To mark London Fashion Week we're taking a look at the Royal fashion designers commemorated on stamps.

At London Fashion Week, designers are showcasing their work from all around the world with many British participants.

Clothing

Great British Fashion

British fashion designers featured on their own stamp issue in 2012, documenting decades of British fashion. Some of which have been asked to design for royalty.

A Presentation Pack consisting of 10 stamps of models wearing clothes by different designers.

Great British Fashion, Presentation Pack, 2012

Norman Hartnell

A stamp depicting a women in a black dress with an oversized pink jacket.

1st, Norman Hartnell, Great British Fashion, 2012

Wedding Dress

Norman Hartnell produced many outfits for the Queen Mother who encouraged her daughters to also wear his creations. Hartnell submitted designs for Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding dress and was officially given the commission a few months before the wedding. The dress was inspired by Botticelli’s Primavera and was covered in beaded flowers.

A miniature sheet featuring 6 stamps from the engagement, wedding and honeymoon of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Royal Wedding, Platinum Anniversary, Miniature Sheet, 2017

The couple were married a few years after the end of the Second World War and as Britain was still recovering, the dress was produced with clothing ration coupons.

The reverse of the Diamond Wedding Anniversary miniature sheets that features black and white photographs from the royal wedding.

The Diamond Wedding Anniversary, Miniature Sheet Reverse, 2007

The dress was produced from satin, decorated with crystals and thousands of pearls. It had a 15-foot train which flowed down the aisle of Westminster Cathedral. The dress has subsequently been displayed at Buckingham Palace as part of the Royal Collection.

A stamp depicting the black and white photograph of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on their wedding day.

20p, Wedding Portrait, The Golden Wedding Anniversary, 1997

Coronation Dress

Norman Hartnell was later asked to produce Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation dress. Hartnell submitted numerous designs and worked with the Queen to produce the dress she wanted. To symbolise her new role the dress included emblems from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

Two stamps depicting the Queen Elizabeth II in her coronation outfit with sceptre and orb.

1st, 50th Anniversary of Coronation, 2003

A painting of the Queen at the coronation was produced by Terence Cuneo (famous for his railway paintings). The head and shoulders of this image featured as the 2nd class stamp in the Royal Portraits issue of 2013. The image depicts the Queen wearing the King Edward’s Crown which weighs over 2kg.

A stamp depicting the head and shoulder of Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation, painted by Terence Cuneo.

2nd, Terence Curneo Coronation portrait, Royal Portraits, 2013

Hardy Amies

Hardy Amies, the Savile Row designer, first designed outfits for the Queen to accompany her tour of Canada. This led to a lasting working relationship for Amies producing the Queen’s touring attire and Hartnell her home attire. After Hartnell retired Amies took on more of her wardrobe and was knighted in 1989. The following year he retired from producing the Queen’s clothes leaving room for younger upcoming designers.

A stamp depicting a model wearing a fitted blue skirt and jacket with brooch.

1st, Hardy Amies, Great British Fashion, 2012

Hats

Two stamps depicting decorated hats on women in shadow.

E, 1st, Fabulous Hats, 2001

When we think of fabulous hats you tend to think of weddings, the races and of course Queen Elizabeth II. Our monarch has been seen in countless hats during her reign by numerous designers. Four designers were chosen for the Fabulous Hats issue of 2001, including those that have designed for royals.

Philip Treacy

A stamp depicting a sweeping mesh hat by Philip Treacy.

65p, Philip Treacy, Fabulous Hats, 2001

Philip Treacy has designed hats for acclaimed designers and many of the royals. He produced the wedding hat for the Duchess of Cornwall and hit the papers with the “Pretzel” fascinator worn by Princess Beatrice at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Many of Treacy’s hats were also worn by the guests at the wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle last year.

Fashion Design is an art form and as such it has been celebrated on stamps. This Fashion week we may see designers who could be dressing the Royals in the future.

– Georgina Tomlinson (Deputy Curator of Philately)


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