Closed Exhibition – Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s
Club to Catwalk: Downloadable Dress Pattern
Scarlett Cannon wearing the Scarlett Dress designed by Juliana Sissons. © Photograph by Monica Curtin
Sew your own Club to Catwalk inspired dress, originally designed in 1984 by fashion designer and former V&A artist in residence Juliana Sissons.
The Scarlett Dress, a hobble dress with 3/4 length sleeves and a low back, was originally designed and made for the 21st Birthday present of Scarlett Cannon, club host of the Cha Cha’s night at Heaven night club. It has been widely photographed and featured in numerous magazines throughout the 1980’s. The dress was worn to celebrate Scarlett’s birthday at two parties: firstly at the Slum it in Style club night at the Camden Palace hosted by Steve Strange and Rusty Egan and secondly at a private party held for her at Bolts night club in North London.
In 1982, Juliana had her own fashion outlet, Call me Madam, it was situated within Heaven nightclub, Charing Cross Road, London. Her shop was frequented by ‘club kids’ from Cha Cha’s and the Asylum night and was open every Thursday evening. Designs sold to socialites, artists, dancers, fire-eaters and drag queens.
The shop became a hub of activity, a meeting place and a private party room for friends to hang out. It looked like a glorious dressing up box, with vintage glass cabinets displaying tiaras, false eyelashes and evening gloves. The rails were filled with one off items from elaborate ‘glamour’ dresses and corsets to accessories such as black feather boas and pink plastic rain caps.
Download: The Scarlett Dress Pattern (PDF file 77.4 KB)
Download: The Scarlett Dress Instructions (PDF file 435.5 KB)
Read more about Juliana Sissons' V&A residency
Recreating the dress in white Lycra
Recreating the dress in white Lycra. Part made dress toile: 2013. © Julie Sissons
Recreating the dress in white Lycra.
Recreating the dress in white Lycra. Part made dress toile: 2013. © Julie Sissons
Cutting shoulder pads to size
Cutting shoulder pads to size. Part made dress toile: 2013. © Julie Sissons
Arranging and pinning the drape to fall in an upward direction
Arranging and pinning the drape to fall in an upward direction. Part made dress toile: 2013. © Julie Sissons
© Pattern designed by Julie Sissons. Pattern digitised by VETIGRAPH CAD/CAM Ltd
This pattern is only for personal non-commercial use.
With thanks to 
Tickets cost £
Concessions apply Members go free
Book now
Contents
Become a V&A Member
V&A Members enjoy a wealth of benefits, including free entry to exhibitions, previews, exciting events and the V&A Members’ Room. In addition, you will be supporting the vital work of the V&A.
Buy or Renew Membership Online