Kensington Palace to stage Fashion Rules exhibition

Fashion Rules, which opens on July 4, will seek to offer a new take on the style story of the monarchy in the late twentieth century, chronicling the trends that the royals tapped into from the Fifties through to the Nineties.

Displays will provide a sartorial journey through the young Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe; from a strapless peach silk Norman Hartnell gown which typified the post-war new look circa 1950, to the narrower skirted-style by the same designer from 1961. The exhibition will also place emphasis on how references to the countries Queen Elizabeth visited were present in the clothes she chose.

The Palace will also put the spotlight on the adventurous style choices of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. With shoulder pads, big hair and asymmetrical shapes the key trends from the Eighties and Nineties, a blue Jacques Azagury dress (pictured above) worn by Diana in 1985 will be exhibited for the first time. The exhibition will also highlight how the Princess's fashion had a significant impact on British style and on her public image.

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Finally, the wardrobe of the Queen's younger sister, Princess Margaret, will show how she embraced the greater freedoms of the time. A Dior gown worn for the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations which has never been displayed before will go on show alongside mini dresses and a full length kaftan of ivory sari silk, worn on holiday in Mustique in1970.

The exhibition's curator, Cassie Davies-Strodder, said: "This exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to get up close to these wonderful dresses and be transported to the times in which they were worn. Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales all have a special connection with Kensington Palace, making it the perfect location to celebrate these modern royal women in their fashion heyday".

Fashion Rules opens at Kensington Palace opens on July 4, 2013.
Visit hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace

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