About the dress

The white dress was made using an historical pattern housed within the London College of Fashion Archive, which dates from 1969 and was produced by the American company Simplicity. The dresses were made by MA Fashion Curation students. The making process revealed insights into the level of craft and detail that goes into creating even a seemingly simple dress. This particular design was selected as, to our eyes, it resonated with 1960s Carnaby Street fashion, whilst its very neutrality could simultaneously be situated within international contexts. Whilst archival records document the pattern as being in poor condition, some 40 years later it still served its original function. The pattern envelope features five illustrations indicating how this one design can achieve five – of possibly endless – distinctive ‘looks’ and could serve as a metaphor for the curatorial dilemma. How can and should one garment be situated? This exhibition explores these possibilities by exhibiting one garment type in multiple contexts.