We were excited by the opportunity to deliver a fresh, chic, dynamic presentation of this superlative collection with the creative team Storey Studio, The Bon Ton and Luke Halls Studio. The lighting design was key in allowing visitors to appreciate the objects with their exquisite details, forms, textures and materiality in close viewing. This had to be achieved at low conservation light levels whilst also creating wider luminous, elegant layered lightscapes within the exhibition world the objects inhabit.

Inspired by Storey Studio’s approach we proposed the visitors experience the objects under subtly shifting lighting qualities moving through the sections from morning, noon, afternoon, dusk to night time, in both exterior and interior, rural and urban contexts. This was at times abstracted like in the entrance sequences which has fresh crisp morning light and in the perfume room where we created an effect with beams of light passing through a gold liquid perfume bottle. At other moments the lighting is more suggestive for example in the evening wear section where gobos are used to create subtly shifting dappled light , supporting the thematic narrative whilst evoking mood, contemplation and wonder.

With 200 hundred objects of fashion, textile, accessories and photography such sensitive works required careful choreography. Working with the designers we created an exciting and varied visual journey throughout the show. We used light to introduce dynamism to the display with AV synchronisation sequenced moments that ranged from subtle evocation to full fashion drama.