FASHION AT THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM TEACHING RESOURCE:

Introduction Spanning four centuries, the V&A’s Fashion collection is the largest and most comprehensive collection of dress in the world. Key items in the collection include rare 17th-century gowns, 18th-century ‘mantua’ dresses, 1930s eveningwear, 1960s daywear and post-war couture. Plus a growing number of pieces from 21st-century designers.

Using this resource Search the Collections’ is the Victoria and Albert Museum’s online database, go to vam.ac.uk, then ‘Discover the V&A’ to find it. The information in the notes section of each slide has been taken from ‘Search the Collections’, with the link at the end. Every object in the V&A collection has an acquisition number. This number has been included on each slide. Use this number to help you locate the object in ‘Search the Collections’. The following slides show you some examples from the collection, both on display and in storage. There are thousands of objects that you can discover on our website to gain inspiration.

Gallery

Prada Ensemble, 2008 Location: Fashion Gallery, case CA17 Ref. T.3:1 to © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Prada

Jean Paul Gaultier Shorts suit, 1995 Location: Fashion Gallery, case CA17 Ref: T.22:1 to © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Jean Paul Gaultier

Issey Miyake Dress, 1990 Ref. T In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Issey Miyake

John Galliano Suit, 1985 Ref. T.223&A-1989 In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/John Galliano

Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood Ensemble, 1982 Location: Fashion Gallery, case CA16 Ref: T.139:1& © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/ Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood

Bugatti Suit, 1974 Ref: T.74 to C-1983 In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Bugatti

Ossie Clark, with Celia Birtwell (textile designer) Trouser suit, 1971 Location: Fashion Gallery, case CA 15 Ref. T.301&A-1985 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell

Emilio Pucci Pyjama, 1968 Location: Fashion Gallery, case CA1 Ref: T © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Emilio Pucci

Cristóbal Balenciaga Evening ensemble, 1967 Location: Fashion Gallery, case CA12 Ref: T.39&A-1974 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Cristóbal Balenciaga

Pierre Balmain Evening Dress, 1957 Ref: T In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Pierre Balmain

Christian Dior Zemire, La Ligne H, Location: Fashion Gallery, case CA13 Ref. T.24:1 to © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Christian Dior

Christian Dior 'Bar' suit, 1947 Ref T In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Christian Dior

Chris Ruocco Suit, 1943 (designed) Ref. T.864, In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Chris Ruocco

Elsa Schiaparelli, with Salvador Dali The Skeleton Dress, 1938 Ref. T.394&A-1974 In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali

Coco Chanel Evening trouser suit and blouse, Location: Fashion Gallery, case CA10 Ref. T.88 to B-1974 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Coco Chanel A member of the V&A staff is photographed wearing the Chanel suit for autumn/winter , for the museum’s records. ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Paul Poiret La Flute, 1924 Ref: T In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Paul Poiret

Lucile Evening Dress, c.1912 Ref: T In storage © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Lucile

Further Resources Visit the V&A in South Kensington: Fashion on Level 1, Jewellery on Level 3, British Galleries on Levels 2 & 4, and temporary exhibitions. To book a visit, call Download our latest Fashion Teachers’ Resource and accompanying activity sheets to support a self-guided visit.Fashion Teachers’ Resource Explore the V&A website for a wealth of images, articles, videos, reading lists and inspiration: o Fashion Fashion o Jewellery Jewellery o Search the Collections Search the Collections Watch V&A ‘Fashion In Motion’ catwalk shows, including top designers such Kansai Yamamoto, Jenny Packham, Erdem Moralioglu, and Giles Deacon.Fashion In Motion

Resources Research recent and current V&A exhibitions online, including interviews, videos and articles: o Wedding Dresses Wedding Dresses o The Glamour of Italian Fashion The Glamour of Italian Fashion o From Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s From Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s o Hollywood Costume Hollywood Costume o Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 The Clothworkers' Centre for the Study and Conservation of Textiles and Fashion is located at Blythe House, Olympia in West London. From 3-7 November, 10 slots are available for schools to visit as part of the Challenge. Booking essential, please and quote ‘Concept to Catwalk’.Clothworkers' Centre Videos Italian Fashion exhibition Archive of Fashion in Motion shows

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