From ribbon skirts to gutsy leather: New exhibit explores London's defining fashion

A new exhibit at Museum London is showing off the style that has defined the city over the past 200 years. 

Fashion: Grit, Glamour and Guts opens on Saturday and will feature more than 100 pieces of clothing, accessories and fashion-themed artwork that highlights Londoners' style from textured ball gowns to simple graphic T-shirts.

"What we wear says something about who we are," exhibit co-curator Amber Lloydlangston said. "We wanted to find out how we tell our stories and how we tell our truth through what we wear."

All the pieces were worn by Londoners and are sorted into one of three sections: grit, glamour or guts. 

"Guts are things that are pushing boundaries and are future-thinking, looking forward," said co-curator Zahra McDoom, pointing to a women's fedora from the 1890s.

"At the time, it was used as a symbol for the women's rights movement and gender equality."

The exhibit also features clothing items from three local designers including a glamorous dress by Cynthia Laurent Cadogan, a gutsy jacket by Andrew Esdaile and gritty ribbon skirts by Felicia Huff. 

"[Huff] talks about the significance of the ribbon skirts for healing her people and for reclaiming Indigenous culture," McDoom said. "Two younger people who are also Indigenous from Chippewa of the Thames shared their ribbon skirts and what it means about preservation of culture and determination to continue."

There are also more unassuming pieces that Londoners donated to the exhibit, such as a pair of leather pants that a high school student purchased at a downtown thrift store for a dollar representing the teenager's goth aesthetic and interest in sustainable fashion. 

"The significance of it is very meaningful," McDoom said. 

London's fashion trends are typically linked to larger western fashion trends, Lloydlangson said, adding that a clothing item's shape, colour and popularity can speak to the interests and values of a specific time period.

Still, the curators say there are some traits that make Londoners' style stand out from the rest.

"As you come through the gallery, you'll be impressed by the range of outfits, garments and style people have had across time, so I think Londoners have a history of creative dressing," McDoom said. 

Lloydlangston agreed, adding that Londoners tend to be bold in how they share their stories through clothing.

"I think Londoners know what they can do with fashion, and they know they can communicate something about themselves through fashion, and they use it strategically," she said. "I find it's really fun how people weave fashion into their private and work lives."