Gyles Brandreth is a writer, broadcaster, actor, former MP and award-winning podcaster, who knows Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery well because he went to school nearby, at Bedales, in the 1960s.
In the 1970s and 1980s he became well-known for the distinctive jumpers he wore on breakfast television, inspiring fashion trends and bringing joy to many. Gyles designed these mostly one-off jumpers with his knitwear partner, George Hostler, and their ‘Gyles & George’ brand has been a favourite among pop stars and celebrities since the 1980s, counting Princess Diana and Elton John among its early fans.
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Gyles brought some of his favourite jumpers out of the closet and shared a jumper-a-day with his followers on Twitter and on Instagram. Many of these will be on display in this two-part exhibition. The Spring/Summer selection will include the famous I’m A Luxury sweater, while later in the year, the Autumn/Winter selection will feature designs that take their inspiration from performance and pantomime.
