To mark next month’s historic Boat Races, in which lady rowers will compete alongside the men for the first time in the events’ history, Crewroom is planning a special exhibition in their honour.
We are collaborating with our friends and partners at the Putney Exchange shopping centre, home of the popular Crewroom Pop-up store.
Also involved is the prestigious River and Rowing Museum at Henley on Thames, who are generously loaning us the use of an archive of historic photographs.
The images, depicting Edwardian lady rowers, show them wearing an array of amazing rowing gear, from culottes and long, woolly skirts, to neck scarves and cravats.
Blown-up images of the photographs will be on display at the Putney Exchange from Friday March 20 and the photographic exhibition will continue for four weeks.
The timing of the event is designed to run before, during and after the Boat Races on Saturday April 11th.
As a company at the cutting edge of technical sportswear, in rowing and a host of other sports, Crewroom’s Boat Race and rowing kit today is worlds apart from the clothing worn by lady rowers in yesteryear.
“We are especially grateful to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley for so generously giving us their permission to use these fascinating archive pictures,” said Crewroom.
“We think people will be amazed when they see what lady rowers used to wear on the water, with some of the garments appearing very cumbersome and outdated by today’s standards.”