British Vogue’s Alexandra Shulman, SHOWstudio, the British Fashion Council, Dazed & Confused’s Isabella Burley, model Naomi Shimada and many more head a series of fashion events in Manchester this autumn.
Inspired by Vogue 100: A Century of Style, the acclaimed exhibition of cutting-edge fashion and photography that has come to Manchester Art Gallery direct from the National Portrait Gallery in London, the Manchester gallery has teamed up with Selfridges to present a season of high fashion talks, debates and a fashion conference in Manchester this autumn. The events are further inspired by Fashion & Freedom, which is also at Manchester Art Gallery and part of 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War Centenary.
The season gives unrivalled access to some of the biggest names in British fashion, from British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman to designers such as Sadie Williams, SHOWstudio and fashion writers including Frances Corner, head of the London School of Fashion, Jo Ellison, fashion editor at the Financial Times, and Dazed & Confused editor-in-chief, Isabella Burley.
Full event listings:
Vogue 100: A Century of Style Until 30 October
Direct from the National Portrait Gallery in London, Vogue 100: A Century of Style showcases the remarkable range of photography that has been commissioned by British Vogue since it was founded in 1916, with over 280 prints from the Condé Nast archive shown together for the first time to tell the story of one of the most influential fashion magazines in the world. Sponsored in Manchester by Property Alliance.
Free
Until 30 October, Manchester Art Gallery
Fashion & Freedom Until 27 November
Co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW and Manchester Art Gallery, Fashion & Freedom features new fashion and film inspired by women during the First World War. Original designs by Holly Fulton, Roksanda, J JS Lee, Vivienne Westwood, Emilia Wickstead and Sadie Williams feature alongside new film from SHOWstudio and Luke Snellin and works by the next generation of fashion talent – all influenced by the fashions and freedoms worn and won by women in 1914-18.
Free
Until 27 November, Manchester Art Gallery
Dark Victory 1939-45: When Vogue Came of Age, in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery Thursday 15 September, 6pm-7.30pm
The war years were the making of British Vogue. At Britain’s darkest hour the quality of its war coverage, both at home and abroad, set it apart. Robin Muir, the National Portrait Gallery curator of Vogue 100: A Century of Style, assesses the impact of the war on the magazine, focusing on the work of Norman Parkinson, Cecil Beaton and Lee Miller. Organised in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery. SOLD OUT
Thursday 15 September, 6pm-7.30pm, Manchester Art Gallery
Why Fashion Matters: A Fashion Panel Debate Wednesday 28 September, 6pm
Free, but RSVP essential (places limited) to [email protected]
A panel debate held in the newly launched womenswear department at Selfridges Exchange Square. Led by Frances Corner, head of the London School of Fashion and author of the Thames & Hudson book Why Fashion Matters, this lively panel debate gets to grips with our love-hate relationship with fashion. On the panel is a range of voices from across the fashion and style spectrum: Naomi Shimada, the New York-based model, presenter and columnist for InStyle UK; Alexandra Stedman, the stylist, art director and editor of The Frugality blog; the Guardian writer and co-author of the Vagenda book and blog, Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett; and photographer Nina Manandhar, author of What We Wore – A People’s History of British Style.
Wednesday 28 September, 6pm, Selfridges Exchange Square.
Meet the Founder of Self-Portrait Thursday 29 September, 6pm-8pm
Free, but RSVP essential (places limited) to [email protected]
Experience an exclusive evening with the man behind the rising contemporary fashion label, Self-Portrait. Han Chong himself will visit Selfridges Exchange Square’s new Contemporary Studio on 3 for an intimate evening focusing on one of fashion’s most successful labels. Guests can enjoy complimentary cocktails, sweet treats and live entertainment.
Thursday 29 September, 6pm-8pm, Selfridges Exchange Square
1960s Photography Thursday 6 October
Free, no booking required
The photographers of the 1960s didn’t just capture the exhilaration felt around them, they created a visual revolution. Learn more about the direct, dynamic approach of photographers such as David Bailey and Terence Donovan, whose work encapsulated the vibrancy and style of the 1960s. Part of the Thursday Lates event.
Thursday 6 October, 6.15pm-7pm, Manchester Art Gallery
Thursday Lates: Fashion at Manchester Art Gallery Thursday 13 October, 5.30pm-9pm
Free, no booking required
Manchester Gallery continues its popular late night opening series with an evening dedicated to fashion. Alongside the Women in Work panel debate, this is your chance to see its two fashion exhibitions, Vogue: A Century of Style and Fashion & Freedom, at your leisure. Take a free guided tour of Vogue 100 (6.45pm) or take advantage of our evening menu in the Gallery Café.
Thursday 13 October, 5.30pm-9pm, Manchester Art Gallery
Alexandra Shulman: In Conversation Thursday 13 October, 7pm
An intimate in-conversation with one of the giants of the British fashion industry, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Alexandra Shulman; she speaks to Jo Ellison (fashion editor, Financial Times). Thursday 13 October, 7pm, Selfridges Exchange Square. Free, book via [email protected]
Women in Work: A Fashion Panel Debate Thursday 13 October, 5.30pm
A panel debate held at Manchester Art Gallery, in the atmospheric surrounds of the Vogue 100 exhibition itself. Led by Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, this panel debate tackles the issue of women in work – and why women are still judged not only by the quality of their work, but by what they wear. On the panel are some of the biggest names in fashion journalism: former Vogue writer and now fashion editor of the Financial Times, Jo Ellison; and the editor-in-chief of Dazed & Confused, Isabella Burley.
Thursday 13 October, 5.30pm, Manchester Art Gallery. Free, but booking required at http://bit.ly/women-in-work-panel
Fashion is Work: Industry Insights and Inspirations, in partnership with 14-18 NOW Friday 14 October, 11am-6pm
This day long fashion symposium offers a variety of perspectives on working in fashion for aspiring and emerging fashion professionals – from the design studio to the catwalk to the museum. It features talks and workshops from Caroline Rush (British Fashion Council), designer Sadie Williams, fashion photographer Jez Tozer, stylist and fashion director Kim Howells, fashion curator Jenna Rossi-Camus and Fashion & Freedom creative director Darrell Vydelingum. The symposium takes as its starting point the 14-18 NOW exhibition Fashion & Freedom, which includes new commissions from Vivienne Westwood, Sadie Williams, Roksanda, Holly Fulton, J JS Lee and Emilia Wickstead. Friday 14 October, 11am-6pm, Manchester Art Gallery. £5, tickets booked via http://bit.ly/fashion-conference
Dave Haslam: Jazz, flappers and moral panics, in association with 14-18 NOW Thursday 20 October, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Free, tickets book here
In association with the exhibition Fashion & Freedom, Dave Haslam presents an evening talk illustrated by music and images. Haslam has written about the cultural changes brought about by and after the First World War in his latest book Life After Dark, especially the causes and effects of the boom in jazz and going out dancing. Dancing was seen as a female pursuit and some cultural commentators worried about the emasculation of a whole generation of men because they were getting attracted in the ‘female space’ of Mecca ballrooms. Dancing influenced fashions, with lighter fabrics designed with movement in mind, and cheaper fabrics created to provide outfits for less well off women who were enjoying an active social life.
Thursday 20 October, 6.30pm-7.30pm, Manchester Art Gallery
Deborah Levy, Fashion & Freedom, in partnership with 14-18 NOW Friday 21 October, 1pm
Free, but booking advised
Novelist, poet and playwright Deborah Levy has been commissioned by Manchester Literature Festival to respond to Fashion & Freedom. Co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the exhibition explores the impact of the First World War on the changing role of women and fashion. Deborah is the author of the short story collection Black Vodka and five novels including Swallowing Geography, The Unloved and Swimming Home. Her latest novel, Hot Milk, is a bold and sensual exploration of family, identity, female rage, desire and sexuality. The Sunday Times described Deborah as ‘an exciting writer, sharp and shocking as the knives her characters wield.
Friday 21 October, 1pm, Manchester Art Gallery
These events have only been made possible thanks to a unique partnership between Manchester Art Gallery and Selfridges, and British Vogue, the National Portrait Gallery and 14-18 NOW.
