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Fashion Design

Fashion Design
1980s-92 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ian Thomas is most well known for having been the Queen’s dress designer for over 20 years until his early death in 1992. Born in Oxford in 1929, he went onto study fashion at Oxford College of Art. On graduating in 1952, he worked as an assistant designer to Norman Hartnell, where he worked on Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation robes.

After 17 years working for Hartnell, Thomas opened his own couture business in Lowndes Street, Belgravia, in 1969. Under his own label he dressed many members of the royal family, notably making day and evening clothes for the Queen. Thomas was awarded a Royal Warrant as dressmaker in 1973. His success, according to The Independent lay in the fact that the Queen and ‘many members of society appreciated the restrained and understated elegance of his clothes.’


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleFashion Design (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Drawn in pencil and ink then coloured in gouache, notes written in ink, fabric samples attached to paper with metal paper clip.
Brief description
Ian Thomas; fashion design, 1980s-92
Physical description
Image of a woman wearing a hat, dress and coat designed by Ian Thomas. The hat is white with a red top, the coat is plain red with pocket flaps and cuffs secured with large buttons. The dress has a drop waist and the collar, waist and hem and emphaced with a contrasting material to that of the main dress. Samples of both of the materials of the dress are attached to the upper left hand corner of the design with a paper clip.
Dimensions
  • Height: 41.9cm
  • Width: 29.6cm
Style
Production typeDesign
Marks and inscriptions
Ian Thomas (Signed)
Credit line
Given in memory of Mr Ian Thomas by his executors
Summary
Ian Thomas is most well known for having been the Queen’s dress designer for over 20 years until his early death in 1992. Born in Oxford in 1929, he went onto study fashion at Oxford College of Art. On graduating in 1952, he worked as an assistant designer to Norman Hartnell, where he worked on Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation robes.

After 17 years working for Hartnell, Thomas opened his own couture business in Lowndes Street, Belgravia, in 1969. Under his own label he dressed many members of the royal family, notably making day and evening clothes for the Queen. Thomas was awarded a Royal Warrant as dressmaker in 1973. His success, according to The Independent lay in the fact that the Queen and ‘many members of society appreciated the restrained and understated elegance of his clothes.’
Collection
Accession number
E.2855-2016

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Record createdNovember 15, 2016
Record URL
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