Own your own Norman Hartnell

With the Queen's imminent birthday celebrations, we are highlighting one of Her Majesty's favourite fashion designers; Norman Hartnell (1901-1979). Hartnell came to prominence when he gained the Royal Warrant as dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1940 after designing the famous 'White Wardrobe' (photographed by Cecil Beaton) in the late 1930s, which changed the Queen Mother's image forever. These elegant Norman Hartnell gowns were worn on a royal visit to France, aimed at strengthening Anglo-French ties. The French press praised the demeanour and charm of the King and Queen during the successful visit, augmented by Hartnell's wardrobe.

A Hartnell gown designed for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in the 1930s, part of “The White Wardrobe".

Hartnell went on to design gowns for the two most important occasions in the Queen's life: her wedding and her coronation. Six years after Hartnell designed Queen Elizabeth’s sumptuous wedding dress in 1947, he was commissioned to design the coronation gown - the iconic dress of the mid-twentieth century - and Maid of Honour gowns. It took eight months of research, design and workmanship to make the intricate embroidery of the coronation gown. The Queen was so pleased with the outcome that afterwards Hartnell began to exclusively create her entire wardrobe and produced many of her finest evening dresses. Hartnell gained the Royal Warrant as dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.

Queen Elizabeth's wedding gown. The crystal and seed pearl roses, wheat sheafs and leaves embellishment took 350 seamstresses seven weeks to complete.

The Coronation Gown: The dress was to be an historic masterpiece befitting the occasion.

Dress by Norman Hartnell worn by Queen Elizabeth II to Princess Margaret's wedding, 1960.

Hartnell was a major personality in the world of fashion;  known for glamorous evening clothes, Hartnell's meteoric rise to fame resulted in London becoming a centre of style that closely rivaled Paris. Decades of achievement were rewarded with a Knighthood in 1977. He became known as ‘The First Fashion Knight’, and is one of only four British designers to have ever been knighted.

The largest display of the Queen's dresses and accessories, including Hartnell's designs, will open to the public later this month to mark the monarch's 90th birthday. The exhibition - Fashioning a Reign: 90 Years of Style from the Queen's Wardrobe - is to be held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, her Scottish home in Edinburgh on April 21.

However, if you long for a highly sought after Norman Hartnell piece of your own, then look no further. June Victor at Vintage Modes, Grays, has a covetous collection of Hartnell finery on offer, as mentioned in the Evening Standard below. June is also based at sister centre Alfies Antique Market.

Rose pink silk velvet matching dress jacket trimmed with beading, late 1950s early 1960s, offered by June Victor at Vintage Modes 

Stunning 1950s black silk velvet couture dress with matching jacket trimmed with lace embellish, offered by June Victor at Vintage Modes 

1960s Bugle beaded cocktail dress, offered by June Victor at Vintage Modes 

1950s silk crepe outfit, beaded trim and mink cuffs,  offered by June Victor at Vintage Modes 

Rare 1950s vintage flower and drop Norman Hartnell necklace, offered by Arabella Bianco

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk