Tank top
Producer: Musson, Jay; Bennington, Stephen
Date: 1972-1974
Accession number: 90.271
Place made: London
This hand-knitted man's tank top was designed by Jay Musson and Stephen Bennington, who both graduated from London art colleges in 1971. Musson studied textiles at Central School of Art (now St Martins College of Art and Design) and Bennington painting at Chelsea College of Art. They set up their own knitwear company under the label 'Jay Musson' in 1972, making graphic and textured knitwear.
The prestigious boutique Browns in South Molton Street sold their early work and they went on to sell internationally, particularly in Japan and America. The design of the tank top, which includes references to 1930s popular art, is typical of the early 1970s.