Swinging London: A Lifestyle Revolution
An extensive look at an innovative era in London’s history where fashion, music and art were used to demand and affect societal change.
See current exhibitions
An extensive look at an innovative era in London’s history where fashion, music and art were used to demand and affect societal change.
See current exhibitionsSwinging London: A Lifestyle Revolution presents the fashion, design and art of the Chelsea Set; a group of radical young architects, designers, photographers and artists who were redefining the concept of youth and challenging the established order in 1950s London. At the forefront of this group of young revolutionaries were Mary Quant and Terence Conran.
Swinging London: A Lifestyle Revolution will span the period from 1952-1977 and will present fashion, textiles, furniture, lighting, homewares, ceramics and ephemera in an exhibition that explores not only the style but the socioeconomic importance of this transformative period of time. Key pieces include rare and early examples of designs by Conran and Quant, plus the avant-garde artists, designers and intellectuals who worked alongside them, such as designers Bernard and Laura Ashley, sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi and artist and photographer Nigel Henderson.
PVC coats, OP Art and Space Age dresses by Mary Quant are seen alongside the early smocks, textile designs and dresses of Laura and Bernard Ashley and the modern wicker, steel and glass furniture of Terence Conran. The exhibition will also include the textiles, ceramics and furniture of Eduardo Paolozzi and Nigel Henderson, who were founding members of the Independent Group and together created innovative designs under their company, Hammer Prints, set up in 1954.
This exhibition is available for hire. You can learn more about the museum’s touring exhibitions programme and contact us for further information.
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh, UK
15 July 2020 – 9 January 2021
The Fashion and Textile Museum operates in line with all government guidance in relation to COVID-19. We regularly review our procedures and practices to ensure the safety and well-being of our visitors and staff. If you are displaying COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive, please do not visit.
In place of a permanent display, the Fashion and Textile Museum hosts a diverse programme of temporary exhibitions, displaying a broad range of innovative fashion and textiles from designers and makers around the world.
On arrival: Please ensure you arrive within 20 minutes of your chosen entry time. Upon entry, please present your ticket(s) on your device or a note of your booking reference number.
Eating and drinking: No food or drink is permitted in the Museum, other than bottled water. The Fashion and Textile Museum is located in the heart of fashionable Bermondsey Street, surrounded by award-winning restaurants, cafes and pubs. So if you would like to enjoy a meal or a drink before or after your session, check out what’s on offer.
For more information, check out our plan your visit page or our FAQs.
We are currently updating our online payment systems and you will not be able to book tickets online until further notice.
Please call the Museum on 020 7407 8664 or email fashiontextilemuseum@newham.ac.uk (including a contact number), Monday to Friday 10.00 to 16.00 to book your tickets or buy products from the online shop.
We are working hard to resolve this issue and apologise for the inconvenience caused.