'House Style' - Exhibition at Chatsworth House

This exhibition has only just opened, exploring five centuries of fashion at Chatsworth House.  Not all of you will be interested in wearable fashion but the exhibition does include some fabulous textiles and embroidery.

There is a display of exquisite wedding dresses worn by ladies of the Cavendish family, and all the dresses were created by well known designers.












The items on display range from clothing worn by Bess of Hardwick to items worn by two of the Mitford sisters: Deborah Devonshire and her sister Nancy.  The late Duke's embroidered jumpers are also on display, including one embroidered with the motto: 'Never marry a Mitford'.

Here is a dress worn by a lady when attending a costumed ball at Chatsworth in the 19th century - look at the size of her waist!!!  And here are a couple of close-ups of some of the embroidery:

With such heavy embroidery, including pearls, sequins and glass, the dresses must have been very heavy to wear.

This is a beautifully embroidered lady's dress, adorned with slips worked in satin stitch. 

Slips have existed for centuries - the design generally represents a plant, usually flowers or fruit on a stem.  The design would be sewn onto a fabric, then cut out and applied to a garment.

When the garment is no longer worn the slips are removed and appliqued to a different garment.  Recycling!


You will notice the butterflies at each cuff - inspiration for a piece of work for our National Day of Stitch in August?




Combining this exhibition with a visit to Chatsworth's Carriage House restaurant, where Glossop's Capability Brown exhibition is on display, would make an excellent day out.