nicknamed the dress the 'Chanel Ford' predicting it would be as popular and accessible as Henry Ford's Model T Car.

This exhibition, in collaboration with The Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove, includes over twenty of Britain's leading designers and their idea of the perfect Little Black Dress. From English Eccentric's laser cut Snowflake Dress to the exaggerated shapes of Mario Schwab's Stone Age Dress, the variety of black dresses on display highlights the unique creativity of our contemporary British fashion designers and classic design houses.

Andrew Fionda, curator of the exhibition for Brighton says, "I was amazed at everybody's unique interpretation of the little black dress, to some it is long and dramatic, to others it's short, sexy and sassy, whilst some think it's cute and very simple. However, to everyone, it's a fashion staple, a must have in everyone's wardrobe and a lifetime investment that will never let the wearer down."

This exhibition reinforces the Little Black Dress's place in the heart of every woman.

Pros

• Amazing dresses you won't see again (mostly from the private collection of fashion designer Andrew Fionda)
• Celebrity dresses on display
• Really interesting events program of talks and workshops
• Only £5

Cons

• You may think this is a little off the beaten track but it's only 15 minutes walk from Tower Bridge

The Fashion and Textile Museum has really got it right with this fabulous exhibition. The whole atmosphere within the exhibition works so well as the space has been designed by the award-winning film and stage set designer: Michael Howells. There are floor to ceiling white backdrops to really show off the little black dresses and it has totally transformed the exhibition space. The background music is well-chosen and made me want to stay longer.

This exhibition will have wide-appeal from fashion students to those of us who love admiring beautifully-crafted clothing.

Top Tip: The museum shop -- Shop @ FTM -- is worth a visit any time as it showcases designer accessories and is an excellent choice for gift shopping. Once the cafe opens it too will make the Fashion and Textile Museum a super-cool destination.