Bath Fashion Museum

We were in Bath last weekend for Bath Fashion Festival so took the opportunity to check out the latest exhibitions at the Fashion Museum.

Dressing for Polite Society includes over 30 original 18th century outfits, pulled together from the fashion Museum's collection and features gowns made of intricately patterned woven and embroidered fabrics.

This exhibition also includes work by leading designers including Anna Sui, Vivienne Westward and Alexander McQueen showing how the details of Georgian dress continue to influence and inspire today's fashions.

By contrast, Great Names of Fashion showcases some of the many major fashion designers whose work has shaped the look of a generation from the early 20th Century up to the present day.

The beautifully appliqued silk organza bodice shown above is a section from Dress of the Year 2011 by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, this dress is rumoured to have been the practise run for Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress.

Raf Simons for Christian Dior, Dress of the Year 2012

Tom Ford for YSL Rive Gauche

We also got to see Dress of the Year 2014, selected by Katie Grand, which is a Gareth Pugh plastic coat and wrap ensemble worn with tied kimono-style belt and twisted calico boot trousers.

A fitting finale to a very inspiring exhibition!