V&A Design Icons
I seem to be spending a lot of time at the V&A at the moment.. Their Friday Late’s are brilliant fun and last Friday I went there to see the iconic Mary Quant – her talk was the first of a series of talks celebrating the new V&A: British Design 1948-2012 Innovation in the Modern age – exhibition that opens on the 31st.
The program for their talks is very interesting and varied.. Glad to see the ad industry represented by Hegarty!
Also fascinated to see how Bailey is really prominent at the moment! He always is and for good reason, but at the moment there seems to be an increasing fascination with him and his work in the 60′s.. Perhaps following the much hyped BBC4 film “We’ll take Manhattan” about him and the gorgeous Jean Shrimpton and their legendary first trip to NYC with Vogue back in 1962, that broadcasted on some weeks back. I can’t deny that the 60′s don’t fascinate me and that I’m not in love with Mary Quant’s Peter Pan collars, so I will be sure to check Bailey out at the V&A, bet he has some more stories to tell!
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Tues 17th April – Richard Rogers
Wed 2nd May – Lunchtime lecture – Innovation in the modern age
“Discover the themes of the V&A exhibition, ‘British Design 1948-2012: Innovation in the Modern Age’ from the curator Ghislaine Wood. Drawing on the V&A’s unrivalled collections, the exhibition will include works in all media and examine concepts of tradition and modernity, subversion and innovation.”
Tues 8th May – Kenneth Grange
Fri 11th-Sat 12th May – Conference – Spaces and Places
“This conference explores the domestic spaces in which we live, the places in which we are educated, where we shop and how we travel from the perspective of world class British design in the post-war period. Speakers include: David Kynaston, Owen Hatherley, Thomas Heatherwick, Alison Clarke, Cheryl Buckley, Paul Gorman and Jules Lubbock. In collaboration with the Modern Interiors Research Centre, Kingston University.
Tues 15th May – Paul Smith
Fri 18th May – Zandra Rhodes
Tues 29th May – John Hegarty
Fri – 1st June – David Bailey
Tues 12th June – Peter Blake & Wayne Hemingway
30th June – Study Day – From Biba to Topshop: 20th Century Retail
“Investigate the history of the most pioneering shops, including Biba, Habitat, Mary Quant and Ikea – that are associated with fashion and design in post-war Britain. See how small, independent stores gave way to large retail outlets serving the mass market.”
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I’m definitely going to see Grange, Smith, Hegarty and Bailey. The talks will sell out quickly so if you are keen to attend book asap!