Come with us behind the scenes at Blenheim Palace to discover how we created this retrospective exhibition of a lifetime
It’s been 35 years in the making and now it’s finally here! At the historic Blenheim Palace, we’re proud to be a part of the Icons of British Fashion exhibition beginning 23 March. As the Telegraph’s Head of Fashion, Lisa Armstrong OBE says of Blenheim: “Some architecture demands everyone in its vicinity dresses up.” Such was the pull of this 18th Century palace for the fashion crowd.
It was the epitome of glamour. “The first Duchess of Marlborough oozed it”, said Armstrong. “So did the very wealthy 9th Duchess, Consuelo Vanderbilt”, a charismatic and stylish American socialite famed for her lavish wardrobe and penchant for layering many pearl necklaces around her neck at a considerable weight.
Consuelo is Lulu’s muse for the brand’s show at the exhibition, which as well as being a celebration of British fashion is a retrospective of Lulu’s 35 years in the industry – and all those bags that tell her special story over the decades.
“Consuelo epitomised style in the Gilded Age”, says Lulu. “She was a real trailblazer and her ability to carry so many pearl necklaces on her neck was truly inspirational! It was a real look.”
Lulu has always had a strong connection to pearls, featuring them in countless designs over the decades and even penning a book with the title ‘Put on your pearls, girls!’ “There is a wonderful poetry to this exhibition being held at Blenheim, where the Duchess once presided, swathed in her pearls.”
As for choosing which bags should appear in the exhibition, the archival process took many weeks, with Lulu, her daughter Maddy and members of the team painstakingly sifting through 35 years of product – and memories!
“We wanted to select significant pieces that mean a lot to Lulu”, says our Brand Manager. “The pieces that made the cut were chosen due to craftsmanship, needle techniques and special collaborations. Or they may have been couture bags or styles that really pushed boundaries.”
There will be many Rose Baskets at the exhibition. After all, it was the bag that made Lulu’s name and reputation when it first came out in 1993. There will be giant versions on display created especially for the exhibition, as well as a special Lily of the Valley basket bag crafted entirely from metal and made by the artist Jess Wheeler.
All of this will hang together on beautiful coral trees, created for Blenheim using oak trees found in the grounds. The exhibition is set to be a magical affair, fitting of a long, illustrious and industry-shaping career. See you there!
Visit blenheimpalace.com for more information about the exhibition and to purchase tickets.
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