Christy, the near 175-year-old British heritage brand credited with creating towelling as we know it today, is to be the centre of a two-month exhibition at London’s Museum of Brands this September and October.
Founded in 1850, Christy is one in a handful of brands on exhibit by the museum to have been around at the beginning of its famous Time-Tunnel, which starts in the Victorian era and charts the course of iconic brands to the present day. Christy is working with the Museum of Brand’s curator Alice Kain to bring the archive to life.
From originally showcasing at the Great Exhibition and being the towelling brand of choice for Queen Victoria – whose royal seal will be on display within the ‘Royals Cabinet’ – to present day and the brand’s role in sporting culture, the exhibit will, for the first time in Christy's rich past, visually demonstrate its role and significance in British history.
Operating throughout two World Wars, producing commemorative towels for almost five generations of the Royal family (celebrating marriages, births, coronations and even abdications), to collaborating with the likes of Wimbledon, Royal Ascot and Agent Provocateur the exhibition will house hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, as well as advertisements throughout the ages and two cabinets dedicated to the brand’s relationship with Wimbledon and the monarchy. Christy has been the official towel partner of Wimbledon since 1988. From original car shammies made for the Morris Oxford car by Morris in 1914 to the first-ever towel manufactured in England in 1850, the retrospective has something for everyone. Including two full-size Christy beds, one with original 1970s bed linen and one with sheets from the Organic Cotton collection launching this Autumn/Winter.
Originally under the patronage of Her Late Majesty Queen Victoria, Christy or the ‘Royal Turkish Towel Company’ as it was known, is now under the stewardship of entrepreneur CEO, Vanshika Goenka Misra. Goenka Misra has a clear vision for the Christy brand which will see it celebrate its history whilst it works further to meet the demands of modern living and deliver its reputed level of excellence. The exhibition will also mark the rollout of a brand refresh. The result of an 18-month creative project with international agency, The Yard Collective, the new look and feel will speak to the new Christy audience and the generation of brand loyalists.
Vanshika Goenka Misra, CEO, Christy: “Christy is such an incredibly nostalgic and emotive brand, our products have a real and tangible place in people’s lives and homes. There’s an emotional connection between generations through our linens and towelling products and it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate the rich history of Christy through the exhibition. From the role our factory and people played in both World Wars, to the marketing case study our advert creatives provide – archived through the ages – through to our longstanding relationship with the Royal Family and Wimbledon, it’s wonderful to be able to encapsulate this into an experience everyone can have. It’s hugely important for us that Christy continues to be a brand that earns loyalty and this dive into our past pays tribute to our roots as we begin to change and evolve.”
Anna Terry, Museum Director, Museum of Brands: “We’re delighted to showcase Christy’s heritage and future here at the Museum of Brands. Our permanent collection of 14,000 branded products begins in the mid-Victorian era, just when Christy first launched. The Christy story reflects that of other successful heritage brands, from surviving world wars to embracing new technologies, and above all, standing the test of time through decades of brand-building. We have loved exploring the stunning and colourful Christy archive, from playful 1920s playing cards to Kellogg’s-branded towels. As a young museum with a contemporary collection, we’re excited to see the launch of the new Christy brand identity which we’ll be capturing in our own collection for future generations to enjoy”.
The exhibition will be open to the public daily from Thursday 14th September to 31st October 2023. Museum entry is £9 for adults, £7 for concessions and students. More information can be found on the Museum of Brands website https://museumofbrands.com/
Alternatively why not hold an event at the museum and experience the exhibition with your guests. Contact events@museumofbrands.com for further details.