Twentieth Century Chic New display marks 100 years of fashion
and social change 'We are here not because we are law-breakers;
we are here in our efforts to become law-makers' Emmeline
Pankhurst, political activist (1908). A collection of costumes
reflecting monumental changes in the role of women during the
twentieth century go on display at Sudley House from 16 February
2013 until Easter 2014. Twentieth Century Chic features 12
evening outfits, which represent key periods in women's history.
The changing styles, materials and colours of the garments echo
the wider social changes going on around them. Alyson Pollard,
Curator of Decorative Arts said: “The twentieth century saw more
shifts in women's lives than any previous period. The two world
wars speeded up the pace of change; enabling women to become
more active out of the home, joining the workplace and generally
broadening their horizons.” “Alongside these massive social
shifts, new materials and improvements in manufacturing methods
made clothes less ex