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Article: The Little Black Dress exhibition at Tullie House, Carlisle

The Little Black Dress exhibition at Tullie House, Carlisle
Little Black Book

The Little Black Dress exhibition at Tullie House, Carlisle

In 1926 Coco Chanel created the 'Ford', the first definitive Little Black Dress, but it certainly wasn't the first and won't be the last of what we have affectionately come to know as the LBD. The Little Black Dress exhibition at Tullie House, Carlisle, is a visual and interactive map of the LBD from the actual first – Queen Victoria's extravagant and tulle covered mourning dress – to the slinky and chic iconic black frocks of Hollywood legends passed; think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Marilyn Monroe (check out our interview with My Week with Marilyn costume designer here), right through to today's haute couture designers (the likes of Vivienne Westwood and YSL) and the best of the UK's up and coming young designers. As well as showcasing some gorgeous pieces of fashion for you to drool over, the exhibition is steeped in history and explores how the LBD has served ladies of the past and how it has been adapted to suit wildly changing fashions as well as cultural climates throughout the years (the prohibition-era flapper dresses, wartime uniforms, and free seventies styles are politically inspired highlights!). The costumes are contextualised by fascinating film footage, studio photography, fashion illustrations and, for those who are a dab hand at dress-making, dress patterns from each of the respective eras. The Little Black Dress exhibition at Tullie House is free and will be running until 26th February 2012. For more information call 01228 618700. If you're interested in learning even more about the life of our favourite wardrobe staple after your visit then pop along to Tullie House on Thursday 16 February at 7pm for the exhibition's special event: Femme Fatale: What makes the Little Black Dress so iconic? During this talk by Dr. Maggi Toner-Edgar, fashion designer and director of ‘Creative Style', there will be the opportunity to learn about the museum's costume collection as well as to get an exclusive tour of the exhibition. Tickets for this are just ¬£12.50 per person. Highly recommended by Team LBD! Little Black Dress has been curated by Pollyanna Clayton-Stamm, with contributions from David Sinclair.

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