PURE GOLD: House of Harlot’s Huguenot-inspired latex dress is on show at The CASS until July 31
House of Harlot goes Huguenot for show at CASS.
House of Harlot goes Huguenot with a stunning gold latex dress with black trim (above), currently on show as part of a major exhibition in London’s East End.
The weavers were members of the French protestant community who left France before the Revolution of 1789 to escape religious persecution, and settled in Spitalfields.
The exhibition coincides with the Huguenots of Spitalfields festival taking place across London this summer.
House of Harlot owner Robin Archer says he’s thrilled to be one of the 14 East London-based textile and fashion designers invited to contribute to the show at The CASS.
“It’s a remarkable exhibition highlighting the history and continuing legacy of couture, luxury and innovative fabrics in the neighbourhood,” he says.
The dress above was created and manufactured by Robin and his team in the company’s atelier in Princelet Street, Spitalfields, just off Brick Lane.
“It celebrates the French Huguenot dresses of the 18th century — especially the Fanshawe dress circa 1751 that’s now in the Museum of London,” Robin explains.
“Only this time it was designed on a computer and is made of latex and contemporary materials instead of silk, linen and bone.”
Princelet Street itself still boasts a master Huguenot silk weaver’s house at number 19, complete with a synagogue built by later Jewish immigrants in the
If you want to see how House of Harlot goes Huguenot while the Fabric of the City exhibition is still running, get along to The CASS & Bank Space Gallery at Central House, 59-63 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7PF not later than July 31.
Tip: owing to renovation work, the building is currently covered in scaffolding with no signage visible. But it’s directly opposite the famous Whitechapel Gallery, so not too hard to find.
And for the record, the full name of the venue is The Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University. So you can probably see why they just call it The CASS.
thecass.com/fabricofthecity
houseofharlot.com
DESIGNER AT WORK: Robin Archer, below, at House of Harlot’s Princelet Street atelier
Tags: Clothing, Community, Designers, Exhibitions, Latex
Share On Facebook
Tweet It
