Votes for Women!
The sensational stories of suffragettes and flappers are made vivid through costumes and readings from the Edwardian age, the Great War and the 1920s - a time of extraordinary political change and remarkable personal histories.
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Gillian: The Edwardian clothes are taken from original patterns in the Voice of Fashion, a magazine published over a ten year period. They are truly ladylike, and as a suffragette I'd expect to be treated as a lady - until the gloves come off (and the sharp pointed parasol comes out.) Lucy's flapper dress comes from a Madeleine Vionnet pattern. She was an absolute genius at design and pioneered the flattering bias cut. Not easy to sew but stunning to wear. |
Lucy: Of all the presentations this one is my favourite. By the early 20th Century we are coming very close to present day and it is easy to feel a connection with the women who fought so hard to achieve equal working and voting conditions. Seeing the fashions of 1903 and 1928 side by side you realise just how much clothes reflect politics... and how much change there is in the 25 year generation gap. I love collecting originals from this period and have photographed some items for the gallery page. Even more, I love reading stories of the fight for female suffrage. The women themselves use clothes and accessories as part of the battle plan. Makes me want to march on Westminster! |
| - Cannon Hall Museum 'Votes for Women' is a one-hour presentation with two performers
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