Fashion and Textiles students from Wakefield College have launched an exhibition at Wakefield Museum with British heritage shirt company, Double TWO.
The exhibition, which will be open until May 2025, celebrates the rich history of the Double TWO shirt company, founded in 1940, which became globally renowned for the shirts’ replacement collars and cuffs.
Wakefield Council Museums contacted the Art & Design department at Wakefield College, proposing an opportunity to work with the students on the new exhibition at the museum to celebrate the history of the Double TWO shirt company.
They were keen to involve the Wakefield College students as he believed they would have a view on current fashion. And by involving young people in projects, it would introduce them to their heritage and museums and get their take on fashion.
Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport said: “We are so lucky to have such talented fashion students who have been inspired by our city and the museum archive . They have a fresh perspective on textiles and have created stunning shirts. We’re really pleased that visitors will be able to come see and enjoy their work in our building. We hope to work with the students again on upcoming projects.”
The shirt designs produced by the students honour the history of Wakefield and are each inspired by the students’ unique experiences living in the city. Their work is exhibited by Wakefield Museum in a case in the atrium of Wakefield One and on the wall of Create café, which is open Monday – Friday 8:45am – 3pm.
Millie Bark, Level 3 Fashion and Textiles student, with her final shirt design for the project.
Millie Barke, Level 3 Fashion and Textiles student at Wakefield College, said: “The inspiration for my shirt was the old bank building which was turned into a nightclub as I believe this building describes Wakefield so well. It’s rusty, old and well known and the buildings scattered around it compliment it so well. As someone who has lived in Wakefield all my life, being able to create a shirt based on the city was fun and its great that people will be able to learn about the history of all these buildings through the exhibition.
Emily Forbes, Level 3 Fashion and Textiles student, with her shirt design for the project.
Emily Forbes stated: “I began my research with Wakefield’s music venues and the punk scene, leading me to further study the women’s movements against pit closures as well as how Wakefield is an understated part of the UK’s punk history. We have so much creative freedom on this course which allows me to experiment with these sorts of alternative designs. My dream job is to become a costume designer so after this course I’d love to get an apprenticeship somewhere.”
Sally Poskitt, Lecturer in Art & Design, said: “I believe it’s important to challenge the students and encourage their creativity with projects like these as the textile and fashion industry is fast moving and requires high standards. This project has given the students a chance to exhibit their work in a gallery which is a rare opportunity for College students. They should all feel a sense of pride seeing their work in a public space and I hope that this will encourage them to strive for success in the future.”
Friends, family and students viewing the project’s private exhibition at Wakefield Museum.
An opening celebration event was held in June which gave the College tutors, students and their friends and family a private viewing of the exhibition whilst enjoying some light refreshments.
The Textiles Department has worked with external clients before and has more plans next year to work with the museum again with the project still to be discussed.
The students will also be working on a separate project with Community Foundation Wakefield District on the theme of ‘Rhubarb’ – a collection of garments which are expected to be part of a fashion show in February 2025.