John Bright Collection
@jbrightcollection.bsky.social
Reference collection of historical costume at film,TV & theatre costume house Cosprop. Online collection funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk
www.cosprop.com
www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk
www.cosprop.com
Pinned
Gustav Klimt’s soft pink brushstrokes conjure up a dress similar to our silk plissé bodice in his 1897-1898 portrait of Sonja Knips. When cataloguing the bodice from our reference collection, we were immediately reminded of it. #gustavklimt #klimtandfashion #historyoffashion #1890sfashion
It is difficult to put precise dates on #Victorian menswear. In this case, the misfortune of Ord&Purvis, the manufacturers of our tailcoat, is our luck:
They opened in 1872 but declared bankruptcy in 1874.
Images from 1872 ‘The Gentleman’s Magazine‘ illustrate that the cut is indeed typical.
They opened in 1872 but declared bankruptcy in 1874.
Images from 1872 ‘The Gentleman’s Magazine‘ illustrate that the cut is indeed typical.
November 28, 2025 at 2:26 PM
It is difficult to put precise dates on #Victorian menswear. In this case, the misfortune of Ord&Purvis, the manufacturers of our tailcoat, is our luck:
They opened in 1872 but declared bankruptcy in 1874.
Images from 1872 ‘The Gentleman’s Magazine‘ illustrate that the cut is indeed typical.
They opened in 1872 but declared bankruptcy in 1874.
Images from 1872 ‘The Gentleman’s Magazine‘ illustrate that the cut is indeed typical.
Reposted by John Bright Collection
Waistcoat, wool backed & lined in silk twill, c1890. Via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social more here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wais...
November 24, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Waistcoat, wool backed & lined in silk twill, c1890. Via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social more here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wais...
Reposted by John Bright Collection
This #1890s tea gown comes with options. Worn loose it has the relaxed fit often a part of the ‘at home’ gown it was designed to be but there is also a more fitted choice, fastening the open robe at the waist. I’ll go for the looser version thanks @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
November 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
This #1890s tea gown comes with options. Worn loose it has the relaxed fit often a part of the ‘at home’ gown it was designed to be but there is also a more fitted choice, fastening the open robe at the waist. I’ll go for the looser version thanks @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Reposted by John Bright Collection
This tailored dolman dating to the late #1880s made by Belgravia tailor Hulbert Beach. Careful pattern arrangement ensures the paisley motifs are symmetrical. I love the deep pleats at the back which must have rippled to reveal the pattern within @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
October 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
This tailored dolman dating to the late #1880s made by Belgravia tailor Hulbert Beach. Careful pattern arrangement ensures the paisley motifs are symmetrical. I love the deep pleats at the back which must have rippled to reveal the pattern within @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Our historic collection team has interrupted its usual work to help mount star pieces for ‘Costume Couture -Sixty Years of Cosprop’ at the Fashion and Textile Museum’ #costumecouture #fashionandtextilemuseum #costumemounting #filmcostume #fashionexhibition #costumeexhibition #costumedesign
September 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Our historic collection team has interrupted its usual work to help mount star pieces for ‘Costume Couture -Sixty Years of Cosprop’ at the Fashion and Textile Museum’ #costumecouture #fashionandtextilemuseum #costumemounting #filmcostume #fashionexhibition #costumeexhibition #costumedesign
Reposted by John Bright Collection
Available now!
‘The Costume House: The Inside Story of Cosprop - From A Room With A View to Game of Thrones’ takes you inside one of the world’s most revered costume suppliers and creators.
@jbrightcollection.bsky.social
‘The Costume House: The Inside Story of Cosprop - From A Room With A View to Game of Thrones’ takes you inside one of the world’s most revered costume suppliers and creators.
@jbrightcollection.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Available now!
‘The Costume House: The Inside Story of Cosprop - From A Room With A View to Game of Thrones’ takes you inside one of the world’s most revered costume suppliers and creators.
@jbrightcollection.bsky.social
‘The Costume House: The Inside Story of Cosprop - From A Room With A View to Game of Thrones’ takes you inside one of the world’s most revered costume suppliers and creators.
@jbrightcollection.bsky.social
Reposted by John Bright Collection
I spent a long time thinking about #1840s fashion when I was writing The Dress Diary & I miss it! It is a transitional decade but the fabric techniques were amazing. This is a warp printed silk creating blurry florals bordered by silk fringe @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
September 8, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I spent a long time thinking about #1840s fashion when I was writing The Dress Diary & I miss it! It is a transitional decade but the fabric techniques were amazing. This is a warp printed silk creating blurry florals bordered by silk fringe @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Reposted by John Bright Collection
I rarely post historic menswear but I just came across this fine 1835-45 silk waistcoat @jbrightcollection.bsky.social & well, how could I resist?🌹
Read about it here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wais...
Read about it here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wais...
August 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I rarely post historic menswear but I just came across this fine 1835-45 silk waistcoat @jbrightcollection.bsky.social & well, how could I resist?🌹
Read about it here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wais...
Read about it here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wais...
Reposted by John Bright Collection
Dress, cotton trimmed with cotton braid, c1869-70. Read its story here @jbrightcollection.bsky.social: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dress/
August 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Dress, cotton trimmed with cotton braid, c1869-70. Read its story here @jbrightcollection.bsky.social: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dress/
Reposted by John Bright Collection
😎 ‘Horrockses Fashions’ printed cotton sun dress with short matching jacket, early 1950s. Background information, full description & additional images via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/sun-...
July 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
😎 ‘Horrockses Fashions’ printed cotton sun dress with short matching jacket, early 1950s. Background information, full description & additional images via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/sun-...
Reposted by John Bright Collection
Coat by Paul Poiret, Paris, c1921. More here, including additional images, via The John Bright Collection: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/5054/
June 15, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Coat by Paul Poiret, Paris, c1921. More here, including additional images, via The John Bright Collection: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/5054/
Reposted by John Bright Collection
Mid 1840s one piece day dress made of white printed cotton with a simple design. Read more @jbrightcollection.bsky.social www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dres...
July 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Mid 1840s one piece day dress made of white printed cotton with a simple design. Read more @jbrightcollection.bsky.social www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dres...
Reposted by John Bright Collection
This week’s Friday treat comes via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social Cotton sun dress, late 1950s, Horrockses Fashions. Read more here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dres...
June 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
This week’s Friday treat comes via @jbrightcollection.bsky.social Cotton sun dress, late 1950s, Horrockses Fashions. Read more here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/dres...
In their free time, our assistant curators Sage & Annie have come up with an exciting project. Follow them and their collaborators on instagram at @uncovering.dressmakers to learn more! #19thcenturydressmaking #whomademyclothes #historyofdress #historyoffashion #victorianfashion #vintagelabels
May 31, 2025 at 5:54 PM
In their free time, our assistant curators Sage & Annie have come up with an exciting project. Follow them and their collaborators on instagram at @uncovering.dressmakers to learn more! #19thcenturydressmaking #whomademyclothes #historyofdress #historyoffashion #victorianfashion #vintagelabels
Reposted by John Bright Collection
Worn #onthisday in 1931 by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, at a dinner for the African Society at London's Mayfair Hotel. She accessorized the gown of gold mesh woven with floral motifs and turquoise beads over silk chiffon with her Diamond Palmette Tiara. #OTD @jbrightcollection.bsky.social
May 13, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Worn #onthisday in 1931 by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, at a dinner for the African Society at London's Mayfair Hotel. She accessorized the gown of gold mesh woven with floral motifs and turquoise beads over silk chiffon with her Diamond Palmette Tiara. #OTD @jbrightcollection.bsky.social
Thrilled that our collection items feature in the new book ‘Artistic Dress at Liberty&Co’ @yalebooks.bsky.social - including the one on the cover: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/turquoise-dress-by-liberty/. #bookrecommendations #libertydress #artisticdress #fashionhistory #1910sfashion
May 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Thrilled that our collection items feature in the new book ‘Artistic Dress at Liberty&Co’ @yalebooks.bsky.social - including the one on the cover: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/turquoise-dress-by-liberty/. #bookrecommendations #libertydress #artisticdress #fashionhistory #1910sfashion
This fancy dress from our collection is presumably based on this ‚Pierrette‘ fashion plate from January 1884 ‚Der Bazar‘ that was also featured in ‚La Mode Illustrée‘ as ‚Folie‘ (Folly). #1880sfancydress #historyofdress #costumehistory #victorianfancydress #fancydressinspiration #cosprop
April 23, 2025 at 5:45 PM
This fancy dress from our collection is presumably based on this ‚Pierrette‘ fashion plate from January 1884 ‚Der Bazar‘ that was also featured in ‚La Mode Illustrée‘ as ‚Folie‘ (Folly). #1880sfancydress #historyofdress #costumehistory #victorianfancydress #fancydressinspiration #cosprop
Reposted by John Bright Collection
Mid 1920s wedding outfit, dress, underdress, veil, headdress & shoes @jbrightcollection.bsky.social. Detailed description & additional images here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wedd...
April 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Mid 1920s wedding outfit, dress, underdress, veil, headdress & shoes @jbrightcollection.bsky.social. Detailed description & additional images here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/wedd...
Reposted by John Bright Collection
Russian art critic and ballet impresario Serge Diaghilev was born #OnThisDay in 1872. He staged The Sleeping Princess in 1921, in which this velvet and crepe de chine dress with laced bodice and patterned skirt was worn by a Village Maiden. John Bright Collection. #fashionhistory
March 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Russian art critic and ballet impresario Serge Diaghilev was born #OnThisDay in 1872. He staged The Sleeping Princess in 1921, in which this velvet and crepe de chine dress with laced bodice and patterned skirt was worn by a Village Maiden. John Bright Collection. #fashionhistory
Reposted by John Bright Collection
A little bit of #Frockingfabulous #fashionhistory by #Liberty, 1913. Via the John Bright Collection.
April 3, 2025 at 9:38 AM
A little bit of #Frockingfabulous #fashionhistory by #Liberty, 1913. Via the John Bright Collection.
'Her riding habit almost swept the ground' - so Charlotte Brontë describes Jane Eyre’s rival, implying the elegance of overlong skirts. Our 1900 habit skirt and the 1898 patent show a new concern for safety over 'dangerous elegance'. More here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/riding-habit/
April 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
'Her riding habit almost swept the ground' - so Charlotte Brontë describes Jane Eyre’s rival, implying the elegance of overlong skirts. Our 1900 habit skirt and the 1898 patent show a new concern for safety over 'dangerous elegance'. More here: www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/riding-habit/
Reposted by John Bright Collection
The effect of a coloured under dress worn beneath a sheer white muslin gown is demonstrated to good effect here, bright yellow satin muted by the sheer layer on top. The cotton is sprinkled with metallic sprigs & braid for additional sunny sparkle @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
March 11, 2025 at 11:56 AM
The effect of a coloured under dress worn beneath a sheer white muslin gown is demonstrated to good effect here, bright yellow satin muted by the sheer layer on top. The cotton is sprinkled with metallic sprigs & braid for additional sunny sparkle @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
Cheerful stripes swing gracefully as a lady turns towards her friend in a plate from 1831 'La Mode', illustrating how our bodice might have looked before its skirt was cut off. www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/bodice-and-inner-sleeve-supports-2/#1830sfashion #1830sdress #costumehistory
March 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Cheerful stripes swing gracefully as a lady turns towards her friend in a plate from 1831 'La Mode', illustrating how our bodice might have looked before its skirt was cut off. www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/bodice-and-inner-sleeve-supports-2/#1830sfashion #1830sdress #costumehistory
The abundance of satin stitched flowers around the pocket flap of our #1790s court dress coat reminds us that #mensfashion was not always as restrained as it should become from this time onwards. www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/court-dress-coat/ #historyoffashion #embroidery #1790sfashion
February 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The abundance of satin stitched flowers around the pocket flap of our #1790s court dress coat reminds us that #mensfashion was not always as restrained as it should become from this time onwards. www.thejohnbrightcollection.co.uk/costume/court-dress-coat/ #historyoffashion #embroidery #1790sfashion
Reposted by John Bright Collection
The black and brown horizontally striped background, all sombre shades, allows the floral foreground to zing so that the red flowers almost glow. It is an example of the new print technologies that revolutionised the era, late 1840s @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡
February 13, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The black and brown horizontally striped background, all sombre shades, allows the floral foreground to zing so that the red flowers almost glow. It is an example of the new print technologies that revolutionised the era, late 1840s @jbrightcollection.bsky.social #FashionHistory 🗃️🪡