Students’ work displayed alongside Vivienne Westwood in WW1 exhibition
Thursday 12 May 2016
Five of the University’s final year Fashion Design students have been selected as representing the next generation of fashion talent and their outfits will be displayed at the Fashion and Freedom exhibition opening at the Manchester Art Gallery on Friday May 13.
The exhibition, which is inspired by the fashions and freedoms won and worn by women in 1914-18, will also include pieces by designers such as Roksanda Ilincic, Holly Fulton and Sadie Williams and a new film by SHOWstudio and Luke Snellin.
The exhibition, running until November, is based on work inspired by the clothes worn by British women in 1914-18, as men went off to fight in Europe and more than a million women went to work for the first time – leading to changes in social codes which included new ways of dressing.
Work from the Salford students includes an outfit by Revekka Giorgiadou, designed to reflect the conditions of women who worked in armaments factories during the war.
Revekka's shirt sleeves are designed with a gloved hand which is dipped in yellow latex to show how women’s skin was discoloured because of the chemicals they had to handle. Her metal skirt reflects the bullet casings the women were manufacturing.
Other pieces in the exhibition are by University of Salford students Toni Martin, Rebecca Lawton, Sarah Curtis and Karin Human.
Fashion reflecting society's changes
Sally Donaldson, lecturer in fashion at the University of Salford, said: “This important and inspiring exhibition shows how fashion has the power to reflect deep changes which take place within society.
“The fact that pieces by five of our students have been chosen to be displayed in this major exhibition, alongside designers such as Vivienne Westwood, really demonstrates the talent that exists here in Salford and the close links we have with the fashion industry our graduates will go on to work in.”
Jenny Waldman, director of 14-18 NOW, said of the exhibition: “A hundred years ago society was transforming and women had an increasingly important role to play.
“These brilliant fashion designers, filmmakers and students bring modern-day sensibility to a landmark moment in women’s history.”
Find out more
Conrad Astley
0161 295 6363
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