The Fashion Rules exhibition at Kensington Palace in 2013 featured three royal women whose style inspired a generation – HM The Queen, HRH Princess Margaret and Princess Diana.
Three Iconic Women – Three Wardrobes
Five rooms of elegant displays explored how the wardrobes of The Queen, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales reflected the fashion rules of 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Chosen from clothes worn in the decades when each woman was at her most fashionable, the garments reflected the spirit of each decade.
Fashion Rules at Kensington Palace began with The Queen’s dresses from the 1950’s and moved through the decades, sharing film, photographs and quotes, along with the beautifully preserved pieces from three iconic royal wardrobes.
Photograph courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces
How Royalty Used Fashion
Each piece demonstrated how the wearer balanced style, the fashion ‘rules’ of the day and royal protocol. For example, light colours were almost always chosen by The Queen in the 1950’s as they showed up better in black and white photographs. Lighter shades also stand out well in a crowd. Although she often chose brighter colours, Princess Diana still followed this rule from time to time.
Photograph courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces
Described by Louis Armstrong as “one hip chick”, the pieces from Princess Margaret’s wardrobe reflected the greater freedom she enjoyed in her role, as compared to her sister, The Queen.
Photograph courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces
Fashion Rules at Kensington Palace – Royal Style
The plunging halter neckline featured in this dress was a real departure from traditional royal style. To add to the excitement, Princess Margaret was photographed smoking a cigarette while wearing this dress. While many women smoked in 1951, it wasn’t the done thing to be caught in the act. The Princess may well have been one of the first – and possibly last – royal ladies to be photographed smoking.
The beading and detailing on these gorgeous clothes is just incredible. Curators at Historic Royal Palaces have lovingly cared for and restored many of these gowns, and they were seen at their absolute best in Fashion Rules.
Photograph courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces
The Fashion Rules exhibit is now closed. However you can visit the Life Through a Royal Lens exhibit at Kensington Palace now.
Comments & Reviews
I’d love to see some of those ’50s dresses “in the flesh”. That seems to be a fashion decade which just keeps on looking fabulous. Kensington Palace looks like a pleasant day out, too.
I love 1950’s style. It’s so flattering. Kensington Palace is a wonderful day out – I highly recommend it 🙂