Club to Catwalk (L: Scarlett Cannon in an image from Monica Curtin; R: a ca. 1984 image from Derek Ridgers)
Happy Monday, Everyone! I wanted to make sure you all knew about the latest exhibition at London’s renowned Victoria and Albert Museum. Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s opened last week, and whether you’re able to attend or not, take note that the V&A website offers some AMAZING ’80s fashion resources you won’t want to miss!…
Let’s start with the visuals. Those lucky enough to make it to the V&A will be able to experience ’80s fashion at its finest and most subversive. We’re not talking mainstream. And that’s what makes this exhibition so special–it represents the fact that people are finally taking proper interest in the artistic, avant-garde elements of ’80s design. What you’ll see at the V&A: more than 85 outfits from designers like Katharine Hamnett and John Galliano. After all, the interplay between the catwalk and clubs like Blitz and Billy’s can’t be denied. Designers were influenced by what they experienced in the London club scene, and vice versa.
’80s fashion finds from the V&A
The exhibition runs until February 16th of 2014, and it’s accompanied by a slew of fashion-related events at the V&A. If you’re traveling to London between now and then, you won’t want to miss it. If you don’t have plans to be in the area, you can still revel in ’80s fashion, thanks to the exhibition’s detailed site. Not only will you discover features like a Club to Catwalk blog with behind-the-scenes details, you’ll find a Club to Catwalk shop featuring an array of ’80s fashion-related items. Above we see (clockwise from the top left) the Black Zip Bracelet, Gold Point Stud Earrings, the V&A exhibition book 80s Fashion: From Club to Catwalk, and the Chain Link Necklace.
The work of The Cloth
A special thank-you to Andrew Dineley, who clued me in on this exhibition. Take note that he curates a website on the London-based art and design collective known as The Cloth. If you aren’t familiar with this ’80s group of designers (or even if you’re their biggest fan), you’ll be impressed by Dineley’s thorough collection of images and archives, which document everything from the group’s T-shirt and record sleeve designs to the range of articles written about the collective’s work. Dineley, who attended the exhibit and its opening events, has blogged about Club to Catwalk. Check out the post and a short film about the exhibition here.
And certainly, if any of you make it to the V&A, tell us about your experience by leaving a comment below …
Oh, now I have to book a trip to London! I’ve wanted to go back there since I was there for the first time in 2011. It would be fun to see that exhibition!
Woo hoo! Now for 80s decor, V&A.