On Wednesday, October 1, Biltmore’s conservators debuted the
first costume within the “Dressing Downton: Changing
Fashion for Changing Times” exhibition premiering
at Biltmore Feb. 5, 2015.
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Biltmore curator Leslie Klingner
(right) and conservator Anne Batram (left) work on a costume now on display in
Biltmore House that was worn by actress Dame Maggie Smith’s character on
Downton Abbey in anticipation of the exhibition, "Dressing Downton:
Changing Fashion for Changing Times," which opens Feb. 5. (Photo credit: The Biltmore Company)
The
costume is on display for visitors to view in the Second Floor Living Hall in Biltmore
House now until the exhibition’s opening day on Feb. 5.
The
preview costume was worn by Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, the Dowager
Countess of Grantham, during season one of “Downton Abbey” covering the years
1913-1914. Violet’s wardrobe is designed to enhance the character’s imperious
nature and to reflect an earlier Edwardian style, rather than following the
modern fashions of the younger members of the family. Maggie Smith wore this
costume for the flower show and garden party in episodes 5 and 7. The alpaca
coat and silk skirt were newly made by costume house Cosprop for Susanna
Buxton, the show’s Emmy award winning designer, whereas the cotton blouse is a
melding of old lace and contemporary fabrics.
“Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times,”
opens Feb. 5 and continues through Memorial Day, May 25, 2015. Designed by
Exhibits Development Group in cooperation with Cosprop Ltd., London, the
exhibition features more than 40 costumes from the popular PBS series “Downton
Abbey.” The clothing will be showcased in rooms throughout Biltmore House in
groupings inspired by the fictional show and by real life at Biltmore, the
grand Vanderbilt estate of the same era.
For more information, go to http://www.biltmore.com/media/newsarticle/downton-abbey-costumes-at-biltmore.
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