For fashion lovers and social history enthusiasts, Ashes To Fashion at the Ulster Museum is a must-see …
Exquisite silk gowns from the 18th century juxtaposed with modern pieces including a Chanel Haute Couture suit worn by supermodel Christie Turlington are some of the highlights of a landmark fashion exhibition at Belfast’s Ulster Museum. Fifty years in the making, other must-sees include pieces by legendary Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson (whose parents were at the opening) as well as Elie Saab, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, Christopher Kane and Kindred of Ireland. Irish designers including Cathy Martin, Sara O’Neill, Caroline Duffy, Amy Anderson, Lou Brennan, Helen Hayes and Monica Walsh were also in attendance at the historic launch.
Ashes to Fashion is a pivotal, poignant cultural moment for the Ulster Museum as it gives an insight into the expertise and resilience involved in rebuilding a collection from scratch. During the Troubles, two firebombs were planted at Malone House in 1976 which resulted in the museum’s entire collection of 10,000 treasured fashion items being destroyed. The collection has now been rebuilt through careful curation, acquisition, bequests and generous donations.
Charlotte McReynolds, Curator of Art at National Museums NI, explains that rather than focusing solely on what was lost, the exhibition tells the story of what happened afterwards.“The exhibition traces the journey from disaster to recovery, revealing the meticulous work undertaken by a succession of curators, beginning with Elizabeth McCrum. It reframes fashion as it positions textiles as significant cultural objects that carry stories, emotions and history, which can be both fragile and enduring.”
Of the 120 items on display, one of the highlights is the handstitched Lennox Quilt – the only surviving item from the original collection, made in 1712 by Martha Lennox, the daughter of John Hamilton, one of the first mayors of Belfast. Other historic objects include a rare stumpwork embroidery casket from the 1660s, donated to the museum by renowned needlework expert, Lanto Synge.
Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, believes the exhibition cements the wider significance of fashion as a record of identity, cultural credibility and craftmanship. “It demonstrates how creativity and resilience can emerge from even the most devastating circumstances. Visitors are given rare insight into the behind-the-scenes realities of museum collecting and conservation. Constant renewal are markers of the fashion world and now also of the Ulster Museum’s own reborn fashion collection. We are immensely proud to put on our first major fashion exhibition in 15 years, and we look forward to welcoming new audiences to experience the Ulster Museum through a new lens.”
Need to know: Ashes to Fashion runs until September 13 with talks and workshops in partnership with Ulster University; @ulstermuseum @ulsteruni.
