THE DESIGN MUSEUM: “REBEL” DEBUTS THIRTY YEARS OF RADICAL FASHION

REBEL, a touring exhibition sponsored by Alexander McQueen in collaboration with the British Fashion Council (BFC), will mark the 30th anniversary of the BFC’s NEWGEN program. With its exclusive focus on the radical creativity of emerging British designers, this event, opening during London Fashion Week 2023, promises to be a remarkable display of ingenuity.

Credit: Dazed

From September 16, 2023, to February 11, 2024, the Design Museum is organising an extensive tour encompassing 137 venues across 38 countries. Particularly, this exhibition will be dedicated to showcasing the talent and inventiveness of young designers in Britain.

REBEL aims to be one of the most comprehensive contemporary fashion exhibitions in the UK. It will recognise the contributions of over 300 designers. Featuring a diverse collection of more than 100 objects, including groundbreaking garments, films, drawings, and memorabilia.

The exhibition’s primary goal is to demystify the creative process. In addition, to inspire aspiring fashion designers by offering insights into building a successful career in the industry. The BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent, Sarah Mower, will serve as the guest curator, while Rebecca Lewin, the Senior Curator at the Design Museum, will co-curate the exhibition.

Additionally, Sarah Burton, Creative Director at Alexander McQueen is to chair for the curatorial committee. REBEL will bring London’s pivotal role in nurturing emerging design talent to the forefront. Prestigious fashion schools and London’s reputation of inclusivity have played a significant part in the development of almost all the NEWGEN designers. Whether as their educational base, the place of their first collection debut, or where they established their networks, London has been instrumental in their success.

Figures and Exhibitions

The exhibition will honour the achievements of notable NEWGEN alumni. Such as Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Charles Jeffrey, Christopher Raeburn, Erdem, Henry Holland, Kim Jones, J.W. Anderson, Mary Katrantzou, Molly Goddard, Roksanda, Simone Rocha, Stuart Vevers, Priya Ahluwalia, Saul Nash, Grace Wales Bonner, Bianca Saunders, and more. The exhibition will prominently showcase each designer’s work, illustrating their impact and contributions.

Several exhibitions are scheduled for 2023. Such as:

“Material Tales: The Life of Things” at the Hong Kong Science Museum from May 19 to October 18.

“Sneakers Unboxed” at the Sejong Museum of Art in Seoul, Korea, from May 31 to September 10.

“Football: Designing the Beautiful Game” at the FIFA Museum in Zürich, Switzerland, from October 2023 to February 2024.

“Sneakers Unboxed” at HOTA, Home of the Arts, in the Gold Coast, Australia, from November 25, 2023, to March 2024.

And “Waste Age: What Can Design Do?” at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris, France, from December 2023 to August 2024.

See a map of all the touring exhibitions here.

All in all, the Design Museum shares the power of design with diverse audiences worldwide through its global touring exhibitions. Evidently, REBEL seeks to inspire the next generation of designers. Offering a unique and thought-provoking exploration of creativity within the fashion industry.

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