About a month ago took myself to the very vibrant and artistic city of Bristol, in the south west of England. I had heard of a menswear exhibition at the excellent M Shed but wasn't quite sure what to expect - but upon arrival, it really wasn't anything I was expecting. An Eye for Fashion was quite a large exhibition of Norman Parkinson (above) photographs and was a rate view of over 60 original vintage prints from 1954-1964, mostly from Vogue. It was the first time they were on show in Bristol and was generously loaned by the Angela Williams Archive, Designers of British Fashion, who was his secretary for most of his career.
M Shed is situated in the harbour area of the city, surrounded by these very brutalist yet oddly stunning cranes. The building is a shed, hence the name, which is set over a number of floors which gives a great view of the city, which I snapped below. Like many exhibitions, there was no photography but I managed to get a few shots because this really worth sharing - plus it is over, so no skimping on the gift shop after! It really is a great achievement for M Shed and Bristol in getting something like this as well as curating it superbly.
For those that don't know, Norman Parkinson was the innovative yet meticulous photographer who shot top 60s models Celia Hammond, Jean Shrimpton, Grace Coddington and Carmen Dell'Orefice for designers Mary Quant, Susan Small, Jaeger, Daks and Koupy. What I also liked about the fashion element was that they related it back to the 60s Bristol scene and experiences of the decade from locals with a style angle. Very interesting and enjoy the pictures...
How nice to see an new blog about the Parkinson exhibition a month after it closed - Thanks for you comments - I thought i would just say that I worked with Parks over six years only - although I did catch up with him in the 1980s - in Bath actually when he had he 75th Birthday retrospective at the RPS then in Milsom Street in the Octagon - Do keep in touch - and if you are in Bristol again soon - look in at The Square Club where I am showing some of my own photographs from the 1960s - Streisand, Fonda - Peter and Jane - Newman etc and some unseen Pink Floyd . x Angela W
ReplyDeleteThey seen several things there regarding with many places too.As the style of this people are somethings different so he took all that sorts so they after returning from there he can present that in their work.So i really appreciate this matter.
ReplyDeleteLaptop Bags