New Acquisitions
Horrockses Fashions Dress
The Harris recently accepted into its fashion and textile collection a beautiful Horrockses Fashions cotton summer dress with original matching belt. The dress was gifted by a Mrs Margaret Clarke of Kendal. A member of Margaret’s family contacted the museum, asking if we would like the dress. After taking a closer look, our Decorative Art Curator Scott decided it would be a fantastic addition to our beloved Horrockses Fashions collection, the largest museum collection in the UK.
The Dress was purchased in Duckworth’s, a popular fashion store in Kendal, in about 1957. Margaret paid around £5 for the dress which is the equivalent of £150 today. Green is one of Margaret’s favourite colours, so she was immediately attracted to this dress and its interesting colour combination and pattern. She remembers feeling very comfortable in the dress and loved how it not only washed well but also was very flattering on her figure.
The dress is very well travelled as Margaret’s husband Gordon was in the RAF and the couple spent some time stationed in Australia. Margaret took this dress ‘down under’ with her as she knew Horrockses’ excellent quality cotton would keep her cool in Australia’s hot climate.
Margaret loved wearing Horrockses and had 5 or 6 Horrockses Fashions dresses in her wardrobe throughout the 1950s and 60s. The Harris is now very lucky to be able to share Margaret’s story and preserve her Horrockses Fashion dress for future generations of fashionistas.
Empire Ensemble
The Harris is delighted to announce the acquisition of the Empire Ensemble by designer Ross Griffiths, known for his label Kingfisher Couture, purchased with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund. This unique addition to The Harris Fashion & Textile collection represents an inspiring story of a local LGBTQIA+ designer, who is making waves in the fashion industry.
Ross Griffiths, a Preston-born designer, found inspiration in The Harris’ fashion and textile displays during his visits with his mother while growing up in Chorley. After pursuing other careers, he decided to follow his passion for fashion and founded Kingfisher Couture. Self-taught and drawing from his life experiences, Ross has gained recognition for his remarkable talent and journey.
The acquisition also holds a connection to Sir Brian May from Queen, as Ross dressed Lady Anita Dobson for the This is Icon Awards Gala in February 2023 where Ross received his own accolade as winner of the 2023 Emerging Designer Award wearing this outfit. Ross Griffiths has generously match-donated the purchase by offering his entire outfit worn to receive the This is Icon Emerging Designer Award in February 2023. This outfit, a flamboyant and extravagant statement, embodies his identity as a designer and personality, perfect for The Harris First Floor Balcony Gallery, which celebrates themes of identity and belonging.
Rose Dress
The Harris is delighted to announce the acquisition of the exquisite Rose Dress by designer Ross Griffiths, known for his label Kingfisher Couture, purchased with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund. This unique addition to The Harris Fashion & Textile collection represents an inspiring story of a local LGBTQIA+ designer, who is making waves in the fashion industry.
Ross Griffiths, a Preston-born designer, found inspiration in The Harris’ fashion and textile displays during his visits with his mother while growing up in Chorley. After pursuing other careers, he decided to follow his passion for fashion and founded Kingfisher Couture. Self-taught and drawing from his life experiences, Ross has gained recognition for his remarkable talent and journey.
The Rose Dress symbolises growth, reflecting Ross’s own transformation. The thornless rose motif on the dress signifies rebirth and the designer’s journey of overcoming addiction and homelessness, with HIV diagnosis being a turning point. The dress aligns with The Harris’s commitment to inclusivity and the representation of diverse communities within its collections.
Our recent acquisiton focus on a more diverse range of communities and narratives through portraits, textiles, decorative art, and historical artefacts exploring themes of identity and belonging. We’re dedicated to expanding our collections to tell more diverse stories and create discussions about people’s individual senses of identity as well as their identity in relation to others. We want our visitors to encounter something that speaks to them and their lived experience.