Fashion Museum – Dress of the Year

STOP PRESS! DRESS OF THE YEAR 2011 announced
29 March 2012

 

Read the story in Grazia

Download a full press release for Dress of the Year 2011 here

 

One of the stunning gowns which sparked a media frenzy over who would design Kate Middleton’s wedding dress has been unveiled as the Dress of the Year 2011 at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Fashion Museum. 

 

Sarah Burton’s Autumn/Winter 2011 “Ice Queen” designs for the House of Alexander McQueen set tongues wagging when they originally went on show in Paris on March 8 last year. As Burton’s collection was universally lauded rumours quickly snowballed that the designer was working on a similar creation for Miss Middleton’s marriage to Prince William – only to be confirmed on the morning of the big day, April 29 2011.

 

The Dress of the Year 2011 was chosen from Sarah Burton’s landmark collection for Alexander McQueen by Hamish Bowles, International Editor-at-Large for US Vogue. Bowles, who used to visit the Fashion Museum as a boy, said: “I am thrilled to have been asked to select the 2011 Dress of the Year".

 

The ivory tulle bodice of the dress is fully embroidered with 3D organza feathers. Each feather is individually hand crafted, fully or partially embroidered with silver and white thread and bullion. The gown has an organza skirt consisting of 31 panels, hand embroidered with miniature eagle motifs using silver and white bullion.

 

This latest addition to the Dress of the Year collection means there are now 49 era-defining outfits as part of the Fashion Museum’s award, a selection of which are on display in the Fashion Museum.

 

Dress of the Year choices from 1963 to 2011 are listed on the left.

 

 

Image: Dress of the year 2011

Dress of the Year 2011 
from Sarah Burton's Fall 2011 collection for Alexander McQueen

Credit: Chris Moore, Catwalking