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Four haute couture dresses by Madeleine Vionnet
These four evening dresses were designed by Madeleine Vionnet (1876-1975; active 1912-1939) and purchased by Lady Foley (circa 1888-1968) between 1929 and 1938. Minoru Foley's marriage to Baron Foley (1895-1927) made her part of British society. Madeleine Vionnet was one of Europe's greatest couturiers.
Silk day dress, by Worth, 1889
With its minimal bustle and strong emphasis on the sleeves, this day dress illustrates the smoother silhouette that began to appear in the late 1880s.
Linen dress, by Foale & Tuffin, 1966
Foale & Tuffin's small headquarters in Marlborough Court became one of London's most fashionable destinations. This dress shows their characteristic attention to detail and finish.
Silk taffeta evening dress, by Worth, 1960
By 1960 the famous Paris couture house of Worth had dressed the world's richest and most fashionable women for over a century. The London branch supplied the British aristocracy with timelessly elegant clothes - as this example illustrates - for every occasion in the London season.
British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age
31 March–12 August 2012
Showcasing over 300 British design objects, this exhibition celebrates the best of British post-war art and design from the 1948 ‘Austerity Games' to the summer of 2012.
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The Wedding Dress: 300 Years of Bridal Fashions
A spectacular look at the history of the wedding dress
Buy nowEvent - British Ballgowns: Pattern Cutting and Dress Design
Wed 11 July 2012 10:30

3 DAY PRACTICAL WORKSHOP: Learn the skills and techniques needed to create couture ballgowns.
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