An exhibition in the London College of Fashion brings us the world of carnivals and dances from Olde England and also the 1970s restorations of lost traditions and modern interpretations that mix in multicultural influences. It shows traditional dance costumes as works of creative art as well as telling the story of the traditions they represent.
There are a few choice objects, and the Marshfield Mummers costume, made from old shredded newspapers. A record of Morris dance costumes across the UK fills walls with dolls — each decorated by a different dance troupe and one of the costumes on display was worn during the 2012 closing ceremony.
Apart from the main display, next to the café, there is a room showing films of folk dances across the country. And downstairs you can see a row of display cases, mostly telling the story of the pearly kings and queens and how they adopted costumes of suits covered in buttons
The exhibition, Making More Mischief: Folk Costume in Britain, is at UAL: London College of Fashion at the Olympic Park until 22nd June and is free to visit. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm – just go into the college building and the exhibition is easy to spot.
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