Peacocks and Pinstripes exhibition
Posted by CIPs at Newham College on 10.12.07
Peacocks and Pinstripes exhibition launches newly redeveloped Fashion and Textile Museum
The newly redeveloped Fashion and Textile Museum will open its doors to visitors in February 2008 with a brand new exhibition – Peacocks and Pinstripes – a snapshot of masculine style. This photographic exhibition is portrayal of male style from the 1930s to the present and is the first in a series of exhibitions to be presented at part of the FTM’s redevelopment, in the heart of the fashion quarter of London’s artistic Bermondsey Village.
Developed in collaboration with the Getty Images Gallery, Peacocks and Pinstripes focuses on the often neglected world of men’s fashion. It includes an impressive series of iconic images depicting the styles and trends of the past 70 years, portraying the male image in fashion and photography, and the role of celebrity in fashion - who was wearing what - and where and when.
On writing the Foreword to the exhibition, style writer James Sherwood said, “For the lion's share of the 20th century, the male role in fashion photography was that of an immaculate but unobtrusive accessory. Peacocks & Pinstripes is not a retrospective of the male body reflected in the mirror of fashion magazines. Instead, the exhibition celebrates icons of male elegance captured by the great portrait and artist photographers.”
From the tailored, 1930s elegance of the Duke of Windsor, to the 1960s impudence of the Rolling Stones, the suave glamour of Roger Moore’s James Bond to the casual informality of Richard Gere and David Beckham, many of the sartorial legends of the past century are represented in an eclectic mix of photographs, each capturing the mood of its particular era.
This journey through the development of male fashion takes us through a period of enormous change in lifestyle and creativity, and includes some previously unseen images, as well as work by internationally renowned photographers such as Terry O’Neill, one of the world’s most published photographers during the 60s and 70s.
“Far from confirming the theory that men are walk-on parts in the history of fashion photography,” adds Sherwood, “the images chosen for Peacocks & Pinstripes show that while these men were posing for posterity rather than fashion plates, they froze the fashion of their era for eternity.”
The newly redeveloped FTM, now a part of Newham College, also has a much broader remit as an education, exhibition and visitor centre for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery. The exhibition programme will be supported by a programme of talks, master-classes, seminars and workshops, aimed at attracting high profile designers and businesses from across the sector, as well as budding fashion entrepreneurs and the general public.
Visitors to Peacocks and Pinstripes will also be able to view a series of changing exhibitions from the permanent FTM collection which includes garments by Zandra Rhodes, along with other influential designers.
The only building in Europe designed by Mexican architect, Ricardo Legoretta, the FTM reflects the vibrant colours and easy style of architecture associated with his homeland. Within the building, other new facilities for visitors will include FTM Café, with WiFi access, and Shop@FTM, a retail area for offering exclusive items of textile and jewellery by designers and manufacturers associated with the FTM.
Peacocks and Pinstripes will run from February to May 2008 at the Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street London SE1 3XF.
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Notes to editors
·For further information about the FTM and its activities visits www.ftmlondon.org
·The exhibition runs from Friday 8th February to 31st May 2008. Exhibition opening times are 11.00am-5.00pm Wednesday to Sunday. Last admissions 4.15pm
·Ticket prices are £7 for adults, £4 for students and concessions, free entry for under 12s
·Entrance to the new permanent exhibition, Café and Shop is free of charge. Opening times are 11am – 5pm daily.
·Newham College of Further Education is one of the largest further education colleges in Europe, with a strong track record in running courses and providing business support in the fashion and jewellery sectors. Newham has been involved at the FTM previously, supporting the development of its learning centre.
·As well as an exciting exhibition programme the FTM is also home to a new Academy providing a much-needed hub for education and professional development within the fashion, textile and jewellery sectors. The Academy will be open to all who want to broaden their skills in the fashion industries, from those looking for full-time courses, short professional courses or something more tailored for businesses.
·The FTM also provides a unique and versatile venue for hire, with several spaces available – either separately or jointly – for up to 300 people.
For further information, please contact:
Alison Lewy – 020 7407 8664 / 07940 704 725
Dennis Nothdruft – 020 7407 8664
Gilly Lloyd – 00 33 5 58 93 11 / 07710 117762
