• Donate
  • View Cart
  • My Account
    • Orders
    • Account Details
    • My Events
  • Members’ Area
    • Publications
      • Royal Oak News
      • Magazine Discounts
    • Travel
      • Heritage Circle Tours
      • Britain Tours 2023
      • Other International Trips
      • Hotels and Accommodation
      • National Trust Rentals
      • Royal Over-Seas League
      • In and Around London Map
  • Programs & Events
    • Winter 2023 Lectures and Tours
    • 2022 Annual Benefit
    • Past Annual Benefits
  • Impact
    • 2022 Campaign
    • Royal Oak Conservation Studio
    • Recent Campaigns
    • 2021 Grants
    • 2020 Grants
    • 2019 Grants
    • The Nigel Seeley Fellowship
    • The Damaris Horan Fellowship
  • Stories
    • Houses & Buildings
    • Gardens & Parklands
    • Art & Furniture
    • Nature & Wildlife
    • Cooking & Traditions
    • Families & People
    • Events & Galas
    • News & Announcements
  • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • About The National Trust
  • Support Us
    • 2022 Campaign
    • Membership
    • Heritage Circle
    • 2022 Annual Fund
    • Lecture Support
    • Legacy Circle
    • Partners
    • Ways to Give

The Royal Oak Foundation

  • Donate
  • Buy a Membership
  • View Cart
  • My Account
    • Membership Upgrade
    • Orders
    • Account Details
    • My Events
  • Members’ Area
    • Publications
      • Royal Oak News
      • Magazine Discounts
    • Travel
      • Heritage Circle Tours
      • Britain Tours 2023
      • Other International Trips
      • Hotels and Accommodation
      • National Trust Rentals
      • Royal Over-Seas League
      • In and Around London Map
  • Programs & Events
    • Winter 2023 Lectures and Tours
    • 2022 Annual Benefit
    • Past Annual Benefits
  • Impact
    • 2022 Campaign
    • Royal Oak Conservation Studio
    • Recent Campaigns
    • 2021 Grants
    • 2020 Grants
    • 2019 Grants
    • The Nigel Seeley Fellowship
    • The Damaris Horan Fellowship
  • Stories
    • Houses & Buildings
    • Gardens & Parklands
    • Art & Furniture
    • Nature & Wildlife
    • Cooking & Traditions
    • Families & People
    • Events & Galas
    • News & Announcements
  • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • About The National Trust
  • Support Us
    • 2022 Campaign
    • Membership
    • Heritage Circle
    • 2022 Annual Fund
    • Lecture Support
    • Legacy Circle
    • Partners
    • Ways to Give

Stories

House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth

April 14, 2020

Laura Cavendish, Countess of Burlington

An archived Royal Oak lecture


WATCH NOW ON VIMEO: Laura Cavendish, Countess of Burlington, “House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth”

Lady Burlington is a former model and editor at Harper’s Bazaar. She has worked as a fashion consultant for major stores and brands including Selfridges and has sat on the New Generation board of the British Fashion Council since 2010. She currently lives and works in London and makes frequent visits to Chatsworth with her husband William Burlington, heir to the Duke of Devonshire, and their three children.

Lady Burlington’s search for a christening gown several years ago for her newborn son, James, led her to rummage through her family’s collection. Her search, with her mother-in-law, the Duchess of Devonshire, not only resulted in her selection of Nancy Mitford’s former christening gown for the occasion, but was also the impetus for a groundbreaking exhibition at Chatsworth showcasing five centuries of historic costumes and fashions worn by the Cavendish family.

Chatsworth has been home to the family, the hereditary dukes of Devonshire, since the original Elizabethan house was built on the site purchased in 1549 by Bess of Hardwick and Sir William Cavendish. Steeped in history and one of England’s most famous country houses, Chatsworth is renowned as much for its unrivalled collection of art as its fashionable history. From gowns owned by the stylish 18th-century fashion icon Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, to fashions worn by contemporary supermodel Stella Tennant, Chatsworth’s textile archives are full of majestic dresses and tiaras, magnificent lace, splendid uniforms, and show-stopping ensembles created by the most celebrated designers of their day.

Lady Burlington leads us through some of the family collection, showing images of drawings, paintings, and photographs in the Chatsworth collection, as well as archival examples of dresses and accessories—including costumes by Jean–Philippe Worth and Alexander McQueen. Lady Burlington also features ceremonial and coronation dress, military jackets, fancy dress, and estate liveries, as well as clothing worn by members of the family to ride, hunt, shoot, and fish. From the 16th-century drawings of stage costumes to comical pieces, like the 11th Duke’s jumper embroidered with “Never Marry A Mitford,” Lady Burlington will offer a personal perspective, as well as discuss Chatsworth’s well-known fashionable residents.

Share this...
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Post navigation
Previous StoryNext Story

Search the Blog

Filter by Category

  • Houses & Buildings
  • Gardens & Parklands
  • Art & Furniture
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Cooking & Traditions
  • Families & People
  • Travel & Tours
  • Events & Galas
  • News & Announcements
  • Membership
  • 2022 Annual Fund
  • Heritage Circle
  • Legacy Circle
  • Royal Oak Lecture Support
  • Ways to Give
  • Partners
  • Support Sheffield Park and Garden
  • Royal Oak Conservation Studio
  • 2020 Grants
  • About Us
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff
  • About The National Trust
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

general@royal-oak.org
lectures@royal-oak.org
T: 212.480.2889 | 800.913.6565
F: 212.764.7234

Copyright © 2023 The Royal Oak Foundation. All rights reserved.
20 W 44th Street, Suite 606, New York, New York 10036-6603

This website uses analytical and tracking cookies to improve your user experience and for statistical purposes. By continuing to browse on this website, you agree to the use of such cookies.