From farmer’s son to a world of high fantasy fashion
Bill Gibb left deepest Aberdeenshire to pursue a life of art, design, fashion and fantasy on the world stage, writes Alison Campsie
Those who grew up around him in deepest Aberdeenshire remember he was more interested in drawing dresses than milking cows.
He is also remembered as “one of the most gentle, kindly and considerate human beings” you couldever hope to meet.
Bill Gibb, who belonged to a large family of dairy farmers from New Pitsligo near Fraserburgh, is still regarded as one of the most innovative and influential fashion designers of his time, cutting a swathe through the fashion world with his floaty, fantastical and attention-laden designs that captivated his many adoring fans including Twiggy, Elizabeth Taylor and Bianca Jagger.
The department store Harrods also loved him, as did the editors of Vogue, who named him designer of the year in 1970.
Thousands would turn up to the launch of his new work, with 7,000 people attending the unveiling of his 1977 collection at the Royal Albert Hall. It was a long way from his winning entry in a costume design competition organised by the Women’s Institute close to his grandmother’s house.
Today, Bill Gibb continues to be remembered. At the newly renovated and improved Aberdeen Art Gallery, an exhibition and performance piece inspired by his work has opened.
Next month, a symposium will bring together members of Gibb’s family as well as voices from Gray’s School of Art and further afield to explore his approach to design, collaboration and manufacture, as well as his relationship with the North East.
Christine Rew, Art Gallery & Museums Manager, said, “Bill Gibb was one of the fashion industry’s most talented and innovative designers. At Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums we are honoured to care for the largest collection of Gibb’s work, including over 2,500 of his design drawings and 120 garments.
“The exhibitions devoted to his talent we presented at Aberdeen Art Gallery in 1990 and 2003 were hugely popular and we are thrilled to be working with colleagues at Gray’s School of Art to bring Bill Gibb’s legacy to a new audience.”
In a interview with the Press and Journal in the late 1970s, he was noted as a chain-smoking, coffee drinking kind of man who ‘“chewed on nervous energy” and seemingly adored the carousel of people who moved through his everyday life. He started out at Fraserburgh Academy where his talent caught the eye of head of art, Bill Duthie.
“He was probably the only boy at school to draw dresses and yet he was never seen as different from his companions, nor did he himself see anything unusual in his interest, “the journalist wrote.
Gibb said he “loathed” school, given the “parrot fashion” learning, but he had a “flair for history” that went on to colour his imagination.
He added: Not surprisingly, considering I was brought up surrounded by cliffs, mountains and ruined castles. I used to draw romantic characters in costume.”
It was Duthie who encouraged Bill to go to London with his Aunt Eve, taking him on a train to London for an interview at Central St Martins art school. Gibb later recalled: “I was too nervous to do the interview so she [aunt Eve] did it for me. She said that I hadn’t much to say but that I did have talent.”
After graduating with first class honours, he was selected to take part in a New York showcase. The fashion world was starting to fall for Gibb and a job with Londonbased House of Baccarat followed. His work here fused free flowing romanticism with traditional handknits, which before then had no place in high fashion.
Gibb died tragically young from cancer in 1988, aged just 44, with his body brought home to Aberdeenshire by his parents. Although long gone, it is hoped his work and life path will continue to invigorate and inspire.