2008 November 05

Jean Muir: A Fashion Icon

The National Museum of Scotland will exhibit a large collection of late British fashion designer Jean Muir’s work from Friday 7 November.

Jean Muir photographed by Gemma Levine

Jean Muir (1928-1995) was an internationally acclaimed dressmaker who founded the label Jean Muir Ltd with her husband Harry Leuckert in 1966. The upcoming exhibition aims to celebrate the life and work of the designer and will showcase selected highlights from her works on display to the public for the first time. Included in the show are garments, sketches, patterns, accessories, catwalk footage and fashion photography.

Harry Leuckert, Muir’s widower, donated in April 2005 the Jean Muir collection of over 18 000 items to the National Museum of Scotland. It is believed to be the largest archive of a fashion designer in any museum. “Both of Jeans grandparents came from Scotland and she was tremendously proud of her Scottish roots. She loved the country, its landscapes and its people and used a great number of Scottish craftspeople in her work throughout her career”, said Leuckert after the donation.

Jean Muir was known in Paris as “the new queen of the dress” and in New York as “the jewel in the crown of British fashion”. Although Muir had no formal training from any art school, she managed to work her way up through the fashion industry and then onto establishing her own label, Jean Muir Ltd, in 1966. She was known for her strict attention to details, her classic and simple shapes and her use of black and navy. In Muir’s own words, she claimed to be “evolutionary, not revolutionary”, and her clothes have been celebrated by women such as Lauren Bacall, Barbra Streisand and Judi Dench.

The entire collection represents an outstanding educational resource as it sets out the making of a fashion house as well as numerous collections, ranging from the very first sketches drawn by Muir until the clothes actually appeared on a runway. Consequently, it has taken the museum three years to catalogue, document and conserve all of the 18 000 items, of which only 30 finished garments will be displayed. ”The exhibition has been crafted to follow Muir’s training, her early career and her resultant status as the figurehead of one of Britain’s best-loved and respected fashion labels, providing an inspiration to all”, says Barbara Lyon, a spokesperson at the National Museum of Scotland.

There will also be a programme of events for those who wish to gain deeper and perhaps more practical knowledge on the subject of fashion and designing. The program will commence in November with lectures and workshops scheduled.

The exhibition will run from Fri 7 Nov 2008 – Sun 15 March 2009, it is free and located in the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. For more information please visit www.nms.ac.uk.

Obama Wins

America has elected its first black president. President Elect Barack Obama, 47,gave his victory speech from Glen Park in his hometown of Chicago at Midnight (5 o’clock this morning U.K time).

The speech gave praise to McCain, as well as his own campaign team and family. “You have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House” he joked to his daughters. He also told the story of one 106 year old voter, Anne Nixon Cooper, who had voted for the first time, illustrating how America has changed in the last century, and how it may continue to change.

“I will listen to you, especially when we disagree” said Obama, reaching out to those who did not support him, despite their opposition.

Senator McCain gave his speech conceding the victory to Obama earlier, from Phoenix Alabama, congratulating Obama on his victory. McCain’s supporters booed at the mention of Obama. Chants of “we want john” were heard in Phoenix. McCain quieted the crowd and continued to praise the new president elect, appearing magnanimous in defeat and asking his supporters to forget the defeat and to reach out to the new president elect, for the benefit of all Americans.

Elsewhere in the U.S sentiments seem to be more hopeful towards the new president elect. Chants of “Yes We Can” and “Brand New Day”, two of Obama’s campaign slogans were heard at many rallies and election night parties. One particular celebration saw former presidential candidate and civil rights activist Jessie Jackson shed tears of happiness.

Mr Obama’s victory has been hailed as “another Camelot” for the world. With “the politics of fear and militarism … about to come to an end” as Dr Robert Franklin, president of Moorhouse college (Dr Kings Alma Matter) said. This may well be the common view across the world. To meet his manifesto promises, Barack Obama will have to work hard – but as one Blogger featured on the BBC’s coverage of the election said: “Tonight we celebrate – tomorrow we work”.

Celebrations were not confined to America, with Barack Obama’s grandmothers village in Kenya celebrating and Kenya holding tomorrow as a day of celebration.

At the time of publishing there are still some states which have not declared a victor, though President elect lead the electoral collage vote with 338 to 155 for McCain. 270 electoral votes were needed to carry the presidency. There is still a chance that the already impressive victory will turn into a landslide. The Democrats have also won control of the senate.

The current president, George Bush, called Obama to congratulate him saying “it was an amazing night”, despite being from the opposing party.

Mr Obama will take office as the 44th president of the United States of America on the 21st of January next year.