The public is invited to a new interactive exhibition and walking tour which explores our county’s history of using fashion as a subversive speech with Transgressing Lines: Decoding Queer Fashion History.
In an age where trends flash by in an Instagram scroll and fast fashion is at an all time high, a quiet revolution is happening – where, everyday items such as sandals, top hats, fans and even flowers have long held hidden meanings, challenging gender norms and offering coded signals to those in the know.
As part of the Being Human Festival 2025 – the UK’s national humanities festival – the event will be hosted at New House Arts Space (Guildford, GU1 4SQ) on Saturday 8th November, from 2pm-4pm.
Dr Lena Mattheis, Lecturer in Contemporary Literature at the University of Surrey, said: “We should never shy away from having vigorous public debates about identity, expression and inclusivity – and this event offers a historical perspective on how fashion has been – and still is – a tool for personal and political statements.”
Dr Danielle Dove, Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Surrey, added to this: “There is a long history of queer-coded fashion and we see many of these codes and trends reappear in the way people dress today. The dialogue between clothing and identity never really goes out of style.”
From 2pm, lesbian fashion historian Eleanor Medhurst (aka Dressing Dykes) and Victorian dress specialist Dr Danielle Dove will decode queer-coded items around the gallery – from a fan to flower accessory – and will talk through their hidden histories.
From 3pm, attendees can them go on a one-hour audio-guided walking tour of Guildford via the ListenQueer app, tracing the stories of local queer and trans figures through their sartorial footprints.
This has been made completely accessible to those who prefer to stay put also, with there being an immersive audio available in the gallery’s café also.
Tickets are limited to the Festival, so get yours quick by clicking here.
