Exhibition celebrating centuries of Redbridge fashion launches at museum

An exhibition celebrating Redbridge’s cultural heritage across centuries was unveiled today.

Redbridge Museum’s What Redbridge Wore displays garments from wartime uniforms and evening wear to the outfits of 17th-century gentlemen. Residents’ stories are told not just through the clothes and accessories, but also photographs and film footage.

One key story is that of the fashion awakening of teenagers living in the 1950s and 1960s.

Alexandra Lyons, from the museum, previously told the Recorder: “Teenage trends quickly became teenage tribes with distinctive clothing worn to symbolise an allegiance to a group.

“One such was the Mod revival between 1979 and ‘81, which was particularly popular in Ilford.

“Male Mods adopted a smooth, sophisticated look that included tailor-made suits with narrow lapels, thin ties, and button-down collar shirts. “Female Mods dressed androgynously, with short haircuts, men’s trousers or shirts, flat shoes, and little make-up. Military parka jackets were worn by both in order to keep their clothes clean as they rode their scooters.

“Today’s society values youth and our fashion choices reflect this – teenagers no longer emulate their parents but instead look to celebrities or friends for inspiration. In turn, parents of teenagers today dress more youthfully than their 1960s counterparts.”

What Redbridge Wore will be at the museum, on the second floor of Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford, until June 3.

For more, visit redbridge.gov.uk/museum.