Fashion & Textile Museum - Wallace Sewell: 25 Years of British Textile Design

In 2017, Wallace Sewell celebrated its 25th anniversary! As part of the celebrations, they were invited to help curate an exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. The display featured a selection of work from the Wallace Sewell archive, including final pieces from Emma and Harriet's time at the Royal College of Art, scarves from their very first collections, as well as design work and sources of inspiration. The collage above is a compilation of Emma and Harriet's highlights from the first 25 years, featuring press articles and personal photographs.
  
The exhibition charted a story of 21st-century textile success, rooted in British design education and UK manufacturing. Champions of British manufacturing from the outset, Wallace Sewell create their innovative fabrics on hand looms using traditional techniques before they are woven industrially by a Lancashire mill, established in 1776.
 
From cushions and throws to scarves and upholstery, the exhibition highlighted the remarkable variety of Wallace Sewell’s output. Notable pieces included an Anni Albers-inspired oversized artwork and original designs from Emma and Harriet’s graduation shows. The display also featured design swatches and drawings, offering a glimpse into Wallace Sewell’s creative process. Textiles on display ranged from striped silks and sculpted wool crepe to cashmere, organza, and patchwork cotton chenille. Scarves, like small paintings, provided the perfect canvas to showcase Wallace Sewell’s distinctive style, and were a highlight of the exhibition.
 
The display also demonstrated Wallace Sewell’s longstanding relationships with prestigious international museums, including MOMA New York, the Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Royal Academy, and Tate. Of course, the exhibition also included their now iconic designs for London Underground moquette, showcased in stacked cubes, each upholstered in a different fabric.