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

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

'Inventors of Tradition' exhibition press and images

CD containing images and press coverage of the 'Inventors of Tradition' film, exhibition, and publication of Scottish knitwear design which toured internationally in 2011. Images and coverage relate to the showing of the film in the Glasgow Film Theatre on February 24th 2011, and the installation of the exhibition at 21 Stockwell Street, Glasgow from January 22nd - February 26th 2011.

Images are stored in folders ascribed to the copyright holders - Alan Dimmick and Michael Wolchover. CD is labelled 'Inventors of Tradition - Images and Press.'

Shaw, Wallace

Pitti Filati Spring 2010

CD containing photographs of textiles and designs at the Pitti Immagine Filati Spring 2010. The items are arranged into several different folders depending on their organisation and placing at the event.

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

Knitwear design charts

CD containing photographs of knitwear design and embroidery charts, and two spreadsheets for organisation. Annotation on the upper right corner of the sleeve states: 'Old Ballantyne Charts'.

Shaw, Wallace

Advertisement photograph

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

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

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

Pitti Filati A/W 09-10

CD containing photographs of textiles and designs at the A/W Pitti Immagine Filati 2009-10. The items are arranged into several different folders depending on their content/brand.

Shaw, Wallace

Pitti Filati Spring 2008

CD containing photographs of textiles and designs at the Pitti Immagine Filati Spring 2008. The items are arranged into several different folders depending on their stand, trend, and area at the event.

Shaw, Wallace

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

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

Fall 1991 Catwalk Photograph

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

Newspaper extract on Hawick Exhibition

Photocopied newspaper extract from Southern Reporter from 14th April 2011. The article advertises a Pringle of Scotland exhibition in Hawick, and discusses the influence on the young female models in shaping the brand. Images of these models alongside Graham Garvie and Wallace Shaw are included.

Pringle of Scotland Ltd

Programme for the Gala Fashion Show

Programme for the Gala Fashion Show by Pringle of Scotland on the 22nd October 1968 at the Savoy Hotel, London. Includes information on the history of Pringle of Scotland, and details information of the designs shown during the fashion show.

Pringle of Scotland Ltd

Papers of C A Wallace Shaw

  • DC 114
  • Collection
  • 1957-2021

Variety of materials relating to the design work of former GSA student C A Wallace Shaw, including student work; Pringle of Scotland LTD; Donna Karan International; Braemar International; and Fornton Knitting Company LTD. The collection also includes a number of personal and professional photographs; designs and textiles; and personal papers.

Please note that some of this material is not yet fully catalogued and therefore may not be accessible.

Shaw, Wallace

Poster for 'Exhibition Celebrating 70 Years Fashion Show 1947-2017', Glasgow

Poster for 'Exhibition Celebrating 70 Years Fashion Show 1947-2017', Glasgow

Poster for 'Exhibition Celebrating 70 Years Fashion Show 1947-2017', Reid Building, Glasgow, 21 Mar 2017-22 Mar 2017. The exhibition celebrated 70 years of fashion shows at The Glasgow School of Art, and the fashion show that year was held whilst the exhibition was showing. The images on the poster are from the Archives & Collections.

Not available / given

Poster for fashion show 'Celebrating 70 Years Fashion Show 1947-2017', Glasgow

Poster for fashion show 'Celebrating 70 Years Fashion Show 1947-2017', Glasgow

Poster for fashion show 'Celebrating 70 Years Fashion Show 1947-2017', The Art School, Glasgow, 21 Mar 2017-22 Mar 2017. The fashion show in 2017 celebrated 70 years of fashion shows at The Glasgow School of Art, and was held whilst an exhibition of the same name was showing. The image on the poster is from the Archives & Collections.

Not available / given

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