Moses, Mods and Mr Fish: The Menswear Revolution
Covering an 150 year period the Jewish Museum's current exhibition Moses, Mods and Mr Fish explores the evolution and Jewish origins of modern menswear.
[caption id="attachment_19312" align="alignnone" width="600"]
Burtons photo shoot for the promotion of the Mr Burt range™, 1970-75 (photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Leeds Museums and Galleries (Leeds Art Gallery)[/caption]
From the formal tailoring and silhouette of the 1850s "through to the post-war period when young men stopped dressing like their fathers, becoming detail-obsessed mods or flamboyant peacocks," the show not only takes the viewer on a contextual journey through Britain, but highlights the influence young Jewish immigrants had on our sartorial language.
Menswear was no exception to the 'ready to wear' revolution in the 19th century and the industry was dominated by figures such as the Lithuanian born Montague Burton. Burton arrived in Britain aged 15 and opened his first shop just four years later, aged 19. He later went on to found the Burton clothing chain in Sheffield and produce a quarter of British military uniforms during the Second World War.
Later, other Jewish entrepreneurs brought menswear manufacturing to a whole new level with labels such as Moss Bros and Mr Fish.
This show highlights the radical changes that menswear and society went through over the course of the 19th century, with exhibits ranging from the bespoke tailoring for the few, through the uniforms of the war to fast fashion and glamour for the many. Along with nods to celebratory influence, with pieces such as a jacket worn by John Lennon.
Moses, Mods and Mr Fish: The Menswear Revolution
T.25-2014
Jacket
Jacket, yellow woven floral furnishing fabric by Lord John of Carnaby Street, c.1967
Lord John
London[/caption]
Burtons photo shoot for the promotion of the Mr Burt range™, 1970-75 (photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Leeds Museums and Galleries (Leeds Art Gallery)[/caption]
From the formal tailoring and silhouette of the 1850s "through to the post-war period when young men stopped dressing like their fathers, becoming detail-obsessed mods or flamboyant peacocks," the show not only takes the viewer on a contextual journey through Britain, but highlights the influence young Jewish immigrants had on our sartorial language.
Menswear was no exception to the 'ready to wear' revolution in the 19th century and the industry was dominated by figures such as the Lithuanian born Montague Burton. Burton arrived in Britain aged 15 and opened his first shop just four years later, aged 19. He later went on to found the Burton clothing chain in Sheffield and produce a quarter of British military uniforms during the Second World War.
Later, other Jewish entrepreneurs brought menswear manufacturing to a whole new level with labels such as Moss Bros and Mr Fish.
This show highlights the radical changes that menswear and society went through over the course of the 19th century, with exhibits ranging from the bespoke tailoring for the few, through the uniforms of the war to fast fashion and glamour for the many. Along with nods to celebratory influence, with pieces such as a jacket worn by John Lennon.
Moses, Mods and Mr Fish: The Menswear Revolution
31 March - 19 June 2016
[caption id="attachment_19303" align="alignnone" width="600"] T.25-2014Jacket
Jacket, yellow woven floral furnishing fabric by Lord John of Carnaby Street, c.1967
Lord John
London[/caption]
1 comment
As a child of the 70s I dreamed of that suit and the Chopper – had the hair though!