Dressing Dykes

Dressing Dykes exists as a space for lesbian fashion histories, whether in the past, present or future.

I’m Eleanor Medhurst and I’m a dress historian and a lesbian. I’m from Brighton, UK, where I live with my wife, Lilith. I began Dressing Dykes after finishing my MA in History of Design and Material Culture at the University of Brighton. My studies, both at undergrad and postgraduate level, revolved around uncovering and analysing lesbian history through the lens of clothing, coinciding with my work on Queer Looks and Queer the Pier, both exhibitions at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. In the fields of queer history and fashion history I believe that lesbian fashion is either sidelined or completely invisible – Dressing Dykes is a space where it is prioritised and celebrated.

Since starting the blog in the Summer of 2020, Dressing Dykes has blossomed. I’ve given talks and lectures across the virtual globe, spreading the history of lesbian fashion far and wide – from the Tate Modern in London to the Bauhaus University in Berlin and Sophia University in Tokyo. I’ve written about lesbian style, craft, and activism for journals and edited collections, and my first book, Unsuitable: A History of Lesbian Fashion was published by Hurst in June 2024 (click here for a list of my non-blog writing).

For enquiries about talks, guest lectures, article commissions, or general questions email dressingdykes@gmail.com (or find out more here)

You can also message me on Instagram @dressingdykes, Twitter @eleanormedhurst and Tiktok @elliemedhurst

Image courtesy of Tate, photography Jordan Anderson.