Patterns of Magnificence: Tradition and Reinvention in Greek Women's Costume

The multiform traditions of Greek women’s dress are among the richest and most splendid in the world. To coincide with London Fashion Week this exhibition brings together over forty superb originals from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century, many of which will be on display in London for the first time. It will be the largest and most representative exhibition of its kind ever to have been held in the UK.

The exhibition will also illustrate the interplay of native tradition and western aesthetic by displaying the court dress of the first queen of the independent Greek state, Amalia of Oldenburg and that of her successor at the end of the nineteenth century, Olga, the Russian-born consort of George I. These costumes represent a synthesis that is emblematic of nineteenth century nation building. The exhibition will display for the first time in public some of the original dolls commissioned by Queen Olga to form a miniature gallery of local costumes.

There will be guided tours by the curator on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 noon and at other times by request. During the currency of the exhibition the Hellenic Centre will host evening lectures on a variety of subjects connected with it.

In response to the exhibition the British Museum is showing textiles from its permanent collection. These will be exhibited in the Parthenon Galleries where in the frieze Athena’s invention of weaving is famously celebrated.

A fully illustrated catalogue with seven essays by specialists in the field alongside full entries and images for each costume will be available for sale as will a variety of exciting design items created specially for the exhibition.