Ashes to Fashion

On 11th November 1976, a devastating fire at Malone House in South Belfast – where the Ulster Museum’s fashion collection was being stored at the time – led to the near-total loss of the original costume and textile collection.

Fifty years on, the Ulster Museum fashion collection stands stronger than ever. A collection reborn through significant acquisitions, a future-proof collecting policy and generous donations, making it one of the most important collections in Western Europe.

Ashes to Fashion marks this extraordinary milestone with a stunning showcase of fashion from the eighteenth century to today, from historic garments to contemporary pieces by Chanel and Versace.

The exhibition features rarely-seen items, including the sole survivor of the 1976 fire – the Lennox Quilt, an exquisite 18th-century embroidered quilt – which was not lost in the fire because it happened to be on display at the museum. Renowned designers like Alexander McQueen and Carolina Herrera, as well as designs by Irish fashion icons JW Anderson and the late Paul Costelloe, are all on show alongside many more iconic names. ‘Ashes to Fashion’ will also showcase a selection of the latest acquisitions to our fashion collection, including objects from the Lanto Synge Needlework Collection, offering pieces that symbolically replace items lost in the fire.