From icons such as Yves Saint Laurent to more contemporary labels, the new display at the Walker Art Gallery is a snapshot of the last 40 years of designer fashion. The costume collection already includes many examples of designer-wear from the past 100 years, but this latest project covers a period that has seen huge changes in the style and attitude of our society.
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From the mini skirts of the 1960s to designer track suits worn by modern celebrities, the display draws on the wide range of costumes in the collection. Highlights from the display include: An outfit by ‘the father of the mini-skirt’, Parisian designer André Courrèges, featuring a woollen waistcoat and mini skirt from his Hyperbole label from around 1971-72. Courrèges’ clothes were often futuristic-looking, inspired by ideas about space travel. With clean, simple lines, geometric shapes and bold use of colour this outfit is typical of Courrèges’ style.
 | | Bill Gibb evening dress, 1973 |
A colourful evening dress made from cellulose acetate, nylon and lurex from 1973 by Bill Gibb. With a petal-shaped hemline and glowing jewel-like colours, the dress is typical of much of Gibb’s romantic designs from the early 1970s and demonstrates the move away from the geometric style of the previous decade. A man’s safari suit with a cotton blouson-style jacket and trousers by Yves St Laurent for his Rive Gauche label from around 1979-81. The safari suit is one of St Laurent’s many innovations that became a fashion classic. This blouson-style jacket was very popular for both men and women during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
 | | Juicy Couture, present day. |
A Vivienne Westwood tartan wool suit from 1993 for Holly Johnson, former lead singer with Liverpool band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Westwood is best-known as one of the pioneers of punk fashion during the late 1970s. This suit from the Anglomania Collection with its bondage-style trousers is a classic example of Westwood’s anarchic style. The display also includes a cotton Juicy Couture tracksuit from 2003. Juicy Couture was founded in California by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor in 1994. The brand is known for its range of casual tracksuits in pastel-coloured velour, wool cashmere and fleece. Despite their sporty look, they retain an air of glamour because of their popularity with fashion conscious celebrities such as Colleen McLoughlin. 40 years of fashion. Walker Art Gallery William Brown Street, Liverpool,Ìý Admission FREE. Open 10am-5pm every day. Information: 0151 478 4199. | 
