Conserving a Rare 360-Year-Old Dress | Behind the Scenes at Hampton Court Palace

[@vbrown6445]

It would be great if they could do a computer image of the gown to shown how it would have looked originally, with the shine and glimmer the silver would have had without the dullness of time. I'm sure it was spectacular.

[@k49821]

I was hoping for that or an artist's rendition!

[@cassandrareedy7369]

What's left to the imagination is quite probably more beautiful than a computer could do justice

[@christianfrommuslim]

@@k49821 Me too!

[@kp4911]

@@cassandrareedy7369 I'm afraid I struggled to imagine the dress as we only got bits and pieces of it, never the entire view. I would have loved a recreation.

[@MrsBrit1]

I'd rather see one of the many wonderful historical costumers recreate it completely. Then it could be worn and we could we how it moves and drapes and behaves on the body, as well as having a wonderful display of what it would have looked like new, before the silver tarnished and the will became dull.

[@hollybyrd6186]

Im trying to imagine how gorgeous it would have looked in full candlelight.

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

😮 Candlelight....the flickering soft light would have made it spectacular!

[@naturalcambion3747]

I just imagine that the original wearer was so enamored with the dress and what it stood for and the memories it represented. That she hid the dress away, safe and secure. Only to be forgotten after her mortal release for hundreds of years. Such precious whispers of the past.

[@fairislecat6413]

Especially if she wore it to King Charles 2nd's Court.

[@justinwilliams7290]

Maybe she performed felatio on the king. Far more likely than being enamored with this dress and being so sentimental. People didn't really think like that particularly not this class in this era

[@janedoll3237]

@@justinwilliams7290 🤦‍♀️ no, women are definitely more sentimental around clothes and pretty things. There’s a reason Monica Lewinsky got made fun of 😂

[@joiedevivre2005]

I wonder if it was her wedding dress. Cloth of silver was popular for bridal attire of the time. Perhaps she had planned to be buried in it (people were often buried in their finest attire) & the dress was stored away for this purpose & later forgotten.

[@hunkyharvy]

@janedoll3237 Kim Kardashian join the chat. 💅

[@saradecapua3264]

I can't imagine the stress and excitement of working on such a delicate, beautiful dress.

[@DJL78]

These episodes should be 45 minutes longer.

[@nicolakunz231]

Yes. I would watch an hour on this dress!!

[@christinehuband4383]

At least! I could watch this all day 😍

[@Soapartisan875]

I can imagine the talent and skill of the dressmaker back in that era to make such a gorgeous garment. To think that many where self taught by just watching their mothers, grandmothers sew is just incredible .

[@codename495]

Dressmakers and Tailors were almost all men who trained in apprenticeships from childhood to adulthood. Seamstresses would’ve also received training both from their mothers but also from the tailors and dressmakers. The only industries that were exclusively female were dairy and embroidery.

[@jmash7751]

Astonishing that this exists after being worn 360 years ago! Hard to wrap my head around that. Much respect to the conservators who work so hard to repair and maintain these amazing garments. I cannot imagine how stressful it could be working on something like this. Just amazing!

[@h0rriphic]

What a jaw dropping garment. I can’t believe how beautiful it still is, after almost 400 years. Just Imagining it on the original wearer, silver glinting under candle light, the rustling of the silk as she moved…it’s so incredibly enchanting

[@twimama43]

The entire dress....stunning but that lace. The craftsmanship and skills leave me speechless. Thank you so much for sharing this dress with us. :)

[@franklinstephen3268]

Hello 👋 how’re you doing?

[@hiitsmestan9197]

It is amazing to think of the skill it took to make this dress, and without modern tools.

[@romystumpy1197]

Bobbin lace making in its self very time consuming and a great skill

[@DipityS]

It's something close to a miracle to find such a fine gown from so long back - not altered or turned into another item - but preserved as it was first created. What an amazing find - I wonder how that happened - what series of events let it come down to us intact?

[@Erin-rg3dw]

Ditto - I would like to know where it's been for the last 300 years and how the conservators got it.

[@S9s9s934]

When I go to museums I go to appreciate and marvel at the craftswomen and men who put so much of their heart and talent into these pieces.

[@ladyhawk5245]

Amen to that for sure.☺️🇨🇦

[@stephsmanicshenanigans8017]

Love seeing Queen Elizabeth’s dress hanging in the background! Will forever be in awe of that find!

[@nancymcgee4776]

Hats off to you Ann-Marie for being able to work on that dress without shaking! I'd have been afraid to even breathe on it! Sure wish it could talk....what a story it could tell! Thank you!

[@betoasaber24]

Can we talk about how fabulous Anne-Marie's blouse is?! 😍

[@olavwilhelm6843]

no we can not . speak for yourself and get your owns friends .... the blouse is not that fab and the line " can we...." really gets old on youtube! if you have to say something say it but don't include all of us in your insecurity

[@BradKandyCroftFamily]

It would be lovely to see what the fabric looked like hundreds of years ago. I can only imagine how it shined in the light. Age has certainly darkened it because of the nature of the metal thread.

[@serenemolly]

Yes! I imagine it looked amazing in candlelight

[@LostinMayberry]

I found a few 1880’s Worth gowns online made of silver fabric. Perhaps that’s a similar sheen?

[@MsSteelphoenix]

To see what the fabric would have looked like, search for 'silver tissue saree', it's still very popular in India for wedding sarees. Unfortunately if you search for 'silver tissue fabric' it mostly brings up synthetic lamé. 😔

[@ladyhawk5245]

Actually pure silver (without the alloy of copper added to make sterling silver) is still quite white. Not shining maybe, but still light.

[@artchic528]

I can only imagine how elegant it looked back when it was in its heyday, and how the Lady who wore it must have been so stunning when she wore it. Just imagine the silver thread glistening in the light of the candles and oil lamps as they flickered! She must have looked like she was glittering like a star! I imagine she felt some sentimental attachment to the dress, so she left it as is, tucked away in a trunk or armoire. Maybe as she aged and wanted to reminisce, she’d take it out to lovingly fondle the fabric. Thankfully, whatever the reason it remained as it was, it can now be preserved and serve as a sort of window into the past. A veritable and tangible link to the aristocracy of the 1600’s and the fashions therein.

[@skirtedgalleons]

I would have liked even more time and exploration of the dress in the video. So interesting!

[@tondriasanders6306]

It would be very lovely to see the dress once it’s ready for display. I hope you post another video.

[@sheilatagg2699]

What a glorious dress that would have been to wear. It's a shame there isn't a painting of it being worn.

[@christyb2912]

And it has pockets!!! :-) wonderful conservation work

[@SandraPerkins-h7l]

The work of these people is amazing...real artists ❤ People who work with their hands to preserve and create beauty are a blessing in our world.

[@kateg7298]

I would have loved it if an illustration had been included to show how the dress would have looked when it was originally worn. It's hard to get a picture in your mind's eye of how striking the silver and white lace would have been. It's a fantastic video though.

[@ladyhawk5245]

Brilliant conservation methods these days. Thank you for this info.

[@RocLobo358]

I'm so glad the silver didn't tarnish like I would have expected. Silk is amazing

[@michelles2299]

What a, lovely job working on these garments must be very gratifying

[@iahelcathartesaura3887]

This is incredible, this has survived so long. I am speechless. Thank you to the wearer, these historians and conservators!

[@IrishAnnie]

I can just imagine the thrill of wearing this in the candle light. Stunning.

[@simplyme8593]

I feel an incredible admiration and respect for conservators of art of all kinds 😯👏

[@susantaylor5068]

It is a privilege for us to see “behind the scenes” of these beautiful dresses that are displayed. The love and care taken by all who work on them is a testament of their training over the years - and without this we may never have had the opportunity to see what was worn many years ago. Thank you all 🙏

[@pierrefireball2505]

Dear gosh! This should be much longer telling "US" viewers much more about such an amazingly stunning dress. This dress is so beautiful, I can imagine some women wearing it and all of those in the King's Court falling in awe looking at her entrance she must be radiating beauty in pure happiness and being proud of it.

[@cathyphegley7848]

Simply fascinating! Thank you for sharing🦋

[@Smar47]

Your talent to be able to do this is amazing.

[@voraciousreader3341]

It’s so amazing to see how this gorgeous dress was made and to think about how many months it took to make the fabric, the lace, and everything! I would love to have seen how the dress looked mounted after the conservation, with soft lights around it, not directly on the fabric.

[@stageluvr91]

Those ladies do such painstaking and detailed work. I can’t imagine how gentle they have to be with those beautiful pieces of clothing. So cool to see.

[@BlackSouixie]

Can’t imagine how amazing it would have looked when it was first made. Glorious.

[@spensermichaels7027]

Fascinating how old this dress is and her knowledge/delicate care is. I love the history of fashion.❤

[@annasahlstrom6109]

The dress looks like it was crafted only 50 years ago, let alone 360! I'm so glad they found it and are preserving it.

[@cmvdoo]

Painstaking work that needs a lot of patience, dedication and passion for old costumes and/or dresses. Amazing.

[@paustinheaton]

Loved this video. Hope we'll see more costumes. So nice to imagine the people that wore the clothing and the events that were part of their lives.

[@M.M.D.]

This is a stunning dress. The work you do is so important. I would love to see an artist's rendering of what the lady would have looked like wearing this dress. How tall was she and what size?

[@jasminearmstrong2855]

Absolutely incredible! It's lovely to see a Restoration-era dress that has survived.

[@bernicedavenport1142]

Absolutely amazing!

[@hsmd4533]

I love these videos so much. I do wish you had a drawing or recreation of how the dress would have looked in its prime.

[@tankgirllovesroos]

This is so incredible to be holding someone's life's work in your hands. I think of how many hours went into making that and being able to handle the past in that way. It makes my heart skip a beat. ❤️❤️❤️😍

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

An absolutely stunning piece of craftsmanship! I heard that some types of lace made around this time are just not made any more, so it's a very beautiful time-capsule...

[@StLProgressive]

What a stunning gown. I wish they’d shown it as it would’ve been on display. I can’t imagine working on something like that. The skills needed, and the patience, are amazing.

[@sjwilloughby-greene8214]

I love the passion for restoring history. Thank you for sharing. ❤️💯

[@lauraoneal5146]

Absolutely STUNNING!! How outstanding this would have been while worn in candlelight. Mind blowing. I can’t even imagine how many women would have worked to create this work of art because it is definitely not just a gown from centuries past. Thank you for giving us a sneak peek into the restoration process.

[@voodookitchenmama]

Imagine wearing this dress! I feel the bodice and skirt were kept together because the lady it was made for had such emotional feelings about the dress. If only that dress could talk!

[@penelope-oe2vr]

I'm so glad this work of art is being restored and taken care of properly. Absolutely amazing 👏

[@MaryMangan]

That is STUNNING. Just amazing. Thank you for sharing this treasure and so clearly cherishing it, and celebrating the craftspeople who created it.

[@leoraeisenberger7076]

this is my absolute dream job. I wish I could actually do it

[@roseweed1468]

What an honor to work on such a piece of history! It must take such dedication, and love.

[@LadyDragonbane]

I want to see more of it!

[@patriciafleming8402]

It would be a great privilege to work in this place and with these garments

[@soniatriana9091]

First of all, the skill level of every person involved in the creation of this dress had to be at the highest level imaginable - true experts in their fields!! This royal dress must have been the 1st true Cinderella Dress of its time!! I would like to have also heard how they received this dress? Did the descendants just donate it to the Conservation Society? A stunning dress! I can’t even imagine what the other high level aristocracy went on to create - in order to COMPETE with this dress!! 😊

[@-Reagan]

Wow I really hope Kim Kardashian doesn’t see this

[@dianestevens2659]

Yes she'd make short work of it

[@lizm3192]

😅 for real…

[@spensermichaels7027]

Haha!! 😂😂😂

[@imaginempress3408]

🍑

[@grumpyoldlady5550]

☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@sandymccrone5676]

I am grateful for the person that created this wonderful dress and so grateful for the people that dedicate their lives to preserving our history.

[@TiaraTotty999]

What a beautiful dress, such skill and patience, you really are amazing

[@claudiocavaliere856]

Absolutely fascinating! Congratulations! Absolutely amazing workmanship!

[@RedRose-gm6px]

Absolutely amazing that there is a place that keeps these items in tact, big up to the ladies who keep these dresses and other items in tact.

[@prissilou]

Amazing! What a treasure! So glad to see that this beautiful dress can be salvaged!

[@happytraveller8953]

OMG HOW does one get a job like that??? I think I'd give my eyeteeth to be working in a post like that!!! Utterly wonderful!

[@TheShmoo123]

Fabulous

[@gonnabeayogi1445]

This was so magical. I could have watched for hours ❤

[@shalinityagi7344]

The work you are doing is so amazing. Thank-you for conserving the cultural heritage.

[@shirley0151]

Wow! This dress is incredible. Seeing this makes me think of how truly gifted and talented the people who made these garments are. Thank you for sharing.

[@irisheyes5890]

What a great job! I wish we could see a drawing or animation of what the original dress looked like.

[@delorestaylor8114]

A labor of love.

[@karenfitzpatrick6256]

Incredible that it has survived in such good condition. Such a beautiful and precious find. I'm so happy to see it being preserved with such care, expertise and love. Thank you for sharing it on your channel. I'm sure the original artisan who created it would be very pleased.

[@Jo-yp8wy]

I wish I could do what these ladies do. So important. So specialised. Love it. Also, I'm jealous of them, just in case you hadn't noticed. So wonderful.

[@kenna163]

This is why I love history.

[@sarahallegra6239]

That is stunning and incredibly fascinating! I read once that the oldest complete gown we had was a silver tissue gown from the 1600’s sometime; is this that gown? (It’s also something I read 15+ years ago, things could have changed since then). Either way, it’s so interesting to see how much care goes into looking after these pieces!

[@fairislecat6413]

This is the gown you are talking about. It's kept at the Costume Museum at Bath.

[@sarahallegra6239]

@@fairislecat6413 how exciting! Thanks so much for answering my question. Obviously it’s something I’ve remembered vaguely for a long time; I’m glad I got to actually “see” it!

[@angelinadellamarina]

Merciiiiii! Une pièce fabuleuse si intéressante à découvrir!!

[@piper_lori-williams-tudhope]

Absolutely incredible 🤩

[@toriam15]

Wow, how awesome that the dress has lasted so long! Great work by the conservationists.

[@carolinedowdeswell4897]

The efforts to just conserve the trim! I cannot imagine what goes into the care of the whole garment, definitely eye-opening to the work involved I'm afraid to say I just imagined you washed things and stuck them on a tailors dummy and that was it.

[@Furiafelina]

I admire restoration work. I wish I could learn the skill.

[@christinegerard4974]

Thank you from France ! Absolutely stunning !

[@LeadwithGrace]

One of the many reasons I love the UK - the care and love of their heritage🥹 God bless guys! Thank you for sharing this beautiful process with us. The dress is so gorgeous I want to cry🤍

[@em945]

WOW. Hoping things go perfectly for the Ladies doing the work. Such a beautiful item is going to be appreciated.

[@beckyodom2097]

What a delicate and impressive feat ! You ladies are amazing!

[@leanneheinemann3862]

Just WOW

[@bebomora7391]

So gorgeous. I love these restoration videos. Wonderful

[@AbsolutePernilla]

Verging on ethereal. What a remarkable piece of mastery. I would love to know more about Lady Theophilia. And also more about that stunning backdrop fabric with the floral pattern.

[@amysilin8122]

What a fun job she has, and of course what an honor to work on this material

[@JaRule6]

I performed the layman's equivalent of this restoration for my sister when she found a bargain dress from the showroom at a bridal shop. It was a very unique dress with organza sleeves that have been switched down inside the plastic protecting cover. Alongside with a lot of other stuff that had fallen apart from having dozens of people try it on over the years.

[@Seeingisntbelieving]

Such a beautiful garment!

[@Bunny-ch2ul]

While I adore pieces like this, I feel like more discussions need to be had about the societal conditions that made them possible. Part of what makes a lot of these pieces so precious is that they're nearly impossible to recreate. They were made under very specific societal structures, that can't and shouldn't really be replicated today. These pieces are exquisite, but they speak to just how exploitive societal structures were. The silver threads were made by manually beating silver into threads. That would have taken hundreds and hundreds of hours. Ditto for unraveling and spinning the silk threads from silk cocoons by hand. Then it would have taken hundreds of hours to weave this on a manual loom. Then it would have taken hundreds and hundreds of hours to make the lace. A piece like this would collectively take the better part of a lifetime to make if it were made by one person, and it was likely only ever worn maybe a handful of times at most. We should definitely celebrate the artistry and beauty of these pieces, but it's wrong to romanticize them. If you think about these pieces more objectively, they say more about the person whose life was spent beating out silver threads, or manually unraveling silk cocoons than the woman who wore the dress a couple of times. For the woman who wore this dress, this piece captures a snapshot of probably one of the best moments of her life. For the woman spinning the threads to make the lace, that's likely how she spent her whole life. And it's incredibly unlikely that she would have ever had the satisfaction of seeing any of the finished dresses made with her threads. Curators should put more effort into explaining the amount of time these pieces would have taken, and what the working and living conditions were like for the workers along each step of the process. While these pieces are sublimely beautiful on their own, telling the whole story makes them far more interesting. Today, it's hard to imagine Marie Antoinette spending so much money on clothes and jewels that it noticeably contributed to the French state going bankrupt. As national budgets today are in the trillions of dollars that would probably be challenging to do even with a closet full of Haute Couture from Chanel. When you consider that these pieces took roughly a collective lifetime, and were frequently worn once or twice, that's a staggering level of exploitation. If we choose to ignore the more negative aspects, we're not really learning from these pieces. Curators should be telling the full story, and encourage people to think about just how exploitive their own fashion choices are.

[@EvonneLindiwe]

Agree with you 💯

[@PlantagenetRose]

Absolutely incredible

[@ellecee453]

Absolutely fabulous! I really appreciate this close-up look at such beautiful work and artistry.

[@Ciclopea2]

Having talented people to restore this piece to at least close to its original splendor 3 and a half centuries later is something to be greateful for. The exceptional craftmanship behind it tells us that a very special lady got to wear this absolutely stunning dress. I would love to see Ann Marie's work on this gown when it's finally finished.

[@SueHouse379]

Just bung it in on a mixed load! 😉 What an amazing garment, thank you so much for sharing ❤

[@jilliancook4999]

Wow- what an amazing skill and care for your work. I find this such a gift to all of us that value history. Thank you. ❤

[@cindyd.554]

Such an exquisite and beautiful dress, you have done an amazing job. ✌🍁

[@sheilaball3693]

Both astonishing and fascinating! I hope this is seen in schools to inspire younger generations! Well done ladies!!

[@cynthiacassel]

It’s exquisite. The wool pocket was for warmth, I am certain. Entomology pins must be very fine if it they don’t break the weave of fabric that delicate.

[@maryearll3359]

What a marvellous job ! I would love to be able to preserve such wonders.

[@jeniallenby8389]

gorgeous ... thank you so much for sharing

[@vanessamiller9202]

This is absolutely breathtaking