Fashion shows

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Since the 1940s, fashion shows have run annually at GSA. These have been designed, planned and run by the students, with garments also designed and modelled by the students. The history of the fashion shows is documented here:

1940s: On the 14th January 1947, students from the Art School and College of Domestic Science came together in aid of Charities Week, to present a mannequin parade of more than 30 specially made outfits. During the early years of the fashion show, local press commented on different styles of garments, from 18th-century dress to modern swimsuits. The extra-curricular nature of early shows is apparent, with students noted as working during the holidays. Reports from the 1952 event mention a student committee charged with organisation. The programme for the coronation themed 1953 show, lists a team comprising convenor, associates, stage director, publicists, treasurer, electricians, compere, graphic designer and mannequins.

1950s – 1960s: Unusual materials and accessories, in particular headwear, commonly feature in shows of the late 1950s and early 1960s. From the mid to late 1960s more wearable and functional garments appear, often displaying geometric patterning and sometimes developed due to industry connections and competitions. During this period the event relocated from GSA's Assembly Hall, to various venues including the Mackintosh Building, with shows in the Lecture Theatre, Mackintosh Room and Museum. Shows were also held at external venues including Culzean Castle and the Scottish Design Centre.

1970s: GSA's Haldane Building became a regular choice for events throughout the 1970s. Large-scale placement prints, embroidered motifs, oversized garments and costumes featured in these shows. From the mid to late 1970s the theme of the fashion shows, decided upon by the organising student cohort (usually from the 3rd Year of a 4-year course of study), directs event design. For the 1977 'Fashion Circus' show, models paraded on a floor of sawdust and a gorilla costume featured. For 1978, the impactful visual identity of the show depicts a silhouette wearing a red carnation; this detail follows through to the programme, ticket and corsage worn by the show's compere. The programmes from this period state that garments can be purchased from students via the relevant department. The Bourdon Building Assembly Hall, now GSA's Library was also used for the event.

1980s: The first known audio-visual recording of the event is from 1982; this and other recordings (1984, 1985 and 1986) show a range of outfits from costumes to more wearable garments. Throughout this period shows appear to engage with topical, social and political themes, through performance-like presentations. The majority of 1980s shows took place in the Assembly Hall, the Students Union, indicating support for the event from GSA's Students Association. Throughout the history of the fashion show the involvement of students from departments across GSA is apparent, particularly when associated with GSA's Activities Week.

1990s: Photographs from the mid -1990s show backdrops, in front of which a mix of outfits are paraded. At this time, textiles at GSA was divided into 'Printed & Knitted' and 'Embroidered & Woven'. During this period design aspects of the show became more integrated into the undergraduate curriculum. By the late 1990s, as build up to Glasgow's year as City of Architecture and Design 1999, there was a shift in the scale of the show and large venues were used around the city. Themed 'Morphogeneis', the 1998 show included 40 collections, with projections of video works by GSA's Interior Design students. In 1999 GSA's textile departments were amalgamated into a single Department of Textiles combining embroidery, weave, print and knit.

2000-2017: At the start of the new millennium, large-scale fashion shows continued, taking place in the Fruitmarket and the Arches. The show moved back to GSA's Assembly Hall in 2004 and the 'boutique' was introduced to raise additional funds. With curriculum change the organisational aspects of the event were integrated into the textile design curriculum. This is still the case today, students work in groups and aspects of the project are delivered by GSA's Careers Services. Recent shows have provided opportunities to work on live projects with external organisations and companies, or with practising designers. The Students' Union, renamed 'The Art School' continues to be used as the venue for the show, although external sites were used during the development of GSA's Reid Building. The introduction of undergraduate fashion design at GSA in 2010 has meant that garments by fashion student are shown alongside those produced by textile students. Themes of recent shows have challenged students to consider the role fashion can play in the perpetuation of cultural stereotypes, explored issues of cultural appreciation and addressed gender neutrality.

In recent years, students have regularly been influenced by the material in the Archives and Collections when producing garments for the GSA fashion show. For the 70th Anniversary fashion show, 21-22 March, 3rd-year fashion and textiles students selected a period between '1947-2017' for inspiration.

Author: Helena Britt

Code

S760

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Fashion shows

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Fashion shows

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Fashion shows

114 Archival description results for Fashion shows

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A08 Collections Mens and Womens

CD containing garment images and details from Menswear and Womenswear collections of the Autumn 2008 season. CD is labelled 'A08 Collections Mens Womens'. Images are arranged by brand and location of show (London, New York, Milan, Paris).

Shaw, Wallace

Advertisement photograph

Menswear photo from file of photographs for men's and women's clothing collections. It is not known which brand the designs are attributed to.

Not available / given

Album of menswear fashion show photographs

Album containing 9 pages of fashion show photographs from a menswear collection. Front pocket also contains 12 loose photographs. The photos are undated and it is not known which brand the designs are attributed to.

Shaw, Wallace

Audiovisual material

GSA Archives and Collections hold 216 audiovisual files, covering a range of topics and a wide date range. The audiovisual material has been created both by GSA and by external organisations, such as the BBC (television and radio), STV and ITV, other educational institutions and the Scottish Arts Council. Media in the collection include 16mm films, 35mm films, audio cassettes, audio CDs, CD Rom, DV cassette, DVD, Floppy disk, Reel to reel audios, Super 8 film, U-matic films, VHS tapes and Video 8 tapes. The audiovisual files pertain to topics including the GSA Fashion and Degree Shows, and Activities Week; students discussing their work; lectures by architects; presentations by, and interviews and conversations with, GSA alumni; centenary of the Mackintosh Building; Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh; plays; and documentaries on GSA. Please note that this material is not yet fully catalogued and therefore some items may not be accessible to researchers. As at August 2017, only the fashion show audiovisual material has been catalogued. The remaining uncatalogued material is therefore not currently accessible for researchers.

Webster, Chris

Charity Presentation Press Release

2-page press release detailing the upcoming Royal Gala Fashion Show. Information included dates the press release to the 22nd October, from the Savoy Hotel, London.

Pringle of Scotland Ltd

Collection of polaroid photographs documenting The Cloth and Fraser Taylor

Polaroid photographs by Fraser Taylor recording The Cloth activities, fabric samples, garments, launch events, trade shows, exhibitions, Liberty window display and scarves and studio sketches. Also includes painting work and exhibitions by Fraser Taylor. 250 polaroids mounted on A4 sheets of paper. Handwritten notes and dates. Includes 3, 130 x 90 mm prints. Fragile areas where mounted with cellotape.

Taylor, Fraser

Fabric poster - fashion show

Screen-printed poster on fabric advertising a fashion show, with the text 'Design a set for fashion show. (Mac. Lec.) Prize £15. Designs for 14 Feb Textiles.'

Cosgrove, James

Fall 1991 Catwalk Photograph

Photograph from a file of three photographs of menswear designs from the Donna Karran Fall 1991 collection. Each photo has an annotation of the number and name of the item attached below.

Donna Karan International

Fall 1991 Catwalk Photograph

Photograph from a file of three photographs of menswear designs from the Donna Karran Fall 1991 collection. Each photo has an annotation of the number and name of the item attached below.

Donna Karan International

Fall 1991 Catwalk Photograph

Photograph from a file of three photographs of menswear designs from the Donna Karran Fall 1991 collection. Each photo has an annotation of the number and name of the item attached below.

Donna Karan International

Fall 1991 Catwalk Photographs

File of three photographs of menswear designs from the Donna Karan Fall 1991 collection. Each photo has an annotation of the number and name of the item attached below.

Donna Karan International

File of fashion photos

File containing 20 fashion photographs. The photos are undated and it is not known which brand the designs are attributed to. The envelope is annotated with the 'Wallace' and in the lower right corner '(hold while in Hong Kong)'.

Not available / given

File of menswear photographs

File containing 50 photographs of a menswear collection. The photos are undated and it is not known which brand the designs are attributed to.

Not available / given

FT S06 Accessories

CD containing images of accessory details. Images are categorised into 8 folders. CD is titled 'FT S06 Jan 2005 Accessories.'

Shaw, Wallace

FT S06 Development

CD containing garment images and details for the S06 development. CD is labelled 'S06 FT Development Nov 2006' and is annotated with 'Pinkland - Computer EMB + Beading' and 'Timing - Printing + Tie Dye'.

Shaw, Wallace

FT S06 Samples

CD containing images of textile, trim, and accessory samples. Images are categorised into 9 folders. CD is titled 'FT S06 Jan 2005 Trim Co-op.'

Shaw, Wallace

GSA Fashion Show film

This film comprises both the 1982 and 1984 fashion show films. The only exception is that the instrumental section with no images, at the end of the 1984 film, is not included here. For more details please see GSAA/AV/1/2 for the 1982 film and GSAA/AV/1/3 for the 1984 film. A short clip of this film is available online at https://vimeo.com/channels/504825/videos. To view the full length film, please contact GSA Archives and Collections.

McLaughlin, Lyn

GSA Fashion Show film

The exact date and location of the 1982 fashion show are unknown.  Other shows held around this time were however held in the spring, and in the Assembly building or in the Assembly Hall of the Bourdon Building. The film comprises footage of students modelling on the stage. There is a mixture of men’s and women’s garments.  Styles and themes of garments include rainbow, futuristic, Oriental, Egyptian, ballgowns, stripes, geometry, hats, formal, off-the-shoulder, utility wear, white, accessories, metallic, fantasy, swimwear. The show also features an extravagant period ballgown, designed by Kenny McLellan, which was subsequently shown at the “Young Blood” exhibition at the Barbican Centre in London, in November 1983 to January 1984. The set for the show consisted of a pale, self-coloured fabric backdrop. The soundtrack for this film was added during the editing phase of the film and contains music which was played at the fashion show. Soundtrack: Fever – Little Nell, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) – Jimmy Sommerville, Nice 'n' Easy – Frank Sinatra, Whip it – Devo, Lullaby of Broadway – Ella Fitzgerald, Move On (Extended Version) – Fashion, Life in a Day – Simple Minds, Living Doll – Cliff Richard, Lullaby of Broadway – Ella Fitzgerald, Move On (Extended Version) – Fashion, Je ne regrette rien – Edith Piaf, Walking on Thin Ice – Yoko Ono, You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) – Jimmy Sommerville, Nice 'n' Easy – Frank Sinatra, I wanna be loved by you – Marilyn Monroe, It ain't what you do – Bananarama, The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game – Grace Jones, Move On – Fashion, Life in a Day – Simple Minds, The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game – Grace Jones, The Farmer and the Cowman should be Friends – Oklahoma, Poison Arrow– ABC, Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer – Nat King Cole, Poison Arrow – ABC, Fever – Little Nell, Land of Hope and Glory, plus seven unidentified pieces of music. Captions for the film were provided by the Mackintosh School of Architecture Computer Department. A short clip of this film is available online at https://vimeo.com/channels/504825/222346080. To view the full length film, please contact GSA Archives and Collections. The information above has in part been provided by staff and alumni of GSA.

McLaughlin, Lyn

GSA Fashion Show film

The 1984 Fashion Show was held in the Assembly Building from 30th April to 5th May 1984. The film comprises images of the fashion show poster, followed by footage of the audience arriving at the venue and students modelling on the stage. There is a mixture of men’s and women’s garments.  Styles and themes of garments include music, pastels, metallic, rainbow, wedding, hats, white, bright colours, jewellery, off-the-shoulder, flamenco. Students involved in the show came from a variety of subject areas and years, including: Embroidery and Weaving; and Printed Textiles. All the textiles students modelling designed garments for the show. The set for the show consisted of large musical notes and staves, plus piano keyboards. It was designed and built by Minty Donald and Jean Cameron. The soundtrack for this film was added during the editing phase of the film and contains music which was played at the fashion show. Soundtrack: In the Mood – Glenn Miller, Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Pull up to the Bumper – Grace Jones, It's Raining Men – The Weathergirls, Holiday – Madonna, Right Now – The Creatures, I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye, There is Nothing like a Dame – South Pacific Male Chorus, Kick in the Eye – Bauhaus, We Live So Fast – Heaven 17, Vicious – Lou Reed, I am What I am – Gloria Gaynor, Living on the Ceiling – Blancmange, Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine – James Brown, Heaven Sent (extended Version) – Paul Haig, Je ne regrette rien – Edith Piaf, I Travel – Simple Minds, Bourgie Bourgie – Gladys Knight and the Pips, Propaganda – Dr. Mabuse, Loving You made a Fool out of Me – Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Small Town Creed – The Kane Gang, You Take Me Up – Thompson Twins, Free Nelson Mandela – The Specials, Fever – The Cramps, I Zimbra (12’ Version) – Talking Heads, Dancing in the Street – David Bowie & Mick Jagger, Cuentame Que Te Paso – The Manhattan Transfer The last five minutes of the film is purely instrumental music with no images. Special thanks are given to Marise and Ken Plater. A short clip of this film is available online at https://vimeo.com/channels/504825/222346130. To view the full length film, please contact GSA Archives and Collections. The information above has in part been provided by staff and alumni of GSA. With special thanks to Helena Britt for provision of information.

McLaughlin, Lyn

GSA Fashion Show film

The 1985 Fashion Show was held in the Assembly Building from 11th to 16th March 1985. The film comprises footage of students modelling on the stage. There is a mixture of men’s and women’s garments.  Styles and themes of garments include African, Oriental, Egyptian, hats, bright colours, white, geometry, metallic, sleeves, fruit, accessories, Greek, graphics. Students involved in the show came from a variety of subject areas and years, including: Embroidery and Weaving; Fine Art; Sculpture; and Printed Textiles. All the textiles students modelling designed garments for the show. The set for the show consisted of a black background with white symbols. The soundtrack for this film was added during the editing phase of the film and contains music which was played at the fashion show. Soundtrack: Free Nelson Mandela – The Specials, Je ne regrette rien – Edith Piaf, Living On The Ceiling – Blancmange, March of the Siamese Children – The King and I, We Are Ninja – Frank Chicken, Psycho Killer – Talking Heads, One Night in Bangkok – Murray Head A short clip of this film is available online at https://vimeo.com/channels/504825/222346193. To view the full length film, please contact GSA Archives and Collections. The information above has in part been provided by staff and alumni of GSA. With special thanks to Helena Britt for provision of information.

McLaughlin, Lyn

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