Fashion Design
Fashion Design
1988 (made), 1988 (made)
1988 (made), 1988 (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.’
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 | |
Title | Fashion Design (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Drawn in pencil and ink then coloured in gouache, notes written in ink, paper stuck to card |
Brief description | Ian Thomas; fashion design for the Countess of Airlie, 1988 |
Physical description | Image of a woman wearing a dress of grey and black designed by Ian Thomas. The top of the dress is grey and fitted with 'mutton leg' sleeves and fitted around the torso, the skirt is black and the two halves of the dress are separated by a large sash and bow tied around the hips. The left shoulder of the dress is ornamented with a pink and a yellow bow. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Production type | Design |
Marks and inscriptions | for the Countess of Airlie
Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen
Ian Thomas 1988 |
Credit line | Given in memory of Mr Ian Thomas by his executors |
Object history | The Countess of Airlie has served as Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II since 1973. |
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.2882-2016 |
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Record created | November 15, 2016 |
Record URL |
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