Marcon Styles the Ulster Museum’s ‘Ashes to Fashion’ Exhibition
Marcon is proud to have delivered the exhibition fit‑out for Ashes to Fashion, a major temporary exhibition opening at the Ulster Museum in February 2026. Appointed as Principal Contractor, Marcon was responsible for the technical development, fabrication and installation of all bespoke exhibition furniture within Gallery 5 and 6 the Museum’s largest gallery space.
Ashes to Fashion marks 50 years since the 1976 Malone House fire, which destroyed almost the entire fashion and textile collection of the Ulster Museum. The exhibition tells the powerful story of how that collection was rebuilt through a unique approach of acquiring one High Street and one Couture garment each year, alongside generous donations and gifts. Nearly 100 garments, textiles and accessories are showcased, spanning several centuries of fashion history.
Marcon worked closely with the Museum’s Curatorial and in‑house Design teams to deliver the works.
The introductory gallery features large flat and angled plinths displaying rare and delicate historic textiles, designed and fabricated to museum‑grade standards. The central gallery is dominated by a striking multi‑bay island structure, formed around a central spine with ten radiating display bays. Each bay presents mannequins dressed chronologically from the early 18th century to the 1950s, with scenographic finishes and controlled lighting creating individual moments of focus. Elevated garments along the top of the spine add drama while maintaining full structural compliance. A feature plinth and fashion ‘runway’ complete the space.
The final gallery highlights contemporary acquisitions and includes a major accessories wall featuring 48 individually lit display boxes showcasing hats, bags and shoes. This element required detailed coordination of lighting, electrics and access to achieve a seamless finish.
Delivered within a fast‑track programme inside a live, listed public building, the project demanded careful planning, specialist coordination and a strong focus on sustainability. All structures were designed to be demountable, with plans in place for responsible takedown, reuse and recycling at the end of the exhibition.
We are proud to have played a key role in delivering this project, helping the Ulster Museum share an inspiring story of loss, resilience and fashion.
