Coronavirus Update:
In line with UK government guidance, the Blandford Fashion Museum will temporarily close from Tuesday 17 March 2020 until further notice, in order to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our visitors and staff. We are obviously upset by this turn of events, but we appreciate the support of our volunteers and friends all the more at this time, and assure you that we will be back when this crisis has past. ...
Some of our younger visitors trying to fit a blouse and boys’ knicker pattern onto a piece of parachute silk. Just as would have been done after the Second World War when clothes rationing was still in force, but dress-making creativity post war returned. ...
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We had our ‘Preview Day’ today so that friends of the museum could see the huge changes that curator Stella and her team of talented helpers have created. They are true miracle workers! The new ‘Boys and Girls’ room is so life- affirming and whimsical and the ‘Make do and mend’ area presents an interesting lens through which to see into the clothing of the Second World War years and after. ...
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Today is the first day of our new season with the welcoming of invited guests and Museum Friends to a special preview of our new displays.
Our Costume and Display team have pulled out all the stops with three super brand new displays - Boys and Girls Come Out to Play; Going to the Opera and Make do and Mend.
The Museum re-opens on Monday 17 February - do come and visit. ...
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Can you Help?
The Museum is looking for a volunteer to manage our traditional tea room and small retail shop. This is a key role within the Museum, which is open 4 days a week.
If you have experience working with the public and have a few hours a week to spare and would like join our friendly team we'd love to hear from you.
For further details please contact the Museum on 01258 453006, or fashionmuseumblandford@gmail.com ...
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We might be closed for the season, but that doesn’t stop the work at the Museum.
Today we were visited by Shillingstone Railway project and Sturminster Mill who caused a stir by making off with some of our old mannequins! Look out for a new Station Master or Miller perhaps at Shillingstone Railway and Sturminster Mill ...
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Volunteers and Friends of the Museum are “having a day off” from getting the Museum ready for the 2020 season with a trip to Bath Fashion Museum. As you can see some of us couldn’t resist getting in touch with our inner child by using the dressing up corner! ...
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Well that’s it for another season - we go out with a splash at the volunteers Christmas lunch in Ashley Wood Golf Club. ...
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It’s our final day of the season today, free entry plus a mince pie when you purchase a drink
AND we have various crafts people demonstrating their skills - Dorset Button Making; Felting; Lace Making; Spinning and more.
Come and join us. Open from 10.00 - 4.00 today. ...
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Check out the bountiful spread for our raffle - the draw is tomorrow at 2.30 and tickets are £1 each from the tea room ...
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Only a week to go to our final day of the 2019 season. But we are going out with a bang!
Come along to our Open Day on Saturday 30th November doors open at 10.00 am - lots of craft demo's to see AND you get a free mince pie with every drink bought.
Plus The Mayor of Blandford will be drawing our Grand Christmas Raffle at 2.30 pm ...
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Today we're at the Dorset Museums Association Annual Conference, watching Tony, a longstanding volunteer and our residents handyman, receive a Dorset Museums Volunteers of the Year award! Congratulations Tony, we can't think of anyone who deserves this more. ...
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Hillary Townsend is just about to start her talk on Silk Hay as part of the Blandford Literary Festival ...
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The Fashion Museum today was privileged to host Penrose Halson and her husband Bill as part of the Blandford Literary Festival. They kept the audience entertained and enthralled with a talk on Penrose's book Marriages are Made in Bond Street. Tomorrow we host author Hilary Townsend who will be talking about her house Silk Hay, here's hoping for another sell out session. ...
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Don’t forget to buy your tickets for our Grand Christmas Raffle. We have some fab prizes such as £100 M&S vouchers; Christmas hampers; Half a lamb; Family passes to Bovington Tank Museum and Splashdown plus many more. To be drawn at our Open Celebration day on 30 November ...
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We are excited to be part of the upcoming Blandford Literary Festival this November.
There is a full programme of lectures taking part around Blandford, and the Museum is hosting two events, which you might be interested in.
Monday 18th November - Marriages are Made in Bond Street with Penrose Halson, and
Tuesday 19th November - Silk Hay - One Woman’s Fight for Architectural Heritage with Hilary Townsend
You will find full details on www.blandfordliteraryfestival.com where you can also book tickets. ...
Elizabeth I's Rainbow Portrait Dress ...
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Look what we’ve got! The Fashion Museum has been awarded a fantastic grant from Hall and Woodhouse #badgerales under their Community Chest Scheme. ...
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We have a kimono on display at the moment that belonged to Elizabeth Frink and which was kindly given to us as a bequest. Come and appreciate them in person! ...
V&A · Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk
www.vam.ac.uk
Exploring the sartorial, aesthetic and social significance of kimono from the 1660s to the present day, both in Japan and the rest of the world. The Museum hosted a group visit from our friends the Poole Lace Group this week. They will be back on 30th November at our Open Celebration Day (free entry to the Museum that day) demonstrating their fantastic lace making skills.
Put the date in your diaries. ...
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