Little Black Dress

Dates

10th December 2011 - 26th February 2012

Location : Tullie House Art Gallery

In 1926, Coco Chanel launched her ‘Ford’ dress, the first definitive Little Black Dress (LBD) onto the haute couture scene. Both practical and chic, the LBD has since become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.

Using the Tullie House costume collection as well as designer garments loaned-in, this exhibition shows the evolution of the LBD over the successive eight decades, exploring how it has been adapted to suit wildly changing fashion styles and cultural climates – from the raunchy cocktail dress of the prohibition-era to the modest and practical dress of wartime and the mini of the 1960s, up to the present day. The costumes are contextualised by film footage, studio photography and dress patterns from each of the respective eras.

Little Black Dress has been curated by Pollyanna Clayton-Stamm, with contributions from David Sinclair. The tour is based on the original exhibition at Urbis, Manchester and The Civic, Barnsley.

Special Event

Femme Fatale: What makes the Little Black Dress so iconic?
Thursday 16 February at 7pm

A special evening exploring the LBD as a style statement in 20th century costume history and including an illustrated talk by Dr. Maggi Toner-Edgar, fashion designer and director of a ‘Creative Style’ consultancy in Cumbria. There will be the opportunity to learn about the museum’s costume collection as well as to get an exclusive tour of
the exhibition. Tickets: £12.50 (£10.50 concession). To book phone 01228 618700

Price Information :

Admission to the Art Gallery is Free

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