Tartan and beyond: fashioning identities in historical research and museum curation
Resource type
Presentation
Creator (person)
Maxwell, Mhairi
Brioni, Cecilia
Abstract
This new acquisition for @nationalmuseumsscotland marks the culmination of a five-year project supported by the William Grant Foundation which researched the Museum’s world-class collection of historic tartans and Highland dress. The final phase of the project was focussed on 'Tartan Today' in the 21st Century. This ensemble embraces tartan as a radical textile. Founded in 2015 by Charles Jeffrey, a Scottish fashion designer based in London, the label's androgynous designs celebrate queer, non-binary, and transgender identities. For this ensemble, Jeffrey was inspired by historical Highland dress, particularly tartan’s royal and military associations during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The metallic LOVERBOY tartan is described by Charles as a protective ‘armour’ and it was marketed as both ‘tough and cute in equal measure’, while the bright colourway is inspired by the red, blue and black make-up Jeffrey wore when hosting regular queer club nights in London.
Contributor (person)
Maxwell, Mhairi
Project(s)
Events to share research into the Museums' collections of textiles and other artefacts relating to highland dress.
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
William Grant Foundation | 360G-WilliamGrantFdn-FR-000000310 |
Event title
In Conversation: Tartan and beyond: fashioning identities in historical research and museum curation
Publisher
University of Aberdeen
Rights statement
In Copyright