Fashion Rules to reopen in February at Kensington Palace

Royal clothing exhibition Fashion Rules will reopen on 11th February in Kensington Palace, with new additions to the collection to offer visitors a fresh experience. 

Fashion Rules explores how royal women navigated the fashion ‘rules’ defined by their royal duties in their own unique style.

Featuring 21 dresses, the exhibition is complemented by film and photography to set the scene and provide a feeling of the times in which the decorative gowns were worn.

What’s new?

An all-new dress display will move the exhibition timeline to focus on different periods in the wardrobes of HM The Queen, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales, expanding a visitor’s insight into the era-defining style choices of the three royal women.

Outfits specially created for Princess Margaret in the 1950s will go on display alongside accessories from Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior, revealing the considerations of a Princess described as ‘thoroughly modern’. 

The elegance of HM The Queen will be showcased through British couture items by Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies from the 1960s and 1970s.

And further down the line, visitors can see a more tailored wardrobe look, which is what Diana, Princess of Wales wore during the early 1990s. Items by key designers such as Bruce Oldfield and Catherine Walker will be on display here. 

More for groups

Groups of 15 or more need to book a timed entry slot to Fashion Rules in advance; organisers should call 0844-482 7770 to do so.

Parties can expect a welcome from one of the Palace Explainers on arrival at the palace prior to viewing the exhibition.

For an extended visit to Kensington Palace, group travel organisers can book for their parties to enjoy morning tea in the Orangery Restaurant before a visit to the exhibition.

Tea is available between 10am and 12pm, and GTOs should e-mail kp@ampersandcatering.co.uk or call 020-3166 6112 to book this.

For further group travel information visit www.hrp.org.uk.

Pictured: Princess Margaret's sunglasses. (Photo credit: Historic Royal Palaces & Lord Linley & Lady Sarah Chatto).