silhouette. Instead is unlined and features a draped skirt in green silk twill foulard with white dots. It even appears to have a cute mini-bustle in back. #ootd #fashionhistory #V_and_A

by Mrs. Loel Guinness, the wife of a British member of Parliament and a fighter pilot in WW2. She was very wealthy and patronized many haute couture designers. #Fashionhistory #V_and_A

being a reference to the corsets of the 1860s, #V_and_A explains. It was worn by Marit Guinness Aschan, an artist and longtime James client. #Fashionhistory

exquisite embroidery. This particular dress has a boned bodice, embroidered with metallic thread and paste gems, and a belted bow to accent the waist. I could do without the baby bows on the skirt, though. #fashionhistory #V_and_A

The most impressive display of fashion illustrations is this wall of sketches above or below the photographed outfit for copyright purposes. Again, the contrast is interesting to see. All of these are from 1924-9, and are housed at the #V_and_A.

Bodice detail of an 1880s cream satin stage costume embellished with pearls and diamanté. It has a vaguely Tudor aesthetic in additional trimmings and style

Full length view of the 1880s cream satin stage costume showing a silhouette rotted in its decade but with various decorations that lend itself to a possible Tudor setting

A black and white photograph of the opera singer Adelina Patti seated in a chair wearing a tailored silk day dress and bonnet

A dress for a diva with a gorgeously pearl encrusted costume made in the #1880s for the Spanish Italian opera singer Adelina Patti. It was created by Parisian firm Morin Blossier, a team of sisters designing costume and couture for many famous clients #V_and_A #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

A mannequin wearing a full skirted red wool coat with fitted bodice an deep shawl collar. It has two rows of buttons in a double breasted style

Bodice detail of the late 1940s Hardy Amies red wool coat that shows how the deep collar folds down towards the off centre fastening

Back view of the late 1940s red wool coat showing how the collar sits at the back and how the fit an flare shape drapes over the hips

A black and white photograph of a model wearing the same cot in the late 1940s, one hand resting on a chest of drawers as she stares beyond the camera

I am looking forward to tonight’s virtual event with the #nationalartsclub about Dressing the Queen & makers who have contributed to royal wardrobes past. Hardy Amies, the creator of this late #1940s coat, features. Link in bio if you would like to listen, 6.00pm ET #V_and_A #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Actually heading out out tonight to a party no less. If I had a fantasy wardrobe I might choose Jean Dessès’s earl #1950s strapless cocktail dress consisting of overlapping scallops of silk. I don’t though. Sadly #V_and_A #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Enjoying ourselves at Sunday School #Orthodoxy, Chinese New Year celebrations & learning from #V_and_A displays #sundayfun

2019: #HappyThanksgiving everyone! Today's #ootd is a 1909 velvet dinner dress by John Redfern worn by Miss Heather Firbank. This dress would be perfect to wear for a Thanksgiving meal! The lace in particular is just gorgeous. #V_and_A