Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950

Softcover |24.77 x 1.27 x 28.58 cm | 128 pp

V & A | 2013 | 9781851777464

The social season of debutante parties and private balls, weddings and charity events has long provided Britain’s fashion designers with opportunities to design elaborate, tour de force evening wear. In more recent years the ballroom has been replaced by the red carpet. Though the context has changed, the ballgown remains a staple in many designers’ collections and continues to serve as an expression of status, protocol and taste, while simultaneously embodying elements of drama and fantasy. 

‘Takes us on a journey from the first debutante balls to AlexanderMcQueen’ – MARIE CLAIRE