Costume conservation: My Fair Lady Eliza Doolittle, VA

This fragile silk costume was once worn on the West End stage by Julie Andrews in her role as Eliza Doolittle star of the classic musicalMy Fair Lady. Designed by iconic designer and photographer Cecil Beaton, the exquisite ballgown was influenced by Beatons glamorous midcentury fashion photography. Follow the gowns transformation in our Conservation studio, as we prepare it for display in our Theatre and Performance galleries. 00:00 What is My Fair Lady 00:56 Looking at the dress in detail 02:00 Mounting concerns and solutions 03:26 Examining the dress and deciding conservation process 04:58 Dyeing silk crepeline 06:51 Cecil Beaton costume designs 08:02 Catherine Zuber, costume designer of 2018 adaptation 08:51 Supportive straps 09:42 Final mounted dress The costume can be seen as part of the Re:Imagining Musicals display until November 2023. Discover more about the Re:Imagining Musicals display: