From the collection of the Fashion Museum in Bath, UK. This Norman Hartnell gown from 1960 is fashioned of silk jersey that is embroider...
Why she chose the dress she did and why it was crucial it was embroidered with a leek
For her royal wedding, Princess Beatrice went vintage. And she didn't just pull any old pretty dress, either; she went for one created for Queen Elizabeth by none other than Norman Hartnell, once the Windsors' go-to couturier. Here's what you should know about Hartnell.
A fter visiting the Queen Elizabeth II Cecil Beaton exhibition at the VandA a few months back, I came out with a complete ballgown cru...
The dress, worn by the Queen’s most senior lady-in-waiting, was unearthed in an unmarked box at Blenheim Palace
historiful: Norman Hartnell evening dress, 1924.
Lace wedding dress, designed by Norman Hartnell, London, 1957
Get the first look of the up-coming Royal couture exhibition
Wedding dress outfit consisting of an embroidered silk satin dress and tulle veil, designed by Norman Hartnell, London, 1933
Jeff and I are leaving for Richmond on Thursday, and I'm intent on taking a hand-beading project with me. To that end, I've been stalking the V&A archives (a favorite pastime of mine, I admit) looking at gorgeous vintage dresses for inspiration. I found it interesting that three of my favorites are pink beaded dress from the year 1955. I just had to share! The short dress above was designed for the House of Worth by Owen Hyde Clarke. The design is made by a combination of beading and applique for the white flowers. Have you ever seen applique look so elegant? I also love the neckline and matching belt. The second dress is also designed by Clarke for the House of Worth, so it's really no coincidence that it bears a resemblance to the first. But I did find it interesting that this look seemed to be a trend in 1955. This one is floor length, and the white flowers are formed by beading rather than applique. And for the third pink beaded dress of 1955! This one is by Norman Hartnell, whose designs I've drooled over before. I do like the little velvet jacket (how chic for a winter ball!) but I wish they'd included a picture of the spaghetti-strapped dress without it. I don't think this beading is quite as elegant as the Worth designs, but lovely all the same. Oh, and these pink beaded Dior shoes are from the late 50s, but I had to share: Anyway, the V&A is a great place to search for inspiration. Just enter a term like "beaded dress" and before you know it, you'll have been staring at gorgeous gowns for an hour. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Della Oake wearing a Norman Hartnell gown
Queen Elizabeth II (then simply the Princess) it was a fruity look at the Stock Exchange in 1949 Side-by-side with sister Princess Margaret (R) — and dressed almost identically — the 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth II (L)is already setting trends in her box-pleat dress cinched with a bow to show off her tiny waist. Those white gloves, neat handbag and co-ordinating peep-toe slingbacks show a keen eye for detail Floor-sweeping chiffon and flamboyant florals ensured the Queen wasn't eclipsed by the ever-glamorous Princess Diana, sitting to her right — with Prince Charles, as ever, in the middle — in this photograph from 1992, her 'annus horribilis' On a walkabout in Australia in 1977, the year of her Silver Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II (R) wears a fashionable cream cape over her pleated skirt suit. The slit sleeves allow room for manoeuvre — all her jackets are specially cut to allow her to wave at well-wishers without creasing the outfit A rare glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II bare arms and another above-the-knee dress in this all-white outfit by royal couturier Norman Hartnell. Worn on tour in Mauritius in 1972, the crossover waist showed off her slim figure, while the yellow flowers on her hat were a nod to her sunny surroundings Queen Elizabeth II on this naval-inspired baker-boy hat, pussybow collar and matching dress were chosen to complement the soldiers' uniforms on a visit to a San Diego dockyard in 1983. An unusual departure for the Queen, it was dubbed her 'Pearly Queen' look — but showed she was in tune with the fashions of the day Queen Elizabeth II in a tropical flower adorned her simple straw hat in Tuvalu, in the South Pacific, in 1982 The young royal Queen Elizabeth II channels Audrey Hepburn in this fitted white lace number by royal dressmaker Hardy Amies, worn with a quirky parasol in Sydney in 1954. She took 100 outfits on her trip Down Under. The belt shows off her neat waist — once described as being no bigger than a hand-span (L) Princess Anne persuaded her mother to modernize her wardrobe — and raise her hemlines. This 1970 Ascot outing saw the Queen wear a Jackie O-inspired striped hat and checked dress, with a matching wide-collared coat. Her chic heels were by royal shoemaker Rayne, just like her daughter's Even at 73, Queen Elizabeth II stole the show at the 1999 Royal Variety Performance in this gleaming gold gown. The harlequin style was a brave choice — as were the all-gold Launer handbag and silver shoes — but she pulled it off with a smile and beautifully coiffed, hat-free curls Off to the races in this stylish ensemble, Queen Elizabeth II worn to Epsom in 1954, a year after her Coronation. The mink stole and full pleated skirt, worn with a pair of stylish stockings with a seam up the back, complete a look that was both youthful and sophisticated Now a married mother of two, Princess Elizabeth shows she hasn't lost her sense of style on a trip to Washington in 1951, her first tour as heir to the throne. The checkered satin dress and long opera gloves are paired with a silver mesh hat, perfectly reflecting Fifties fashion The Queen dons a striking orange design for a visit to the Isle of Wight in 1965 Queen Elizabeth II exotic geometric headscarf was perfect for her tour of Fiji in 1977 Queen Elizabeth II ostentatious curled ribbon hat caught the eye at the races in 1962 Queen Elizabeth II in a bowler with a lucky white feather, she watches her horse come home in 1979 Queen Elizabeth in this unique silver-grey ostrich feather creation was the epitome of Sixties style Queen Elizabeth is radiant in a yellow hat adorned with daisies for a visit to a maternity ward in 1962. Her cheery outfit was chosen to make people smile Queen Elizabeth II turned heads at the Highland Games in 1962 with this statement feather cap Pretty in pink: The Queen is pictured here at a garden party in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London Queen Elizabeth II echoing the tropical location in a yellow cut-away hat in the Seychelles in 1971 Turbans have become a trademark for the Queen, such as this vintage-style yellow and white polka dot one, worn in Mexico in 1975 Queen Elizabeth II opted for an unusual green turban of tiny satin knots for her silver wedding in Nairobi in 1972 Queen Elizabeth II chose a broad-brimmed royal blue with matching suit in New Zealand for her Silver Jubilee The Queen is fabulous in fur on the collar and cuffs of this gold-threaded wool jacket, designed by royal dressmaker Angela Kelly. Worn to an ice-hockey match in Slovakia in 2008, the Cossack look shows she's still got bags of style at 82 The Queen rarely wears white in the day, but made an exception for her 2012 Diamond Jubilee pageant. This Angela Kelly outfit, a bejeweled white coat and upturned saucer hat, meant the crowds could spot her for miles around Queen Elizabeth II looking colorful in a cerise wraparound hat during a walkabout in Spain, 1987. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opted for a ruffled hat at Radley College's 1947 centenary This stunning portrait by royal photographer Cecil Beaton was taken on the day of Princess Margaret's wedding in 1960, less than three months after Queen Elizabeth II had given birth to Prince Andrew. The full skirt emphasizes the monarch's small frame, while the lace on the bolero jacket is feminine and delicate Queen Elizabeth II in a timeless blue by royal milliner Freddie Fox at the Windsor Horse Show in 1962 Queen Elizabeth II in a dainty floral hat in Malta made her look a fraction of her 41 years in 1967 While reading in Windsor Castle at 13, Princess Elizabeth wore a beautiful day-off frock featuring a pretty pattern and lace trim in 1940 1953: Coronation Prep - A few days prior to her Coronation Day, Queen Elizabeth II posed in the striking gown that she would wear for the official ceremony. The design was created by Norman Hartnell (the same fellow who designed her wedding gown). 1953: Coronation Day - In a lavish portrait (literally) fit for a Queen, Elizabeth and Prince Philip pose for the former's Coronation day portrait at Buckingham Palace on June 2, 1953. The Queen added accessorized her Hartnell gown with robes and the incredible St. Edward's Crown — a design made of gold that features sapphires, tourmalines, and other precious stones. 1969: Like Mother, Like Daughter - Posing with her daughter Princess Anne in Vienna, Austria, the Queen wore an elegant green gown while Anne donned a pure white dress. The pair sported matching sashes and white gloves — plus two pretty crowns atop their immaculately styled hair, of course. 1957: Glitz and Glam - While chatting with Germaine Coty, the wife of French president Rene Coty, the Queen wore a full green gown accented with sparkly jewels and a beautiful tiara. 1982: Stylish Set - Can you believe how cute this pair is? The Prince and the Queen rocked fantastic vacation style during their tour of the South Pacific. 1951: Purple Paradise - Looking as much like a '50s movie star as she does a Queen Elizabeth wore a stunning sparkly gown with a white fur shawl during a return visit to Malta. Queen Elizabeth II in 1965: All Wrapped Up - Few things say "royalty" quite like a fur shawl and diamonds — especially when those jewels include the Jubilee Necklace and a diamond brooch she inherited from Queen Mary. 1958: Princess Portrait - In an official portrait snapped at Buckingham Palace, the 32-year-old Queen Elizabeth II posed in a white satin gown accessorized with stunning royal jewels. 1964: Peachy Keen - Queen Elizabeth II looked pretty in peach for a performance at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, accessorizing her outfit with glitzy jewels and white full-length gloves. 1971: Traveling in Style - Leave it to Queen Elizabeth II to make even walking your dogs look elegant. While arriving at the airport with her three (adorable!) corgis, the Queen wore a deep ivy skirt suit and coordinating cap. 2000: Snowy Sparkle - In a look that any fairytale princess would envy, the Queen wore a lovely satin gown to attend a state banquet with the Italian president in Rome. This exotic geometric headscarf was perfect for Queen Elizabeth II tour of Fiji in 1977
A general view of an outfit and hat designed by Sir Norman Hartnell worn by The Queen to the wedding of Princess Anne to Captain Mark Phillips at Westminster Abbey on 14 November 1973 during the...
