Some of Queen Elizabeth’s most glamorous gowns have gone on display for the first time ever in the UK. The exhibition, to celebrate the British monarch’s Golden Jubilee, is being held at the Museum of Costume in Bath in southwest England.
The 14 creations on show, which are the work of royal designers Sir Norman Hartnell, Sir Hardy Amies and Ian Thomas, feature one of the Queen’s favourite gowns – a pink, embroidered silk organza confection decorated with white gauze ribbon in a flower motif and encrusted with silver beads. During the Sixties, she wore it on numerous occasions to film premieres and gala performances.
Other dresses include a pale apricot satin gown which she wore in 1954, and a turquoise silk crepe number chosen for a visit to Kuwait in 1979. Many of the items on display were worn during state visits abroad – to Australia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Saying that although the Queen was never the fashion icon her younger sister was, royal correspondent Jennie Bond emphasises that the monarch has influenced mainstream style. “Princess Margaret was extremely pretty and people used to follow what she was wearing, but Elizabeth almost had to be more understated, dignified at all times. I think these dresses reflect that. There is no room to be adventurous, but I’m sure many of the trends were followed.”
Rosemary Harden, keeper of costumes at the museum, also underlined that the dresses on display represent “the Queen’s working wardrobe”. “What matters is that she wears something appropriate to the occasion. The clothes convey the message,” she says.
The museum where the exhibition will run until November 2002 contains one of Britain’s largest historical fashion collections – 30,000 items dating back to the 16th century.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
