Nautical Chic, Fashion and Textile museum

Coco Chanel’s very first boutique in 1913 was in seaside resort of Deauville, Normandy, rather than fashionable Paris. Breaking with the large skirts and frills worn during the Belle Eupoque, Chanel's boutique sold long-line sweaters or chandail previously worn by Norman fishermen and simple sea-inspired clothes made from knitted jersey. Within three years, Chanel's nautical inspired fashions were in the pages of both British and American Vogue, thanks in part to Chanel’s sister Antoinette and her aunt Adrienne, who wore Chanel’s open-necked ‘sailor blouse’ around town.

Since then, the looks associated with the sea-side, including the iconic blue and white stripes, have inspired everyone from fashion designer Mary Quant and her thigh-high sailor dress of 1967 to the longer nautical inspired Laura Ashley dresses of the 1980s, right up to Jean Paul Gaultier whose spring/summer 2008 collection capitalised on the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Vivienne Westwood and Tommy Hilfiger.

And now, an exhibition at the Fashion and Textiles museum, based on the book by the same name, Nautical Chic by fashion historian Amber Jame Butchart opens up the history of nautical styles. Not to be missed for anyone interested in the history of fashion. 

Display admission included with Riviera Style Resort and Swimwear Since 1900 exhibition.