Jacket thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Jacket

1988 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Jackets of this style - tailored, hip-length, and with a standing collar and long placket of buttons - became popular in places including Europe in the late 1960s. These garments were widely referred to as 'Nehru jackets' as they take inspiration from garments worn by Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. Nehru wore the archkan, a knee length coat and the more informal bundi waistcoat, both of which had standing collars and long button plackets. Those who wore 'Nehru jackets' outside of India in the 'Swinging Sixties' tended to be expressing an interest in breaking away from traditions, sartorial and otherwise. This helps to explain why 'Nehru jackets' were often made from luxurious fabrics such as silk and velvet that were colourful and/or patterned, rather than the plainer materials that had long been favoured for menswear by many cultures. The style had its heyday in the late 1960s but was revived in the 1980s and 1990s in places including Britain and the United States.

Scott Crolla was one of the designers who championed the revival of decoration and colour in late twentieth-century European menswear. This 'Nehru jacket' with fly-front fastening is made in a boldly patterned fabric based on Italian Renaissance silks and velvets.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Woven silk
Brief description
'Nehru jacket', menswear, woven silk, designed by Scott Crolla, England, 1988
Physical description
'Nehru jacket' of woven gold and black silk. Features a standing collar and a fly front.
Gallery label
When matt-black fashion prevailed, Scott Crolla championed the revival of decoration and colour in menswear. This Nehru-style jacket with fly-front fastenings is made in a boldly patterend fabric, based on Italian Renaissance silks and velvets.(1997)
Credit line
Given by Mr E.J.S. Kulukundis
Object history
Registered File number 1992/884.
Subject depicted
Summary
Jackets of this style - tailored, hip-length, and with a standing collar and long placket of buttons - became popular in places including Europe in the late 1960s. These garments were widely referred to as 'Nehru jackets' as they take inspiration from garments worn by Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. Nehru wore the archkan, a knee length coat and the more informal bundi waistcoat, both of which had standing collars and long button plackets. Those who wore 'Nehru jackets' outside of India in the 'Swinging Sixties' tended to be expressing an interest in breaking away from traditions, sartorial and otherwise. This helps to explain why 'Nehru jackets' were often made from luxurious fabrics such as silk and velvet that were colourful and/or patterned, rather than the plainer materials that had long been favoured for menswear by many cultures. The style had its heyday in the late 1960s but was revived in the 1980s and 1990s in places including Britain and the United States.

Scott Crolla was one of the designers who championed the revival of decoration and colour in late twentieth-century European menswear. This 'Nehru jacket' with fly-front fastening is made in a boldly patterned fabric based on Italian Renaissance silks and velvets.
Bibliographic reference
De la Haye, Amy (ed.). The Cutting Edge: 50 Years of British Fashion 1947- 1997. London : V&A Publications, 1997 plate 77
Collection
Accession number
T.183-1992

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdSeptember 30, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSON