Given by Margaret D. Wishart

This Hartnell wedding gown shows how, having opened his London couture house in 1923, he was soon extending his business to the US market. The original owner, Mrs Dorothy Miller, bought it in 1931 during a visit to New York and wore it for her wedding the following year. The history of the dress and the photograph of Mrs Miller wearing it on her wedding day (see RPs), provides intersting information which set the object in the context of its time. The photograph would be particularly valuable for exhibition purposes.

Historical significance: This is a beautiful example of an early Hartnell wedding ensemble which would form a central focus for an exhibition on marriage.

The importance of the gown lies in the fact that is it such and early and ornate example of a Hartnell wedding gown (the other wedding dress by Hartnell of a similar date, although in a better condition, is of inferior quality and design). This dress shows how, having opened his London couture house in 1923, he was soon extending his business to the US market. The original owner, Mrs Dorothy Miller, bought it in 1931 during a visit to New York and wore it for her wedding the following year. The history of the dress and the photograph of Mrs Miller wearing it on her wedding day (see RPs), provides intersting information which set the object in the context of its time. The photograph would be particularly valuable for exhibition purposes.

Norman Hartnell (1901-1979) was renowned for the elegant and romantic gowns he designed for an international clientele. Especially famous moments in his career include the all-white wardrobe he designed for the Queen Mother in 1938 and Elizabeth II's Coronation Gown in 1953. This slim and sophisticated wedding dress and veil epitomises Hartnell glamour with its flowing lines, rich fabrics, exquisite embroidery and fine scattering of pearls and beads all over.

T.623:1&2-1999