Explore the ways surrealism used fashion as a way to disrupt and create new beauty standards. From Man Ray to Meret Oppenheim and Elsa Schiaparelli we'll look at photography, sculpture, clothing and jewellery to better understand a core area of the surrealist agenda.
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The Surrealist movement in Paris (1924-1942) was more than painting movement. It used all manner of materials to subvert traditional institutional systems. Poetry and painting were its first sites of rebellion, but it soon spread to theatre, film, furniture, photography and fashion.
This lunchtime lecture explains the origins of the surrealist interest in reshaping fashion before looking at some of the key artists related to dress in the 1920s, 30s and early 1940s. There will be high fashion photography from Lee Miller and Man Ray, clothing by Elsa Schiaparelli and Mina Loy, fashion inspired jewellery by Meret Oppenheim as well a brief examination of how surrealist theatre impacted dress.
This is a survey of early surrealism's relationship to fashion and will end with the mid 1940s even though surrealism's impact goes far beyond this time.
What will we cover?
-A brief history of the origins of fashion in the surrealist movement
-An introduction to key artists in the surrealist movement
-The relevance of fashion to the surrealists
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
-A greater understanding of surrealism's versatility as a movement
-Explain why fashion was part of the surrealist project
-Identify at least one surrealist technique used in fashion/art related to fashion
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is open to all.
You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. This course does not include an active discussion element, but there will be time for Q&A at the end of the session. This is a live lesson course - sessions are not recorded or available on demand for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
No documents will be shared with this lecture. A short reading list will be shared at the end of the lecture (not before).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.
Sarah Jaffray holds a BA and MA in Art History with an emphasis in 19th/20th century France and a minor in the Italian Renaissance. She holds a second MA in Cultural Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London. Sarah was a lecturer for several colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area before relocating to London in 2012. She has worked in curatorial roles at the British Museum and Wellcome Collection. In addition to her current teaching at City Lit, Sarah is a lecturer at the University of Arts London and the Tutor Coordinator for City Lit's Art History programme. Her art historical practice focuses on experimental narratives, artistic process, art pedagogy, politics and philosophy. Sarah's current research is focused on translation and empathy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/lunchtime-lecture-surrealism-and-fashion2990147Lunchtime lecture: Surrealism and fashionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/an-introduction-to-european-decorative-arts-at-the-v_a-vb909-1024.jpg1414GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Introductory & general art history courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Online courses228511361137117717311228511771136<p>Explore the ways surrealism used fashion as a way to disrupt and create new beauty standards. From Man Ray to Meret Oppenheim and Elsa Schiaparelli we'll look at photography, sculpture, clothing and jewellery to better understand a core area of the surrealist agenda.</p>002990123Lunchtime lecture: Surrealism and fashion1414https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/an-introduction-to-european-decorative-arts-at-the-v_a-vb909-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-04-14T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB7851414Lunchtime lecture: Surrealism and fashion11914Sarah Jaffraylunchtime-lecture-surrealism-and-fashion/vb785-2526<p>Explore the ways surrealism used fashion as a way to disrupt and create new beauty standards. From Man Ray to Meret Oppenheim and Elsa Schiaparelli we'll look at photography, sculpture, clothing and jewellery to better understand a core area of the surrealist agenda.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-14 00:00:00<p>The Surrealist movement in Paris (1924-1942) was more than painting movement. It used all manner of materials to subvert traditional institutional systems. Poetry and painting were its first sites of rebellion, but it soon spread to theatre, film, furniture, photography and fashion.</p><p>This lunchtime lecture explains the origins of the surrealist interest in reshaping fashion before looking at some of the key artists related to dress in the 1920s, 30s and early 1940s. There will be high fashion photography from Lee Miller and Man Ray, clothing by Elsa Schiaparelli and Mina Loy, fashion inspired jewellery by Meret Oppenheim as well a brief examination of how surrealist theatre impacted dress.</p><p>This is a survey of early surrealism's relationship to fashion and will end with the mid 1940s even though surrealism's impact goes far beyond this time.</p><p>Explore the ways surrealism used fashion as a way to disrupt and create new beauty standards. From Man Ray to Meret Oppenheim and Elsa Schiaparelli we'll look at photography, sculpture, clothing and jewellery to better understand a core area of the surrealist agenda.</p><p>-A brief history of the origins of fashion in the surrealist movement</p><p>-An introduction to key artists in the surrealist movement</p><p>-The relevance of fashion to the surrealists</p><p>-A greater understanding of surrealism's versatility as a movement</p><p>-Explain why fashion was part of the surrealist project</p><p>-Identify at least one surrealist technique used in fashion/art related to fashion</p><p>This course is open to all.<br/><br/>You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. This course does not include an active discussion element, but there will be time for Q&A at the end of the session. This is a live lesson course - sessions are not recorded or available on demand for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p><p>No documents will be shared with this lecture. A short reading list will be shared at the end of the lecture (not before).</p><p>There are no additional costs.</p><p>Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.</p>Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesvirtual11149VB785NONETue14/04/2613:00 - 14:0013:0014:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineSarah JaffrayBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-14T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities1414Lunchtime lecture: Surrealism and fashionlunchtime-lecture-surrealism-and-fashion/vb785-2526<p>Explore the ways surrealism used fashion as a way to disrupt and create new beauty standards. From Man Ray to Meret Oppenheim and Elsa Schiaparelli we'll look at photography, sculpture, clothing and jewellery to better understand a core area of the surrealist agenda.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-14 00:00:00<p>The Surrealist movement in Paris (1924-1942) was more than painting movement. It used all manner of materials to subvert traditional institutional systems. Poetry and painting were its first sites of rebellion, but it soon spread to theatre, film, furniture, photography and fashion.</p><p>This lunchtime lecture explains the origins of the surrealist interest in reshaping fashion before looking at some of the key artists related to dress in the 1920s, 30s and early 1940s. There will be high fashion photography from Lee Miller and Man Ray, clothing by Elsa Schiaparelli and Mina Loy, fashion inspired jewellery by Meret Oppenheim as well a brief examination of how surrealist theatre impacted dress.</p><p>This is a survey of early surrealism's relationship to fashion and will end with the mid 1940s even though surrealism's impact goes far beyond this time.</p><p>Explore the ways surrealism used fashion as a way to disrupt and create new beauty standards. From Man Ray to Meret Oppenheim and Elsa Schiaparelli we'll look at photography, sculpture, clothing and jewellery to better understand a core area of the surrealist agenda.</p><p>-A brief history of the origins of fashion in the surrealist movement</p><p>-An introduction to key artists in the surrealist movement</p><p>-The relevance of fashion to the surrealists</p><p>-A greater understanding of surrealism's versatility as a movement</p><p>-Explain why fashion was part of the surrealist project</p><p>-Identify at least one surrealist technique used in fashion/art related to fashion</p><p>This course is open to all.<br/><br/>You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. This course does not include an active discussion element, but there will be time for Q&amp;A at the end of the session. This is a live lesson course - sessions are not recorded or available on demand for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p><p>No documents will be shared with this lecture. A short reading list will be shared at the end of the lecture (not before).</p><p>There are no additional costs.</p><p>Search for 'lunchtime lectures' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.</p>Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesconfigurable
11371136Introductory & general art history courseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/introductory-general-art-history1/2/285/1177/1136/11371/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Introductory & general art history courses
Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00