Costuming Pride and Prejudice: In Conversation with Dinah Collin

Jane Austen's House presents an exclusive and captivating talk by award-winning costume designer Dinah Collin, in conversation with costume historian Keith Lodwick.
Shot in the beautiful and intimate surroundings of the Drawing Room at Jane Austen’s House, where Jane herself read aloud from her first published copy of Pride and Prejudice in 1813, Dinah talks us through how the adaptation came into being, her design process and inspirations, and how the costumes helped shape the production.
Dinah Collin is perhaps best-known for creating the beautiful and memorable costumes worn in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Her costumes are acclaimed as one of the many reasons why the adaptation was so successful and is still so beloved by fans thirty years after it first aired.
This talk was delivered in the Drawing Room at Jane Austen’s House in front of a small live audience but it was filmed especially for you, our online audience. So grab a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy, wherever you are in the world!
With thanks to Cosprop, who generously loaned the Pride and Prejudice costumes which can be seen in the film.

[@annwagner5779]

I was visiting England at the time P&P debuted. It was a sensation! I saw bits and pieces of it between research I was doing for the Smithsonian on silhouettes and tourism I was doing for my own enjoyment. I got to Bath while I was there, including the costume museum. What a great series, and a great experience.

[@ducklingcz]

Thank you so so much, from over on the Continent, for this absolutely marvelleous opportunity! To be able to listen to Dinah, a master of her craft, speak about this masterpiece we all adore so much, has truly been such a treat. Thank you for thinking of all of us Jane Austen and P&P enthusiasts scattered all over the world and making it accessible this way. - If there's a way you could continue this way throughout this year, with different people and artists, it would be an absolute delight to celebrate Jane's anniversary year like that. Thanks again and enjoy the whole year!

[@Mydearlizzy]

Great opportunity to hear from such an accomplished artist. I wish someone would give her a book deal to show all her resources, wonderfully preserved.

[@Foundingmother1]

Hello from United States, love this production. I’ve must have watched it 40 times by now. Superb job by all!

[@jimjam6422]

Looking forward to this - l tried back in 2013 to get Dinah to give a talk on her designs and ideas for P&P, my friend Diana knew her from theatre days, but sadly it wasn’t to be.

[@debcarroll8192]

I laughed when she said, "I don't know if anybody remembers this" (the yellow fabric for Kitty's dress). I've seen this production so many times I have the costumes memorized! Regency corsets are just as comfortable as a modern bra, if not more comfortable. I have done a lot of historical sewing and wearing of Regency Era clothing. Sometimes people will complain about corsets either because they are wearing them incorrectly (next to the skin, without a shift underneath), or because they are not properly fitted.

[@elizabethbrink3761]

So delightful! Thank you so much! Watching from Oregon, USA!

[@grammarpolice726]

Helping my students produce P&P onstage this spring. I so appreciate not only the information about the costumes and design choices, but also the detail about background/training/education. The more that young people can hear about careers and workplace skills, the better.

[@peachyllama722]

What a treat, thank you ❤

[@lesleystrachan2323]

What a great lady who really knows her stuff.

[@susankellam8844]

As an historic costumer, I enjoyed this so much! Making Regency gowns is one of my favorite periods to do. I would love to see more of these presentations..

[@susanm7641]

It was wonderful to be able to see this talk. Thank you!

[@twkr]

Love love love your work Dinah! And thank you Austen House ❤

[@SagaScriptsandMusic]

So enjoying this!

[@beatrizoviedo6452]

Hello from Argentina. Congratulations to Mrs Dinah Collin. The best version of Pride and Prejudice and the best costume!!! Thanks so much 🙏A big hug 🤗🤗

[@gracetaylor7351]

I really enjoy watching this video and listening to this and hearing all the questions and seeing the costumes gowns so nice .i love the 1995 pride and prejudice grace from Australia .❤

[@GregBulk]

Enjoying this tremendously from NZ. Marvelous and so interesting.

[@LindsaysCraftCorner]

Soo excited for this!

[@dorothywillis1]

I am an enthusiastic fan of the 95 P&P and enjoyed this video very much! I enjoyed the 1980 P&P, but I did NOT like the costumes. I was married in 1966, when Empire dresses were stylish, and a lot of the dresses in 1980 looked like bridesmaids' dresses from my wedding! I loved it when you brought out your copy of "Mrs. Hurst Dancing"! I love that book! Thank you for making this video!

[@anna-hc6dz]

This is so cool

[@Foundingmother1]

From US, I sure wish it was 1995❗️

[@karenarden3266]

❤

[@annishilcock4587]

Well done to Keith Lodwick for trying to keep Dinah on track so we could all understand the process and not just the anecdotes. For a really fascinating explanation of costume in the time of Jane Austin listen to The Rest is History.

[@newtexan1]

The movie was better than the bbc series