a picture of an astray, two women outside a shop and a close up of a woman in a red blouse
Video, 10 mins

Battledress

Immersive film exploring working class women’s fashion and the rituals of getting ready and going out

Professor David Forrest, School of English, has collaborated with writer Rachel Genn,  Debbie Ballin and Human to create Battledress. 

This immersive gallery piece explores explores working class women’s histories of fashion, fighting and allegiance. It encourages participants to reflect on their own coming of age experiences through music, fashion and rebellion and asks ‘what outfit makes you feel most powerful?’

Research

Professor David Forrest, School of English

Collaborators

Jen Hodgson
Rachel Genn, Writer
Debbie Ballin, Senior Lecturer, Filmmaking & Documentary, SODA at Manchester Metropolitan University
Human Studio
North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University

With Support From

Festival of the Mind, University of Sheffield
Arts Council England
SODA at Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester School of Art Research Centre
Manchester Writing School (CELL)

Copyright

Made with the assistance of North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University & University of Salford
BBC Copyright Content Reproduced from courtesy of the British Broadcasting Corporation all rights reserved 
Granada Studios

Archive Materials Provided by

Beth Hewitt 
John McManus
Picture Sheffield 
The Sheffield Star
Ron Clayton
V&A
Connor Matheson
Rachel Genn 

Special Thanks to

Pat Dallman 
Will McTaggart 
Martin Jones
Jennifer Booth
Ingrid McKinney/Esther McKinney

See also