Fashion and Textiles Forever Auction
Image: Unique pair of bohemian shoes by Pavilion Parade
Founded in 2003 by icon of British design Dame Zandra Rhodes, the Fashion and Textile Museum is the only museum in the UK dedicated to showcasing contemporary fashion and textile design. The museum is committed to presenting a varied and creative programme of engaging exhibitions, events and workshops but, like many cultural and historic institutions around the country, it has struggled greatly due to the closures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. With no government funding the museum now faces an uncertain future.
Image: Cancridae Cushion by London-based artist and designer Gergei Erdei
To highlight the uncertain position of the museum and support its recovery, artist Holly Fox-Lee organised the Fashion and Textiles Forever auction. The auction, which began on Friday 23rd March and ended on Wednesday 12 May , showcased over 70 works from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Ceramicists, painters, fashion designers, illustrators and interior designers all pledged beautiful works representing the true breadth of the Museum's influence on the creative industry.
Image: 3 metres of 'Peacock Garden' wallpaper designed by Melissa White.
Holly, who has spent over a decade working in the creative industry for some of the world’s leading design companies, says - “I felt a huge need to give something back to FTM after so many years of visiting their collections. I am one of so many professionals who regularly benefit from their resources, and we want to see it thriving for generations to come.”
You can help The Fashion and Textile Museum by heading over to the charity auction hosted on Holly Fox-Lee’s Instagram page here. Holly has posted images of each of the 70+ artworks on her feed, with each post including a lot number, artist bio, medium, size, postage costs and reserve (if applicable). To place a bid, simply write the amount you would like to bid in GBP, as a comment on the relevant Instagram post. Bids will close at 4pm (BST) on Wednesday 12 May 2021.
Over seventy artists, designers, and makers contributed noteworthy pieces to the auction including Michael Kirkman, Wallace & Sewell, Andrew Logan, Walid Damirji, Louise Gray, SABIRAH and Dame Zandra Rhodes herself. Surely this auction was one of the most stylish ways to help preserve the future of the Fashion and Textile Museum.
Visit Holly Fox- Lee’s Instagram page to view all of the 70+ artworks that were available as part of the auction: @hollyfoxleeuk