Sailor Chic: From Cabin Boy to Catwalk Queen November 3, 2007

This symposium examines the enduring influence of nautical design on fashion. From pirates and punk to sailors and sexuality, the day seeks to explore how fashion mythologies are constructed and disseminated. Includes papers on pirates, street fashion, 19th century seaside and bathing dress; the sailor suit and Vivienne Westwood

Speakers include:

Roger K Burton – The Horse Hospital
Burton made his mark in the cinema in 1978 by kitting out the entire cast of Franc Roddam's cult classic Quadrophenia with authentic 60s mod clothes. That year he formed the Contemporary Wardrobe Collection, now Europe’s largest collection of street fashion. In 1980 he designed Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's World's End shop on the King's Road then went on to style all the major pop acts of the time including David Bowie, Culture Club and Blondie to the Kinks and the Human League.

Pamela Church-Gibson – Pirates: In the Caribbean and on the catwalk
Reader in Cultural and Historical Studies, London College of Fashion. Church-Gibson edited More Dirty Looks: Gender, Pornography and Power (BFI 2004).

Deidre Murphy – Glaring Follies or What Not to Wear on the Beach
Curator of Collections at Historic Royal Palaces. Murphy works with the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, has curated exhibitions at Kensington Palace and is currently researching dress and memory.

Dr Clare Rose - The 'odious common sailor suit'
Chelsea College of Art & Design. Rose examined the meanings of sailor suits in her PhD, Boyswear and the formation of gender and class identities in urban England, 1840–1900 (2006). She has published articles in Selvedge and Textile History and a book, Children's Clothes since 1750 (1989).

£15/£10

Tickets are available on the day from the Admissions desk in the main Museum or by prebooking

Official Website: http://www.nmm.ac.uk/sailorchic/