Embroidered details of Queen Elizabeth II gowns.

photo credit: see below

Fashion Rules: Dress From the Royal Collections.

The Summer Exhibit at Kensington Palace 2013 offers a glimpse at Royal fashion, through different times, highlighting 3 different Royal personalities.

The young Queen Elizabeth II

The style of a Queen. The show features regal and ceremonial gowns by designers Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies. Crinoline style full skirts with a tight bustier, A-line style with elaborate embroidery was the regal Look in the 50s. In the 60s styles changed to a more body conscious column or shift silhouette. Many of the gowns for official visits are designed with a nod to the host country in style details, color and jewelry.

The Queen’s sister was a Royal Princess with magic Star Dust surrounding her and a rebel heart. She lived a lifestyle of her own, stretching the rules of the palace. Her fashion style evolved from the traditional British conservative princess style, a formal Haute Couture Look of the 1950s, right along with British society. The 60s and 70s showed a more experimental design style more demonstrative of her changing life style.

The unforgettable Royal bride of the early 1980s, who went from demure young “girl” to sexy and modern woman, before her untimely death in 1997. Her style evolution from young Royal wife to modern fashion Trend setter in later years also defined the fashion pulse of the moment, the late 80s and 90s.

This exhibition is an opportunity to see 3 portraits of very different Royal styles and a tour of the public rooms at Kensington Palace, with their whimsical modern artifacts set amid a historical home.

This exhibition is skillfully curated by Cassie Davies-Strodder.

Enjoy,

Jasmin

Photo credit: The Royal collection, various, Camerapress, G.images, Cecil Beaton, Lord Lichfield, Lord Snowdon, Mario Testino, others.

For more information: www.hrp.org.uk/Kensington Palace