Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting the Fashion and Textile Museum, Bermondsey Street, London SE1. I was eager to get back to blogging in 2023, but I didn’t fancy traipsing anywhere further afield because it was rainy and miserable outside. I decided to review the Fashion and Textile Museum because it’s a short walk from my apartment. Besides, the current exhibition is Kaffe Fassett: The Power of Pattern, which showcases colourful quilts, needlepoint work and more. It was the perfect choice for a grey day in the city, and it certainly did the job and cheered me up!
Kaffe Fassett Exhibition At The Fashion And Textile Museum
The Kaffe Fassett exhibition runs until 12 March 2023. I’ll give you a brief overview of Kaffee Fassett, but please read it in full if you have time on the Kaffe Fassett Website.
Kaffe was born in San Francisco in 1937. At 19, he won a scholarship at The Boston Museum of Fine Arts School. After three months, he left to paint in London and settled in England in 1964. His fifty-year career covers everything from quilting to needlepoint, knitting, mosaic, textile design, printing and drawing.
Kaffe’s passion for colour led him to become a knitwear designer for the likes of Missoni and Bill Gibb. His knitwear became so popular that Barbara Streisand and Lauren Bacall collected it. Later he became interested in needlepoint and patchwork, creating his pieces and designs for others.
His career highlights include becoming the first living textile designer to have a one-person show at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which toured nine countries in 1988. Kaffe’s famous quilts have been shown at many worldwide exhibitions, including the Textile Museum of Canada and the Ancestral Quilts Exhibition at the Quilt Museum in York. He has also designed costumes and sets for ballet and theatre productions. Now that you have an overview of this incredibly talented person, you’ll appreciate the exhibition even more. It explores some of Kaffe’s original works of art along with international quilters and the makers he inspired.
The exhibition is a kaleidoscope of colour and patterns that will cheer you up on the gloomiest of grey days! As you enter the show, you can watch a short film about The Kaffe Fassett Collective – Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably (Textile Artist/Designer, Author, Manager of Kaffe Fassett Studio) and Philip Jacobs (Fabric and Wallpaper Designer). In the downstairs area, the most beautiful quilts are hanging on the walls, many of which have been inspired by Kaffe. Wander upstairs, where you’ll find more quilts, needlework cushions, and some clothing.
Don’t forget to stop at the gift shop brimming with design and textile books, home accessories and jewellery. It’s a lovely place to buy a gift for a creative friend or family member. Look out for the Kaffee Fasset books and products.
Watch My Kaffe Fassett Fashion And Textile Museum Video
Helpful Information About The Fashion And Textile Museum
The Fashion and Textile Museum is dedicated to contemporary fashion and textile designs. It was founded in 2003 by Dame Zandra Rhodes, and today it is operated by Newham College. Look out for the orange building designed by Ricardo Legorreta at 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF. The museum is a short walk from London Bridge station. Besides the exhibitions, you get involved in educational courses, talks and workshops. Please go to the Fashion and Textile Museum Website to find out about forthcoming shows and events.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a café or restaurant in the museum, but there are plenty of coffee shops and eateries on Bermondsey Street. If you want a coffee and croissant, pop into Chapter 72. For soup and sandwiches, try B Street Deli. Both are close by.
You may like to read my Bermondsey Street restaurant reviews:
Cafe Murano Weekend Brunch Review
Cafe Murano Lunch Review
Flour and Grape Restaurant Review
Pizzaro Restaurant Review
Jose Tapas Bar Review
Hakata Ramen Bar Review
The Woolpack Sunday Lunch Review
B Street Deli Review
Here are some other articles about Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey and things to do nearby:
London Glassblowing Gallery
Bermondsey Antique Market
Ten Things To Do In Bermondsey
Historical Bermondsey Walk
Maltby Street Market
See my Love Bermondsey London Pinterest Board for more photographs of the area.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.
