London’s Museum of London Docklands has called on the public to help locate key pieces of fashion history designed by Jewish designers. The items are to be featured in the museum’s upcoming exhibition, “Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style,” which runs from October 13th to April 14th.
Exhibition highlights Jewish contribution to global fashion industry
The exhibition aims to celebrate the contribution of Jewish Londoners to the global fashion industry by showcasing the museum’s extensive fashion and textile collection, alongside oral histories, objects, ephemera, and photography. Visitors will be able to experience the world of a 1960s Carnaby Street shopping boutique and a traditional tailoring workshop from the East End.
According to Dr. Lucie Whitmore, fashion curator at the Museum of London Docklands, Jewish people worked at all levels of the fashion industry in London throughout the twentieth century. However, their contribution has been widely unrecognised. Jewish makers established the ready-to-wear industry, worked their way into the highest levels of London fashion, and dominated Carnaby Street in the swinging sixties. Many of these designers were internationally famous, favoured by the rich and famous, and highly respected for their creativity, skill, and originality. It is a contribution that deserves recognition.
Public called upon to help locate iconic pieces
The Museum of London Docklands is calling on the public to locate key pieces that will highlight the impact of Jewish designers. The list includes menswear pieces made by Mr Fish worn by famous names such as Sean Connery as James Bond, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Muhammad Ali and Michael Caine, as well as menswear pieces made by Cecil Gee worn by members of The Beatles. Other items include hats made by Otto Lucas worn by stars such as Greta Garbo or Wallis Simpson, 1930s gowns made by dressmaker Madame Isobel, and theatre costumes made by Neymar for Cecil Landau’s production of Sauce Tartare (1949).
Whitmore added that the exhibition is a real celebration of the excellence of London fashion, highlighting the fantastic contribution of London’s immigrant communities.
