Bath’s Milsom Quarter has been brought to life with striking street decorations created by local school and college students as part of a project led by Fashion Museum Bath and Bath & North East Somerset Council in partnership with The Holburne Museum.
Installed during July, the banners and bunting feature original designs by students from St Mark’s School, Hayesfield School, LIFT Broadlands and Bath College.
The colourful installation places the city’s next generation of artists and designers at the heart of Bath’s public spaces, while showcasing their creativity to residents and summer visitors.
The designs were developed through a series of practical workshops inspired by A Life in Print, The Holburne Museum’s exhibition celebrating the work of British fashion and textile designer Zandra Rhodes. The workshops were made possible through initial funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Students visited the exhibition to explore Rhodes’ distinctive use of colour, pattern and print before taking part in artist-led design sessions. During the workshops, they experimented with different printing techniques, bold patterns and personal expression to create their own original designs.
A selection of the students’ work was then chosen by Fashion Museum Bath, enlarged and installed across the city’s streets as banners and bunting.
Councillor Kevin Guy, leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said, “It’s fantastic to see the creativity of our young people brought to life across Bath’s streets. These installations add colour to the city and show how fashion can inspire our future generations’ creativity.
“This Fashion Museum Bath collaboration showcases how our cultural organisations and schools can work together to improve Bath for residents and visitors alike.”
The project reflects Fashion Museum Bath’s commitment to creativity, learning and widening access to the fashion and design industries. It has given students the opportunity to experience professional design processes and explore potential routes into further study and creative careers.
The workshops form part of the museum’s pre-opening learning programme, which is developing links with young people across Bath and the surrounding region. The project will also help inform Fashion Is… Sketch. Print. Wear., a planned twice-yearly design challenge for Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5 students.
The challenge will aim to provide accessible and inspiring opportunities for young people interested in fashion, textiles and design.
The street dressing forms part of a wider programme of regeneration in Bath’s Milsom Quarter and has been supported through the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Bath High Street Renewal Programme.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said, “I’m delighted that our funding is helping to give more young people the chance to develop their creative talents, build new skills and explore exciting careers in fashion and design.
“Zandra Rhodes is a true icon, lauded for her bold and vibrant concepts. This celebration of art, fashion and imagination by Fashion Museum Bath will add even more colour to the city throughout the summer.”
