© Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Tomorrow, 3rd May 2014, the V&A opens its doors for yet another stunning exhibition, tracing the development of wedding dresses from 1775 until today. Displayed chronologically over two floors, ‘Wedding Dresses 1775-2014‘ features over 80 of the most romantic and extravagant wedding attire.
The exhibition begins with some of the earliest examples of wedding fashion, presenting the traditions and history of the iconic gown. A prominent feature of the exhibition is the Norman Hartnell dress made for Margaret Whigham; with a dramatic 3.6-metre train the gown is one of the earliest examples of a wedding dress being made for the sole purpose of the occasion. We witness the effect that the Second World War had on wedding clothing as the fabric restrictions forced brides to wear materials like net curtaining or simply a smart day dress. The mezzanine level takes the exhibition to the modern day, showcasing glamour of celebrity weddings. The unconventional wedding dress Vivienne Westwood created for Dita Von Teese stands dazzling solo, reflecting the image of the Burlesque bride.
The exhibition at V&A Fashion Gallery (Gallery 40) runs until 15th March 2015. Tickets are available for £12 with concessions available.
Olivia Hepburn
