LEN PICK TRUST Supports WORTH 200

As part of the bicentenary celebrations of Charles Frederick Worth, born at Wake House, North Street, Bourne, the Aveland History Group have compiled a 2 day Lecture Symposium. Our goal is to inspire the residents of Bourne, especially our young people, to consider his impact and legacy in creating the modern fashion industry and to open their minds to a world of possibilities for their future. All taks will be FREE

A generous grant from the Len Pick Trust has enabled the Aveland History Group to secure experts from academia, as well as students of fashion and enthusiasts to talk on a variety of aspects of the fashion world and the impact that Worth has had on this industry

In summary the Programme will deliver the following insights:

Using Charles Frederick Worth as our jumping in point, we can explore his innovative use of labels, that showed how he viewed each garment as a work of art, and follow that thread to today and how labels and catwalk shows translate into the fashions accessible to everyone. This will be a double session with a Senior Lecturer from the University of Lincoln and a group of students, who will create a Worth inspired garment over the coming months and describe the process in words, pictures and video images. Amanda Goss, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Management, University of Lincoln

With a talk from the acknowledged expert on Worth, we will learn more about his own creativity as a “designer of dreams” in a highly visual and accessible presentation. Professor Amy de la Haye, University of the Arts, London

Whilst todays fashionistas consider the impact on the planet of this rush to have the latest trend, an expert in upcycling and sustainable fashion will bring to light the ways in which pre-loved clothes can be adapted to generate more years of wear. Lydia Jackson, Nottingham Trent University

Exploring the highly corseted and constrained shapes of Victorian society ladies, we can come up to date with talks on corsetry and foundationwear and the impact this has on the health and wellbeing of women. Gillian Proctor, Associate Professor Enterprise, De Montfort University, Leicester

Worth’s approach to streamlining the production process of his gowns marks the initial industrialisation of fashion and we will hear how the shift from hand embroidery to manufactured lace and embroidery brought these embellishments into the realm of everyday people, highlighting distinctions between the high street and couture. Nigel Cheney, Leicester

Equally the Victorian bonnets so elaborately decorated with bird feathers will lead us to uncover the woman behind the establishment of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Tessa Boase, Author

Worth was couturier to the Million Dollar Duchesses – rich American girls who were sent to Europe to land a husband and a title – first stop the House of Worth to be dressed by the master himself! Even Grimsthorpe Castle fell under the spell of one of these beauties. Julie Ferry, Author

Talks we be across two seperate dates. Saturday 20th September and Saturday 11th October. Talks will take place at The Bourne Abbey Church Hall.

Further details will be posted nearer the events.