Bath in Fashion
David Downton, Erin O’Connner and Nicolas Oakwell; just three of the names associated with one creation and yet illustrative of the many faces and roles that make an exciting and vibrant fashion world. Bath in Fashion is one of those rare environments where a topic is considered from practically every angle. This festival of fashion is designed not only to see the topic in all of its facets but to show and utilise the glorious Georgian city of Bath.
Commissioned in order to showcase British Couture design around the world by No.10’s ‘GREAT Britain’ campaign, Nicolas Oakwell’s extraordinary couture gown was designed especially for Erin O’Conner. The dress’s cascading, molten, feathered skirt alone looks closer to an impossibly grand, maleficent-esque fantasy than a real life structure. With 90 metres of fabric, just under 200,000 feathers, hundreds of rubies and 2,320 hours of labour (in part from students at the Royal School of Needlework) the details of this dress are well worth seeing in the flesh – if only to appreciate David Downton’s skill in capturing its spirit with his illustration – thankfully it is one of the many pieces heading to Bath this April.
Aside from an array of material marvels and up-to-the-minute fashion shows, Bath in Fashion will also be hosting a series of discussions and workshops. Eminent historian and dedicated follower of fashion Sir Roy Strong will talk about his lifelong delight in clothes with Ben Whyman from the London College of Fashion. Whilst the creative director of Eco Age Ltd, Livia Firth, will be examining the relationship we and the fashion world have with the environment. For anyone looking to be more hands-on, a series of workshops including ‘Wearable Tech’ and a community crochet project will also be taking place.
For even just one of the many events being hosted over the course of Bath in Fashion, a visit to the World Heritage City – that is, a city that has been officially deemed to be “of outstanding universal value” – Bath, is a treat in itself.
This is an extract from No 69, the Millinery issue of Selvedge.
Bath in Fashion 2016
18 – 24 April
www.bathinfashion.co.uk
Commissioned in order to showcase British Couture design around the world by No.10’s ‘GREAT Britain’ campaign, Nicolas Oakwell’s extraordinary couture gown was designed especially for Erin O’Conner. The dress’s cascading, molten, feathered skirt alone looks closer to an impossibly grand, maleficent-esque fantasy than a real life structure. With 90 metres of fabric, just under 200,000 feathers, hundreds of rubies and 2,320 hours of labour (in part from students at the Royal School of Needlework) the details of this dress are well worth seeing in the flesh – if only to appreciate David Downton’s skill in capturing its spirit with his illustration – thankfully it is one of the many pieces heading to Bath this April.
Aside from an array of material marvels and up-to-the-minute fashion shows, Bath in Fashion will also be hosting a series of discussions and workshops. Eminent historian and dedicated follower of fashion Sir Roy Strong will talk about his lifelong delight in clothes with Ben Whyman from the London College of Fashion. Whilst the creative director of Eco Age Ltd, Livia Firth, will be examining the relationship we and the fashion world have with the environment. For anyone looking to be more hands-on, a series of workshops including ‘Wearable Tech’ and a community crochet project will also be taking place.
For even just one of the many events being hosted over the course of Bath in Fashion, a visit to the World Heritage City – that is, a city that has been officially deemed to be “of outstanding universal value” – Bath, is a treat in itself.
This is an extract from No 69, the Millinery issue of Selvedge.
Bath in Fashion 2016
18 – 24 April
www.bathinfashion.co.uk