Upcoming events
We’re busy planning exciting events for the coming months, details of which will be posted here and shared with members in our email newsletter.
Past events
Tuesday 17th October 2023, 10.30 – 15:00
Blandford Fashion Museum
We returned to the Fashion Museum in Blandford for a wonderful day exploring their fantastic dress and textiles collections and viewing their latest displays, with exclusive access to the galleries, exhibitions, and the reserve collections.
The theme for the visit was inspired by the Museum’s exhibition “Changing Times, the 1920s”. From children’s clothes to eveningwear, beaded flappers’ dresses to smart suits this exhibition provided wonderful highlights from fashions of the 1920s, featuring accessories, fans, and shoes as well.
The morning included a talk by Museum Trustee and SCCS member Stella Walker who will give an overview of 1920s dress from this glamorous decade in fashion history.
The afternoon offered time to explore other displays at the Museum and view items from the reserve collections that relate to them. Displays included Georgian and Victorian clothing, Edwardian fashions and baby wear, dress and accessories from the 1950s, nineteenth century to 1970s nightwear and accessories, plus a Bruce Oldfield evening dress which was on loan. There was also be an exhibition of the work from the Dorset Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers.
Saturday 16th September 2023
Using Primary Dress Sources at The School of Historical Dress
We enjoyed returning to The School of Historical Dress to explore how original dress and textiles from their collection and elsewhere are used as a primary source for making informed interpretations for film, theatre, collaborations and events.
Jenny Tiramani shared her extensive knowledge of period textiles and theatre and film costumes as well as and items from the School collections. We had a tour of the ‘Blue’ exhibition, exploring the colour blue, and how fashion can waste less or be wasteful.
Wednesday 5th July 2023
Arts University Bournemouth
The BA Costume, BA Performance Design and Film Costume and MA Historical Costume shared an archive of dress and costume from the late 19th and early 20th Century. We also saw the BA courses graduate exhibition.
Wednesday 14th June 2023
A Behind the Scenes Visit to Petersfield Museum
We returned to Petersfield Museum to explore more treasures from their fabulous historic dress collection and to seeing their recently redeveloped museum galleries.
Friday 20th January 2023
AGM Meeting
Our AGM meeting was held online on 20th January.
Thursday 8th December 2022
Pre-Christmas Meet-up
SCCS members had a Pre-Christmas meet up online and heard from two of our previous bursary recipients. Emily Gallagher, a PhD candidate at Birkbeck College, talked to us about her project exploring the collecting practices and writings of dress historian Cecil Cunnington.
Gabriella Venus, a student on the MA Historical Costume programme at Arts University Bournemouth, shared with us her project to create a female pirate costume inspired by the protagonist Dona St. Columb from Daphne du Maurier’s 1941 novel ‘Frenchman’s Creek’.
Tuesday 17th May 2022
Visit to Salisbury Museum
On a glorious Summer’s day we got together for our first in-person visit in a long time to Salisbury Museum.
We started the day with a fascinating talk by SCCS President Alison Carter on “Egyptomania” in Western fashion (connected to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb 100 years ago). Dr Caroline Ness followed up with a talk on the promotion of British textiles and fashion after the Second World War.
Katy England then introduced us to the new Fashion Gallery at the Museum and the inspiring Look Again project, working with young people to curate and create the gallery.
Wednesday 6th April 2022
A Celebration of Royal Fashion
In celebration of the Royal Jubilee we were joined by two fantastic speakers.
Dr Kate Strasdin is Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies at Falmouth University. Her first book, “Inside the Royal Wardrobe: A Dress History of Queen Alexandra”, was published in 2017. Drawing on her work for this book, Kate’s talk was entitled “Inside the Royal Wardrobe – Queen Alexandra’s Approach to Style”. Queen Alexandra was a much loved public figure during the second half of the 19th century and much of her popularity centered around her public appearance. This talk looked at the clothing strategies of the ‘People’s Princess’ as she was sometimes described from her marriage in 1863 to her death in 1925. We considered how her working royal wardrobe was managed on a daily basis and the men and women around her who made that happen.
Our second speaker was Freelance Textile Conservator, Deborah Phipps. Deborah has worked for several major National Institutions, Historic Houses, Regional Museums and private clients, including the Royal Collection. Her talk entitled “Royal Fashion” focused on displaying HM The Queen’s clothing with particular reference to two large exhibitions held at Buckingham Palace, showing the preparation that is needed to display historic and contemporary clothing and illustrating the process of successfully and safely mounting a variety of outfits for temporary shows.
Saturday 26th February 2022
AGM and Spring Study Day: “Re-Dress: Recycle, Remake, Reuse”
Barbara Burman, formerly Head of History of Art and Design department, Winchester School of Art in the University of Southampton, now an independent scholar and author. Barbara’s talk was entitled “‘The oldest yet the latest thing’: repairing and recycling practices past and present”.
Jo Lance, PhD student at Brighton University. Jo’s talk focussed on her recreation of a 1940s wartime ‘Make do and Mend’ hat from the pages of Picture Post magazine, which raised themes of making and remaking, creative ingenuity under pressure and the politics and performance of thrift.
Professor Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas is Professor of Marketing and Sustainable Business at the British School of Fashion, GCU London where she runs the innovative postgraduate Module in Sustainable Luxury for the School’s MBA Luxury Brand Management programme. Natascha’s talk was entitled “Parachutes, patches and purple: Sustainable fashion from make do and mend to circular economy”.
Saturday 20th November 2021
Autumn Online Study Day “20th Century Radicals”
We had a fantastic line-up of speakers including some new, emerging fashion historians and some more familiar names with a very diverse range of subjects.
Paulina Kulacz and Sarah-Mary Geissler – Radical Costumes: Pageantry, Spectacle and the Legacy of Women’s Suffrage in Contemporary Protest
Vicky Haddock (previous SCCS bursary recipient) – Eva Peron – The only Queen dressed by Dior
Monica Hodgson – Elsa Schiaparelli: Collector Collecting
Dr Annebella Pollen – The Most Radical of Dress Reforms? Interwar Nudism
Dr Ray Kinsella – Men’s Style in 1940s London Jazz Clubs: The Bebop Look
Casci Ritchie (previous SCCS bursary recipient) – The Style We Sportin’ – Redefining New Power Masculinities in Prince’s ‘Gett Off’
Cleo and Mark Butterfield – Beautiful People: The Boutique in 1960s Counterculture
Tuesday 28th September 2021
Costume Catch-Up: “Creating, Crafting, Cogitating”
An informal event providing an opportunity for members to share what they had been up to over the summer and past year and to ask questions or pass on tips learnt.
This was an online event for members only.
Wednesday 20th October 2021
Firle Place and the Regency Wardrobe
A very special day out to Firle Place in the South Downs National Park. Following its recent starring role as Hartfield in the 2020 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, this Autumn Firle Place is hosting “The Regency Wardrobe” an exhibition by decorative paper textile artist, Stephanie Smart. An introduction and welcome by Stephanie herself, will be followed by a tour of Firle Place and The Regency Wardrobe Exhibition. After lunch, a talk by Mary Kitson, Fan Historian, entitled “Many Faces of English Fans in the Late Georgian Period”.
This was an in person event for members only. (Tickets were £35.00.)
Wednesday 28th July 2021
“Behind the seams of Chintz – Cotton in Bloom”
An online talk by Gill Cochrane, Collections and Touring Exhibitions Officer at the Fashion and Textiles Museum, London. This talk took an insider look at Chintz: Cotton in Bloom, showing at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. We discovered how this sumptuous hand-printed cloth was originally produced in India and why it came to prominence in European society, particularly in the Netherlands where this collection originates. We looked at several pieces from the exhibition in detail, discovering some of the secrets hidden within, and exploring how chintz was used – and re-used – in garment construction in 18th and early 19th centuries. This was a unique opportunity to learn what happens ‘behind the seams’ of a costume exhibition and discover some of the most beautiful fabrics and well-constructed garments of the period.
Tickets were £5 for members and £8 for non-members £8.
Monday 28th June 2021
Costume Catch-Up: “A dip into natural dyeing”
Committee member and avid natural dyer, Niki Miles, gave us an introduction to natural dyeing looking into how it’s done, how to make it colourfast and some of the dyes that can be used. Niki was joined by fellow committee member and conservator, Sarah Howard, and the event included some demonstrations. This was an informal session with a live chat.
This was an online event. Tickets were £5.
Tuesday 18th May 2021
An Afternoon Visit to the Corset factory
We were excited to have Philip Warren, current Chair of The Costume Society and Collections and Learning Manager at Leicestershire County Council’s Museums Service join us to talk about the famous Symington Collection of corsetry, swimwear and foundation garments in Market Harborough. Philip’s talk was followed by a Q&A session.
This was an online event. This event was open to SCCS Members and Costume Society (UK) members with tickets at £5, and non-members tickets were £8.
Wednesday 21st April 2021
Costume Catch-up: “Bags”
Our first Costume Catch-up was on the subject of bags. We were joined by SCCS member Margaret Denyer, who shared some of the gems from her collection. You may remember Margaret shared some of her bags in an article in our autumn newsletter. This event also formed part of our series “Shared Passions – the hidden collections of SCCS members”.
This was an online event for members only.
Friday 26th – Sunday 28th February 2021
AGM and Spring Study Weekend: “Fibre to Frock”
Friday 26th February
7 pm -8.30pm: AGM and introduction to study weekend followed by raffle and informal chat.
Saturday 27th February
2pm – 4.15pm: Hero Granger-Taylor, specialist in Archaeological textiles. ” Textiles and Clothing of Plant Fibres made in traditions which pre-date the use of animal fibres.” Mary Schoeser, Hon. President of UK Textile Society and co-founder of the School of Textiles. “Silks from Spitalfields to East Anglia.”
Sunday 28th February
10.30am – 12.45 pm : Janet Wood, textile conservator and costume display specialist. The talk will explore how the cut and manipulation of fabrics has been used across centuries to create the style of a garment, and how this knowledge can be used to prepare mannequins for museum displays. Dr Serena Dyer, historian of women, fashion, consumption, and material culture in the 18th and 19th centuries and lecturer at De Montfort University. “Dress of the year: Ann Frankland Lewis’s Sartorial Timekeeping”, a lady’s record of her own dress 1774-1807.
This was an online event. This was SCCS members only exclusive event.
Tuesday, 24th November 2020
18th Century Treasures Revealed – The Collections of Heather Toomer
Heather Toomer, long-standing SCCS member and lace and whitework collector shared her wonderful collections. There was a pre-recorded discussion followed by a live Q&A.
This was an online event for members only.
Saturday 17th October 2020
Fashions of the Roaring Twenties
Grace Evans, keeper of costume at Chertsey Museum, joined us for our first Zoom webinar.
The event started with a short film from the exhibition at Chertsey Museum, “The Roaring Twenties:Fashions of the Jazz Age”. We saw some of the exhibits and Grace told us a bit about the exhibition, followed by a Q&A session.
This was an online event for members only with tickets at £10.
Saturday 29th February 2020
AGM and Spring Study Day: “20/20 Vision – A Miscellany of Fashion”
Speakers: Prof. Aileen Ribeiro – “Fashion and the Senses”. Angus Patterson – “30 Years of Men’s Fashion: An Album of Armour Designs from the Royal Workshop, Greenwich, 1557-87”. Liz Tregenza – ‘Fashion designer, managing director and business tycoon.’ Investigating Frederick Starke. Zack Pinsent, Pinsent Tailoring – “Historic Tailor”.
Bookstall/Haberdashery: Jill Sanders
Venue: Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall., Nr. Winchester, SO21 1BQ
Cost: Members £22, non-members £32
Saturday 21st March 2020
A FANtastic Brief Encounter – Marion May
Members only event.
POSTPONED TO 2021
Saturday 25th April 2020
Dress in the age of Jane Austen
2pm for 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Presentation by Hilary Davidson, author of “Dress in the Age of Jane Austen:Regency Fashion”
Hosted by Chawton House, near Alton Hampshire.
Cost: SCCS members £10 –
Cost: Non-members £12
CANCELLED
Thursday 14th May 2020
Exploring Tudor Clothing
A study Day at the Mary Rose Museum investigating the clothing of the Tudor period.
11.00am – 4.00pm
Morning: tour of the Mary Rose Museum and a talk on the surviving garments.
Afternoon: talk entitled “Missing Persons: who were the typical Tudors?”, and a dressing demonstration by Jane Malcolm-Davies and Ninya Mikhaila, authors of “The Tudor Tailor”, regarding their recent research and forthcoming book “The Typical Tudor” (see https://www.tudortailor.com/the-typical-tudor)
Venue: The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth PO1 3PY
Cost: Members £28, Non-members £35.
Members booking form in the January mailing and members only bookings will be taken before 1st March. Non -members bookings welcome after this date subject to availability or join us. Wait List via Contact Page
WE ARE HOPING TO RE-SCHEDULE THIS VISIT FOR A LATER DATE
Wednesday 1st July 2020
Pockets and other treasures and members choices
11.00am – 3.30pm
A look at the history of the pocket. Barbara Burman will be talking about her recent book “The Pocket: A Hidden History of Women’s Lives, 1660-1900” . She will illustrate her talk with pockets from the collection of the Hampshire Cultural Trust, which also feature in the book. The afternoon offers the opportunity to view items of dress and textiles from the HCT collection.
Venue: Chilcomb House, Winchester
Booking form in Spring newsletter Wait List via Contact Page
POSTPONED TO 2021
Saturday 21st November 2020
Visit to the School of Historical Dress
Venue: SHD, 52 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7PP
POSTPONED TO 2021
Saturday 9th March 2019
AGM and Spring Study Day: Stuarts, Jacobites and Tartan Heritage
10am – 4.15pm
Speakers:
Dr. Susan North of V & A Museum: “Materials of Martyrdom: the clothing relics of Charles I”
Prof. Jonathan Faiers: “Transition Translation & Transformation, Tartan & Contemporary Design”
Rosie Waine, presently research fellow at National Museums Scotland: “Exploring Highland Revival Fashion at the National Museum of Scotland”
Peter MacDonald – described as Scotland’s foremost Tartan Historian – “Tartan as a Jacobite Symbol”
Bookstall/Haberdashery: Jill Sanders
Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall, Main Road, Itchen Abbas, Nr Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1BQ.
Cost: Members £20 Non-members £30
Further details and booking forms with the January members mailing, non-members via website.
Tuesday 9th April 2019
Treasures of Chilcomb House : Frockcoats & Beaded Teacosies
11.00am – 4.00pm
The included a talk by Sarah Howard, SCCS Bursary recipient, whose research into the making & selling of men’s fashion in late 18th & early 19th century Hampshire includes the tailor’s accounts of George & Benjamin Ferrey.
Also Alison Carter, Dress Historian, guided us through an examination of historical dress & textiles at close quarters.
Venue: Hampshire Cultural Trust, Chilcomb House, Chilcomb Lane, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8RB
Members only
Tuesday 14th May 2019
Worthing Museum visit: “From shirt to shift”
12.45am – 4.00pm SOLD OUT
Lecture by Suzanne Rowland Fashion Historian & Ph.D. student, research includes – Development of the blouse, riding habit shirts to shift dresses – 1770s to 1920s
To include Hands On of associated costume from the Collection with Costume Curator Gerry Connolly
Venue: Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, Education Room, Chapel Road, Worthing, W. Sussex. BN11 1HP
Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th July 2019
A Yorkshire Adventure
Wednesday 17th July
10.30am – 4.00pm: Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road, Halifax, HX3 6HG. A day in the company of the costume curator.
Thursday 18th July
10.00am – 12.00pm: Armley Mills, Leeds Industrial Museum, Canal Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 2QF. A visit focused on their collection of textile machinery and tailoring items, including a handling session.
2.15pm- 4.15pm: York Castle Museum, Eye of York, York, YO1 9RY. Curator’s tour and handling session.
Cost: Members £38.00, Non-members £48.00. Maximum 20 people.
Optional add-on day
Friday 19th July
10.00am – 12.00pm: Leeds Discovery Centre, Carlisle Road, Leeds, LS10 1LB. A hands-on session with the costume curator.
2.15pm – 4.30pm: ULITA & The Yorkshire Fashion Archive, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT. Hands on sessions with the two interesting collections.
Cost: Members £17.00, Non-members £22.00. Maximum 20 people.
Tuesday 10th September 2019
Treasures of Chilcomb House: Frockcoats & Beaded Teacosies
11.00am – 4.00pm MEMBERS ONLY £15 (25 places only) SOLD OUT
Due to heavy demand by members for the visit to Chilcomb House on 9th April 2019, Sarah Howard & Alison Carter have kindly agreed to repeat the day.
Lecture details are as stated for 9th April
Venue: Hampshire Cultural Trust, Chilcomb House, Chilcomb Lane, Winchester Hampshire SO23 6SD Bookings forms in Spring Newsletter.
Thursday 26th September & Friday 27th September 2019
Trip to Edinburgh
We are excited to be able to confirm arrangements for an extra visit this year. This time we are travelling over the border to Scotland – Edinburgh to be precise. This trip was initiated by an invitation from Rosie Waine, one of our study day speakers earlier in the year.
Thursday 26th September
2.00pm – 4.30pm. Museum of Edinburgh Collections Centre, 10 Broughton Road, Edinburgh, EH3 6NU.
https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/museum-collections-centre
This collection comprises some 8,000 items of costume which does include a collection of rare and early tartan and tartan garments but also features Paisley & Edinburgh shawls, a small but interesting collection of C18th clothing and a diverse selection of other items. We will split in to two groups, each group will enjoy a tour of the store and a costume session to view a curator’s selection of the collection treasures.
Friday 27th September
PLEASE NOTE THE SWITCH AROUND OF TODAYS EVENTS
10.00am – 12.15pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/
Here we will enjoy a guided tour by Rosie Waine of the exhibition “Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland” followed by time on your own to explore the exhibition further and to visit the museum’s Fashion and Style Gallery. Includes entry ticket for “Wild and Majestic”.
2.15 pm- 4.30pm National Museums Collection Centre, 242 West Granton Road, Granton, Edinburgh, EH5 1JA
https://www.nms.ac.uk/collections-research/research-facilities/national-museums-collection-centre/
This Centre houses the textile & costume store and the museum’s conservation lab. The dress collection includes items dating as far back as the C17th but also includes items from more recent fashion icons Jean Muir, Bernat Klein and Vivienne Westwood. We will split in to two groups, each group will enjoy a show and tell of pieces from the costume collection with a curator from the museum’s Art & Design Department as well as a conservation lab tour led by staff from the conservation lab. The lab will be working on items for next year’s fashion exhibition when we visit.
Cost: Members £42 -members will have already received their booking form with their summer newsletter.
Non-Members £48
Maximum 20 people
Thursday 10th October 2019
Mary Quant at the V&A
Booking form with the summer newsletter – MEMBERS ONLY
Saturday 14th April 2018
AGM/Study day – Revolution to Rebellion: c. 1650-1750
Alison Carter – “Fashion at the Court of Versailles”
Mark Wallis, Director of Past Pleasures. “To the Barricades! Clothing for Revolutionaries c. 1642- 1789.”
Pat Poppy, Re-enactor – “Reproduction Costume”. A talk with examples.
Cost: Members £15, non-members £25. Cost includes tea and coffee – please bring your own packed lunch – Venue – Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall, Main Road, Itchen Abbas, Nr. Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1BQ
Saturday 21st April 2018
“Oh we do like to be beside the Seaside”
SCCS member Georgina Bradley (costume curator volunteer at Bexhill Museum) will exhibit in the Education Room some curator selected prized items.
Cost: Members £12, non- members £18. Venue: Bexhill museum
Tuesday 22nd May 2018
Petersfield Museum: Handcuffs & Costume Treasures
By invitation of curator Catherine Leonard a talk on Handcuffs & Costume Treasures, Petersfield Museum.
This is a SCCS members only event- cost: £12
Saturday 9th June 2018
Chertsey Museum: Fashion and Freedom
Speakers Grace Evans, keeper of costume – “Fashion and Freedom – woman’s Emancipation and Dress”
Nicola Sowter – “Madeleine Vionnet – Fashion Pioneer”.
Cost £12.50 for SCCS members and Friends of Chersey museum, Non members – £15.
Saturday 13th October 2018
“A Passion for Kimonos”
Marion Maule examined the materials, influences, techniques and significance of colour and symbolism which has made the kimono an enduring symbol of traditional Japanese culture.
Alison Carter in conversation with SCCS member Meriel Spalding about her collection of kimonos and accessories.
1 – 4.30pm, the Gurkha Museum Library, Winchester SO23 8TS
Cost: Members £15 Non-members £20
Tuesday 27th November 2018
V&A Theatre and Performance Reserve Collection
Visit to the V&A Theatre and Performance Reserve Collection at Blythe House, Olympia, London. By special invitation from Jane Pritchard, V&A Curator. A last chance
to see this wonderful collection at Blythe House before it was relocated. Members only event.
Saturday 25th February 2017
AGM & Spring Study Day: “By Popular Request – Performance Costume”
Speakers:
Jane Pritchard MBE – ‘200 Years of Dance Costume’ – Curator of Dance at the V&A Museum and author of Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes.
Michele Carragher – ‘The Embroidery Narative’ – Costume embroiderer for the TV series Game of Thrones.
Mandy Barrington – ‘Historical Stays and Corsets for the Modern Performer’ – Senior Lecturer in Costume at the Arts University, Bournemouth. In this role she has been teaching the next generation of costume makers for over 14 years, using her experience of pattern drafting and garment construction to support the production of costumes for numerous professional theatre productions. Christine Wright will be exhibiting and talking about her award winning Lewes Bonfire Society costumes
Venue: Chawton Village Hall, Winchester Road, Chawton, Hampshire GU34 1SB
Saturday 1st April 2017
Fashion day at the Bishopsgate Institute
“FASHION STREET”, organised by dress historian E. J. Scott in association with the Bishopsgate Institute.
E-J will help us explore the photography, ephemera and news archives etc. with the senior archivist and exhibitions officer.
The Bishopsgate Institute is at 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH
Saturday 22nd April 2017
A day out in Lewes
Two of the lesser known treasures of Lewes; a combined visit to Edward Reeves Photography Studio and the Wardrobe Collection at Lewes Little Theatre, Lewes, East Sussex.
Tuesday 16th May 2017
The School of Historical Dress
A visit on the invitation of Jenny Tiramani. The School of Historical Dress houses the Janet Arnold Archive as well as an ever expanding collection of dress and textiles which are regularly used for study on its courses.
Thursday 13th & Friday 14th July 2017
Herefordshire Costume Visit
Wednesday
2.00-400pm Optional add on trip to Ludlow Museum Resource centre to see among other things, the 1708-9 mantua featured in Patterns of Fashion 1.
Thursday
Visit to Berrington Hall, home of the Snowshill Costume Collection, which was collected by Charles Paget Wade, previous owner of Snowshill in Gloucestershire. Anyone who has copies of the Janet Arnold Patterns of Fashion series or Nancy Bradfield’s Costume in Detail 1730-1930, will be aware of this important collection.
Friday
Morning visit to Charles and Patricia Lester Ltd. Fashion and Textile Art, manufacturers of luxury textiles at the Workhouse Design Studios. Afternoon visits as 2 groups to visit the Hereford Costume Collection, housed at the Museum Resource and Learning Centre in Hereford, plus visiting some of Herefords city sights.
Tuesday 17th October 2017
Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion
This was the first UK exhibition to explore the work and legacy of the Spanish couturier, showcasing over 100 garments and hats crafted by Balenciaga, his proteges and contemporary designers working in the same innovative way today. It examined Balenciaga’s work from the 1950s and 1960s – arguably the most creative period of his career – when he dressed some of the most renowned women of the age and became revered by his contemporaries, including Christian Dior and Coco Chanel. Only 15 tickets, timed for 1.15pm available to members only. Introductory talk before the visit. Cost £12.50.
Thursday 30th November 2017
Westminster funeral effigies
SCCS members were given a unique offer from Brighton based conservator, Zenzie Tinker, for a tour of the exhibition of Westminster effigy costume before it was open to the public in 2018. Still in the course of construction, this exhibition eventually included costume from the funeral effigies of Elizabeth I and Francis, Duchess of Richmond.
Location: Westminster Abbey London on Thursday 30th November at 2.15pm. SCCS Members Only
Saturday 27th February 2016
Spring study Day and AGM: “Parisian Chic”
Speakers:
Lou Taylor: ‘Paris Style during the Nazi Occupation – 1940-45. Was it Chic?’ Lou is the author of The Study of Dress History 2002 & Establishing Dress History 2005. Her career has focused on the development of critical approaches to the discussion of the objects of clothing in their historical, material culture & museology settings, through teaching, publishing, exhibition curating & PhD supervision. University of Brighton.
Amy de la Haye: ‘Corsets and Crinolines: Chanel’s lesser known romantic evening wear in the 1920s and 30s’ Amy is Professor of Dress History and Curatorship at London College of Fashion (LCF), University of the Arts.
Jenni Sundheim: ‘Interpreting the day dress worn by Madame Prospérie’ Bartholomé in the picture ‘Dans la Serre’ c.1881 (In the Conservatory) painted by Paul-Albert Bartholomé. A model will be wearing the costume which Jenni has reproduced. Jenni is a SCCS member who is currently working under the supervision of Lou Taylor.
Exhibition of Parisian couture by Marion May
Haberdashery/Bookstall by Jill Sanders.
Venue: Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall, Main Road, Itchen Abbas, near Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1BQ.
Wednesday 16th March 2016
Costume at Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight
Trip to Carisbrooke Castle, the Isle of Wight. Costume collection includes 1,780 items including lace pieces, yachting costumes, Redfern costume etc. 1pm – 4pm.
Saturday 21st May 2016
The Finishing Touches
Hats, Accessories & Afternoon Tea and Scones with Marion May & Carolyn Last. Both exhibited new acquisitions. Combined with anecdotal evidence they entertained us with their stories of purchase, provenance and power to add that finishing touch to an outfit, be it 19th or 20th century.
10.45am – 3.30pm. The Arbothnot Hall, Hullbrook Lane, Shamley Green, near Guildford Surrey GU5 0UA. Cost £12 per member non members £15.
Thursday 21st July and Friday 22nd July 2016
Norfolk Textile and Costume Visit
Included a private guided tour to Norwich Museum, Blickling Hall and the Textile Conservation Studio NT.
Also included a textile related guided walk of Norwich. Cost: Members £47.00 non members £57 (plus entrance cost to Blickling Hall, for non-national Trust members).
Tuesday 11th October 2016
V & A Museum – Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear
With introduction by Edwina Erhman, the curator. Fifteen places only. Members only event.
Saturday 12th November 2016
Chertsey Museum: Waisted Efforts
Grace Evans, Keeper of Costume at Chertsey Museum, explored the changing fashionable waistline from the 18th century through to the New Look. This study day was offered in association with SCCS (reduced rates apply). Chertsey Museum, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8AT.
Saturday 28th February 2015
AGM and Study Day at The Gurkha Museum Winchester: Muskets & Muslin
Speakers:
Mark Wallis of Past Pleasures – MD of Britain’s oldest and largest Historical Interpretation Company. His talk is entitled – Well Dressed for the Enemy.
Jenny Tiramani – Designer, founder member & head of the School of Historical Dress, London. Director of design at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre from 1977 – 2005. Winner of the 2014 Tony Award for best Costume Design for Twelfth Night on Broadway. Jenny is also Principal at The School of Historical Dress which houses the Janet Arnold Archive.
Tickets – Members and non – members.
Saturday 21st March 2015
V&A Visit – Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
A group visit to this internationally acclaimed exhibition which showcases McQueen’s visionary body of work. Spanning his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection, McQueen’s designs were presented with the dramatic staging and sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows.
Thursday 21st May & Saturday 23rd May 2015
Horsham Museum: – Inside out: Big Dress & Textile Collection
Hands on at the Horsham Museum. Members only event.
Tuesday 14th July 2015
The Social Whirl of Life Between the Wars
With Patricia Godwin, who studied painting & sculpture at Bath Academy of Art. One time private detective, publisher, she became a freelance designer of posters & record covers for the Palm Court Theatre Orchestra of Bournemouth founded by her late husband. Patricia owns a collection of 20th century clothes worn by a prominent Bedfordshire family. White gloves provided. Red House Museum Christchurch Dorset BH23 1BU
Saturday 18th July – Sun 19th July 2015
Visit to Exeter: Killerton House, Totnes Fashion & Textile Museum, Royal Albert Museum & Art Gallery
A private guided tour by invitation to SCCS by curators E J Scott & Shelley Tobin. Totnes F & T Museum is being opened just for us. Killerton House visit will include items especially chosen for us from store by E J Scott.
Wednesday 30th September 2015
Downton Lace Collection at Salisbury Museum
Hosted by Pompi Parry. Also to included afternoon visit to view embroidered Cathedral Vestments, Salisbury Museum & Cathedral Wiltshire.
Thursday 22nd October 2015
Museum of London: The Well Dressed Man
A morning visit to Henry Poole and Co,15 Savile Row, for a tour of this famous tailors premises. An afternoon visit to the Museum of London, where Curator Tim Long, an expert on men’s fashion, talked about men’s tailoring and showed us some gems from the museum’s menswear collection.
Sunday 1st March 2014
AGM and Spring Study Day: “What the Other Half Wore”
Speakers:
Dr Danae Tankard – 17th C. Clothes’ Shopping
Lesley Parker B.A. – Your Medieval Gown
Jayne Shrimpton M.A. – 19th c Fashion in Family Pictures
Sarah Bartlett – Re-creation of Janet Arnold’s Eleanor of Toledo gown.
Venue – Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, West Sussex
Monday 28th April 2014
A Fresh Look at the Bedales Costume Collection
A Fresh Look at the Bedales costume collection with Catherine Leonard. Granted £5,000 from the Association of Independent Museums in 2012, to aid conservation and evaluation, plus a bursary from SCCS, members are now invited to view the results of this work in the gallery and in their off-site stores. Flora Twort Gallery, Petersfield, Hampshire, Members only Event.
Tuesday 20th May 2014
V&A: Wedding Dresses 1775 – 2014
A member’s group visit to the exhibition “Wedding Dresses 1775 – 2014”. We were very fortunate to have an introductory talk by the curator of the exhibition Edwina Ehrman.
Wednesday 11th June 2014
Cutting Edge – From Madame Vionnet to Jo Mattli
Bursary recipient Nicola Sowter’s lecture was based on the collection of Madeleine Vionnet gowns worn by Lady Minoru Foley. This research formed the basis of Nicola’s M.A. dissertation.
Caroline Ness PhD discussed her thesis on Jo Mattli the Swiss born British couturier – in London from 1934 to 1975. Jo Mattli was a Vogue couture pattern Designer. Hampshire Records office – Cinema lecture Theatre – Sussex Street Winchester.
Tuesday 29th July 2014
Profiles of the Past – Silhouettes 1760 – 1960
We were very lucky to have secured exclusive access to this dress exhibition before it opened to the general public. Nick Tyson (RTH) and E-J Scott (University of Brighton) hosted a creative day of silhouettes and fashion. This included a demonstration of a working silhouette cutting machine, an introduction to the House and the Project, a tour of the Dress and Image Exhibition and Town House. E-J gave a presentation tracing the shift in Dress Silhouettes from 1760- 1960. The Profiles of the Past project (www.profilesofthepast.org.uk) was developed by The Brunswick Town Charitable Trust and The Regency Town House Heritage Centre, in co-operation with members of the Silhouette Collectors Club and the University of Brighton Dress History Collective.Venue: The Regency Town House, 13 Brunswick Square, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1EH
Wednesday 12th November 2014
Fashion and Textile Museum: Knitwear in Fashion – Chanel to Westwood
A curated tour of vintage fashion knitwear from the 20th Century. Through an exciting combination of famous names and visually exciting pieces, the exhibition charts the influence of art movements Pop, Punk and Deconstruction alongside new knitwear technologies and design innovation. Fashion and Textile Museum, London, SE1.
