Not currently on display at the V&A

Dress

1970-71 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This dress uses old-fashioned prints, combining them in a seemingly haphazard manner, to reinvent the archetypal English summer dress. This use of traditional floral prints in contemporary fashion was a look that was later popularised by Laura Ashley.

James Wedge, a trained milliner, opened his tiny boutique Countdown on London's King's Road, in 1964. The shop sold designs by Foale & Tuffin and other radical young designers, as well as some styles, like this one, which Wedge designed himself.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Dress
  • Belt
Materials and techniques
Cotton, crepe, machine sewn
Brief description
Dress and belt, woman's, cotton and crepe with flower print, Countdown, 1970
Physical description
Long-sleeved dress of printed cotton with full flounced skirt and centre-back zip opening. The bodice is of printed crepe and there are frills on the cuffs. Matching belt.
Production typeReady to wear
Marks and inscriptions
'COUNTDOWN' (White textile label printed in black.)
Credit line
Given by Jill Ritblat
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
This dress uses old-fashioned prints, combining them in a seemingly haphazard manner, to reinvent the archetypal English summer dress. This use of traditional floral prints in contemporary fashion was a look that was later popularised by Laura Ashley.

James Wedge, a trained milliner, opened his tiny boutique Countdown on London's King's Road, in 1964. The shop sold designs by Foale & Tuffin and other radical young designers, as well as some styles, like this one, which Wedge designed himself.
Other number
71 - Ritblat catalogue
Collection
Accession number
T.728:1, 2-2000

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Record createdSeptember 19, 2000
Record URL
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