The Fashion and Textiles Museum is one of London’s smaller but perfectly formed museums. If you have not yet discovered it, then I urge you to take a look. The museum on Bermondsey Street was founded by Zandra Rhodes in 2003, and is less than 10 minutes from London Bridge Station. It does not have a permanent collection which means exhibitions change twice a year. This keeps things very fresh. I have been to a number of exhibitions here over the years and they never disappoint. They are always engaging, and stimulating.
The current exhibition, Kaffe Fassett: The Power of Pattern is no exception. I long to be someone who can knit or quilt or create something beautiful from yarn or fabric but I am not that person, at least not yet! This does not mean I can’t appreciate the craft and creativity of those who can. I am in awe of anyone who can take seemingly unconnected materials and make something beautiful and whole.
The work of Kaffe Fasset for me seems to embody this. As the blurb for the exhibition says
“Kaffe Fassett’s inspiration comes from everything around him; his inimitable eye can translate the most everyday of details into the base for one of his colourful, sophisticated maximalist designs. “
For over 30 years, Kaffe Fassett has worked with a number of textile designers, including Brandon Mably and Philip Jacobs. This exhibition is a collection of some of his own original artworks as well as works inspired by him from international quilters and makers. The introductory film at the beginning of the exhibition gives a lovely insight in to his work and how he works with his collaborators. His love of and relationship with colour and pattern is infectious. The small gallery in which the film is shown is an explosion of hot pink and blazing orange floral designs. Maybe too busy for some but I adored it.
Every quilt on display in the lower gallery is a festive display of colour and creativity. Each is different, exhibiting alternative ways of interpreting fabric and quilting techniques. Inspiration is taken from the planets, from gardens, wild animals and flowers, from nature, and history. The detail encapsulated in each one is astonishing and it can feel hard to know which to look at first. This is supposed to be an immersive experience and there is no doubt this has been achieved. Even the floor is decorated in recognisable Kaffe Fassett style
In the mezzanine gallery, the quilts take on a more pastel and muted hues and there are some wonderful examples of more traditional quilts alongside examples of how the fabrics have been used in clothes. On this level too, there is a wonderful display of needle point cushions which have been designed by Mably and Fassett. So many examples of the intricacy of the work is displayed here.
The large fashion studio upstairs has been converted into a Colour lab. Displayed here is a huge collection of reproductions of some of the Kaffe Fassett Collective’s many original painted works. Here it is possible to see the process of designing fabrics and appreciate the blending of colour and pattern which goes on to create his recognisable fabrics.
The exhibition closes on the 12th March so there is not much time left to catch it. If you enjoy colour and creativity, then I highly recommend finding a little space in your diary to make a visit here in the final weeks.
From London, the exhibition travels to Edinburgh’s Dovecote Studios (31 March – 8 July, 2023). So if you happen to be north of the border in the next few months, there is plenty of time to catch it there.
The next exhibition to open at The Fashion and Textiles Museum on 31st March explores the beautiful and fascinating textile designs by pop artist and icon Andy Warhol. This is another one I don’t want to miss
