THE IN CROWD: BRIGHTON MUSEUM’S MOD FASHION EXHIBITION REVISITS THE 1960S REVOLUTION

THE IN CROWD: BRIGHTON MUSEUM’S MOD FASHION EXHIBITION REVISITS THE 1960S REVOLUTION

BRIGHTON MUSEUM & ART GALLERY IS THROWING IT BACK TO ONE OF THE SHARPEST, MOST DEFIANT YOUTH MOVEMENTS IN BRITISH HISTORY WITH THE IN CROWD: MOD FASHION & STYLE 1958-66—A DEEP DIVE INTO THE HIGH-ENERGY, HIGH-FASHION SUBCULTURE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING.

Landing on 10 May 2025 and running until 4 January 2026, the exhibition—backed by OG Brighton-born Mod brand Ben Sherman—rewinds to an era when tailored suits, slick cuts, and attitude ruled the streets. It’s a time capsule of rebellion, modernity, and impossibly cool style, curated by none other than Roger K. Burton, the vintage fashion guru behind Quadrophenia and Absolute Beginners.

Think over 35 mannequins decked out in pristine, era-defining Mod gear, handpicked from Burton’s archive of impossibly rare pieces. This isn’t just an exhibition—it’s a riot of sharp lines, vivid colours, and youth-fuelled defiance. “The In Crowd isn’t just about clothes,” Burton explains. “It’s about a generation that flipped the script, rejected the past, and made the future their own.”

Mods weren’t just dressing to impress—they were shaping a cultural revolution. Emerging in post-war Britain, this was a scene that shunned the drabness of the ‘50s and embraced sleek, tailored minimalism with a defiant edge. It was a lifestyle, not just a look—one that seeped into music, art, and the underground club scene, where the fashion was as loud as the soundtrack.

FDYCME 1962 – Cathy McGowan This Victorian gentleman would hardly approve of ex-Mod-Queen, Cathy as she poses in her stylist dress, of black and putty fine dogtooth wool. Mods are out, she says. © Keystone Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS.com/Alamy Live News

Brighton, with its legendary bank holiday clashes and seafront struts, is the ultimate backdrop for this trip through Mod history. “This city lived and breathed Mod culture,” says Hedley Swain, CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums. “It’s only right that we celebrate that legacy in a space that reflects its energy and spirit.”

And it’s more than just racks of immaculate tailoring. Expect photography, original accessories, and a deep dive into the Mod mindset—where every detail, from the cut of a trouser to the buttons on a shirt, carries meaning. The exhibition maps out the movement’s journey from London’s Soho jazz clubs to Brighton’s iconic beaches, and its lasting impact on style today.

Ben Sherman—founded in Brighton in 1963 and still synonymous with razor-sharp Mod style—ties it all together, bringing their legacy full circle with a fresh homage to their Mod roots. Their flagship Brighton store will transform in May, unveiling a custom window display celebrating The In Crowd—a seamless blend of past, present, and future.

Mods might have faded from the mainstream by the late ‘60s, but their influence never really left. From high fashion to streetwear, their DNA is still stitched into modern style. “This wasn’t just a trend—it was a revolution,” says Burton. “It was about identity, individuality, and a complete rejection of the ordinary.”

For those who lived it, and those discovering it for the first time, The In Crowd: Mod Fashion & Style 1958-66 is an unmissable experience. It’s a chance to step inside a movement that shaped British fashion, culture, and attitude forever. So get ready—Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is about to take you straight into the heart of Mod mania.

THE IN CROWD: BRIGHTON MUSEUM’S MOD FASHION EXHIBITION REVISITS THE 1960S REVOLUTION