Norman Hartnell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Norman Hartnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 June 1901 London |
| Died | 8 June 1979 |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Cambridge University |
| Labels | Norman Hartnell |
| Awards | English Heritage "Blue Plaque" |
Sir Norman Bishop Hartnell, KCVO, (b. 12 June 1901 in London - 8 June 1979) was an English fashion designer appointed dressmaker to the British Royal Family in 1938.
[edit] Life and career
Educated at Brighton College before studying Architecture at Cambridge University, he opened his own business in 1923 and became known for his elaborate and intricately decorated gowns. Hartnell designed the dresses worn by Queen Elizabeth II on her marriage to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, and her coronation in 1953. He also designed dresses for Elizabeth, The Queen Mother and Queen Mary.
The dress designed for the Queen's wedding contained 10,000 seed pearls and many thousands of white crystal beads. For its display in 2003 for the anniversary of the coronation of Her Majesty The Queen, 10 restorers worked on it. In the embroidery, various symbols for different countries of the Commonwealth can be seen, such as the Scottish thistle, Australian wattle, the maple leaf of Canada and the pearly lotus flower for India.
Hartnell also designed Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's famous "White Wardrobe" for her 1938 State Visit to France with her husband King George VI. On the death of Queen Elizabeth's mother, the Countess of Strathmore, Hartnell remade the Queen's entire wardrobe in white, resurrecting the ancient French usage of white as royal mourning.
Hartnell moved in theatrical circles, counting famed photographer Cecil Beaton and socialite Bunny Roger as close friends. His autobiography, released in 1955, was entitled Silver and Gold. He never married.
On 11 May 2005, Hartnell was commemorated with an English Heritage Blue Plaque at 26 Bruton Street, London W1, where he lived and worked from 1935 to 1979.
[edit] External links
- Norman Hartnell - Norman Hartnell website
- Norman Hartnell at Fashion Encyclopedia
- IMDB - Norman Hartnell's filmography as a costume designer
- Queen Elizabeth's White Wardrobe (exhibit at Buckingham Palace, 2005)
- Fashion Era - Information and images of Queen Elizabeth II's 1947 wedding dress
http://www.queensimages.com /original press photos of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret
- BMI Voyager - Norman Hartnell's continuing influence - London Fashion Week
- Interactive timeline of couture houses and couturier biographies. Victoria and Albert Museum.
[edit] Exhibition catalogues
- Brighton Art Gallery, Norman Hartnell, Brighton, 1985
- Kennett, Frances, et al., Norman Hartnell, 1901-1979, London, 1985.
