Displayed among the priceless collections of furniture and tapestries, objets d’art and gilt-framed oil paintings of Blenheim Palace are mannequins draped in some of the most exquisite designs of British fashion.
Voluminous ballgowns and shimmering sequinned frocks, fine tailored suits, towering platform shoes and showstopping headpieces take pride of place against the baroque grandeur of one of the UK’s greatest stately homes, which is showcasing the work of 12 world-class designers and labels, including two beloved by the Queen and the Princess of Wales.
“It’s more palatial than any other palace I’ve been in,” says Bruce Oldfield, designer of Her Majesty’s coronation gown, as well as many other items in her wardrobe.
“If you think about the kind of environments my clothes inhabit, it’s an obvious venue for me to show my wares.”
Alice Temperley, one of Kate’s favourite designers, tells us: “I was incredibly flattered to be invited, especially to be up there with the others. I feel very lucky to be there.”
Bruce and Alice were among VIPs at a special launch party for the Icons of British Fashion exhibition, where their work is on display alongside that by labels including Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Jean Muir, Lulu Guinness, Stephen Jones, Terry de Havilland, Barbour, Zandra Rhodes and Turnbull & Asser, the favourite shirtmaker of Sir Winston Churchill, who was born at the Oxfordshire stately home.
An exception has been made for French house Christian Dior, which has lent a few pieces by British couturier John Galliano.
ACHIEVING A DREAM
This story is from the April 08, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.
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This story is from the April 08, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.
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AS 'THE DIPLOMAT RETURNS KERI RUSSELL
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FROM HIS CHALLENGING CHILDHOOD TO HOLLYWOOD'S HOT LIST BARRY KEOGHAN
ON BEING DRAWN TO STRONG WOMEN AND ENJOYING LIFE WITH HIS LITTLE BOY
AS 'THE SUBSTANCE' IS RELEASED MARGARET QUALLEY
ON MAKING THE LEAP FROM BALLET TO HOLLYWOOD
BUSY MUM-TO-BE AND DUTIFUL DAUGHTER PRINCESS BEATRICE
TEAMS UP WITH SISTER PRINCESS EUGENIE TO SUPPORT THEIR FATHER IN HIS EXILE FROM ROYAL LIFE
CHAMPIONING WOMEN'S HEALTH THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH
HONOURS 60 YEARS OF GROUNDBREAKING CHARITY
AS ONE DIRECTION REUNITE TO BID FAREWELL TO FORMER BANDMATE LIAM PAYNE
HUGS AND TEARS AS MOURNING FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY GOODBYE
CELEBRATING HER GAME-CHANGING NEW CONCEALER VICTORIA'S SECRETS
THE DESIGNER SHARES HER TOP SKINCARE TIPS AND REVEALS WHICH PRODUCTS HARPER LOVES TO STEAL
CHANNELLING MARY POPPINS TO CHAMPION LITERACY THE QUEEN
JOINS CELEBRITIES AND BEST-SELLING AUTHORS TO APPLAUD YOUNG WRITERS' 'ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT WORK'
CONTINUING A FESTIVE TRADITION - WITH A TINY NEW TREAT TO DELIGHT VISITORS WINDSOR CASTLE AT CHRISTMAS
STAFF DECK THE HALLS - AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ROYAL DOLLS' HOUSE
SNAPPING UP RECORD-BREAKING £60M MANSION IN MIAMI THE BECKHAMS
WE GO INSIDE THEIR BILLION-DOLLAR LIFESTYLE AS THE FAMILY PREPARE TO EXPAND THEIR BRAND
