Royals & Rebels – British Fashion - KUNSTMUSEUM DEN HAAG EXHIBITIONS ... 09 September 2023 to 07 January 2024

KUNSTMUSEUM DEN HAAG EXHIBITIONS ...

09 September 2023 to 07 January 2024

https://www.kunstmuseum.nl/nl/tentoonstellingen/royals-rebels

 

Royals & Rebels

BRITISH FASHION

Vivienne Westwood, Harris Tweed collection, fall/winter, 1987/1988. Photo: Nick Knight / Trunk Archive

Delve into the rich history of British fashion including a tribute to Vivienne Westwood in the fashion exhibition Royals & Rebels – British Fashion.

 

The British managed to leave their mark firmly on fashion history. From designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney to the tailor-made clothing of Savile Row, British school uniforms, the Scottish check, clothing of the British Royal Family and hats for Ascot by Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones. The rebels of Swinging London, punks and skinheads also had an influence on the fashion image in England. Just like the royals themselves, including the much-loved Lady Diana. In addition to being a fashion icon, she was also a rebel who used fashion to make a statement.

 

Discover in Royals & Rebels – British Fashion how leading the British are for fashion history and admire pieces by countless British designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Charles Frederick Worth, Liberty's, Lucile, Edward Molyneux, Mary Quant, Katharine Hamnett, Paul Smith, John Galliano, Phoebe Philo, Richard Quinn, Gareth Pugh, Simone Rocha and young talents such as Bora Aksu,  Robert Wun, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy and Matty Bovan.

 

Anglomania: the fascination with the British

The death of Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation of King Charles III, hit series such as The Crown and the death of designers Vivienne Westwood and Mary Quant have boosted interest in British fashion. Moreover, punk is alive and well again in these socially unsettled times. Royals & Rebels – British Fashion fits in perfectly with this.

 

The interest in the British lifestyle goes back a long way. Already in the 18th century there was a true Anglomania. Carriages, garden designs, dinners, gowns, men's and children's clothing: everything suddenly had to be à l'anglaise.

 

At the end of the 18th century, the 'redingotes' became fashionable in the Netherlands. The dress-based cloak-shaped gowns worn outdoors during modern 'walking' by women in the time of the Brontë sisters, early 19th century.

 

The British left perhaps their most important mark on men's fashion in the 19th century. Colourful French designs gave way to sober tailor-made clothes from tailors in London. The British capital became the main centre for tailor-made clothing with Savile Row as a hotspot.

 

Great designers like McQueen, Galliano and Beckham

In the 19th century, the first couturier put his signature in a garment: Charles Frederick Worth. Other Britons followed Worth's example and made a name for themselves in both Paris and London, such as Edward Molyneux, of whom the Kunstmuseum has a very extensive collection.

 

British life has had a significant impact on Western fashion history. Great designers were inspired by 'the British feeling'. Think of the suits that Coco Chanel designed in English tweed. The wardrobes of the British Royals have also been admired worldwide for decades. From the wardrobes of Lady Diana and the late Queen Elizabeth II to the clothing choices of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. Popular culture also boasts numerous British style icons, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and most recently Harry Styles, who strongly influenced the dress behaviour of millennials and made pearl necklaces, Peter Pan collars, nail polish and dresses for men a must-have fashion item.

 

Because of the strong connection of British fashion and music, it is as if every fashion era in our collective memory is accompanied by a popular English song: think The Who, The Sex Pistols, Dusty Springfield, Duran Duran, The Spice Girls or Harry Styles.

 

Rebellion: in the city, in the country

Royals & Rebels – British Fashion takes you into different worlds. 'In the City' revolves around tailored suits, tweed suits, pied-de-poule outfits, rainwear, aesthetic dresses and flower dresses. 'In the Country' shows clothing suitable for 'outdoors', with tweeds, redingotes and 'sports wear' such as sweaters, pullovers, jersey tennis jackets, tweed sports ensembles and riding or hunting ensembles.

 

'Royals & Rebels' is about the fascination, but also love-hate relationship with the British royal family. In combination with the many 'rebels' that Great Britain has, of which Charles Jeffery Loverboy is a striking example. The young Scottish designer incorporates many Scottish diamonds into his gender-neutral creations: the traditional paragon of rebellion.

 

Royals & Rebels – British Fashion is putting the spotlight on British fashion this autumn, with the presence of Vivienne Westwood as the common thread. With her sense of the rich tradition and her rebellious, genius raids, she paved the way for many others: in the city, in the country and as a royal & rebel. The exhibition is designed by Maarten Spruyt and is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue, published by Waanders.

 

The exhibition is made possible with the support of Nationale-Nederlanden.