Until 24 December 2025: Pioneers of the Material World

Towneley Hall, Burnley, as part of the British Textiles Biennial

Marking the 50th anniversary of the 1975 British Mount Everest Southwest Face expedition, this exhibition traces a century of innovation in outdoor clothing and Lancashire’s central role in its evolution—from early survival gear to space suits and even Luke Skywalker’s pilot uniform.

Showcasing original garments from the past hundred years, Mountain Style reveals how performance clothing first developed for explorers like Amelia Earhart and Edmund Hillary—tested from the Antarctic to the Himalayas—was later reimagined by northern climbers. Their ingenuity gave rise to pioneering brands such as Berghaus and Rab, rooted in the region’s textile expertise and practical design.

These hard-wearing garments soon made the leap from mountain to city. Adopted by football fans and ravers alike, they became emblems of identity—symbols of endurance, belonging, and defiance. Today, the same designs are worn on high streets and festival fields from Manchester to Tokyo, bridging the worlds of adventure and everyday life.

Presented in collaboration with the creators of Mountain Style: British Outdoor Clothing 1953–2000.

Entry to Towneley Hall costs £5.50 for adults (valid for one year). Admission is free for visitors aged 17 and under, and for students.

Read more about outdoor clothing innovation in Selvedge Issue 127, Aurora.