Wedding Dress
06/09/1941 (worn)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Elizabeth King wore this gown when she married Rowland Absalom on 6 September 1941 at a church in Hyde Park Square, London. It shows how many brides opted for colourful, rather than white, gowns in a time of strict rationing during the Second World War. They used whatever fabric they could find and some dresses were even made out of parachute silk.
Elizabeth wanted a traditional style of dress and found a beautiful satin curtain material as rationing did not yet extend to furnishing fabrics. She commissioned Ella Dolling, a Court dressmaker of Portland Street, London, to fashion it into this lovely gown.
It is typical of the fashionable style of the period with its fitted sleeves slightly puffed at the shoulder, sweetheart neckline and long stiff skirt. Elizabeth opted for a prayer book instead of a bouquet and artificial flowers on her head, although Rowland did wear a carnation in his buttonhole.
Elizabeth wanted a traditional style of dress and found a beautiful satin curtain material as rationing did not yet extend to furnishing fabrics. She commissioned Ella Dolling, a Court dressmaker of Portland Street, London, to fashion it into this lovely gown.
It is typical of the fashionable style of the period with its fitted sleeves slightly puffed at the shoulder, sweetheart neckline and long stiff skirt. Elizabeth opted for a prayer book instead of a bouquet and artificial flowers on her head, although Rowland did wear a carnation in his buttonhole.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Wedding dress ensemble, satin woven with yellow and green flowers, headdress of artificial flowers and silk net veil, made by Ella Dolling, London, 1941; black and white photograph of wearer. |
| Gallery label | War-time dress made of curtain fabric
Ella Dolling (1906-96)
London
1941
When florist Elizabeth King married Ralph Rowland Absalom on 6 September 1941, she wore a traditional long dress in a colourful fabric. Having insufficient clothing coupons to purchase a ready-made dress, she had one made of light-weight upholstery material which was not subject to rationing.
Dress: synthetic silk
Headdress: cotton net, cotton, wax and wire
Veil: silk tulle
Given by Mrs Gay Oliver Barrett
V&A: T.25:1 to 4-2006(2011) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Gay Oliver Barrett |
| Object history | Elizabeth King wore this gown when she married Rowland Absalom on 6 September 1941 at a church in Hyde Park Square, London. The sleeves of the dress were removed so she could wear the dress as an evening gown afterwards; they have now been re-attached to the dress. |
| Production | Made in Portland Street, London. |
| Summary | Elizabeth King wore this gown when she married Rowland Absalom on 6 September 1941 at a church in Hyde Park Square, London. It shows how many brides opted for colourful, rather than white, gowns in a time of strict rationing during the Second World War. They used whatever fabric they could find and some dresses were even made out of parachute silk. Elizabeth wanted a traditional style of dress and found a beautiful satin curtain material as rationing did not yet extend to furnishing fabrics. She commissioned Ella Dolling, a Court dressmaker of Portland Street, London, to fashion it into this lovely gown. It is typical of the fashionable style of the period with its fitted sleeves slightly puffed at the shoulder, sweetheart neckline and long stiff skirt. Elizabeth opted for a prayer book instead of a bouquet and artificial flowers on her head, although Rowland did wear a carnation in his buttonhole. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.25:1 to 5-2006 |
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| Record created | June 19, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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