Mary Evans Picture Library has announced it is representing the archives of Hardy Amies and Norman Hartnell, the two most famous and prolific of royal couturiers – exclusively.
“Our reputation for historical fashion images has been boosted over the past years with the addition of archives such as the National Magazine Company (including Harper’s Bazaar and Queen magazines) and that of fashion designer Victor Stiebel, another favourite of royalty,” says Luci Gosling, Business Development Manager of Mary Evans Picture Library. “Hardy Amies has an archive with a particularly strong heritage and historical relevance and we feel privileged to be the exclusive representatives of the collection in the Diamond Jubilee year.”
The first 350 images from the archive are now available online and trace the development of the Queen’s personal style from the 1930s to the 1990s, with hundreds of sketches building up a picture of Her Majesty’s varied and impressive wardrobe. Among the highlights are the black lace dress and veil designed by Hardy Amies for the Queen’s visit to the Vatican in 1961 and the cyclamen coat and dress designed for the 1976 Olympics. The outfit was worn again for the Silver Jubilee in 1977, together with a hat by milliner Freddie Fox decorated with 25 bells representing her 25 years on the throne.
View a selection of images from the Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies archives here
