BALLGOWNS: British Glamour since 1950

It is such a beautiful exhibition at Victoria and Albert's Museum in London. There are featured more than sixty designs for social events such as private parties, royal balls, state occasions and opening nights.



1. Julien Macdonald 1996 viscose and lurex. 2. Zandra Rhodes autumn/winter 1981 silk, polyester, lame and tulle. This dress consists of a bustier jacket, double layer skirt and a belted apron which forms two fluted gold hip-panels either side of the skirt. 3. Bellville Sassoon Lorcan Mullaney 1996 silk chiffon and lame.

1. John Cavanagh 1965 organza, satin and net. 2. Franka (Baroness Steal von Holstein) 1996 silk satin and lace with sequins, pastes an beading. 3. Victor Stiebel 1959 satin, tulle and organza. Worn by Muriel Campbell for the 1960 ball in honour of Princess Margaret's wedding.

1. Giles Diacon spring/summer 2007 silk. 2. Alexander McQueen spring/summer 2011 feathers. Daphne Guinness chose this dress to wear to the Costume Institute Ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NEw York in May 2011. 3. Gareth Pugh 2011 silvered leather made specially for V&A.

In my personal view, this exhibition is a great way to see how Biritain's fashion designers are creative for a glamour women's look. I would say they use a rich combination of traditional craft to make a media splash.