A fancy dress costume exhibition titled 'The Spot and The Cross' is on display at The Birley gallery in Preston city centre. The show features costumes from House of Haynes, created by Jackie Haynes and her staff at three Manchester shop locations between 1998 and 2012, alongside repurposed paper patterns, reconstructed designs, wigs, footwear, and a new work titled 'Viv Letter Screen Print' that incorporates a 1988 letter from Vivienne Westwood. The exhibition runs on specific dates in May with a closing event offering interactive activities.
This exhibition matters because it preserves and celebrates a local costume-making legacy from Manchester, highlighting how everyday tools like pattern paper can inspire creative storytelling across decades. By showcasing House of Haynes' work and offering workshops, it also supports community engagement with fashion history and craft, reinforcing Preston's cultural scene and the importance of grassroots arts initiatives.