Fashion and art collide in a golden decade of design later this year, in this exciting new exhibition featuring some of Vivienne Westwood’s most recognisable creations from the mid 80s to the mid 90s.

Framing Fashion: Art and Inspiration from a Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood will feature a new selection of the late iconic designer’s ensembles from the private collection of Peter Smithson, who has spent nearly 30 years adding to his compilation of her work.  This captivating show will explore the inspiration Westwood took from paintings, sitters in portraits and the materials and techniques used by artists.

One of her richest and most recognisable collections, Portrait (autumn/winter 1990/1991) was inspired by the art and interiors of The Wallace Collection in London and marked the mid-point of a particularly creative period for the designer.  Items from this collection will be displayed alongside others exploring Westwood’s inspiration from classical and medieval art, 18^th century portraits and pastoral scenes as well as other art forms.

Once again, the intricate details in her work will be illustrated and referenced by paintings, objects and historic fashion from the Museum collection, including: 18th century portraits with sitters dressed as shepherds and shepherdesses, embroidery, tailoring and lace, paintings and sculpture featuring cherubs and putti, which were shown so much in Westwood’s work, as well as ceramic figures from the Commedia dell’Arte, which particularly influenced Voyage to Cythera (autumn/winter 1989/1990).

To provide an insight into the construction of some of the signature designs featured in Framing Fashion, the Fashion Department at Northumbria University have created digital reconstructions of Westwood’s painter’s smock and ‘Putti’ ‘Stature of Liberty’ corset which will be shown on a screen close to the garments represented.

Emma Jane Goldsmith, Assistant Professor of Fashion, said:

“This video highlights Vivienne’s approach to creative pattern cutting, and her ability to blend both historical and contemporary techniques and processes, to produce the iconic Westwood garments that continue to inspire creative practitioners today.”

The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between The Bowes Museum and private collector Peter Smithson. It is not an institutional partnership with the Vivienne Westwood Brand.