The couture house Bellville Sassoon started life in 1953, when Belinda Bellville founded Bellville et Cie. As the company boomed and gained popularity with London society, it soon needed another designer to meet growing demand. Bellville hired the talented young designer David Sassoon in 1958, and they went on to be a successful design duo, with the creation of the Bellville Sassoon label in 1970.
The company focussed on fashion forward styles and quality workmanship and their designs were worn by many fashionable members of society. In the 1980s they expanded their ready-to-wear collection and teamed up with Lorcan Mullany. I recently visited the Fashion and Textile Museum's exhibition to see some of their designs. One of the highlights was the Royal Room, with some of Princess Diana's gowns on display. Alongside these were the original design drawings which had been annotated by Diana with her comments and suggestions. It was interesting to see the active role she played in the design of her clothes. |
In the main exhibition, their 1960s dresses had to be my favourites by far. I'd love to wear this one!
And I'll take one of these gorgeous hand painted coats too please!
Many of the gowns the designed were for wearing to high end events, like the Met Ball, so have a dramatic costume feel.
Their more modern dress were less my style, but the detailing and quality of embellishment was still stunning.
And I'll leave you with these red stunners.
Which one of these Bellville Sassoon designs would you most like to wear?