Proud Lookes and Brave Attire at the V&A Museum

Proud Lookes and Brave Attire. A collection of fashion garments based on the V&A’s 16th century armour collection, designed by professional knitwear designer and University of Brighton Faculty of Arts tutor, Juliana went on show at the London Design Festival 2012. The collection, entitled Fashion and Armour, Proud Lookes and Brave Attire, appeared in the Arms and Armour gallery during September and October 2012, at the V&A where Sissons also gave a workshop showing how the V&A’s Renaissance armour collection inspired her unique designs. The garments were created whilst she was Designer in Residence at the V&A and are based on her knowledge of skilful pattern-cutting and sophisticated knitting techniques. During the exhibition Sissons gave a talk exploring armour’s place within contemporary styles of dress, what it reveals about Renaissance ideals of body-shape and how it continues to inspire fashion designers today. She was joined by V&A curator, Dr Angus Patterson, who has written a book entitled Fashion and Armour in Renaissance Europe: Proud Looks and Brave Attire.