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Not currently on display at the V&A

Coat

1972 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The bee was Bill Gibb's signature motif, ('B' for Bill) and appeared often in his designs. He used enamel bee buttons and produced knitwear with bee designs. This coat is one of a group of chestnut-brown leather garments screen-printed with silver bees and trailing chrysanthemums. The leather is treated as cloth, with puffed sleeves and a high-waisted silhouette. The Museum also has a suit from this collection (T.334&335-1995)

Bill Gibb's designs were particularly influenced by non-Western dress. He revelled in rich textures and patterns and lavish use of fabrics. This coat comes from his first solo collection for Autumn-Winter 1972. Previously, he had worked for Baccarat from 1968 to 1971, before launching his own design label.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Screen-printed leather with satin lining and stamped metal buttons
Brief description
Screen-printed leather coat, designed by Bill Gibb, pattern designed by Sally MacLachlan, London, 1972
Physical description
Brown leather coat screen-printed with silver trailing chrysanthemums and bees. High waisted, knee length, with a buttoned bodice, large collar, and large bishop sleeves set into the side seams of the bodice. Green satin lining. Pewter-grey metal buttons are stamped like sunflowers.
Production typeModel
Marks and inscriptions
'Bill Gibb / London' (Label inside garment)
Credit line
Given by Mr S. Clifford
Object history
Registered File number 1992/811.
Bill Gibb's first collection, in autumn-winter 1972, featured a collection of chestnut-brown leather garments screenprinted with silver bees and trailing chrysanthemums. The theme of the collection was "Nature".

Historical significance: Important example of Bill Gibb's work from his first solo collection. Also shows his use of his trademark bees motif.
Production
Autumn-Winter 1972

Reason For Production: Retail
Subjects depicted
Summary
The bee was Bill Gibb's signature motif, ('B' for Bill) and appeared often in his designs. He used enamel bee buttons and produced knitwear with bee designs. This coat is one of a group of chestnut-brown leather garments screen-printed with silver bees and trailing chrysanthemums. The leather is treated as cloth, with puffed sleeves and a high-waisted silhouette. The Museum also has a suit from this collection (T.334&335-1995)

Bill Gibb's designs were particularly influenced by non-Western dress. He revelled in rich textures and patterns and lavish use of fabrics. This coat comes from his first solo collection for Autumn-Winter 1972. Previously, he had worked for Baccarat from 1968 to 1971, before launching his own design label.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
T.171-1992

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Record createdMarch 19, 2007
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