Transformative tools
Transformative tools, c1850-1920
Tailor's chalk, measure, square, shears and beeswax
Becoming a tailor required extensive knowledge of materials and techniques, and mastery of the tools used to transform fabric into finished garments. These sometimes humble objects were like extensions of the tailor's hand, and over time each tailor may have found their own unique ways to use them.
Beeswax, used to strengthen thread, was one of many evocative smells that would have been familiar in tailors' workshops.*
From the exhibition
Fashion City
(October 2023 – July 2024)
How Jewish Londoners shaped global style
For the first time, this exhibition uncovered the major contribution of Jewish designers in making London an iconic fashion city.
Fashion City shone a light on the Jewish fashion makers who became leaders in their industries and founded retail chains still on the high street today. And also dressed the rich and famous: David Bowie, Princess Diana and Mick Jagger – to name just a few.
Key industry figures were featured, like wedding dress designer Netty Spiegel, milliner Otto Lucas, the iconic Mr Fish and legendary David Sassoon. These stories were brought to life by fashion and textiles, oral histories, objects and photography
[*London Museum]
Taken at Museum of London Docklands
Transformative tools
Transformative tools, c1850-1920
Tailor's chalk, measure, square, shears and beeswax
Becoming a tailor required extensive knowledge of materials and techniques, and mastery of the tools used to transform fabric into finished garments. These sometimes humble objects were like extensions of the tailor's hand, and over time each tailor may have found their own unique ways to use them.
Beeswax, used to strengthen thread, was one of many evocative smells that would have been familiar in tailors' workshops.*
From the exhibition
Fashion City
(October 2023 – July 2024)
How Jewish Londoners shaped global style
For the first time, this exhibition uncovered the major contribution of Jewish designers in making London an iconic fashion city.
Fashion City shone a light on the Jewish fashion makers who became leaders in their industries and founded retail chains still on the high street today. And also dressed the rich and famous: David Bowie, Princess Diana and Mick Jagger – to name just a few.
Key industry figures were featured, like wedding dress designer Netty Spiegel, milliner Otto Lucas, the iconic Mr Fish and legendary David Sassoon. These stories were brought to life by fashion and textiles, oral histories, objects and photography
[*London Museum]
Taken at Museum of London Docklands