The History of the Glasgow School of Art Fashion Show an Evolving Pedagogy

Abstract

This article discusses a research project which utilized archive sources to construct the history of an art school fashion show, to examine the event as higher education (HE) learning and teaching method. The study of textiles has been part of the activities of the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) since its inception. Fashion as a discipline resulting in a distinct qualification is relatively new to the School. However, GSA’s fashion show began in 1947 and this article focuses on a study undertaken to celebrate the seventieth-anniversary of the event. The collaborative project involved staff from GSA’s Department of Fashion & Textiles, Archives & Collections (A&C) and Alumni Relations. The GSA archive was essential to the inquiry as it contains a wealth of information relating to the history of the School, its staff and students. The project methodology combined archival investigation, documentary and visual analysis, and participant feedback, towards exhibition curation. Outcomes from the project included an exhibition which ran alongside the 2017 student fashion shows and accompanying student-led events. This article provides insight into the types of archival material utilized and discusses the historical development of the show focusing on its evolving role in learning and teaching. The concluding section proposes areas for further investigation and highlights issues for consideration by collectors, institutions and archives.