We can’t keep it a secret any longer… We are thrilled to announce the first edition of what will become THE BEST book club in town! Focusing on Virginia Woolf’s short story The New Dress, wearers will be able to discuss and share their experiences with clothes, exchanging awkward social stories, moments of using clothing as self-expression, protection and feeling like an imposter, or the ever enchanting spell and anticipation of wearing a special garment for the very first time, and so much more.
This informal session will begin with a 10-minute introduction to the concept of Frock Consciousness (don’t worry, we’ll explain everything) from the facilitator, Jennifer Anyan who will unpick the story of Mabel Waring and lead the session into talking about the effect that our experiences and clothes have on us mere wearers.
Who can join the book club? Anyone who has a mutual love for reading, sharing and an interest in what you put on your body.
About The New Dress
Virginia Woolf’s short story, The New Dress was written in 1924, while she was writing the novel Mrs Dalloway, published in 1925. Critics have entertained the possibility that the story may originally have been a chapter of the novel because some of the same characters and events appear in both bodies of work. In the story, Mabel Waring arrives at Clarissa Dalloway’s party and is instantly consumed by feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. These negative feelings are offset by concerns that her new dress is not appropriate for the occasion.
Date: Wednesday, Tuesday, 22nd of June 2021
Time: 6:00
Location: Zoom
*The zoom link will be sent out to attendees 1 day before.
The event intimate: just like your relationship with your shoes.
To RSVP to this FREE event, email your interest now as it is limited to the first 10 wearers.
Workshop Facilitator
Jennifer Anyan is an artist and academic. Jennifer’s interdisciplinary practice uses sculpture, image, sound, clothing and critical text. All her work in some way explores how we read fashioned bodies and how wearing clothing affects how we experience and perceive the world around us.
Jennifer has a BA (Hons) from Winchester School of Art and MA from Central Saint Martins in Fine Art and worked as a fashion stylist before moving into an academic position, becoming Associate Professor of the Art of Fashion in 2018. Jennifer currently teaches at Winchester School of Art alongside working on a range of art and fashion projects.