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Suit

1970 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Michael Fish designed this suit for himself. He was a creative menswear designer, with a shop in London's Clifford Street, who used unexpected materials and unusual design elements. The vivid lurex brocade jacket features an Art Nouveau revival design. The corded silk fastening and beaded tassels are inspired by Victorian men's smoking jackets. In contrast, the hipster trousers are very modern and up to date. The shirt is equally modern and unusual, with a boned high roll collar, pleated front, and side zip fastening.

Michael Fish designed under the label 'Mr. Fish'. In reference to his surname he wore an enamelled silver fish brooch with this suit.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 4 parts.

  • Jacket
  • Trousers
  • Shirt
  • Brooch
Materials and techniques
Woven wool/synthetic/lurex mix; black synthetic crepe
Brief description
Blue, black and silver woven suit with black synthetic crepe shirt
Physical description
Blue, black and silver woven wool/synthetic/lurex mix suit; black synthetic crepe shirt. The jacquard woven fabric, in the fashionable art nouveau revival style, features a linear, fuschia-like flower. The jacket's corded silk fastening and jet-beaded tassel are features associated with gentlemen's smoking jackets and dressing gowns. Modern hipster trousers feature a broad "dinner suit" black satin stripe. The shirt has a boned high collar, pleated front, and side-zip fastening. Worn with a blue and silver enamel fish brooch
Production typeHaute couture
Gallery label
Michael Fish designed this suit for himself. The jacquard woven fabric, in the fashionable art nouveau revival style, features a linear, fuschia-like flower. The jacket's corded silk fastening and jet-beaded tassel are features associated with gentlemen's smoking jackets and dressing gowns. Modern hipster trousers feature a broad "dinner suit" black satin stripe. The shirt has a boned high collar, pleated front, and side-zip fastening.(1997)
Credit line
Given by the designer
Production
Mr Fish designed and wore this suit for himself

Attribution note: Mr. Fish created and wore this suit himself
Association
Summary
Michael Fish designed this suit for himself. He was a creative menswear designer, with a shop in London's Clifford Street, who used unexpected materials and unusual design elements. The vivid lurex brocade jacket features an Art Nouveau revival design. The corded silk fastening and beaded tassels are inspired by Victorian men's smoking jackets. In contrast, the hipster trousers are very modern and up to date. The shirt is equally modern and unusual, with a boned high roll collar, pleated front, and side zip fastening.

Michael Fish designed under the label 'Mr. Fish'. In reference to his surname he wore an enamelled silver fish brooch with this suit.
Bibliographic references
  • de la Haye, Amy, ed. The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947-1997. Victoria and Albert Publications, 1997, pp. 108, 109, 111
  • Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 265
Collection
Accession number
T.705 to C-1974

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Record createdAugust 21, 2003
Record URL
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