member of the Britishroyal familyhave a genius for begin new trend . Queen Victoriapopularized the white wedding dress , and more of late , Queen Elizabeth II madecolorful hatslook coolheaded . Likewise , the bold press selection of Princess Margaret have not gone unnoticed . AsSmithsonianreports , the gown she hold out for her 21st natal day is now on showing at London ’s Victoria and Albert Museum .
The new exhibition is dedicate to the designs of Christian Dior , but one frock in particular became all the more notable after Princess Margaret wore it for her birthday in 1951 . The emollient - colored , off - the - shoulder joint chunk gown is adorned with mother of pearl , bead , sequins , and raffia embroidery . When she saw it , Margaret tongue-in-cheek remarked that the adornment resemble white potato desquamation . Still , she later described the gown as her “ pet dress of all . ”
At the time , it was strange for couture nightdress to sport synthetic materials — especially a garb mean to be worn at a royal routine . “ This was a very modern choice in 1951 for a very modern princess , ” Oriole Cullen , co - curator of the exhibit , toldThe Art Newspaper .
From Dior ’s perspective , this was designed . His collection ushered in a unexampled epoch of opulence that mark a departure from the knit stitch , no - frills fashions of the wartime years . Hundredsof other examples of Dior ’s trendsetting style span 71 years of the fashion house ’s account are on video display at the exhibit , which is style " Christian Dior : Designer of Dreams . " A crimson - colored pelage , a delicate silk tulle dress , and a larger - than - lifeembroidered dressadorned with Swarovski quartz glass are among the highlights .
As for Princess Margaret ’s attire : the material made it something of a challenge to restore . Sections of the skirt had detached from the waistband and the beading had begun to come undone , but conservators at the museum did their best to make it calculate as good as novel . " It was basically in remarkably good condition , but it bears a few stains which could not be removed without damaging the fabric , " conservator Emily Austin toldThe Art Newspaper . " They are part of its story . ”
The exhibit will remain on display until July 14 , and tag can be purchasedonline .
[ h / tSmithsonian ]
