Refashioning Bill Gibb for the 21st Century

Discover the life and work of one of the most innovative designers of 20th-century British fashion, Bill Gibb, in this richly illustrated reappraisal of his work. Scottish-born Bill Gibb (1943–1988) was a fashion pioneer whose fantastical designs encapsulate the vibrancy of the 1970s. British Vogue awarded him the title Designer of the Year in 1970, but despite his contemporary relevance and associations with fashion icons like Bianca Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor and Twiggy, his legacy remains largely unexplored. With a foreword by Dame Zandra Rhodes, this groundbreaking book redefines Gibb’s contribution to fashion design, with insights from experts including Iain R. Webb, N. J. Stevenson, Jeena Sharma, Marie McLoughlin, and Christine Rew. There are also interviews with Gibb’s sisters, fashion designer Giles Deacon and Gibb’s long-time collaborator Kaffe Fassett to present a more personal perspective on his creative journey and attitudes to contemporary concerns like sustainability and cultural appropriation. Featuring over 100 colour illustrations including previously unpublished fashion drawings, patterns, and garments, this edited collection offers a unique perspective on Gibb’s artistic vision and shows how 21st century designers can learn from his unique body of work. Scottish born Bill Gibb (1943–1988) was one of the most innovative designers of twentieth century British fashion. Acclaimed as Designer of the Year by British Vogue in 1970, Gibb’s unique designs captured the essence of the 70s with his love of mixing patterns, colour and textures that brought a new vibrancy and excitement onto the British design scene. However, due to his short career and untimely death, his contribution and legacy to contemporary culture, fashion and design history is relatively unknown to younger generations of artists and designers. This ground-breaking book redefines Gibb’s outstanding contribution to twentieth-century fashion design in relation to contemporary issues and themes such as sustainability, digital legacies, interdisciplinary collaboration and cultural appropriation, alongside many previously unpublished illustrations including reproductions of his fashion drawings and garments. These new perspectives on Gibb’s legacy are given by academics and experts including fashion writer Iain R Webb, curator NJ Stevenson, NYC-based fashion journalist Jeena Sharma, fashion historian Marie McLoughlin, and Christine Rew, former manager of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums which holds the largest collection of Gibb’s work. These are punctuated by a series of poems inspired by Gibb’s collections by Scottish poet Shane Strachan, as well as interviews with Gibb’s sisters, his long-term collaborator Kaffe Fasset, and contemporary British designer Giles Deacon. The book provides a unique insight into personal reflections and collections of Gibb’s work, assessing the impact and contemporary relevance of one of the UK’s most influential fashion designers of the twentieth century.