Fun, fab and bonkers: Crown to Couture
The Crown to Couture exhibition at Kensington Palace, London, UK, offers insight into the celebrity culture and the status quo of yesteryear paralleled with today. Show stopping outfits adorn the very rooms ‘Court’ happened.
Court in Georgian times, the late 1600’s and throughout the 1700’s, meant entering a royal palace.
"Until the late 18th Century, there were no invitations or tickets to these events. To gain entry to court you just had to look the part; however, this was so expensive that entry was self limiting.” - Coleen Ross for Crown to Couture exhibition magazine
Now, whilst I don’t object to a royal family per se- I am definitely no royalist! I couldn’t help thinking of all the more ‘regular’ people who were no doubt just as interesting if not more as I walked the rooms of the palace, but that’s a post for another day! The exhibition also included outfits from the Met Galas. Here, I share some things I thought were fun and fab if at times bonkers.
The Tour
We met at the Queen Victoria statue outside the palace ready for a private tour. The palace is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays for these. Once inside, I was already impressed by the chairs!
An elaborate chair covered with images of Queen Charlotte
But then there was the drama! Dramatic dresses with 3 metre mantua, a fabulous suit designed by Virgil Abloh, a tinchy tiny corset waist worn by Dita von Teese and possibly my fav piece Lizzo, or Sashabefluting’s as is her flute playing alter ego, outfit with her golden flute. (I aspire to Lizzo’s flute playing abilities here’s where I am currently at!) Flute out!
And the menswear, the Georgian 3 piece suits were FAB to a challenge to the very notion of menswear and clothing rules- a Billy Porter breathtaking statement piece.
I don’t wish to share too many of the photos I took as I liked the element of surprise as I looked around so don’t wish to spoil for anyone, but take a look at this dress and it’s 3 metre mantua!
Court Mantua possibly worn by Mary Flaxman, 1750-3 (Historic Royal Palaces)
I really liked the illustrations scattered throughout the exhibition. In ‘Crown to Couture The Magazine’ there is an article on the works of fashion illustrator Gladys Perint Palmer or GPP as she is known.
Also scattered throughout are ‘pop dolls’ Crown to Couture edition by artist Charlotte Posner. Fun!
I think it’s very worthy of a mention that much of the clothing centuries ago was made and repurposed. These items would be made then remade into interior textiles such as curtains or at times more clothing. A notion the modern world can very much do more of.
Just when you thought you may seen have seen everything life has to offer, there stands a Queen!
I will return to revisit, most likely on a general entry ticket- which is £25….at a later date.
The exhibition is on until October 29th.