From ribbon skirts to gusty leather: New exhibit explores London's defining fashion
Fashion: Grit, Glamour and Guts opens on Saturday and will feature more than 100 pieces of clothing, accessories and fashion-themed artwork that highlights Londoners' style from textured ball gowns to simple graphic T-shirts.
"What we wear says something about who we are," exhibit co-curator Amber Lloydlangston said. "We wanted to find out how we tell our stories and how we tell our truth through what we wear."
All the pieces were worn by Londoners and are sorted into one of three sections: grit, glamour or guts.
"Guts are things that are pushing boundaries and are future-thinking, looking forward," said co-curator Zahra McDoom, pointing to a women's fedora from the 1890s.
"At the time, it was used as a symbol for the women's rights movement and gender equality."
The exhibit also features clothing items from three local designers including a glamorous dress by Cynthia Laurent Cadogan, a gutsy jacket by Andrew Esdaile and gritty ribbon skirts by Felicia Huff.
"[Huff] talks about the significance of the ribbon skirts for healing her people and for reclaiming Indigenous culture," McDoom said. "Two younger people who are also Indigenous from Chippewa of the Thames shared their ribbon skirts and what it means about preservation of culture and determination to continue."
There are also more unassuming pieces that Londoners donated to the exhibit, such as a pair of leather pants that a high school student purchased at a downtown thrift store for a dollar representing the teenager's goth aesthetic and interest in sustainable fashion.
"The significance of it is very meaningful," McDoom said.
London's fashion trends are typically linked to larger western fashion trends, Lloydlangson said, adding that a clothing item's shape, colour and popularity can speak to the interests and values of a specific time period.
Still, the curators say there are some traits that make Londoners' style stand out from the rest.
"As you come through the gallery, you'll be impressed by the range of outfits, garments and style people have had across time, so I think Londoners have a history of creative dressing," McDoom said.
Lloydlangston agreed, adding that Londoners tend to be bold in how they share their stories through clothing.
"I think Londoners know what they can do with fashion, and they know they can communicate something about themselves through fashion, and they use it strategically," she said. "I find it's really fun how people weave fashion into their private and work lives."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
London Fire Department launches door-to-door smoke alarm campaign as detector technology evolves
The London Fire Department (LFD) is taking a door-to-door approach to fire safety this summer, launching a new campaign aimed at making sure every home has a working smoke alarm. While the importance of detectors remains the same, the devices themselves are undergoing a technological transformation, from the "dumb" alarms of the past to smart, connected systems that can give homeowners more information than ever before. Beginning Wednesday, crews will fan out across the city between 6 and 8 p.m. on weeknights as part of the Sound the Alarm: Stay Safe, London campaign. For six weeks, firefighters will be knocking on doors to check if residents have working smoke alarms and to educate them about requirements under Ontario's Fire Code. Matt Hepditch, Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention and Public Education for LFD, said the push comes after concerning numbers last year. "In 2024, we saw that 21 per cent of residential fires occurred in homes without working smoke alarms," he said. "That's one in five structure fires, or about 50 out of 235 incidents." Hepditch said the lack of working alarms is sometimes not negligence but a misunderstanding. Residents may disable alarms because of frequent nuisance triggers from cooking or shower steam, or they may not realize monthly testing is required. Others simply don't know that alarms have an expiry date. The department stresses education over punishment as firefighters will explain the law, help test alarms and direct tenants to landlords if replacements are needed. "At the end of the day, we don't want to prosecute," Hepditch said. "We want to make sure people are safe." He points to recent incidents where working alarms woke residents in time to escape. "Most of the time, when alarms are present and functional, people get out. But to be certain, every home needs working smoke alarms on every floor." From beeping boxes to smart sensors While London firefighters are reminding residents to keep the basics covered, the devices themselves have been changing rapidly in recent years. According to technology journalist and analyst Carmi Levy, smoke detectors are following the same path as thermostats, doorbells and light bulbs: getting "smart." "They've gone from being conventional, dumb devices that you just pop a battery into, to smart safety devices that do a lot more," Levy said. "They network with other sensors in the house, talk to your phone, and tell you precisely where an emergency is happening." Today's smart detectors can alert homeowners even when they're not at home. They can send push notifications, report battery levels before they fail, and remind users when the unit itself is nearing the end of its lifespan. "In the past, you didn't find out a detector had aged out until it failed," Levy said. "Now, it will tell you if you're coming up on five years, it's time to replace it. It's a much more intelligent way of managing a device that can literally save your life." Pros, cons and what's next for detectors When it comes to adding a smart detector to your home, Levy said adoption is still limited. A weekend trip to the hardware store showed him that about half of the models on shelves were now smart, but most homes still use older alarms. Cost is one reason, as smart units are pricier, and complexity is another. "These are computers with connectivity built in," Levy said. "That means they're harder to troubleshoot. If you're not tech-savvy, it could be overwhelming. If you already wrestle with your Wi-Fi or your phone, you may want to keep it simple." False alarms, software updates and internet outages can complicate things further. Levy cautions homeowners to choose technology that matches their comfort level. "Don't hand over this critical safety function to a device you don't fully understand how to manage." Looking ahead, he expects artificial intelligence to play a role. Smarter sensors could better distinguish between a real threat and harmless smoke, and offer clearer guidance in an emergency. But ease of use and reliability remain hurdles. "For us to trust them as much as we've trusted traditional alarms, they need to be more robust and simpler to install," Levy said. Whether residents choose traditional or smart alarms, Hepditch said the priority is simple: every floor in every home, and check them every month.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Oasis star Noel Gallagher piles praise on ‘amazing' brother Liam
Liam Gallagher (L), lead singer and Noel Gallagher (R), singer and guitarist of British rock band Oasis take to the stage at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on July 4, 2025. (Photo by AFP STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images) London, United Kingdom -- Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher has described performing again with his brother Liam as 'great,' confounding skeptics who feared a fresh sibling bust-up could scupper their reunion tour. Noel piled praise on his brother, calling him 'amazing' and adding that he had forgotten how 'funny' he was. 'Liam's smashing it. I'm proud of him,' he told talkSPORT radio in an interview Tuesday almost halfway through their 41-date comeback tour. The famously warring brothers had last played together in Paris in 2009 when tensions boiled over into a backstage brawl in which Liam broke one of Noel's guitars. Noel quit the band saying he 'simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer.' Sixteen years on, Noel said he had been 'completely blown away' by playing together again. 'I've done stadiums before and all that, but I don't mind telling you, my legs had turned to jelly after about halfway through the second song,' he said of their opening night in Cardiff on July 4. 'It's been an amazing thing. Really is an amazing thing. It's difficult to put into words actually,' he said. The group has already played in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Formed in Manchester, northwest England, in 1991 Oasis is credited with helping create the Britpop era of that decade with hit songs including 'Wonderwall, 'Don't Look Back In Anger' and 'Champagne Supernova'. 'Forgot how funny he was' Noel added that he was in awe of his brother's on-stage performance. 'I couldn't do the stadium thing like he does it, it's not in my nature. But I've got to say, I kind of look and I think, 'Good for you mate.' He's been amazing,' he said. 'I guess when it's all said and done we will sit and reflect on it, but it's great being back in the band with Liam, I forgot how funny he was,' he added. The band heads to North America later this week before returning to the U.K. for more London dates in September. The international leg of the tour, which wraps up on November 23 in Sao Paulo, includes dates in Chicago, Mexico City, Tokyo, Sydney and Buenos Aires. AFP
Globe and Mail
19 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
This hat on my head had a mind of its own
First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines at I am not a hat person. They just don't sit well on my head. I either look like I'm trying too hard to look trendy, or like I have no idea of how to look trendy. For some, hats complete an outfit. They are seen as a fashion accessory. I see hats as a required safety and sun-blocking necessity. I need a baseball cap for sports, sure, and a bike helmet is mandatory, but other than that I go full-on commando. Which brings me to the first and only time I've ever bought a fashionable hat. My husband had recently been diagnosed with cancer and I was on full-time duty as a loving caregiver. I had spent many months putting one foot in front of the other, trying to manage an unmanageable situation. At the height of summer, my grateful husband insisted on me taking a week off by myself to recharge. He even enlisted the help of his out-of-town sister to facilitate my temporary absence. I had little choice but to succumb to their kind-hearted pressure. I still remember driving to the ferry in tears, feeling like I was abandoning not only my responsibilities, but the love of my life. Why buy golf balls when there are so many waiting to be found? As I wandered aimlessly through the throngs of tourists at the ferry terminal, something caught my eye. An unassuming little head covering drowning in a sea of flamboyant fedoras. On a whim, I picked it up and put it on my head. It worked. It was as if my head had met its soulmate. There I was, hat in hand, on my way. I was yet to learn that this wasn't just some ordinary hat. It had a willful side to it; a spiritedness that I had not expected, nor for that matter, requested. This hat was in no way married to my head. In other words, it had a mind of its own. A week passed and I was on my way home. The requisite ferry lineup inched slowly forward and I heard an incessant honking behind me. Feeling slightly irritated – and for some unknown reason guilty – I got out of my car and demanded to know what I had been doing wrong. The lovely woman behind the wheel smiled sweetly and produced my hat. 'I think this may have fallen out of your car window a few miles back,' she said. Astonished at her kindness, I thanked her profusely and we both continued on our respective journeys home. Fast-forward to postcancer and life was getting back to a new normal. My husband (and some very good friends) convinced me that I needed to join them in a 100-kilometre bike ride called the Gran Fondo. Most people need to train for this challenging event, and I am no exception. Off the four of us went to a local island, known for its steep hills and great craft beers. Feeling good about my biking ability and an enjoyable weekend away, I quickly realized I had forgotten my precious hat at our recent lodgings. After many phone calls and contributing significantly to the revenue of Canada Post, I finally got my hat back. Now, I told myself, I was never going to let it out of my sight! Until, that is, we were packing to attend my son's upcoming wedding in France. He had moved to Paris five years earlier for a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity, fell in love with an adorable young French woman and decided to stay. The perfect rental car for Italy? No such unicorn, amore Where was my hat?! I looked everywhere I thought a hat would be: closet shelves, drawers, even old suitcases harbouring the nostalgia of past trips to the City of Light. While I did find an old pair of sunglasses, some expired reading glasses and a set of car keys, my hat was nowhere to be found. Utterly defeated, I packed my bags and off we went to Paris. A wedding requires a great deal of planning and my son's was no exception. One afternoon as we were deliberating over seating arrangements, my future daughter-in-law, rummaging through a box of unclaimed items, came waltzing into the living room … holding my hat! 'Does this belong to you?' she asked nonchalantly. I couldn't believe my eyes. All this time my favourite hat had been leading the high life, masquerading as a chapeau in France! I did note a small red wine stain on its brim, but who could blame it? 'Perhaps your hat is trying to lose you,' my son commented wryly. Giving that a moment's consideration, I grabbed my treasured possession, popped it on my head and walked back to our hotel – head and hat held high. Having travelled to France and back with a few other stops along the way, my hat is now pushing five years old. No doubt I'll need a new one at some point but some things are worth hanging on to, if for no other reason than the cherished memories they hold. To take excessive liberties with the rhymes of Harry S. Miller, my hat came back, but not the very next day. My hat came back. I thought it was a goner. Hats, heads and husbands. I hope to never lose any of them. Loren Plottel lives in Vancouver.
