#FridayFrocks – #SpringFlowers . A 1790s gown of cotton and silk featuring hand painted or ‘pencilled’ flowers. Known as ‘Chintz’, cottons of this kind were very expensive. The style is designed to show off the costly fabric to its best advantage. @johnchasephoto

There is a risk that this late #1960s Florence Pritchett dress might resemble fresh green nylon drapes but actually I think it manages to avoid the swag of an interior fabric and sit in chic style with its matching scarf RISD Museum #fashionhistory

Is she skating along some coastal promenade in her smart 1890s tailormade? I am going to say yes. If you would like to come to our conference The Beach and Beyond Falmouth University in July there is still time to submit an abstract so get your skates on! Link in bio. Dress FIDM Museum

The ensemble was a popular sartorial style in the mid #1920s if you had the means to afford it. A matching dress, coat and hat and maybe even shoes made for some beautiful outfits such as this by Margaine Lacroix. I’m lucky if I can find a pair of matching socks….. Ulster Museum

Fascinating reading today all about the firm H&M Rayne who began in the 1890s as theatrical costumers before turning to high end shoe design, favoured by three Queens in the c20th. These fabulous #1900s boots belonged to the performer Kitty Lord Museum of London #fashionhistory

Some lovely 16th century #blackwork vibes to this late #1940s velvet jacket by Balenciaga. It seems to reference that striking embroidery technique but in jet beads rather than stitch. Evening wear gets historical Museum at FIT #fashionhistory

falmouth.ac.uk/research/centr…

There is still time to submit an abstract for our conference Tuesday Beach and Beyond taking place this July Falmouth University for all dress practices in coastal spaces

#BlueMonday is beautiful here in vivid figured velvet, a richly ruched & draped dinner dress tied up with a silk bow. It seems that I shall never be warm enough to dispense with my heated poncho in my office, but maybe I just need a layered bustle dress. Early #1880s The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fashion designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood was born #OnThisDay in 1941. She designed this burgundy silk chiffon and silk taffeta evening gown for her Storm in a Teacup A/W 1996/7 collection. From the collection of the model Tatiana Sorokko. #fashiondesigner #dress

Worn #onthisday in 1921 by three women watching the solar eclipse through viewing devices near the Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris, France. Northern Europeans had the best view of the eclipse, which peaked at 9:43 am local time. #OTD @wikimedia

The colour of summer oceans, #MarcBohan for #Dior created this unusual silk linen mix gown in 1966. It pairs the flamboyance of beadwork with the formality of tailored lapels, mashing them into a halter neck dream. Sold via KerryTaylorAuctions #fashionhistory

The next set of hidden figures I am exploring are those engaged in shoemaking in the 19th & 20th centuries. This pair of c1900 shoes were made by Hook, Knowles and Co, about whom I am hoping to discover much more. What a flourish they would make beneath a long skirt V&A

How the sari connected me to my past theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

Just two of the garments worn by Maud Messel in the early #1900s now on display in Leighton House in the exhibition ‘Out Shopping’. The tea gown was a maternity garment judging by the inner tie which could be altered to fit her changing body. Such a lovely space Leighton House and Sambourne House

This #frockingfabulous wedding gown is by Mademoiselle Willets for Abraham & Straus, all the way back in 1918. #Fashionhistory via the Met.

Join us on 18 April 3-5:30pm, at LCF East, as we Workshop a New Fashion System, use speculative design methods, explore radical ideas to unlock current industry potential. Limited availability. Please email Monica Buchan-Ng to register your interest: [email protected]

I think all I shall be good for this weekend is some limp languishing in a lilac peignoir, wafting wanly in soft silk. Lucile knew exactly how to maximise the floatiest fabrics. And so to bed with a head full of cold I go. Gown c1918 Museum at FIT #fashionhistory

I didn’t make it to the #Sargent exhibition yesterday, that will be a visit for next month instead, but what treats are in store. The #1880s velvet glow of Mrs Charles E Inches awaits, both dress & canvas a tribute to the care that both sitter & artist gave to clothes Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

What an absolute treat to talk about the splendour of couture embroidery in the artist Frederick Leighton’s studio, surrounded by so much gilded gorgeousness. This jade green #1920s gown embellished with metallic thread embroidery would fit right in The Metropolitan Museum of Art Leighton House and Sambourne House

There is still time to book a ticket for tonight’s event Leighton House and Sambourne House which includes a peek at the exhibition ‘Out Shopping’. This is Marion’s dress worn in 1898 for her daughter’s wedding, made by dressmaker Sarah Fullerton Monteith Young. I’ll be chatting embroidery & books!