Press Information - The Devon Guild of Craftsmen

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The Devon Guild is celebrating 50 years of the shift dress. In a new exhibition, where nine textile artists/designers, k
Press Information

Exhibition runs: 4 March - 28 April At: Riverside Gallery, Devon Guild of Craftsmen Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9AF The Devon Guild is celebrating 50 years of the shift dress. In a new exhibition, where nine textile artists/designers, known as Seam Collective creatively explore the craft of textile design, showcasing a collection of contemporary shift dresses. The public can take part in the show by sending in a photograph of their favourite shift dress and making their own mark, by hand-embroidering graffiti on a blank shift dress during the exhibition. The project commemorates 50 years of the mainstream adoption of the shift dress, from 1965 to now. The shift dress was part of the ‘youthquake’ phenomenon, a displacement of the old order, embracing mobility, fun and freedom. 50 Years of the Shift Dress, 1965 to 2015 The shift dress is ‘a straight-lined basic dress of 1960s, hanging away from the body’i. On 30 October 1965 Jean Shrimpton shocked the establishment by wearing a white shift dress with a hem 10cm above the knee at Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne Australia, without a hat, gloves or stockings. The shift dress was a declaration of independence, overturning the stuffy formality of the establishment. Jean Shrimpton in her 'mini' dress at Flemington racecourse on Derby Day in 1965. Picture: Ray Cranbourne, Herald Sun

Shift dresses have since become a design classic. For example in 1990, Calvin Klein emphasized his supreme cutting and masterful use of fabric to re-interpret the shift dress as a simple, poised and understated look. Exhibition is free, open daily, 10am-5.30pm

Related events at Devon Guild: Workshop: Sew a shift dress in a day* Saturday 23 April 2016 10am - 4pm, Phoenix Hall, Bovey Tracey You will be shown how to make a shift dress in your own fabric using either your sewing machine or a borrowed one. You do not need any experience in dressmaking other than to be able to sew a straight and curved line with a sewing machine! When you book, you will be advised about fabric quantities and type. £50/£55 including pattern; material to be provided by participants. Advance booking through the Devon Guild on 01626 832223 is essential. (*you will have the opportunity to finish off at a further session if you need to!)

Further information: Seam Collective is a contemporary textile collective based in and around Bath. They share a commitment to pushing the boundaries of their craft and making high quality objects realised in the hands and thoughts of the maker. They support each other in making sustainable textiles, working locally and bringing textiles into contemporary focus. seam artists taking part are Anna Glasbrook, Desiree Goodall, Joy Merron, Linda Row, Penny Seume, Lyn Snow, Tabitha Stewart, Penny Wheeler, and Samon Yechi.

Devon Guild of Craftsmen Based in Bovey Tracey the Devon Guild is the most popular contemporary crafts venue and charity in the South West (100,000+ visitors annually) and is the hub of local and creative communities. With a reputation and influence that extends nationally, the exhibitions and events are fun, free, open to all, inclusive and inspiring. They run an acclaimed educational outreach programme to schools and communities. At Riverside Mill there are two galleries with an exciting annual programme, constantly changing displays and showcases in our shop and a lively, friendly café with a rooftop terrace, alongside the River Bovey. The Devon Guild is involved in two popular annual festivals that have helped put Bovey Tracey on the map...The Contemporary Craft Festival in June and the Nourish Festival in September combining food, music and craft. www.crafts.org.uk

Press: For more information please contact Anna Trussler [email protected] 01626 832223 or Simon Williams [email protected] Top image: Anna Greville & Angie Parker, shift dresses