British modern pentathlete Heather Fell will add a touch of sporting glamour when she officially opens the Sport and Fashion exhibition at the Fashion Museum on the evening of Monday 6 February.
- Heather, courtesy of Jay Brooks
The Olympic silver medallist, who is lending a fencing outfit for display in the year-long exhibition, will be wearing a Stella McCartney dress when she takes a break from training for London 2012 to open the show at the Fashion Museum, in Bath’s Assembly Rooms.
Having hit the headlines by winning silver in the 2008 Beijing Olympics; the 2009 European Championships and the 2011 World Cup, Heather is also successful off the track – as a co-presenter for BBC West and having appeared in a promotional video for a range of sportswear from Stella McCartney/Adidas.
Heather, who is hotly tipped to score another medal in the London 2012 Games in her five disciplines of fencing, swimming, pistol shooting, horse riding and running, said: “After two weeks in the French Pyrenees on a training camp wearing only tracksuits and training kit everyday i am most certainly looking forward to slipping into a Stella McCartney dress and a pair of heels, but I am even more excited to see the exhibition itself and incredibly honoured to be opening it.”
With 65 ensembles on display, the exhibition offers something for everyone – from the sports enthusiast to the casual follower of fashion or those with a passing interest in popular culture. As Great Britain prepares to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics, the Sport and Fashion exhibition will trace how historic sportswear has influenced the creations of contemporary designers.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “We’re honoured to welcome Heather Fell to open this fantastic exhibition, which highlights the intriguing crossover between sport and fashion. We encourage everyone – whatever your interest – to come along and visit the unique displays on show at the Fashion Museum as part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s programme of activities designed to celebrate the 2012 Olympics coming to Great Britain.”
Exhibits include historic skiing and tobogganing outfits; such as the red, white and blue suit that gold medal-winner Amy Williams wore at the 2010 Winter Olympics – alongside up-to-the-minute fashion pieces like a gold and silver body suit by designer Pam Hogg, who also designs second skin stage wear for the singer Jessie J.
The “Sport and Fashion” exhibition opens to the public on Monday 6 February 2012, with previews on Saturday 4 February. The Fashion Museum is open daily from 10.30am to 4pm (exit 5pm). For more information visit http://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk or call 01225 477789.
