Fit For The Queen - Angela's Designer Secrets

A New Book Peeks Into The Royal Wardrobe

DESIGNING FOR THE QUEEN

The Queen accepts more than 300 engagements each year, through different seasons, occasions and cultures. Our role as her dressers is to ensure that Her Majesty is appropriately attired for each occasion – from state events to informal daywear, in the United Kingdom and abroad.

From time to time, the Queen will wear the same outfit to different events, although several months will pass between them. When I’m designing an outfit, I start with ‘feelers’ − large samples of material that allow me to experience the texture of the fabric before deciding to buy it. I will squeeze and twist the sample in my hands, before smoothing it out again. If the material remains crumpled or creased, it will be of no use and is discarded from the selection.

I get my inspiration from seeing and touching the materials too, rather than starting with a sketch. I find a quiet moment when I hide in the materials storeroom and play with the fabrics, allowing them to shape themselves into a design. I look for movement with soft light materials, and might even switch on a fan to see how they behave in a breeze. Fabric choices are obviously important – there are beautiful fabrics that work well but might catch or pull on objects such as Her Majesty’s watch. Loose-weave fabrics can easily lose their shape, requiring a good lining to prevent this. They can also develop loose strands, making them appear unkempt and unattractive.

Colour is key – the colour chosen must suit the Queen and the occasion. Vibrant colours work well in the daytime − they allow her to stand out from the crowd and be visible to well-wishers who have come to see her. As the light changes, or when Her Majesty moves to an interior space, this will have an effect on the colour and texture of the fabric, and this must be taken into account.