Yesterday, I had a lovely daytrip to Bath with my daughter with the main feature of our packed day being a visit to Bath Fashion Museum to see the Laura Ashley Exhibition. Featuring almost entirely dresses from mid 1970s I was in dress heaven.
Furthermore, photography was allowed and a notice welcoming photographers to share with social media. My daughter and I snapped away.
I have a white high collar Laura Ashley dress from the mid 1970s similar to the one below, a thrifty find a few years back from the car boot sale. It is a hard item to wear, being so white, but it makes me happy just seeing it hand and every now and then I try it on and put it back.
You will notice how blue is a dominant colour,
This one was stunning
A close up on the sleeves, beautiful fall of fabric over the cuff.
I thought this one looked dramatic with its deep dark print.
There are many historical references, this dress with its elaborate leg o' mutton style sleeves has a pioneer, prairie aesthetic.
Great shoulder detail
I liked the use of lace and the deep scoop on the neckline
And the regency buzz on this one took me straight to Jane Austen's novels
Colour: short tunic shift dresses in needlecord dating from the mid 1960s. I had no idea Laura Ashley was commercially designing dresses so early on.
Contrasting colours
Bright colours, strawberry
Orange and a little flamenco styling influenced by the rise of Spain as a favourite holiday destination
Stunning print and colour
Historical references galore
Startlingly low cleavage in with all those high collar buttoned up styles.
Home made using Laura Ashley dress patterns for Mccalls. I remember my mum making this one for my sister in the days when such dresses were worn as 'party' dresses to birthdays. She made the bonnet too.
Handsewn hexagons, sewn together mid 1970s by 'Beverly Peach during her evenings working as a nanny in Spain'.
Our favourite and one I would happily wear today ( I would happily wear almost all of them)
Each dress (with the exception of the shift dresses) was made of acres of cotton fabric, maybe 6 yards or more in many of them. Voluminous skirts and complex sleeves- I cannot imagine such dresses being mass market high street store styles today. I have been a long time fan. My mum was partial to the prints and home wares and the romantic historical styles have always been a favourite. Taking me back to The Getting of Wisdom, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Room with a View- these are all key films in my personal cannon. The exhibition continues until 26th August and a ticket includes entry into the Fashion Museum which is full of treats and with lots to try on- corsets, hats, bonnets, dresses. We had a lot of fun. I am just about to enter into a few weeks of day trips, visits and generally enjoying the summer holiday period so emails and response may be a little slower than usual as I spend a little more time with my nearest and dearest xxx
