Chris Breward

Chris Breward is Professor of Cultural History at the University of Edinburgh, where he also holds the positions of Principal of Edinburgh College of Art and Vice Principal of the University (Creative Arts). In 2016, Chris Breward was a Rita Bolland Fellow at the RCMC for two months. His project focused on investigating the connections between the RCMC collections and the theoretical concept of fashion. His research and publication focus on the cultural history of fashion in the West, the history and status of London and other metropoles as global fashion centers, and men's fashion and dandyism. His last book examined the suit as a cultural phenomenon. Chris previously worked as Head of Research at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Together with the Curator of Popular Culture and Fashion, Daan van Dartel, Chris explores the possibilities within the museum for writing a different history of fashion. Fashion has always been seen as a Western invention and concept, but the museum's collection stands to bring a more global scope to this particular history. Fashion exists in a state of contiunous change. In other regions and cultures, fashion and dress are dynamically linked to various cultural forms and identities. Brewer's knowledge of the Western system brings fresh eyes to the collection. Additionally, this work will contribute to the development of a research direction about fashion and colonialism.

The Rita Bolland Fellowship invites researchers who have projects that explore questions related to the NMVW textile(s) and dress collection.

Read more about the fellowship here.