I was a bit of a Laura Ashley dresser myself in the 70's, seen here swinging in my parents' paddock.
There were dresses for children to try on.
And downstairs in the permanent collection the grownups were also having fun dressing up in Victorian corsets and crinolines, dresses and bonnets.
There was an exhibition of 'Fifty Fabulous Frocks' celebrating 50 years of the Fashion Museum at the Assembly Rooms. Dress no 508 could have stepped from a Jane Austin novel.
It was a rather dizzying selection from the permanent collection.
Every year a well known person from the fashion industry chooses the 'Dress of the Year'.
This Dior dress is beautifully made, but, in my opinion, quite unwearable!
I much prefer earlier choices, I would happily wear this outfit from 1987 by John Galliano,
or the dress of the year for 1984 by Body Map, but without the chilly bit around the navel!
What era are you?
Tomorrow, if you wear a Laura Ashley dress to the museum your entry will be free. I'm tempted to go back with my camera to record who turns up!
I've been to the Fashion Museum in Bath on a trip to your fair country. The Laura Ashley exhibit must have been wonderful. I too remember that era, when we all seemed to be baking bread and growing avocado plants.
ReplyDeleteHello Michelle, the Laura Ashley exhibition was a bit of a nostalgia fest. Baking bread, yes, but I've never managed to grow an avocado!
DeleteLove the forties fifties but that pic of you is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou should try one of the many 40's events that take place up and down the country, Coulda. I bought a fabulous vintage dress at the last one we went to. There were stalls selling all the things that my mother used to wear; perky hats, foxes biting their tails and so forth, not to mention terrific music and dancing.
Delete(My daughters are in Paris this weekend and I've put in an order for Avibon vitamin A cream and Embroylisse 24hrmiracle cream. Tried to buy the latter on line but it wasn't listed in their products.)
Thanks for the tip, I will look out for them - autumn is a perfect time for avibon - hope you like it but remember to still use sunscreen even during cloudy days!
DeleteWonderful photo of you on the swing! Quite Edwardian. I went through a Laura Ashley meets Punk phase in the 1980's. Tromping through the streets of New York in petticoats, shawls and work boots. Alas, I have no photos. But those clothes along with my 1960's shifts from childhood are my all time favorites.
ReplyDeleteOh, Connie, I do regret that you don't have a Laura meets Punk photo. Doesn't it translate into ultra stylish (and expensive) Vivienne Westwood? I've still got a few of my old Laura's - I'll post one for Visible Monday.
ReplyDeleteOoh - wish I was near Bath tomorrow. I've a lovely '90s flowery pinafore dress I could wear - or the '80s printed cotton boiler/romper suit I got married in. What fun!
ReplyDeleteI wonder who turned up in what. If you email any photos that you have I'll do a Laura Ashley what we wore post. The boiler/romper sounds quite something!
DeleteA wonderful exhibit. I loved Laura Ashley in the 80s when it was quite popular here. There was a boutique in almost everyone shopping district. I loved the fabrics. It was so disappointing to see the decline.
ReplyDeleteYes, these days the company has no individual character whatsoever. The fabrics were good, strong cotton that washed well. I made countless dresses from it for my daughters when they were small - oh, all those pin tucks!
DeleteI've never been a Laura Ashley fan. I think by the time my radar picked it up, it was hackneyed and knocked off. I love the photo of you on the swing, however. I do love fashion/costume history too, and agree that the Body Map dress (sans midriff hole) would be a delight.
ReplyDeleteI note that on the swing I was shoeless, as is still often the case! If I were a fashion designer I would be haunting the archives, there are such great ideas from other centuries.
DeleteThe Assembly Rooms are one of the few places we haven't been to in Bath yet, but Amanda is adamant that we shall go before the summer is out. A great photo of you on the swing, was it taken where you live now?
ReplyDeleteThe photo was taken at my parents' home in the Yorkshire Dales. Although the house was sold after my mother's death l retain a foothold there because, years ago, we converted an outbuilding into a small holiday flat. I still own the little paddock where the photo was taken!
DeleteDo get in touch when you plan to come to Bath - we could meet up!
You're on! It would be lovely to meet up.
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ReplyDeleteDear Jangledywords, me, old bird, marriage ceremony nearing half a century ago. No interest whatsoever in chiffon what'sits, never been to a 'prom'. Am from Yorkshire, war baby, skilled at conserving money! No sale here.
ReplyDeleteHahaha!
DeleteThank you for sharing this wonderful exhibit!
ReplyDelete