Category Archives: Uncategorized

My daughter went to her friend’s 6th form leavers’ ball last weekend in a dress made from parts of a Boue Soeurs 1920s ‘robe de style’, remodelled around 1960 – and taken in by her mother. The bodice has machine-made … Continue reading →

Intarsia patchwork panel of a farmyard scene, V&A AP27-1917 My article, A patchwork panel ‘shown at the Great Exhibition’, has just gone up on the V&A Online Magazine. It takes a small textile in the V&A collections as the starting … Continue reading →

Forthe last evening of Vintage to Vogue, the group members brought their own treasures to show us. There were some beautiful pieces and some wonderful stories including survival in Leningrad, relatives who supported the family by dressmaking, and several weddings. Here … Continue reading →

Last week my Vintage to Vogue course had a series of fascinating presentations from conservators Frances Hartog, Roisin Morris, Elizabeth-Anne Haldane, and curator Sonnet Stanfill at the V&A. They explained the detailed processes that have to take place before a … Continue reading →

Last week my course visited the Prints and Drawings Study Room at the V&A. This is an amazing resource for all subjects including fashion. We had ordered a selection of original designs – these included 1930s sketches by Norman Hartnell … Continue reading →

A wonderful evening last night with the Vintage to Vogue group at the house of Meg Andrews, a textile dealer who consistently finds the most beautiful pieces. Her collection is stored in every room, in shelves, boxes and drawers, and … Continue reading →

Dress design by Marjorie Field Rhoades, 1949 (V&A Print Study Room) My course, Vintage to Vogue: Twentieth Century Fashion has just started at the V&A. There will be guest lectures from V&A curators and conservators, and visits to the Prints … Continue reading →

I went to view the latest version of the crochet coral reef in Salisbury – I had seen the main UK reef at the South Bank Centre in 2008, but this version is different. This project is interesting on so … Continue reading →

Dazzle – a 1920s dance dress from Hampshire Museums This is the last week of a charming exhibition called Dazzle at Winchester Discovery Centre. It showcases over 25 beaded and embroidered dance dresses from the collection of Hampshire County Museums, with accessories … Continue reading →

Nearly the end of a very busy and stimulating year – three books and many articles published. Also lots of enjoyable work with the Diaghilev exhibition at the V&A. Pity to think it’ll soon be over but good to think … Continue reading →