Exhibition: nurses and their clothing at the former Middlesex Hospital Chapel

A new exhibition opens this month set in the former Middlesex Hospital Chapel showing the vital role nurses play in society, and illustrating their uniforms as a powerful symbol of authority, care, and professionalism.

Curated by Freya Bently and textile historian Dr Jo Horton, the exhibition explores the “complex narratives woven into the fabrics, designs, and accessories that have adorned generations of nurses”.

Light is shed on the lived experiences of nurses, from the rigorous dress codes, to the subtle acts of subversion by nurses seeking comfort and personal expression within the constraints of their uniforms. Visitors will encounter stories of pride, discomfort, and adaptation, all underscored by the powerful connection between clothing and identity.

The Fitzrovia Chapel, once part of the Middlesex Hospital — a training hospital that served central London for over 200 years — became a pilgrimage site for former nurses after the hospital was sold and demolished in 2006.

This was the chief inspiration for the exhibition, as Bently explains: “The returning nurses often reminisced about their time there, with stories of their uniforms serving as a common thread — recalling the folding of hats, being scolded for a skirt that was too short, or receiving a belt-buckle at graduation.”

The Fitzrovia Chapel Presents: “In Uniform: Stories of Nurses and their Clothing”– an Exhibition Curated by Dr Jo Horton and Freya Bently. From 8 November to 1 December 2024. Fitzrovia Chapel, Fitzroy Place, 2 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF. Exhibition opening times are: Monday to Saturday: 11am-6pm; Sundays: 12 noon-5pm. Free admission.