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Women Fashion Power 2014 Teacher Exhibition Notes PDF
Women Fashion Power 2014 Teacher Exhibition Notes PDF
INTRODUCTION
Dress has been used to signify gender, wealth, status and power
throughout history. Both women and men use fashion to define their
places in the world, and to establish a sense of personal identity.
For the first time on display, are also a satirical handherchief from
190?? Imaginging what would happen if women ruled the world, and
costumes from the forthcoming movie, Sufragette, which stars Meryl
Streep and Helena Bonham Carter, and will be released in 2015
POWER AND FASHION
Throughout history dress has been a powerful symbol of wealth and
status, suggesting gender, authority, and moral values.
TIMELINE
The timeline in the exhibition runs from 1850 and presents key
moments that have helped to change womens role in society, and
which have influenced the way that women dress, leading to greater
freedom of expression and choice.
FURTHER READING
The exhibition was designed by leading female architect, Zaha Hadid:
http://www.zaha-hadid.com/
ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
Sketch 1:
Choose two or three contrasting exhibits. Draw them and make notes
about how they would have been worn, who would wear them and
how they would make the wearer feel.
Sketch 2:
The impact of fashion on body shape and the silhouette of women
has always been important. Focus on two contrasting eras from the
exhibition, sketching some of the clothing, and drawing the silhouette
shape that dominated that period.
Case Study:
Choose one of the contemporary women featured in the exhibition.
Sketch the outfit they have chosen and make notes about the image
and expression of power that costume symbolizes.
Design
Create a new outfit for one of the contemporary women in the
exhibition using materials, shape, pattern and colour to support an
expression of power appropriate to her role in society.
Debate 1:
During the visit to the exhibition students should research, making
notes and sketches to support or refute the idea that It is a more
powerful statement to reject fashion than to follow it. Following
a visit the class could have a debate, using examples from the
exhibition to support their case.
EXHIBITION GUIDANCE
This exhibition includes many fragile costumes on open display.
None of the exhibits can be touched. It is a rich visual exhibition that
is immersive, rather than interactive. We would be grateful if you
could brief your students accordingly.
Depending on your group and your itinerary for the visit, we would
recommend that you set aside approximately 30 minutes to explore
this exhibition.
Please ensure that you read our school visit Terms and Conditions
document before making your visit.