Time to dig out your elbow-length gloves and dancing shoes. The Victoria and Albert Museums landmark exhibition opens this Saturday, and we have an exclusive preview of sketches and photographs of some of the most entrancing specimens in the show.
From a pink, pearl-embellished Bellville Sassoon dress from 1964 to Erdems floral fantasia from autumn winter 2008, the gowns on show represent some of the most imaginative examples of formalwear from the past six decades.
We have a wonderful collection of ballgowns in the archive, but this period isnt traditionally associated with the ballgown, V&A fashion curator Oriole Cullen told us when the exhibition was announced in November. The garment has changed from 1950 to today, yet is still very current.
Click through the gallery above to see sketches and artwork from Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Giles Deacon and Bellville Sassoon.