The Art of Dressing

Fun author talk at Charleston Farmhouse looking at the intersection of art and clothing.

Alexandra Shulman, x-editor of Vogue, talked about her new book “Clothes … and Other Things That Matter” which is a memoir told through clothes. She said it had begun when she counted the number of items of clothing she owned, which is a sobering thought for someone who owns far too many tops!

Charlie Porter introduced his book “What Artists Wear” in which he has investigated what clothes have meant to 20th century and contemporary artists. It sounds a fascinating piece of research work.

The talk was well chaired by Amber Butchart who amongst other things is the historic expert on The Great British Sewing Bee. She was very good at bringing them themes of the books together and getting interesting discussions going on dressing gowns, the difference between clothes and fashion and Porter’s donation of some of his clothes to the Victoria and Albert Museum after he discovered how few contemporary menswear garments they had in the collection.

A fun evening despite it being an outdoor event in the pouring rain! All very British!


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