Swinging London: A Lifestyle Revolution

Swinging London: A Lifestyle Revolution will present 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.

The Archive is contributing two images to the exhibition: The first is a portrait of Mary Quant and her husband and business Alexander Plunket Greene. The picture appeared in the July 1962 issue of British Vogue as part of a ’Young Idea’ feature titled ‘Whistles up Peacocks’. The second image is a group shot of Terence Conran and the staff of the first Habitat shop (wearing Quant designs), photographed for the Sunday Times to mark its opening in May 1964.

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.

Fashion and Textile Museum 83 Bermondsey Street London SE1 3XF https://www.ftmlondon.org/

Exhibition Dates: 8 February – 2 June 2019

For tickets and further information please visit the Fashion and Textile Museum website.