Person · PER-5BCCCDC094DBAA38
Katharine Hamnett
5 catalogued objects connected to Katharine Hamnett.
Reference entry
Biography
Person.
Katharine Hamnett is a British fashion designer known for combining everyday clothing with political messages. Her large-lettered slogan T-shirts became prominent in 1980s popular culture, while her collections also included denim, leggings, military-inspired shirts and sportswear.
In 1984 she wore a T-shirt opposing Pershing missiles to a Downing Street reception with Margaret Thatcher, turning the official photograph into a public protest. Hamnett has also campaigned for ethical production and the use of organic cotton. Her practice joins garment design, graphic communication and activism.
Reviewed 2026-09-06Selected sources
- V&A Magazine — My V&A: Katharine Hamnett1980s clothing and slogan shirts, Downing Street protest and later campaigning.
Reference number
PER-5BCCCDC094DBAA38
Represented across objects dated 1983–2026.
Search these objects →