Nature of fashion show to opens at Killerton House

The exhibition, Nature of Fashion to display the raw materials used for some of the most glamorous clothing from the 1700s to the present day will opens on Saturday at Killerton House, near Exeter and runs until November.

Plants, insects and minerals have been used to weave and colour textiles with floral patterns and other designs from the natural world have been the inspiration for generations of designers and craftsmen.

Common natural plant and animal fibres such as linen, cotton, wool and silk will sit alongside more unusual examples of plant fibres, such as pineapple.

Killerton’s costume curator Shelley Tobin said that they hope visitors will enjoy discovering the amazing and sometimes surprising stages which natural fibres go through as they have been transformed into fabulous, colourful clothing.

People will be allowed to handle raw materials such as unspun fleece and silk cocoons, before admiring the beautiful historic garments selected from their collection to illustrate the use of these timeless natural fibres.

To present the innovative collection, including historic pieces from Killerton as well as contemporary work by students and practising artists and designers, the National Trust property is collaborating with the Centre for the Creative Industries at Exeter College.

Student work includes Sophie Loman’s linen and silk evening dress, inspired by historical ruffles and the Mexican bush sage, which flowers in the borders of Killerton’s famous garden, and a man’s jacket and sarong by Sophie Sennett, screen printed with images of the mansion’s ivy clad windows.

Michelle Moinzadeh, textiles tutor at Exeter College said that the show is a “great opportunity” for the students.

Haute couture is to be celebrated in a new fashion show focusing on the role played by natural fibres in clothing and costume design.

Haute couture is fashion that is constructed by hand without the use of sewing machines and sergers/overlockers] from start to finish, made from high quality, expensive, often unusual fabric using hand-executed techniques.