Press Releases

Museum a fashion hot spot

Minister for Heritage opens new exhibition at the National Wool Museum

The focus is on fashion at the National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre following its first ever Style Show in October 2007, Coleg Sir Gar’s West Wales School of the Arts Graduate Fashion Show last week, and now the opening of a new display of striking woollen garments from the 1960s and 1970s – ‘Celtic Couture.’

On Thursday 3 July 2008, Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, officially opened a new exhibition of outfits made from Welsh wool by a designer from Wales, Dr Sheila Harri.

From hotpants to sporty looks and a Mabinogi-inspired collection, Dr Harri’s kind contribution has been incorporated into the national wool collection. Each garment demonstrates the designer’s passion for Welsh flannel, as Ann Whittall, Museum Manager explains:

“Dr Sheila Harri’s motivation to use Welsh material stemmed from her childhood memories of growing up here, her family and a desire to retain a Welsh identity as she was far from home. Her pieces are a contemporary twist on traditional Welsh patterns and a contrast to the more conventional items associated with Welsh wool.

“The woollen industry was important to the Welsh economy, and highlighting Dr Harri’s use of Welsh wool demonstrates how it also created an impact further afield.”

Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas said:

“I am very pleased to be here to open this new exhibition of unique items, which show a modern-day use of a traditional Welsh product and will add to the very interesting story the Museum has to tell about the woollen industry and those who lived and worked in the mills.”

The Museum will continue to build on the fashion theme throughout the summer with a series of workshops. More information on activities at the Museum can be found at www.museumwales.ac.uk

Entry to the Museum and the ‘Celtic Couture’ display is free of charge, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

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For further information, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer on (029) 2057 3185 or e-mail catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk