Unveiling Trailblazers of Fashion: REBEL at the Design Museum

The Design Museum has released a preview today, showcasing the trailblazing fashion designs destined to feature in an imminent exhibition. This event pays homage to the distinct fashion culture of London, underlining its global significance. More than 300 NEWGEN alumni, identified as emerging leaders in fashion, are to be the focal point at this considerable event. Alexander McQueen, as a generous sponsor, is backing this event, aptly titled REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion. This exhibition plans to feature an array of pieces that have profoundly influenced global fashion.

A standout item, the swan dress that Björk donned at the 2001 Oscars, is sure to draw attention. This piece ignited a flurry of controversy and intense discussions when it first appeared. Moreover, visitors can look forward to another well-known ensemble. This is the outfit that Harry Styles sported in his ‘Golden’ music video, a creation by the talented Steven Stokey Daley. Christopher Kane’s neon collection from his debut catwalk will also be on display, offering spectators a chance to witness this bold collection that shook the fashion industry. Furthermore, the exhibition will showcase the upcycled Union Jack jacket by Russell Sage. This piece gained notoriety when supermodel Kate Moss donned it for Vogue. The exhibition, through its diverse display, offers a unique insight into London’s vibrant and pioneering fashion culture, encompassing both its past and future.

Bringing Together the Radical and Rebellious

The forthcoming exhibition, REBEL, is set to highlight daring designs. It plans to unite nearly 100 innovative looks from groundbreaking debut collections. Not only are these pieces unique, but many have also significantly impacted pop-culture history and even launched some designers into global prominence. Alongside these influential designs, the exhibition is set to offer a holistic view of the creators and their processes. It achieves this by including films, sketches, memorabilia, and never-before-seen archival materials from contemporary UK-based designers. Designed to open in September, the exhibition strategically aligns with London Fashion Week.

It aims to provide a unique exploration of the myriad opportunities available to young creatives within London’s fashion scene. The exhibition is poised to embody the stories of bold, young designers. These are individuals whose talent and creativity have significantly influenced the fashion landscape. REBEL is a collaborative project between the Design Museum and the British Fashion Council (BFC). The event marks the 30th anniversary of the BFC’s NEWGEN programme, a significant milestone in its history.The exhibition will feature designers who have received support from NEWGEN during the early stages of their careers. Established by the British Fashion Council in 1993, the NEWGEN programme is dedicated to nurturing UK’s emerging fashion talent. Its objective is to cultivate responsible and sustainable businesses that will shape the future of fashion. The measure of the programme’s success is the prosperous careers of its beneficiaries, many of whom will feature in the REBEL exhibition.

Highlights of the Exhibition

Marjan Pejoski’s infamous ‘swan’ dress, famously worn by Björk to the 2001 Oscars, stands as one of the major highlights of the exhibition. This dress certainly caught everyone’s eye and stirred quite a controversy. It provoked shock, intrigue, and since then, it has claimed a place as one of the most iconic red-carpet looks in history. Moving on, the exhibition will present a unique replica of Sam Smith’s outfit. The artist sported this striking attire at the 2023 BRIT Awards, which occurred seven months ago. This exhibit marks the outfit’s first public display. This red-carpet ensemble, an inflated latex suit, attracted global headlines and attention.

The suit, a product of HARRI, is the creative output of designer Harikrishnan Keezhathil Surendran Pillai. He is well-known for his designs that daringly push boundaries and challenge traditional fashion norms. Next, the exhibition is expected to showcase a design by Steven Stokey Daley, worn by Harry Styles. This attire is a prominent feature in the music video for “Golden.” Daley’s design, inspired by Harrow school uniforms, provides a queer, working-class take on the style of the British public school system. Lastly, the exhibition will afford visitors the opportunity to admire Daley’s original floral Oxford Bags trousers. Daley tailored these trousers, remarkable for their unique and stylish design, from upcycled curtains.

London: The Catalyst for Success

The exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration into the distinctive fashion scene of London. It showcases how the city has been a fertile ground for the growth and development of emerging fashion talent. These talents, once nurtured in London, have made their mark on the global stage. NEWGEN has played a key role in fostering these talents from their early days, helping them build networks in the city where they initially studied and unveiled their collections. The exhibition, aptly titled REBEL, is carefully organized into distinct sections.

Every section of the exhibition serves as a reflection of the creative sparks that have ignited London’s young fashion designers. For instance, the ‘Art School’ section highlights how London’s distinctive art education system encourages individuality among designers. On the other hand, the ‘Backstage Pass’ section brings visitors into an immersive ‘VIP access’ experience. This part of the exhibit recreates the adrenaline-fueled moments just before a catwalk show. It offers a glimpse into the backstage world of fashion. The exhibition will showcase the works of over 300 designers, all of them NEWGEN programme alumni. With this display, the exhibition aims to inspire future fashion designers. It serves as a guide, showing the potential career paths in the vibrant and fast-paced world of fashion.

Voices from the Curators

Tim Marlow, the Director of the Design Museum, shared his thoughts, saying, “We believe visitors will marvel at many instantly recognizable fashion items on display. Moreover, we hope the breadth, depth, diversity, and world-class talent that have stemmed from the London fashion scene will captivate them.”

Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and guest-curator of REBEL, said, “This landmark exhibition will take visitors on a remarkable journey through London’s creative landscape.”

Caroline Rush, British Fashion Council Chief Executive, said, “We are beyond proud to host this exhibition in London, the home of fashion creativity, to amplify homegrown British brands.”

REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion sponsored by Alexander McQueen opens at the Design Museum in London on 16 September 2023. Tickets are on sale from today.