Victoria And Albert Videos

The British couturier Hardy Amies combined the grand tradition of British tailoring with a Parisian flair for the latest style. But he never lost sight of a particularly British attitude to couture. Ian Garlant, today's Chief designer at Hardy Amies, explains how this relates to to cultural history.

The V& A has a great collection of dresses made by the French couturier Jacques Fath. They were the gift of one of his favourite clients, Lady Alexandra Dacre.Lady Alexandra's daughter, Xania Dennen, rembembers her mother's special arrangement with Fath, who was at the time one of the city's most celebrated designers.

For the well-dressed woman in the late 1940s and early 50s, the tailored suit was a staple of elegant day-wear. In Paris, none had a greater reputation for making tailored suits than the Spanish-born couturier, Cristobal Balenciaga. Percy Savage, the Australian born press-officer for the fashion house of Lanvin during the 50s, explains what it was that set Balenciaga apart.

The August 2006 edition of CultureCast features a preview of the new Medieval and Renaissance Galleries, a new addition to the photography collection, and a number of museum visitors reminiscing about life and fashion in 1960's London.

The July 2006 edition of CultureCast features design historian David Crowley discussing the image of Che Guevara within the context of 1960s culture and politics. It also has an extract from a tapestry gallery talk given by Sue Lawty, V& A artist in residence and an article about the cast of the Portico de la Gloria in the Cast Courts.

The June 2006 edition of CultureCast features graphic designers discussing Korda's iconic image of Che Guevara, a curator discussing an Early Medieval standing cross and an interview with two winners of this year's Inspired By competition.

This month's CultureCast features an interview with Christopher Wilk, the curator of 'Modernism: Designing a New World', a preview of 'Che Guevara: Revolutionary and Icon' and a review of April's Friday Late 'Utopia' event.

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Big White Jug', made in 1987 by Alison Britton OBE (born 1948)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Cup on Base', made in 1986 by Gillian Lowndes (born 1936)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Cornucopia', made in 1983 by Richard Slee (born 1946)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Optical Pot', made in 1980 by Elizabeth Fritsch (born 1940)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Pot', made in 1975 by Hans Coper (1920-1981)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Bull', made in 1954 by William Newland (1919-1998)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Cider Jar', made around 1938 by Michael Cardew (1901-1983)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Teapot and Jug', made around 1936 by Dame Lucie Rie (1902-1995)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Madonna', made around 1930 by William Staite-Murray (1881-1962)

Curators, makers, writers and academics discuss 'Teacup and saucer', made around 1924 by Bernard Leach (1897-1979)