John Bates: fashion designer

A major fashion retrospective of the work of John Bates, who designed under the name Jean Varon from the 1960s to the 1980s, takes place in July and August 2006 at the Museum of Costume. To download a press release click on the link at the bottom of this page.

John Bates was acknowledged as one of the big four names of British fashion in the 1970s along with Jean Muir, Bill Gibb and Zandra Rhodes. Nowadays, however, his name is less well known amongst the fashion conscious, although ‘Jean Varon’ is a name with which women of a certain age will be familiar. John Bates has not, so far, been acknowledged and celebrated in fashion history. This exhibition will redress this inbalance.

John Bates’ intention was to produce good fashion design that could be afforded on a secretary’s wage. This exhibition will showcase 90 ensembles which bear out the designer’s words. From the Empire line styles and daring see-through mesh dresses of the mid 1960s to the bright prints, floating chiffons and couture clothes towards the end of his career, this is a must-see exhibition for everyone, young and old, who is interested in fashion of the 1960s and 1970s.

John Bates Fashion Designer opens at the Museum of Costume on 14 July and continues until 28 August 2006. The exhibition takes place in the Ballroom on the ground floor of the Assembly Rooms.

Museum of Costume, Assembly Rooms, Bath. Open daily 11.00-17.00. Tel 01225 477173. www.museumofcostume.co.uk.

Location

Fashion Museum, Central Bath