London

On a recent visit to London I saw some interesting exhibitions. One was at the Fashion and Textiles Museum called 'Knitwear: Chanel to Westward'. This was fascinating if you like knitting. I can only show you a few examples as you were not supposed to take photographs which I didn't realise at first.
The exhibition started with some pieces by contemporary designers.

Fashion and Armour: Proud looks and brave attire by Juliana Sissons in 2011 - knitted with cotton and gold copper wire.

Mr Elephant hat and Mr Lion gloves by Yang Du in 2011.

The Natural Blonde by Sibling in 2013 - this was hand knitted in giant loop stitch.

A petticoat from the beginning of the twentieth century.

A jacket and skirt in wool jersey by Chanel in 1918.

Daywear and swimwear from the 1930's.

There was another exhibition in the museum called 'Pattern: Watts' Architect Wallpapers'. This was a lovely display of hand block printed wallpapers. They even had some of the blocks on display too. The company still exists and you can still have these wallpapers printed (see www.watts1874.co.uk)

Bodley Beaton Pink by G F Bodley in 1870

Oakleaf by Bodey in 1870 with two of the wooden blocks

Sunflower in Burnt Ginger 1874

Triad by Pugin in 1845

Old English Eton in 1882

Pear Hand Blocked

Bentinck

Venetian in Eau de Nil by Bodley in 1880 with the two blocks and a detail of the first block.

The museum is close to the Shard and the river so I walked down that way. Some of the modern buildings are amazing.

I obviously had to take a picture of Tower Bridge and of the Tower of London.

As part of the Remembrance of the beginning of the First World War there is an installation around the Tower. 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' by Paul Cummins is made up of ceramic poppies which will continue being planted until November 11th (Tower of London Remembers)