Georgian glitz and red carpet glamour for palace’s largest ever display

Crown to Couture, opening on 5th April 2023, will see contemporary couture worn by today’s celebrities including Lizzo and Lady Gaga, displayed alongside historic costume – drawing similarities between the world of the red carpet and the world of the Royal Court in the 18th century.

Set to be the largest exhibition ever staged at the palace, more than 200 objects will be going on display across the State Apartments and exhibition spaces, from some of the finest examples of historic court dress to today’s contemporary red carpet looks. 

Claudia Acott Williams, curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with a wide variety of well-known fashion houses and emerging designers to showcase some of the most iconic red carpet looks of recent years and celebrate the wonderful diversity and creativity we see there today.

“By bringing these familiar looks into the palace and placing them in conversation with spectacular 18th century court dress, we hope to provide a new perspective on these historic spaces and the seemingly distant customs of the Georgian Court, and allow visitors to experience the palace as it was meant to be experienced: filled to the brim with the most fashionable and influential names of the day.”

What to expect

It’s said that visitors will learn what it takes to get noticed, the subtle messages clothing can deliver, and the design influences outfits can take inspiration from.

For the first time, Kensington Palace’s State Apartments, witness to near-daily lavish events in the Georgian era, will showcase a host of recognisable 21st century red carpet looks, drawing parallels between the two periods.

Among the items going on display is the Thom Browne dress worn by musician Lizzo to the 2022 Met Gala, complete with gold cape jacket. The two-piece ensemble features a plain black corset gown and billowing jacket with intricate gold detailing, styled by Jason Rembert.

It will be joined, among many others, by the luminous green gown worn by Lady Gaga to the 2020 MTV Awards. Created by Christopher John Rogers, it’s said that the skirt of the dress is not dissimilar to the size and scale of dresses that would have been worn in this historic space centuries before.

Along with the modern looks on display, the exhibition will pay homage to the design of the Georgian age, from mantua clothing to the intricately embroidered court suit.

Among the objects will be examples of some of Historic Royal Palace’s own collection – the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection - which is cared for by a team of experts at Hampton Court Palace.

Highlights will include the Rockingham Mantua, featuring silver thread and silver lace trim and believed to have been worn by the wife of British Prime Minister, the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, in the 1760s.

Other historic items set to be unveiled include the Silver Tissue Gown, on loan from the Fashion Museum Bath, which will form the opening to the exhibition. A rare example of fashion worn at the court of Charles II and handmade of fine silk woven with silver thread.

It is believed to have been worn to court by a young Lady Theophila Harris, who later went on to become the wife of MP Sir Arthur Harris of Hayne, and as one of very few complete dresses from the 17th century.

Polly Putnam, curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said: “Just as the designers of today dress celebrity royalty for important public events, Kensington Palace was home to the original red carpet of the Georgian court.

Crown to Couture will demonstrate the similarities in the fashion ‘rules’ set out by high society designers, drawing fascinating comparisons between the present day and the 18th century, when the palace was at its most busy, exciting and politically and culturally important.”