Childhood fashion memories preserved in paper!

A collection of more than 100 life-sized children’s clothes made from paper by one dedicated local woman is to go on display for the first time at Snibston. The exhibition is to be held in the Fashion Gallery at Snibston Discovery Museum from November 24th until May 15th next year.

All the clothes are modelled on items of clothes made in Leicestershire between the 1940s and 1970s, and have been painstakingly created over the last few years by fashion expert Felicity Austen.

"They each took hours to put together," explains Felicity, "and I’ve used everything from tissue paper to wrapping paper to make them all. I’ve become something of a paperholic!"

Her unique collection includes ten pairs of paper shoes, as well as paper dresses, shirts and even socks. None of them are meant to be worn.

Felicity, who was trained at the Leicester College of Art in the 60s, said; "I wanted to celebrate Leicestershire’s manufacturing industry, and the sewing and knitting skills of our mothers and grandmothers, skills that are sadly dying out among today’s generation."

Also included in the exhibition are other nostalgic paper artefacts, from Coronation memorabilia and old photos to school books and brown paper packages tied up with string.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities, said:
"This is yet another fascinating exhibition at Snibston and one that is definitely not to be missed. The garments are absolutely amazing with such fine and intricate detail; in fact it’s hard to believe that they are made from paper!"

Entrance to the Fashion Gallery is free on Wednesday afternoons two hours before closing.

See some of the exhibition panels (.pdf)