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This fragile silk costume was once worn on the West End stage by Julie Andrews in her role as Eliza Doolittle – star of the classic musical My Fair Lady. Designed by iconic designer and photographer Cecil Beaton, the exquisite ballgown was influenced by Beaton’s glamorous mid-century fashion photography. Follow the gown’s transformation in our Conservation studio, as we prepare it for display in our Theatre and Performance galleries. 00:00 What is ‘My Fair Lady’? 00:56 Looking at the dress in detail 02:00 Mounting concerns and solutions 03:26 Examining the dress and deciding conservation process 04:58 Dyeing silk crepeline 06:51 Cecil Beaton costume designs 08:02 Catherine Zuber, costume designer of 2018 adaptation 08:51 Supportive straps 09:42 Final mounted dress The costume can be seen as part of the Re:Imagining Musicals display until November 2023. Discover more about the Re:Imagining Musicals display:
