Hartnell to Amies: Couture By Royal Appointment Now Open
On 16th of November, the Fashion and Textile Museum inaugurated the exhibition Hartnell to Amies: Couture By Royal Appointment, which will run until the 23rd of February.
There was a time when London was not stylish at all, when fashion belonged only to Paris and when royalties had a big impact on the British fashion world, far before the so-called ‘Kate effect’.
This exhibition tells the story of how British style has become admired and known worldwide, thanks to its bond with the Royal Family.
An incredibly rich collection of original clothes, accessories, pictures and documents entices us on a journey through the advent of British style in the 20th century, starting with the opening of Norman Hartnell boutique in 1923, before lending it to Hardy Amies and Fredrick Fox, two of the most important couturiers of the post-war years.
In the rough time between the World Wars, the luxurious and sophisticated creations of Norman Hartnell, Sir Hardy Amies and Frederick Fox illumined the British fashion landscape with pieces of the most exquisite craft and style.
The design and the craftsmanship of the gowns exhibited in the Museum evoke a time when fashion was personal and exclusive, shrouded in the aura of a fairytale.
The gowns displayed at this unique exhibition have each its own story. Some of them were worn for royal weddings and society parties, while others were made iconic and timeless by the touch of Norman Parkinson.
The display also tells the story of a long lasting couture relationship between Her Majesty the Queen and Hartnell, who designed, amongst others, the dress and the coat worn by the Queen Elizabeth II at Her Coronation Ball.
“In the Jubilee year, we are delighted that this exhibition celebrates the important role the Rolyal Family play in promoting British fashion,” said Celia Joicey, head of Fashion and Textile Museum.
“We hope it will introduce the skilled work of Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies, Frederick Fox and their contemporaries to a new generation,” she continued.
And it certainly does. Walking through all those incredible creations helps to realise and understand where the roots of the modern British fashion come from.
Most contemporary designers are inspired by those pieces, which timeless cuts and lines became the foundation of design created in England in the past century. Illuminated.
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