A new exhibition is challenging beauty ideals and embracing bodies of all shapes and sizes.

Body Beautiful: Diversity on the Catwalk, which opens at the Amelia Scott in Tunbridge Wells on Friday, October 21, is looking at how the fashion industry has been taking steps towards inclusivity and body positivity in recent years.

The exhibition will explore themes such as size, gender, age, race and disability and delve into how the industry, and its consumers, have been questioning the contemporary ideals of beauty and implementing positive change.

The touring exhibition, produced by National Museums Scotland, is the first of its kind and will feature key garments from designers who have championed alternative beauty on the catwalk, in advertising and editorial, and behind the scenes.

Pieces from designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, Max Mara, Ferragamo, Ashish, Pam Hogg and Dries Van Noten will feature in the exhibition.

To coincide with Body Beautiful, the Amelia Scott is also shining a light on sustainable fashion.

The cultural hub has been reaching out to the community since the summer and asking local people to share their sustainable fashion stories, with examples of reusing outfits, recycling fabrics and handing down clothing through the generations.

Bethan Minter, Creative Learning Co-ordinator at the Amelia Scott, gave her own example of a sustainable fashion story: “In my early 20s, I wore a lot of bodycon dresses. I had one favourite, I wore it so regularly the seams fell apart. As I loved it so much I didn’t throw it out, but put it away.

“When my son was 18 months old we were going to a wedding, the evening before I realised that I didn’t have a smart jumper for him to wear. I then remembered this old dress and turned it into a jersey jacket for him. He looked very smart and was very comfortable.”

The stories will be shared alongside the Body Beautiful exhibition, which is open from Friday, October 21 to Friday, November 25. Find out more here.

The exhibition is free and open daily. Opening hours can be found on the Amelia Scott website.