A new exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum traces the evolution of the ballgown from society-girl staple to red-carpet statement maker, with the aspirations of the wearers embedded in every stitch.
Ballgowns: British Glamour since 1950 draws a line between some of the most storied garments from the past 60 years in British event dressing. Last night, the great, the good and the gown-wearers convened to celebrate this most storybook of exhibitions.
Ballgowns elevate the wearer, create an aura, enhance your personality and bring you into a fantasy worldthats what fashion should be about, Marios Schwab told us at the opening. More than diamonds, they are a girls best friend.
Historically significant designs, like Diana, Princess of Wales pearl-encrusted Catherine Walker gown and a Norman Hartnell design for the Queen Mother, sit alongside modern selections from the likes of Mary Katrantzou, Erdem and Giles Deacon. Because despite the ebbing-away of the debutante ball, today, its red-carpet events that provide designers with the ultimate forum to air their craft.
The wonderful thing about the ballgown is that its a celebratory garment, curator Oriole Cullen said. It is a fantasy piece, completely removed from everyday life. Its transportative, and its the epitome of a designers art in the sense of the fabrics, the finishes, the embellishment. Its a real moment for a designer to show what they can do.
But are they wearable?
I wear ballgowns all the time, sometimes even when Im home!, Roksanda Ilincic shared. Why not? You dont have to have an occasion.
Th
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1
Unknown
The Erdem AW08 gown included in the V&A Ballgowns exhibition
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
2
Unknown
Erdem at the V&A Ballgowns opening
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Unknown
Sarah Burton's SS11 design for Alexander McQueen appears in the exhibition
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4
Unknown
Sarah Burton at the V&A opening
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Unknown
Roksanda Ilincic's SS09 gown
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
6
Unknown
Roksanda Ilincic at the Ballgowns opening
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
Unknown
Christopher Kane at the V&A
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
8
Unknown
Catherine Walker's 'Elvis Dress' for Diana, Princess of Wales
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9
Unknown
Lara Bohinc at the V&A opening
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10
Unknown
A Worth of London gown in the V&A exhibition
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
Unknown
Mark Fast at the V&A opening
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
12
Unknown
Alice Temperley at the V&A opening
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13
Unknown
Molly Parkin, Gareth Pugh and Barbara Hulanicki at the V&A opening