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Reposted by John Bright Collection

Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

One of my first encounters with historic dress in the early 1990s was a gown similar to this, two bodices & one skirt to change its status from day to night. I remain fascinated by adaptability in dress. This is a late #1860s version of that ambition @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Full length view of an electric blue silk crinoline dress with full bell shaped skirt and a long sleeved bodice trimmed with black and white

An alternative full length view of the bright electric blue silk crinoline dress, with the same skirt this time worn with a matching short sleeved evening bodice

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Reposted by John Bright Collection

julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

⛱️ 1930s beach fashion via The John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social L Silk beach pyjamas R Cotton play suit For full description, links in comments.

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Reposted by John Bright Collection

sluggo’s terrible new hat @andreslucero.com · 17/08/2026

This was one of the best (and most unexpected) things I saw at the #edfringe this year. Beautifully-detailed period costumes from movies & TV, including a bunch of Merchant-Ivory productions, Jane Austen adaptations, Downton Abbey, etc. #sewsky #filmsky #fashion

Two period costumes from A ROOM WITH A VIEW displayed next to a photo print from the film, with “Costume Couture - Sixty Years of Cosprop” painted on the wall.

Two period costumes worn by Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in the BBC “Pride & Prejudice” series.

A black dress with white lace detailing on the bodice and sleeves.

A white dress with green embroidery and ribbon detailing, worn by Anya Taylor-Joy in the film EMMA.

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

On holiday in the South of France, I, the curator of the John Bright Collection had the chance of visiting this marvellous exhibition that we’ve had the honour of giving a loan to. On until 20 September at the Musée de la Mode et du Costume, Arles. #fashionexhibition #ridinghabit #museefragonard

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Reposted by John Bright Collection

Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Ardern Holt’s book Fancy Dress Described ran to many editions in the c19th, a manual of costumes for fancy dress parties. This early #1890s survival is especially excellent, mirroring almost exactly, Holt’s suggestion for a French ‘Incroyable’ @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Full length view of an early 1890s fancy dress costume consisting of a red and white striped skirt with a blue satin bodice/tail jacket arrangement to look like an 18th century incroyable

Back view of the early 1890s fancy dress costume that shows how the blue bodice falls to the style of an 18th century tailcoat at the back. She has the tricolour sash over one shoulder

A coloured illustration taken from Ardern Holt’s Fancy Dress Described volume showing the same costume as suggested for the character of a French Incroyable. The only additional is a black bicorn hat

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

We discovered a while ago that there‘s an illustration even closer to our dress in the 1882 edition of Fancy Dress Described, with similar rose band-stripes on the lapels:

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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Hello sunshine! Two #1810s dresses although would you believe, the bright silk creation on the right is an underdress, designed to be worn beneath a pale muslin gown. I think I would prefer it on its own @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Two regency dresses, one a pale yellow muslin with figured pattern and a silver lace trim around the bust, neckline and cuffs. The other is a plain bright yellow silk made as an underdress

Back view of the bright yellow 1810s silk gown with high waist and short puff sleeves

Back view of the white muslin gown with a yellow underdress. It shows the silver trim running around the back of the bodice, neckline and cuffs

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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

I do love this one! That painted silk…… 😍

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Here’s one of our favourite examples, 1840s dress from 18th century painted silk. Although this might just be the first use of a ‘vintage’ material rather than an alteration of an existing dress: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dres...

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

It was common historically, we have various examples in our collection. People were still more aware of every step of textile production because it happened at their doorstep - many even were involved directly, it was a natural idea to have. Even for those who ‘just’ had their clothing custom made.

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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Some expert refashioning here & a woman in need of fancy dress. This is an c18th waistcoat that has been repurposed into an early 1880s costume, perhaps for a party or some dramatic pursuit. Ruched sleeves & boned shaping added by a dressmaker @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

The front of a fancy dress bodice which consists of an 18th century man’s waistcoat, cream silk with hand embroidered florals, turned into a woman’s bodice with the addition of pale blue ruched sleeves and some shaping to the waist

Back view of the 18th century man’s waistcoat turned into a fancy dress bodice in the 1880s with ruched sleeves. From the back it is easier to see how the shape of the garment has been adapted to fit a corseted body

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Yes! Also checkout my recent posts in soutache embroidery on the subject: bsky.app/profile/jbri...

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Whether the chiffon was dyed in Paris or imported, Western interest in the technique was very recent when this piece was made, with a first manifestation in the chemist Charles E. Pellew's 1909 article in the American magazine 'The Craftman' and his publication 'Dyes and dyeing'.

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

If you thought the Hippies were the first Western movement to 'discover' the tie dye techniques of Eastern cultures, think again! This 1910s bodice by Jacques Ségal is another example of the 'artistic vibe' of avantgarde 1910s fashions that often found its inspiration in the East. #tiedye #1910s

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

It’s always exciting to find out such details about our collection pieces- and even more when there’s a contemporary (1911)Singer Sargent portrait of the person. Can’t you also vividly imagine her design this dress? The drawing is in the collection of the #harvardmuseum

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

We just found out who designed this vibrant early 1910s dress! Grace Pinder who had given up her acting career in 1906 to open the dressmaking business ’Armide’, find out more here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/armi... #womenshistory #gracepinder #edwardianstyle #armide #historyofdress

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Two of our most popular Ballets Russes costumes are out on loan, the ‘Adolescent’ from ‘Scheherazade’ and the Mazurka costume from ‘Sleeping Princess’. See them displayed in the enchanting exhibition ‘The Triumph of Neptune’ #renishawhall presented by #pollockstoymuseum ! #balletsrusses #leonbakst

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Reposted by John Bright Collection

Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

There are many lovely details to this c1913 Liberty dress. The soft belt fastened with a stylised silk rose, the scrolling embroidery at the hips & chiffon infill at the neck all lend it a calming quality. It just needs a fragrant cup of tea @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Partial view of a soft blue silk dress with a green silk sash fastened with a blue and green rose style silk flower. Scrolling colourful embroidery runs over both hips. Part of the cream chiffon infill is visible

Front view of the soft blue silk dress that shows how the skirt is gathered at the side in a swagged effect and how the embroidery and chiffon sit

Back view of the early 1910s soft blue silk dress that shows the drapery of the skirt and how it has been pleated centre back

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Shawl & stole, Liberty & Co., late 1920s-early 1930s. The design is ‘Hera and Honesty’ also known as ‘Peacock and Honesty’, registered in 1926. @jbrightcollection.bsky.social

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

The caption of the 1866 fashion plate from ‚La Mode Illustrée‘ describes the suggested colours as ‚havane‘ soutache on white piqué. Two children’s dresses from our collection are examples of this colour combination, here are some snapshots! #victorianfashion #victorianchild #soutachework

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Braid borders also were popular in childrenswear. In 1863, Peterson’s magazine describes red braid on piqué as a popular choice for dresses of ‘quite young children’, boys as well as girls. A similar shape to our dress is worn with a blouse in the plate below from 1866 ‘Mode Illustrée’. #1860sdress

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

It’s bonnet season! Gable bonnet, c1883, straw trimmed with silk, silk ribbon & lace. Via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social

Early 1880s coarse fancy straw braid, with lace & looped ribbon, ‘gable’ bonnet (rises to a central point like the gable of a house), JB

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Celebrating #worldtheatreday! Appreciated as artworks in their own right, Léon Bakst's costume designs for the 1910 ballet Schéhérazade were published in various formats at the time. The drawing for our costume featured in this page from Comœdia Illustré of June 15th 1910 @gallicabnf.bsky.social

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Crisp white piqué with contrasting soutache work- how could this not be a 1860s favourite for summer outdoor wear, particularly by the sea? The border of our dress and that on the illustration from 1862 AllgemeineModenZeitung combine abstract borders reminiscent of Greek meanders and floral designs.

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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

It was clever of the dressmaker responsible for this early #1850s ensemble to choose green silk fringe as a trim. The shot silk, a warp and weft of different colours, shimmers between green and purple with some hazy shape shifting, @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

A slightly angled view of a purple/green shot silk ensemble that consists of a long crinoline style dress with a matching shoulder cape. Lace cuffs are just visible beneath the cape

An alternative view of the purple shot silk crinoline, this time without the cape. It shows the pagoda sleeves and the gathering of the bodice into the waist

A view of the purple shot silk crinoline from the back showing the fullness of the skirt and the length of the matching cap which ends at the waist

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Join us for a study session with some of our collection’s original extant garments that inspired costumes shown in our exhibition ‚Costume Couture’ at the Fashion and Textile Museum: fashiontextilemuseum.org/workshops/cl...

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

The mending seen in the detail picture would also suit one of Austen’s protagonists. To carry carry out such work, she might have worn accessories like the apron, mittens shown in 1799 JournaldesDamesetdesModes to add practicality/warmth. With her large work bag, she seems on a needlework mission!

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Belated Happy 250th Birthday to a lady who thankfully has created an abundance of jobs and opportunities for costume professionals like us and delights with wit and sharp observations of human folly to this day-Jane Austen! We could easily picture our dress from circa 1800 on one of her heroines!

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

🎁 Or perhaps a pair of classy 1960s leather gloves 🎁 @jbrightcollection.bsky.social ?

Pair of 1960s leather gloves with opulent pink roses decorating the wrists, JB

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Reposted by John Bright Collection

Victoria Haddock @vickyhaddock.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Day 9 of my Edwardian #AdventCalendar is this elegant embroidered silk dress. Dating to c. 1908, it was made by Madame Alice Manton Patrick who clearly took inspiration from the styles being produced by the Liberty department store. @jbrightcollection.bsky.social collection. #fashionhistory

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

It is difficult to put precise dates on #Victorian menswear. In this case, the misfortune of Ord&Purvis, the manufacturers of our tailcoat, is our luck: They opened in 1872 but declared bankruptcy in 1874. Images from 1872 ‘The Gentleman’s Magazine‘ illustrate that the cut is indeed typical.

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Waistcoat, wool backed & lined in silk twill, c1890. Via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social more here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wais...

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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

This #1890s tea gown comes with options. Worn loose it has the relaxed fit often a part of the ‘at home’ gown it was designed to be but there is also a more fitted choice, fastening the open robe at the waist. I’ll go for the looser version thanks @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Front view of a full length open robe tea gown consisting of a pale green over robe embroidered at the lapels an a pale floral patterned under dress

An alternative view of the long pale green tea gown showing the outer robe fastening at the waist for a different fit

Back view of the pale green tea gown showing the decorative long sleeves and the Watteau pleat style loose fitting back

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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

This tailored dolman dating to the late #1880s made by Belgravia tailor Hulbert Beach. Careful pattern arrangement ensures the paisley motifs are symmetrical. I love the deep pleats at the back which must have rippled to reveal the pattern within @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Three quarter view of a red paisley patterned wool dolman tailored with deep pleats, a fitted bag and broad sleeves

Front view of the red wool paisley patterned dolman showing the edge to edge pattern matching and the wide sleeves

Back view of the red wool paisley patterned dolman showing the position on f the pleats and the ship tailoring at the back of the bodice

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Our historic collection team has interrupted its usual work to help mount star pieces for ‘Costume Couture -Sixty Years of Cosprop’ at the Fashion and Textile Museum’ #costumecouture #fashionandtextilemuseum #costumemounting #filmcostume #fashionexhibition #costumeexhibition #costumedesign

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Reposted by John Bright Collection

Yale University Press London 📖 @yalebooks.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Available now! ‘The Costume House: The Inside Story of Cosprop - From A Room With A View to Game of Thrones’ takes you inside one of the world’s most revered costume suppliers and creators. @jbrightcollection.bsky.social

Photo of 'The Costume House' book which shows a peach period style dress on the cover against a dark blue background

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Kate Strasdin @katestrasdin.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

I spent a long time thinking about #1840s fashion when I was writing The Dress Diary & I miss it! It is a transitional decade but the fabric techniques were amazing. This is a warp printed silk creating blurry florals bordered by silk fringe @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡

Side view of the upper half of an 1840s cream silk gown. It has a warp printed floral pattern in red and green and the edges are trimmed with cream silk fringe. It has a short matching shoulder cape

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

I rarely post historic menswear but I just came across this fine 1835-45 silk waistcoat @jbrightcollection.bsky.social & well, how could I resist?🌹 Read about it here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wais...

Double-breasted men’s silk waistcoat woven with an allover design of roses, 1835-45, JB

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Dress, cotton trimmed with cotton braid, c1869-70. Read its story here @jbrightcollection.bsky.social: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dress/

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

😎 ‘Horrockses Fashions’ printed cotton sun dress with short matching jacket, early 1950s. Background information, full description & additional images via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/sun-...

Front view of Horrockses printed cotton sun dress with short matching jacket, early 1950s. Bright yellow & white alternate as grounds for delicate stripes & flowers executed in short black hatched lines, JB

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Coat by Paul Poiret, Paris, c1921. More here, including additional images, via The John Bright Collection: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/5054/

Front/side view of Paul Poiret coat. c1921. The silk fabric has an overall quilted effect to its weave, is scattered with medallions in lustrous thread, JB

Close up showing label on the c1921 coat which reads ‘Paul Poiret à Paris’, JB

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Mid 1840s one piece day dress made of white printed cotton with a simple design. Read more @jbrightcollection.bsky.social www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dres...

Front view of mid 1840s one piece day dress, cotton calicos printed in purple a popular choice for practical day dresses, JB

Close up view of print, a simple design of small purple flowers on trailing stems on a ground of lighter mauve jagged-edged vertical stripes, JB

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julieinstitches.bsky.social @julieinstitches.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

This week’s Friday treat comes via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social Cotton sun dress, late 1950s, Horrockses Fashions. Read more here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dres...

Front view of late 1950s printed cotton sun dress, Horrockses Fashions. The trimming at the centre of the bust has been added later, JB

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

In their free time, our assistant curators Sage & Annie have come up with an exciting project. Follow them and their collaborators on instagram at @uncovering.dressmakers to learn more! #19thcenturydressmaking #whomademyclothes #historyofdress #historyoffashion #victorianfashion #vintagelabels

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Worn On This Day @wornonthisday.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Worn #onthisday in 1931 by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, at a dinner for the African Society at London's Mayfair Hotel. She accessorized the gown of gold mesh woven with floral motifs and turquoise beads over silk chiffon with her Diamond Palmette Tiara. #OTD @jbrightcollection.bsky.social

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John Bright Collection @jbrightcollection.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

How exciting to learn which tiara she is wearing in the picture with our dress!

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