If London is your destination this summer, don’t miss the fascinating new exhibition titled Fashion Rules. Held at London’s Kensington Palace, it will allow visitors to take a peek at the royal wardrobes. From the gowns HM Queen Elizabeth II wore in the 1950s to the couture pieces of her sister Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales, it spans several generations of famous dresses.
“These three women were perhaps the most high-profile dressers of their time,” says the show’s curator, Cassie Davies-Strodder. “Whatever they wore was photographed by the international press and seen worldwide. The influence they had on fashion was bar none, and from a historical perspective, we felt it was critical to highlight that.”
The exhibit will featuring 21 couture dresses, in addition to film and photography. Notice the dress made for the Queen’s trip to Pakistan. Not only is the dress cut modestly, following the customs of the country, it uses the colors of the Pakistani flag. The only question that remains, what perfume did she wear?
Fashion Rules is open now through the summer of 2015 at Kensington Palace in London. For more information, please check hrp.org.
19 Comments
Tammy: My husband and I are thinking of visiting London in November so it sounds like an interesting exhibit to add to our agenda. I love fancy gowns! July 25, 2013 at 9:19am
Victoria: You will enjoy it then! I haven’t visited myself, but friends who attended loved the collection and its history. July 25, 2013 at 10:42am
Ari: I would absolutely love to see this. My style was almost entirely shaped by a Met exhibit on Jackie Kennedy’s clothing that I had the pleasure of seeing in 2001. July 25, 2013 at 9:45am
Victoria: That was a fantastic exhibit! The Met in general is impressive when it comes to curating its exhibits, and I loved all of their fashion related ones I’ve attended. I still kick myself for missing “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.” July 25, 2013 at 10:43am
axum: The Met’s spring 2013 exhibit on fashion and Impressionism was great. To see the actual clothes that appeared in those great paintings was well, Wow. July 25, 2013 at 11:58am
Victoria: I missed it in NYC, but I caught it in Paris, and I agree, it was a fantastic exhibit. Amazing that some of those gowns were perfectly preserved. In Paris they also featured perfume and lots of vintage Guerlain. July 25, 2013 at 3:38pm
Andy: Do you know, is that the same fashion and impressionism exhibit that is featured currently at the Chicago Art Institute? I saw an exhibit of that description on my recent trip, and it was fantastic! There were some vintage Guerlains on display, so I’m curious if it is the same one. July 27, 2013 at 9:40am
Victoria: Yes, that’s the same exhibit! I was told that the Met one didn’t have the perfume bottles, but it looks like Chicago got them. July 27, 2013 at 11:05am
Austenfan: Although I am not very keen on dresses, I would love to see what Princess Margaret wore. She has always intrigued me. Plus I have never visited Kensington Palace and I really like London. July 25, 2013 at 12:40pm
Victoria: Me too, she seemed like such a character. From what I understand, her outfit choices were also quite intriguing. So I hope to make it to London sometime before next summer and see this exhibit. July 25, 2013 at 3:40pm
solanace: My mom is going to London in September, she will most certainly enjoy this! July 25, 2013 at 2:58pm
Victoria: My cousin wasn’t all that keen on fashion, but she said that the exhibit is really nicely done. Her favorites were the Pakistani flag dress and the dark blue gown worn by Princess Diana.
The website I linked has some extra information as well as snapshots, in case your mother would like more details. July 25, 2013 at 3:42pm
solanace: Thank’s, V!
She is travelling to commemorate she is healed (yay!), and I’m selecting a few different attractions for her. Ormonde Jayne boutique is on the list, too. BTW, may I ask you something? She misses old Cabochard, Miss Dior and Jolie Madame, and has been enjoying the current Mitsouko. Which OJ should she sample? July 26, 2013 at 4:10am
Victoria: Yay, wonderful news! I hope that you supply her with many tips on enjoying her time in London. As for OJ, I would say Ormonde Woman. It’s a quieter perfume than her other favorites, but it has the dark tone she might enjoy. And tell her to try Man too (just disregard the name). It’s surprisingly non-masculine in a traditional sense, and she might enjoy it too. July 26, 2013 at 2:32pm
solanace: Thank’s so much, V! I already feel like I’m doing a heck of a good job, sending her to OJ with recommendations from you! July 27, 2013 at 9:27am
solanace: And one for each wrist! July 27, 2013 at 9:27am
Victoria: 🙂 July 27, 2013 at 11:04am
george: And people! Don’t forget how close Kensington Palace is to one of the best shopping (or just sniffing) areas in London for perfume- Knightsbridge, Sloane Square and Belgravia. July 25, 2013 at 4:47pm
Victoria: Oh, a great reminder! Thank you, George. July 25, 2013 at 5:58pm