27 March 2017

House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth

A monumental exhibition at Chatsworth, home of the Devonshires, began when Laura Cavendish Countess of Burlington went in search of a christening gown withn the estate's many textile storage spaces.
What results is House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth.
Upon folding back the tissue papers covering one gown, her first thoughts upon reading the handwritten label— “Christening robe made for Nancy Mitford by her mother Lady Redesdale in 1907. Also worn by her brothers and sisters,” was what lay beyond this single treasure.


The Countess of Burlington on Chatsworth’s terrace wearing a Gucci suit with the necklace from the  Devonshire parure (1952) and Debo’s bejeweled bug brooches. —Photograph by Anton Corbijn

The Countess, along with Hamish Bowles and costume historian and exhibition curator Patrick Kinmonth and his creative partner Antonio Monfredo have mounted Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth. She also sought out Hubert Givenchy's advice, saying to Vogue UK, “He told me not to make it all about couture and grand things – personal things, he said, are as important as great craftsmanship – and that I should look for Andrew Devonshire’s embroidered slippers.”  Along with those slippers, his jumpers (sweaters to the colonies) emblazoned with pithy quotes, there is a coronation gown worn by Duchess Evelyn in 1937, and Duchess Mary in 1953.

photograph by Thomas Loof

The Exhibition runs from March 25 until October 22
See all the images of the Exhibition and read the story by Violet Henderson at Vogue UK here.  Hamish Bowles writes about the Exhibition here.

There is no doubt this Exhibition will rival the Costume Institute's Spring Exhibition. I am certainly intent on England before Chatsworth closes its doors on Five Centuries of Fashion.

8 comments:

  1. I've been following this of late, Georgiana portrait was the lead...it's a blockbuster of historical proportions...so many visions combined, a must! Stella Tenants feathered gown by Burberry for 2014 Met Gala Charles James, I remember her in the gown at The Mark hotel bar...it was closed off though we were having a cocktail with friends before the event, crowds outside behind the rope...and in swept Stella and Mario Testino, camera in hand...she began posing dramatically at the bar...clic, clic clic...a memorable moment indeed...

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    1. That DRESS was gorgeous. Stunning. I know that is a memorable moment-and I adore that Stella Tennant

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  2. Oh, that's fabulous. Apparently, my great great grandfather was rumoured to be an illegitimate member of that family. His wife's wedding dress was gifted by the Duchess and is housed in their textile collection, thus adding fuel to the rumour. I need to go see it at some point!

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    1. What a story! Yes it would be thrilling for you to see that dress especially if it is displayed. You must find out and let me know. I hope to get there early fall. pgt

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  3. No one now living will ever see the cataloguing completed of the holdings of that house. Multiplying that tally by the information of its provenance would represent a research project beyond any one institution's capability. That they commited to assembling even this exhibition, therefore, constitutes a stunning contribution to history, and on that basis alone it truly ought not to be missed.

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    1. I do so hope to go in the fall. They are very tight with their holdings-as I was so hoping to include Nancy Mitford in my book but alas No. pgt

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  4. Will the allure of Chatsworth and the Mitfords never end? Of course not! I don't expect to get over to see the exhibition in person, so I am thrilled to read and look via articles and blogs like Little Augury. Also, another favorite blog, Ben Pentreath's Inspiration, has a first-hand account of Ben's and his husband Charlie's visit to Chatsworth: http://www.pentreath-hall.com/inspiration/2017/03/22/chatsworth/
    Also congratulations on your book, Gaye!

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    1. Diane, I agree. The era they lived in is "my" era. I do dearly love it. I am enjoying the book that accompanies it! A sad substitute but...

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