100 Years of Fashionable Womenswear: 1830s 1930s, VA

Discover changing silhouettes and key fashion developments across 100 years of British and French womenswear: from a Victorian wedding dress inspired by Indian textile motifs, to an Edwardian lace day dress, and a 1930s silk evening gown designed by Charles James. Assistant Curator Claire AllenJohnstone unpicks the fascinating details of these different garments, revealing how fashions can be cyclical, often referencing the past, but with a modern twist. 00:30 Revealing the Victorian dress 01:44 Construction and key details 02:40 What is Paisley 04:11 Queen Victorias wedding dress 05:07 Revealing the Edwardian dress 05:49 The sbend silhouette 07:47 Construction and lace details 07:50 Signs of alterations and damage 09:07 Revealing the 1930s dress 09:32 Who was Charles James 10:40 Historical references 11:40 Modern details 12:33 Materials: silk and plastic 13:19 Changing fashions over 100 years Find out more in our fashion collection: