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Museum of London

London's Fashion Alphabet

Welcome to London's Fashion Alphabet. Join us for a series of bite-sized videos where we go behind the scenes to explore our huge fashion archive, all the way from A to Z.

In this section
  • Hardy-Amies-label.jpg

    A for Hardy Amies

    A is for Hardy Amies, prolific couturier extraordinaire to the rich and famous, including none other than her majesty the queen.

    Watch here
  • Boudoir-cap.jpg

    B for Boudoir Caps

    Take a look at our ornate collection of highly embellished and boudiful caps, which rose in popularity during World War One.

    Watch here
  • Caplin-corset.jpg

    C for Corsets

    We won't waist any time in revealing the topic of this instalment - it's corsets. Join Senior Curator Beatrice Behlen as she introduces you to game-changing corset designer, Roxey Ann Caplin.

     Watch here
  • Scene-outside-an-underground-station.jpg

    D for Dolls

    We continue on our journey with the letter D for dolls. These Second World War dolls, designed by Moray Thomas, reflect the war time fashions of women contributing to Britain's war effort.

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  • Etui from the Museum of London collection

    E for Etui

    Our Curator of Making, Danielle Thom uncovers the secrets of 18th century mini spoon transportation in our episode all about etuis!

     Watch here
  • Artificial flowers made between 1870-1950

    F for Flowers

    #LondonsFashionAlphabet continues with F for Flowers, but not the sweet smelling kind - they're artificial.

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  • Detail of an almandine garnet pendant

    G for Garnet

    Take a watch of this episode to learn more about an elusive gemstone which rose to fame in Victorian London.

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  • Cotton Horrockses dress

    H for Horrockses

    A beautiful vintage Horrockses dress provides a gateway into the history of the trailblazing cotton manufacturing man: John Horrocks.

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  • Skaters on Whitestone Pond, Hampstead Heath in January 1954. Whitestone pond (originally known as Horse Pond) was originally a small dew pond, which was enlarged and filled with water to provide refreshment for military horses in 1890. The pond is located at the one of the highest points in London. As can be seen in the photograph you didn't need a proper pair of skates to enjoy the icy conditions of the pond, many people slipped and slid in their shoes.

    I for Ice Skates

    Learn more about one of London's coolest pastimes - ice skating! Plus see some beautiful crafted ice skates from our fashion stores.

     Watch here
  • A man's Latin-American ballroom dance all in one jumpsuit worn by Alan Fletcher when, with his wife Hazel, they won the World Professional Latin American Dance Championship for the fifth consecutive time at the Royal Albert Hall on 12th May 1981. The couple retired from professional dance after this win, making them undefeated champions. The suit is made from strong black stretch polyester, open with a zip down the front. the fabric is bonded to a thicker lining. The deep V neck is edged with plastic and glass beads and sequins, as are the cuffs. The body pieces extend into trousers, fitted at the top and flaring out at the bottom, held under the foot with wide black elastic. the trouser creases are sewn down and the cuff is reinforced with stiffening. The long fitted sleeves are cut in two pieces.

    J for Jumpsuit

    We look at a retro red jumpsuit, perfect for disco dancing and as daywear for the most fashionable of Londoners.

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  • krios-dress.jpg

    K for Krio

    Watch on as higher education programme manager, Melissa Bennett talks us through a traditional Krio outfit, which tells us all about the influences surrounding this unique group of people.

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  • roman-leather-shoe.jpg

    L for Leather Shoe

    Come along on this whistlestop tour through Roman, medieval and Tudor London as we look at a load of lovely footwear from throughout London's history.

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  • Dress_ensemble_1892._Worn_by_Queen_Victoria

    M for Mourning Wear

    Mourning wear and the tradition of wearing black during more melancholy moments, as you'll discover, was something which Victorians reallllly picked up and ran with.

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  • green-snail-shell.jpg

    N for Nacre

    We're talking about Nacre, also known as mother of pearl. Find out more about its various uses, from gambling chips to garnishing the garments of Queen Victoria herself.

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  • otto-lucas-hat.jpg

    O for Otto Lucas

    Take a look at some of Otto's gorgeous hats and gain an insight into his interesting ways of working.

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  • punks-kings-road-chelsea.jpg

    P for Punk

    Zips, rips, chains and paint splatters, the rule book goes out of the window with these items which have mostly been modified or DIY-ed by their owners.

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  • mary-quant-dress.jpg

    Q for Mary Quant

    Synonymous with London in the swinging 60s, this episode is all about Mary Quant. Her innovative designs and bold colour choices have had a lasting influence on fashion as we know it today.

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  • rahvis-dress.jpg

    R for Rahvis

    Fashion curator Lucie Whitmore introduces us to a fabulous evening gown created by Rahvis sisters, Raemonde and Dora.

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  • suffragette-scarf.jpg

    S for Silk Suffragette Scarf

    Join us as we follow the (literal) thread weaving through the Suffragette movement. What can this S reveal about the hidden stories of women during that time?

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  • blades-suit.jpg

    T for Tailoring

    From the very beginnings of Savile Row, to the glorious garments made there in the 70s, watch this episode with curator, Beatrice Behlen, for a snapshot of London's most fashionable menswear.

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  • mayfair-panel.jpg

    U for Uniforms

    There are many different types of uniforms in our collection, and in this latest instalment, curator of fashion, Dr. Lucie Whitmore, highlights a fascinating group of women’s uniforms from WWI and how these wartime wears influenced wider fashion trends of the day.

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  • vivienne-westwood-panel.jpg

    V for Vivienne Westwood

    Take a tour of some of the Westwood pieces that we proudly hold in our collection with Visitor Experience Host, Andrew Millar.

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  • Two-muffs-panel.jpg

    W for Winter Warmers

    This episode is focusing on the different items Londoners used to keep warm, be it carriage rugs or porcelain hot water bottles for shoes (watch and this will make sense!).

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  • x-ray-panel.jpg

    X for X-ray

    Always up for a challenge, Senior Curator Beatrice Behlen takes on x-ray. What’s that got to do with clothing you say? Watch and find out.

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  • yellow-gold-panel.jpg

    Y for Yellow Gold

    It's coming to that time where we're almost at the end of London's Fashion Alphabet. Discover the letter Y with Curator Danielle Thom.

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  • lfa-z.jpg

    Z for Catching ZZZs

    As we've all been spending a little more time than normal in our pyjamas, it is only fitting we join Curator of Fashion, Dr Lucie Whitmore to talk about the capital's history of catching ZZZs.

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