Lightweight black wool academic gown and sky blue ribbed silk hood. Worn by the theatre manager and producer, Lilian Baylis (1874-1937), ca.1924.

Lightweight black wool academic gown and blue ribbed silk hood. Worn by the theatre manager and producer, Lilian Baylis.

S.348:1-2019

Formal, academic style gown made from lightweight black wool. The gown is open at the front and has full, short, 'bell' style, sleeves. It is shaped with tight pleating at the upper part of the centre back, just below the shoulder line and the yoke is edged with a line of sky blue cotton cord. A further line of cord runs down the centre back of the yoke, ending just above a small button covered with blue silk (making it possible to attach the hood to the gown at this point).

The gown is not lined. There is a long cotton tape hanging loop at the centre back interior and just above this a maker's label woven with silver text on a black ground, reading: 'Paisleys /72-96 Jamaica Street/Glasgow C.I.'

S.348:2-2019

Heavy blue ribbed silk academic hood, lined throughout with cream ribbed silk. The hood is rectangular in shape, but is asymmetrical. A narrow length of fabric (18cms by 3.5cms) extends out at an angle at the top edge with a small black thread look stitched to the top edge (making it possible to attach the hood to the gown at this point).

A maker’s label has been stitched to the interior of the hood (with red text on a cream ground). The label reads: ‘Paisley Ltd./Name:__’

Given by the British Theatre Museum Association

Given to the British Theatre Museum Association by the Old Vic in June 1963.

Lightweight black wool academic gown and blue ribbed silk hood. Worn by the theatre manager and producer, Lilian Baylis (1874-1937).

Lillian Baylis was awarded an honorary master's degree from Oxford University for her work in the theatre in 1924, only the second such honour to be given to a woman by the university.

S.348:1,2-2019