A cross-dressing wardrobe will go on display at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery this month, as part of this year’s Homotopia Festival.

‘Transformation: One Man’s Cross-dressing Wardrobe’, which will unveil garments belonging to city costume collector Peter Farrer, will launch on 24 October and will be the first UK showcase of a cross-dressing wardrobe belonging to one person.

Father-of-one Peter, who was born in Surrey in 1926, has lived in Liverpool for many years and has been married twice. His fascination with women’s clothing, which will be explored in the new exhibition, is said to have started at an early age and he began cross-dressing from the age of 14.

Ahead of the exhibition, which will run until February 2017 in the Walker’s Craft and Design Gallery, Pauline Rushton, curator of costumes and textiles at National Museums Liverpool, says: “Peter’s vast costume collection contains some truly wonderful pieces. His life-long passion for taffeta is reflected in a fabulous range of evening dresses from the 1930s to the 1980s. We’re thrilled to be able to showcase a selection of these outfits here at the gallery.

“In many ways, Peter’s motivation for collecting vintage clothing was two-fold. While he took enjoyment from wearing the larger garments in private, he also held a great appreciation for the design, fabrics and decoration of the pieces.”

Former tax inspector Peter, who had also served in the army for three years after leaving school before studying at the University of Oxford, ordered by women’s clothing by mail in his early years of collecting and also shopped in department stores.

Then in 2000 he began to purchase taffeta dresses, skirts and blouses from Brighton-based clothing company, Kentucky Woman. The firm, founded by Sandi Hall, specialised in making bespoke garments in period styles, often for members if the transgender and cross-dressing communities, and many of Peter’s garments from the dressmaker which were specially created by him will be featured in the display.

Image: Peter Farrer taken September 2015 © National Museums Liverpool

Related posts:

Walker Gallery to host major exhibition Winning John Moores Painting Prize artwork to go on display ‘Fake’ art spotted in region’s galleries for TV show National Museums Liverpool’s economic impact revealed Five shortlisted John Moores Painting Prize artworks revealed Gay Times to celebrate LGBTQ+ community with major Liverpool event