Culture24

In 1926, Coco Chanel launched her ‘Ford’ dress, the first definitive Little Black Dress (LBD) onto the haute couture scene. Both practical and chic, the LBD has since become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.

Using the Tullie House costume collection as well as designer garments loaned-in, this exhibition shows the evolution of the LBD over the successive eight decades, exploring how it has been adapted to suit wildly changing fashion styles and cultural climates – from the raunchy cocktail dress of the prohibition-era to the modest and practical dress of wartime and the mini of the 1960s, up to the present day. The costumes are contextualised by film footage, studio photography and dress patterns from each of the respective eras.

Suitable for

• Any age

Where

Tullie House Art Gallery

Admission

Admission to the Art Gallery is Free