Adviser and Curator to Queen Elizabeth II, the book, published by Royal Collection Trust, opens the door to the world of the Dressers’ Floor at Buckingham Palace and provides a first-hand account of the work of those directly responsible for The Queen’s wardrobe. The author tells the stories behind the outfits worn by Her Majesty for the many highlights of 2012, such as the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, the Diamond Jubilee Concert and the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.Angela Kelly takes the reader through the entire design process, from initial sketches and fabric swatches to the choice of accessories to complement the finished outfit.
The book also explains how the team of Dressers spent almost two years planning for the Central Weekend of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The white outfit worn by Her Majesty for the Thames River Pageant on 3 June was inspired by the jewelled, white costumes favoured by Elizabeth 1 and was designed to stand out against the deep reds of the Royal Barge, Spirit of Chartwell. For the Jubilee Concert on 4 June, The Queen’s shimmering golden dress echoed the colour of the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, around which the concert took place.
The author also tells the story of her team’s involvement in the behind-the-scenes planning of the James Bond sequence in the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on 27 July, including the creation of two identical dresses.
