The V&A Exhibition of The Golden Age of Couture

The V&A Exhibition of The Golden Age of Couture was such as amazing experience! A couple of girlfriends and I went to the Victoria and Albert museum for a day out and I’m so glad we did, their fashion exhibition didn’t disappointment. Some garments where obvious one-of pieces full of class, and others wouldn’t look out of place on the red carpet today for example an evening dress by Pierre Balmain. This pink rose printed appliqué silk gown looks like something Lily Allen would wear it’s strapless bodice is nipped in at the waist and then magically flares out creating an astonishingly elegant silhouette. Vogue declared that ‘eventful skirts were Balmain specialty’.

You could conclude that famous designers have been influenced by these past designers. A red lipstick evening dress by Jean Dressès is very reminiscent to Valentino’s signature gowns, which is not surprising as Valentino worked with Dressès before becoming a couturier himself. This dress with its wonderful structure is full of romance, beauty and femininity.

Other Key pieces included ‘Flowers of the Fields of France’ a ceremonial gown by Norman Hartnell, which was worn by Her Majesty the Queen and a green silk brocade evening dress by Herbert de Gevenchy.

The show is well worth taking a look at if your interested in clothing!

Review - Fashion Babylon

A beautiful if not scary insight into the world of fashion, Imogen Edwards-Jones and her handful of helpers successfully create a story of which any fashionista would revel in. For six months we follow a young struggling Fashion House try and carve a name for itself in the most cut throat business in the world, whilst on the way spilling all of fashion’s deepest and darkest secrets.

As quoted “the poor make the clothes and the rich buy them” yet you eventually find yourself sorry for these so called glamorous designers and forget about their over extravagant ways. This book is a must read for anyone that is interested in fashion. However I was left feeling a little cheated, the end chapter was over too soon and I was left wanting more.

Lets all hope for a Fashion Babylon 2!

Quotes and Inspiration

Joseph Abboud - Designer
“Clothing is as much a lifestyle as it in about design”

Sir Hardy Amies - Dress maker to the queen
“A man should look as if he bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care, and then forget all about them.”

Vogue 1962
“Which came first the chicken or the egg? The fabric or the Fashion?”


Balanciaga – Designer
“No women can make herself chic if she is not chic herself”