"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
Most of the drawings we saw were courtesy of the Queen's usual designers Ian Thomas and Norman Hartnell, and they are SO GREAT. I don't really think the person in this drawing looks like the Queen, exactly, but whoever she is, she looks like GREAT FUN and very stylish. It was also neat to see all the little suggestionary notes on these drawings -- like here, "Your Majesty might wear THE emerald pendant?" MIGHT SHE?
"Fashioning a Reign" at Holyroodhouse
We'll get back to the drawings later -- I just could not resist opening with that. Here is one of two collections of the Queen's hats at Holyroodhouse. They are MAJESTIC in person -- no pun intended. The middle top lavender one there, for example, looks like a fantastic oyster in person. The other set of hats includes a several that look like high-fashion swim caps, and they are A DELIGHT.
"Fashioning a Reign" at Holyroodhouse
Here's the room in Scotland. You can see a raspberry-colored velvet ballgown from the 50s there that is FANTASTIC in person, and I wish Kate could borrow it, except it would be way too short on her and look insane. It's a good example of the fact that I think there is more room for sexiness than perhaps we are currently seeing in royal wardrobes.
"Fashioning a Reign" at Holyroodhouse
Obviously, there was an emphasis on kilts and tartans in Scotland (where, obviously, I bought a tartan scarf. I REGRET NOTHING.) It was really interesting to read and hear about what tartans are worn where -- for example, they keep bolts of the tartans at the exhibit and explain which one is for what purpose. Balmoral has its own proprietary tartan, for example.
"Fashioning a Reign" at Holyroodhouse
These are little coats worn by Elizabeth and Margaret as kids. I am not comparing my extensive collection of Breton shirts to anything worn by royal personages, but let it be known that exhibitions like these are very powerful for hoarders such as myself.
"Fashioning a Reign" at Holyroodhouse
The beading on this gown is spectacular in person. I nearly fell into it while eyeballing it. While that would have made for a good story, I am relieved I didn't destroy any displays.
"Fashioning a Reign" at Holyroodhouse
This was worn with a VERY dramatic set of jewels, which is shown in a separate case. It turns out I could look at Dramatic Royal Jewels all day long.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
SO JAUNTY. I'm not sure the Queen has ever worked this exact vibe; I like to think Margaret secretly had them design things that were way more to her tastes, and then when the Queen rejected them, she went, "Oh, ALL RIGHT, FINE, I'll TAKE THEM," and then slipped everyone another tenner.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
Let me apologize for the fact that some of these photos appear to be striped. They are NOT, in real life -- it's just an effect created by the lighting.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
This is one of Norman Hartnell's sketches -- isn't it great? It looks like the cover of a fantastic 50s novel about the adventures of a particularly kicky and glamorous woman. I think it's interesting that this is the way that these designers chose to depict QE2 to herself.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
Here's a dress I am dying to see in person (most of the sketches were either theoretical, or did not correspond to outfits on display). It looks slightly as if the skirt might double as a tuffet.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
I LONG for Her Maj to drag this cape out of cold storage and wear it out and about -- or loan it to Sophie, or SOMETHING. It's DIVINE.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
THESE ARE SOME SLEEVES.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
A jumpsuit for the yacht! Who doesn't need a jumpsuit for their yacht? (We ALSO visited the aforementioned yacht on this trip, and there were no jumpsuits on display, but I can tell you that there were SEVERAL well-stocked bars, and that QE2 and Phil had adjoining rooms but tiny twin beds, which seems like no fun to me.)
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
This exhibit reminded me that Diana was QUITE tall, and also that the 80s were a cruel time for fashion.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
This was Margaret's, and it's quite beautiful -- all that heavy satin.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
ALSO Princess Margaret's, and felt a bit like it was inspired by an afternoon of watching Little Women multiple times.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
Every queen needs a caftan.
Sunglasses!
Everyone looks hotter in them.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
This one, and the one behind it, were Diana's, and I feel like both of them could be worn today. This dress, in particular, I actually remembered.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
This was also the Queen's, and behind it you can see a TRULY REGRETTABLE specimen from the 80s that Diana would probably disavow today.
"Fashion Rules" at KP
And you knew there was going to be a fur cape in here somewhere.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
A VERY dramatic look from Diana.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
Unlike a lot of her wardrobe, this Diana dress feels more timeless.
"Fashion Rules" at Kensington Palace
This gown was Margaret's, and I was standing there admiring the rest of the dresses when a group of three girls walked in. They must have been eleven or twelve years old, and they all GASPED in unison when they saw this. It was adorable, and they were right. It is stunning.
Kensington Palace Wallpaper
This is the wallpaper that hangs in the entry-way to the bathroom at Kensington Palace. It's by an artist named Julie Verhoeven, and it's all drawn moments from Diana's life, and it's SO FABULOUS in real life. I talked to one of the docents about it, and she told me that, for a while, they were selling scarves in this pattern in the gift shop, until the Daily Mail got a bee in their collective bonnets about it, and said bee prompted the powers that be to stop selling the scarves. I cannot believe the Mail prevented my spending more money.
Kensington Palace Wallpaper
It's just a really neat piece of art.
Kensington Palace Wallpaper
I love this.