History's Runway with Miss Oscar: Her Majesty's Hardy Amies Poppy Gown, 1983

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Not wanting to be left out, Oscar thought she'd offer the first of her fashion posts a bit early.

We begin with an attractive evening gown from The Royal Collection.

Hardy Amies designed this stunning gown for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Featuring a cream chiffon skirt with an intricately embroidered bodice, the Queen wore the gown for  a reception in California during an Official Visit to Mexico and the United States of America, from February to March 1983. 

The bodice of the gown is embroidered with Californian poppies in shades of crimson, salmon and purple with stems of black and white.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

History's Runway: The Worth Evening Dress and Slip, 1928-9

Evening Gown
House of Worth
1928-1929
The Victoria & Albert Museum

A long evening gown of aquamarine chiffon, this dress has a printed floral pattern in shades of lilac, orange and gold which was inspired by Asian designs.  The pattern is outlined with iridescent sequins.

The sleeveless dress is straight cut with a low round neck at the front and a deep 'V' at the back. Four shield-shaped panels of golden tulle outlined in golden sequins are attached at the hips and a sunburst pattern is embroidered on them in iridescent sequins. Three graduated layers of gathered aquamarine tulle edge and join the panels.

This gown was created by the House of Worth, between 1928 and 1929.