Bath has been synonymous with the display and retail of
fashionable dress from the 18th century right up to the present
day.
This exhibition which opened at the Museum in March 2006
explores the city’s past as a venue for procuring and for parading
fashionable dress. Historic dress from the 18th to the 20th
centuries from the museum’s world-class collection is displayed
alongside images of Bath and Bath retailers, drawn from other
museum and archive collections in the city.
Highlights of the exhibition include two late 19th century
dresses (one in rust red plush, and one in deep blue velvet –
complete with matching drawstring bag) by retailer R King,
whose premises were located in Milsom Street, then, as now, one of
the city’s principal shopping streets.
Other exhibits include a host of menswear -hats, hosiery,
shirts, ties, sportswear – the type of garment that is rarely seen
in museum displays today.
Dresses and accessories in the Fashion and Bath
display
.jpg "Image: hats and accessories mounted in display in front of black and white photos of Bath from a fashion shoot")