Thea Porter: 70s Bohemian Chic

Whether you know it or not, the chances are that there’s something lurking in your wardrobe that’s been inspired by Thea Porter’s creations: it might be that ‘peasant’ skirt from 2004 which you thought was oh-so Sienna Miller, the kaftan you dig out for holidays, or anything covered in a 70s-esque print. Brought up in Damascus, Porter moved to England in the Sixties, when Swinging London was just getting into its stride. At her shop on Soho’s Greek Street, she sold Eastern-influenced clothes and interiors to everyone from the Beatles and Pink Floyd to Elizabeth Taylor and Faye Dunaway. Inspired by an exotic view of the Middle East, she is credited with bringing what we now think of as ‘boho’ to the UK. The exhibition covers Thea’s life and career, showcasing over 150 textiles, garments, sketches and photographs which chart her evolution as a designer.