Skirt, suit skirt

This mini skirt forms part of a Katharine Hamnett suit bought by Kim Philpotts in c. 1987. 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.

Katharine Hamnett is a British designer who studied fashion at Central Saint Martins College in London, launching her own label in 1979. Philpotts remembers that she bought this suit at the time of the Great Storm in Britian, which was in October 1987. It was her first 'grown up' suit, and reminded Philpotts of her old school unitform, as did many of Hamnett's other designs. It was bought from Katharine Hamnett's store on South Molton Street in Mayfair.

Hamnett is now best known for her ethical business philosophy and her oversized t-shirts bearing political statements, which were popular during the 1980s.