Revealing and celebrating the body | Fashion Unpicked | Edward Crutchley | V&A

Revealing and celebrating the male body, Edward Crutchley's flamboyant fashions subvert the history of menswear, disregarding traditional gender norms.

This film takes a detailed look at a sumptuous gown by Crutchley, with a corseted bodice which was inspired by an 18th-century robe à l'anglaise, but adapted to fit a male torso. The dress comes from his Spring/Summer 2022 collection, which references the history of queer spaces in London, and specifically the work of 18th-century textile designer Anna Maria Garthwaite – an outsider working in a male-dominated industry.

[RealSalica]

The fabric of this dress is everything !

[donaldauguston]

I love that Edward is taking some tips form artists of 200 to 300 years ago. It is good to know they have NOT been forgotten but have inspired new art by new artists. Edward, you're adorable! DA

[molokotek]

The idea behind it is so beautiful. Making fashion gender-neutral and celebrating the wearer - this is something I always wanted but haven't formulated.

[joiedevivre]

Stunning! The wearer becomes a moving art piece. Women's clothing styles in the 1700's (& earlier in the Tudor era) emphasized a flattened bustline and voluminous hips. This is brilliantly translated into fashion for anyone who loves art in fashion. I adore it!

[lynnsaull]

I love this gown, this fashion line has echoes of Billy Porter’s amazing ensembles. I am also thrilled to see modern fabric patterns paying their dues to their historical beginnings. In an original dress the pocket openings would have been concealed in the skirt folds, no pattern match required, as the pockets would have been separate items. I would also have liked to see the under structure of the skirt and how it was holding its shape.

[itsaDean]

I love the dress, but I'm not in love with the fact he claims to make clothes that are made to be worn by anyone, and he doesn't go beyond a 'medium' in any of the stocked collections I could find.

[whizzywoo]

Love those fabrics. I love how we can now start pushing those boundaries more confidently.

[emilyblack]

It’s fascinating to hear how the dress was restructured to complement the male form. I never would have thought of that!

[annettefournier]

Again... pockets for men. Give pockets to women as well! And just not slapped on .

[coma-body-stilllife]

Not sure I like the form of his clothing or think the philosophy of his work is interesting, but the design and result of his fabrics are incredible.

[PLuMUK]

Well I thought I'd get one of those dresses for my next trip to Aldi! I wonder when Primark will be selling similar?

[janicesmyth]

This is just everything I have ever dreamed of wearing. An amazing and beautiful dress. The tailoring is perfect.

[RJHail]

That dress is a beautiful work of art.

[melissamybubbles]

Ah. This is fascinating. I love the 18th century inspiration used. I would love to see more of this designer. So often modern fashion has seemed strange for its own sake, but this designer has something significant and relevant to say.

[sjain]

thanks for Edward Crutchley showing textile designs by Garthwaite ☸️💟

[marmadukescarlet]

Fabulous! The dress really came to life when in shimmering motion.

[thesqueedler]

Oh my god a thousand times thank you to Edward Crutchley, the best ever antidote to Beau Brummel who IMO ruined men's fashion for the last 150 years. Much respect to you, you respect your models, you respect what's come before. I'm TOTALLY geeking out and I 100% share your attitude to what fashion is and should be - for everyone to express their personal identity.💋💋❤❤

[jeanwillis]

I’d love to see have under the dress and it’s construction, I majored in fashion design, many years ago and for me the cutting of the pattern, the toile, and the construction would’ve been fascinating
. Fabulous dress incidentally. 🇨🇦🇺🇦

[alienblue]

Love ! Sharing this with my Street Styles class at Orange Coast College

[buds]

A video on Anna Maria Garthwaite would be interesting