Something old and something new - vintage wedding dresses up close at Birmingham's Museums Collections Centre

Friday 20 May 2016

If every wedding dress has a story to tell, visitors to an exclusive afternoon at the Museum Collections Centre in Nechells are in line for a very special treat, when they can see, touch and hear the stories of a number of vintage wedding dresses in the Birmingham Museums Trust collection.

From the oldest wedding dress in the collection – first worn in 1730 – to vintage styles from the 1960s and ‘70s, participants will be able to examine the different techniques used to create the wearable artworks up close, perhaps drawing inspiration for their own designs.

“Whether you are looking for classic inspiration for your own wedding dress, or just love the exquisite workmanship that goes into creating these once-in-a-lifetime dresses, this special afternoon enables you to see garments that are not on public display and without any glass barrier between you and the dress,” explains Zelina Garland, Curatorial & Exhibitions Manager at Birmingham Museums Trust, who will be leading the afternoon.  “These dresses show how bridal fashion has changed and developed over the last three centuries, and attendees will uncover the history of the wedding dress with this exclusive exploration of our bridal collection.”

The Vintage Wedding Dress Afternoon runs from 1pm to 4pm at the Museum Collections Centre, 25 Dolman Street, Nechells.  Tickets are £35 per person, including a mid-afternoon break for tea and cake.  Tickets should be prebooked by calling 0121 348 8038 or online at http://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/vintage-wedding-dress-afternoon

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Birmingham Museums Trust is an independent charity that manages the city’s museum collection and venues on behalf of Birmingham City Council.  It uses the collection of around 800,000 objects to provide a wide range of arts, cultural and historical experiences, events and activities that deliver accessible learning, creativity and enjoyment for citizens and visitors to the city.  Most areas of the collection are designated as being of national importance, including the finest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world.  Attracting over one million visits a year, the Trust’s venues include Aston Hall, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Blakesley Hall, Museum Collections Centre, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Sarehole Mill, Soho House, Thinktank and Weoley Castle.  www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. It supports a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2015 and 2018, Arts Council England plans to invest £1.1 billion of public money from government and an estimated £700 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk