House Style at Chatsworth

Image credit: Chatsworth House Style

Chatsworth Houses sits, in all its grandeur, in stunning Derbyshire surroundings. The landscape around this beautiful building has influenced writer such as the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen and Daniel Defoe; it is a landscape that seems to have its own soul. This rolling, unending scenery is in stark contrast to the manicured elegance that is Chatsworth House. This elegance is currently expanded to a stunning exhibition- House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth. This innovative exhibition shows a mix of clothing and paraphernalia of owners, visitors and family members of this famous household.

Gainsborough Georgiana-Image credit Chatsworth House Style

One of the most famous people included in this exhibition is Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (played by Keira Knightly in The Duchess). Friends with the fashionistas of her era, including Marie Antoinette, she had a wardrobe to be envious off. Though there are only a limited number of Georgiana’s items (some letters, a stunning gold brooch) as part of this exhibition, Georgiana’s love of fashion does set a precedence for the future dwellers of this glorious home.

Amongst others, House Style delves into the lives and wardrobes of Duchess Deborah (one of the famous Mitford sisters), through to Adele Astaire (sister and dance partner of Fred), Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy (sister of JFK) and former mod
el Stella Tennant.

Credit-Chatsworth House Style

As well as beautiful dresses, there are cabinets filled with items that allow you to learn a lot about the people who live in these beautiful, grand houses. Stunning gowns worn to coronations are in contrast to the late dukes sweaters, which range from cheeky to ‘not to be worn in front of children’ ; designer gowns contrast with Elvis Presley slippers. And we, the public, get to glimpse not only the elegant public family but also the personal, humour and humanity of five hundred years of this household.

A lot of work has gone into this exhibition, and it has had some lovely involvement by the family. Lady Burlington said: “It is so exciting to see the designs become a reality for this complex and layered exhibition. House Style has developed over the last six years to encompass far more than we originally envisaged when we first started delving into the Chatsworth archive. In some cases, clothes that haven’t seen each other since the 19th century are being reunited. I hope visitors will appreciate the scale and ambition of the exhibition, and enjoy exploring the stories that this clothing and memorabilia reveal about the Cavendish family.”

Lady Burlington- Image credit Chatsworth House Style

The exhibition culminates in the Great Dining Room with an impossibly glamorous costume finale evoking the end of the evening with more than 30 guests beautifully attired in a host of designer names from Chanel, Balmain and Vivienne Westwood to Dior, Tom Ford and Erdem.
Six years in the making, this is a unique exhibition with a lot of fashion behind it. Sponsored by Gucci together with C W Sellors Fine Jewellery, Investec, Sotheby’s and Wedgwood.Hamish Bowles, International Editor-at-Large at American Vogue, has curated the exhibition with creative direction and design by Patrick Kinmonth and Antonio Monfreda, the duo behind some of the most memorable fashion exhibitions of recent years.

The opulence of gold leaf windows, the grandeur of the building, the grounds and the people who live in it; is given a personal touch with this exhibition. Though the gowns and the grounds are beautiful; it is the personality of the people that is captured and makes this exhibition special. The contrast between the public and private dress code, and the surprising sense of humour. If you are interested in fashion through the ages, or just want a nosey at what can be discovered in a grand houses attic (this exhibition started with the search for an Christening gown) House Style is an interesting and beautiful exhibition-worth a visit. If you are not interested in the exhibition, the Chatsworth Estate has beautiful grounds to walk, gift shops and cafes. And you can also by tickets to walk in the garden.

The exhibition runs from 25 March to 22 October 2017, and is included in the price of entry to the house. For full details of ticket types and to book, please visit: www.chatsworth.org/book-tickets/

Thank you to Chatsworth for allowing us to use some of their images, and letting us have quotes and information on this exhibition. And thank you to Steve at Red Brick Communications.

Thank you Chatsworth House Style for the use of their images