Image: latex dress designed and made in Plymouth by Westward Bound exclusively for the ‘Dress Code’ exhibition (image credit The Box - Wayne Perry) 

Terah Walkup, art curator at The Box said: 

‘’Dress Code - Fashion Stories from The Box’ is drawn from The Box’s costume and textiles collection. The exhibition tells regional fashion stories, specifically Plymouth’s history of garment production, and how garments can be read to understand identities and the lived experiences of those that once wore them. Contemporary conversations around sustainability are also reflected. Our dress history collection has strengths in the 1700s through the 1970s but, except for our recent acquisition of a Westward Bound dress, there is little material that represents the past several decades so we’re really excited to partner with The Barbican to tell the city’s contemporary fashion stories.” 

From red carpet couture to amazing accessories, the event on 27 May is a fashion show all about identity: individual identity, community identity and Plymouth’s identity in the world of fashion. 

Barbican Theatre’s CEO, Laura Kriefman will be the host on the evening and co-devised the idea of a fashion show to support the ‘Dress Code’ exhibition, with the Barbican Theatre’s Event Production Manager, Tim Norman. 

Laura said:

“We have loved working with The Box on this gorgeous collaboration celebrating the Dress Code exhibition. Representing Plymouth’s own identity is vital to us and a fashion show was the perfect solution. Plymouth is full of exciting fashionistas who have been creating unique runway looks. Add that to the pool of talent from the fashion and costume courses at Plymouth College of Art - and I can tell you - you are in for a treat at Identity Parade.” 

A call out for fashion designers, makers, customisers and fashionistas from the Devon & Cornwall area was issued in April. The team was overwhelmed when more than 25 applications came through from an incredible mix of designers, makers and brands all wanting to submit looks for the 10 runways categories which include Fashion Is Forever (sustainability), Fishy Realness (sea, feminine & coastal) Hiding In Plain Sight (social camouflage and alt culture) and Dress Code (identity and being your ‘you’).  

Designers and brands confirmed as presenting looks on the runway include sustainable & ethical fashion brand Nomads Clothing (based in Launceston) Oxfam Plymouth, Jo Gorniak, Love Deluxe, Emma Lovering, Kiki Fraikue, River Smith, Spike Davies, Miles Scott, Donna Howell, Frankie Rayers Smith, Oliwia Nowtonik, Fay Tyalor, Millie Jenkinson, Yasmin Styles, Sara Evans, Lu Firth, and Farrah Seyedi.