I still feel a little flutter of excitement when I think back to the private view of Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. The evening had a sense of glamour and reverence: lights, champagne, and the hum of conversation between designers, actors, and craftspeople. As I wandered through the exhibition, surrounded by costumes that have graced screens and stages over the decades, it felt like stepping into a living history of style and storytelling.
The Exhibition
The show celebrates sixty remarkable years of Cosprop Ltd, the world-renowned costume house founded in 1965 by John Bright, whose work has graced countless film and television productions. Running from 26 September 2025 to 8 March 2026, the exhibition charts Cosprop’s extraordinary archive, pieces that have dressed generations of characters and captured entire eras through cloth, cut, and craftsmanship.
Seeing these costumes up close is a very emotional experience: the precision of a tailored waistcoat, the shimmer of embroidery, the faint sense that each garment carries the ghost of a performance. It’s a tribute to the art of storytelling through dress.
My Hats in the Museum Shop
I’m thrilled to have some of my own pieces available in the Fashion and Textile Museum shop during the exhibition, a small contribution to this world of costume and craft that has inspired me for so long.
The Tapestry Cap
A sweet, softly structured cap made from richly woven tapestry fabric with a cute green velvet bow, its texture full of quiet nostalgia.
The Pink and Black Satin Cloche
A more dramatic design: sleek, feminine, and full of character. The contrast of the pink satin against black gives it a playful sophistication, reminiscent of 1920s silhouettes and the glamour of old Hollywood. I loved shaping this one, finding that perfect balance between curve and line, softness and poise.
A Night to Remember
Being part of this exhibition, even in a small way, feels deeply special. Cosprop’s legacy is about the marriage of craftsmanship and imagination. An idea that resonates with every maker who stitches, shapes, and dreams.
As I left the private view that night, I couldn’t help but think of all the stories hidden in those garments: the hands that made them, the moments they witnessed, the worlds they helped create. To have my hats share a little corner of that story is something I’ll treasure for a long time.
Main photo: 1950s recreated Christian Dior gown for Ada Harris (Lesley Manville)
Top photo, costumes 7 & 8: A Room with a View, 1906 ensemble for Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) & ensemble for Charlotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith)
Costumes 58 & 59: Victoria (2016-19) 1840 wedding dress for Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman) & military outfit for Prince Albert (Tom Hughes)
Next costume photo of a black coat and a top hat: Gentleman Jack (2019-22) suit for Anne Lister (Suranne Jones)
