The British have a long - and strong - tradition of creating sumptuous ballgowns, which really flourished in the post-war period as Europe struggled toward recovery, the extravagant, exclusive balls providing a refreshingly glittery antidote to years of wartime dreariness. Splended couture confections helped stimulate aspiration and sartorial consumption, especially in the 1950s when occasions for wearing formal attire evolved from private event to public parade. Coming out balls, where young women were formally introduced to society, were grand occasions calling for equally grand gowns, and the emergence of the charity ball in the 1980s provided yet another high-profile platform for dressing to impress. The red carpet is now the most influential catwalk for fashionable peacockery, and what the star of a movie choses to wear can often generate as much coverage as the film itself.
"Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950" goes up at London's Victoria & Albert museum from May 19, 2012 through January 6, 2013 featuring a bevvy of beautiful frocks, red carpet stunners and catwalk showstoppers from a wide array of designers old & new(er) including Ossie Clark, Norman Hartnell, Victor Stiebel, Zandra Rhodes, Jonathan Saunders, Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, Giles, Erdem, Roksanda Illincic, Mark Fast, Jenny Packham & Gareth Pugh. There will even be a fun & innovative latex gown by Atsuko Kudo. A highlight will be dresses worn by celebs like Princess Diana (her white "Elvis" dress by Catherine Walker), Elizabeth Hurley, the Queen Mother, Bianca Jagger, Daphne Guiness & Sandra Bullock.
To celebrate, Harrods is presenting a limited-edition, four-piece *Belle of the Ball Afternoon Tea* patisserie range. "I'm delighted to be involved in this fantastic celebration of ballgowns by incredible designers from over the last five decades," notes William Curley, the award-winning British chocolatier & patissier who created the *Belle* pastries. "They are truly beautiful creations - works of art some might say - so creating the patisseries to go with the collection for this delicious afternoon tea was a highly enjoyable project. Couture chocolate and couture fashion go hand in hand!"
Which is why you'd better act fast if you wanna get your choco-couture on!
*Belle of the Ball Afternoon Tea* will only be available through June 15, 2012 in the Tea Room on the 2nd floor.
- Lesley Scott
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