Fashion & Textile Museum reopens its doors

The Peacocks and Pinstripes exhibition, presented in collaboration with Getty Images Gallery, is a portrayal of male style from the Thirties to the present day.

There is a shot of the earlier Prince of Wales in action on Richmond Golf Course in the Thirties. There are early pictures of such still familiar faces as Bryan Ferry and, with two well dressed men, Joanna Lumley.

One black and white photograph shows the Sixties' shop I Was Lord Kitchener's Valet in Portobello Road which briefly made exotic second hand clothes fashionable for males. Celebrities in new colour pictures include Old Vic panto playwright Stephen Fry displaying his special socks.

The newly redeveloped FTM, now a part of Newham College, is home to an archive of 600 garments dating from 1947. Visitors are able to view a series of changing exhibitions from the permanent FTM collection which includes garments from museum founder Zandra Rhodes's own collection.

The vibrant pink and orange museum is the only building in Europe designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legoretta. Inside the new facilities for visitors include a shop selling unusual textiles and jewellery.

The new FTM Cafe, with wifi access, will soon be open daily for lunches, snacks and teas. The cafe walls are displaying changing work by fashion illustrators and photographers.