The Fabric of Democracy: Propaganda Textiles from the French Revolution to Brexit

Excellent exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum looking at the role of textiles in propaganda.

It was the sort of show where you go not realising the subject is a thing then get drawn in. It was really well explained with some fascinating objects.

From them pointing out that the earliest known use of textiles for propaganda is the Bayeux Tapestry I was hooked! I’m not sure I’d have called all the issues propaganda, some were more commemorative such as dresses to mark the late Queen’s coronation and some of the Second World War items, but I guess it depends on your view point.

The show made good use of scarves, which my mother collected, and showed them alongside dresses, prints, textile samples and fans. 

I was a bit surprised to be warned about sensitive content before going in. This turned out to be discussion of conflict, Fascism and colonialism. I had to look it up afterwards to see what I might have been offended or triggered by! At little bit OTT I feel.

Closes 3 March 2024


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