Jacket, suit jacket

This jacket forms part of a heavy cotton suit bought from Joseph by Kim Philpotts in c. 1983. Philpotts has donated a number of items of clothing to the museum, and her collection provides an interesting insight into one woman's wardrobe during the 1980s and 1990s.

Philpotts grew up in Stratford Upon Avon in the 1960s, and studied Set and Costume Design in Birmingham before moving to London in 1982. Her clothing represents fashionable designer and high street clothing in London during this period, and while the receipts for these items have since been lost, Philpotts can still remember where many of them were bought.

This suit is by Katharine Hamnett, a British designer who studied fashion at Central Saint Martins College in London, launching her own label in 1979. It was bought from Joseph's flagship store on Sloane Street in Knightsbridge. Before focusing on own brand collections Joseph had championed emerging designers such as Katharine Hamnett in its stores. Hamnett is now best known for her oversized t-shirts bearing political statements.