The Bowes Museum Blog

I was delighted to recently attend The Bowes Museum to view their current fashion exhibition: A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood.

The exhibition encapsulates eight key looks from the designer’s collections across ten years. Between the amazingly curated garments, you can find objects from The Bowes Museum’s collection, similar to those that would have inspired Vivienne to create some of her most beloved looks.

As an avid follower of fashion and an ambassador of a more sustainable approach to fashion, the chance to view a pre-loved collection from such a highly esteemed designer, who was a trailblazer in sustainable fashion, incorporating sustainable practices into her designs and ethos, and encouraging thoughtful purchases of quality items which would stand the test of time, was a privilege and an opportunity to further explore and promote the idea of ethical fashion.

My personal journey into pre-loved fashion was born out of necessity first and foremost, as a single mummy with a love for clothes and fashion, but who was not at that time in a financial position to buy into this as I previously would have. I began to explore how I could still enjoy fashion with no detriment to my financial responsibilities and this came in the form of charity shopping and capsule wardrobes. Whilst initially this was done out of requirement, over time this has developed into a passion which has allowed my love of clothes and style to develop and be enjoyed as a creative outlet.

Pre-loved fashion can be many things, both practically but also creatively. I liken it to a treasure hunt with many rewards – affordable, charitable, fun, finding beautiful and unique pieces, experimental, a form of personal expression, whilst also re-wearing, reimagining and recycling existing items. Through this, I have developed an appreciation for the quality of the garments, their story and reviving pieces from bygone eras. Once you learn the art of pre-loved shopping, you can adjust it to your own personal style and ideas, whether that be following current trends, or to the beat of your own drum with an individual stand out style. It allows us to be chameleons and experiment in a way that I may not have prior to shopping in this manner. It also has a positive impact on the environment.

Similarly, Westwood’s designs, as demonstrated in the exhibition, have shown it is possible to portray beauty and elegance, as well as bold, stand out iconic creations from sustainable sources. She has done work in upcycling, recycling whilst still producing items of superior quality, challenging conventional ideas and practices in a world of fast fashion.

With both the current financial and environmental climate, many others find themselves dipping their toes into the world of pre-loved fashion and I want to reframe this for them as a beautiful art which they can enjoy, using designers such as Westwood to inspire.

Whilst there once was a stigma attached to charity shopping, it has gained popularity and they are often the busiest shops on our high streets. It’s worth noting that these are not the only places to find the treasure – online platforms, car boot sales, swap groups, to name a few offer a way to keep our purses happier, fashion circular and our planet healthier.

Sustainability has gained speed and could now almost be labelled as a trend. We must use this momentum to look to the future and pay particular attention to designers such as Westwood, known for her enduring commitment to sustainability. It is important that it isn’t merely a trend but a necessity, as we need to discontinue the rapid depletion of the world’s resources. Sustainable fashion reduces waste, pollution, provides an affordable fashion solution and respects the labour and materials utilised in the process.

In conclusion, when it comes to the beautiful art of fashion, I hope we all have an inner Vivienne inside us somewhere. “Buy less, choose well, make it last. Quality not quantity.”

If you are a fan or not, A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood exhibition at The Bowes Museum is a definite must. It provides a fantastic insight into Vivienne’s world as well as great fashion inspiration 😉

Blog by Julia White

Instagram: @improbablywearingyourclothes

The A Collector’s Story: A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood exhibition is open until 4 February 2024. Access is included in the Museum admission or memberships. Under 18s, carers and full time students go free.