A Passion for Fashion

A Passion for Fashion provides an amusing look at some of the clothes, underclothes, shoes and accessories worn by many of the more colourful characters in Blenheim Palace’s 300-year history, as well as a cautionary look at the role that arsenic, lead, mercury and mousetraps played in the fashions of the day.

Adult and children’s fashions from the 18^th and 19^th centuries are examined, as well as contemporary style from renowned designers including Christina Stambolian, Stephen Jones, Christian Louboutin and most recently of all, Dolce & Gabbana. 

Blenheim Palace’s on-going relationship with the House of Dior, is celebrated with a look at the early catwalk shows of the 1950s, and the launch of Dior’s Cruise collection, which took place at Blenheim in May 2016.

The Palace is renowned for many things, but one of its leading claims to fame is that it is the birth place of a certain Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill – twice prime minister of Great Britain and accomplished writer, artist, sometime bricklayer and arguably, in fashion terms, the inventor of the ubiquitous and ever popular ‘Onesie’! 

A Passion for Fashion brings 300 years of Blenheim style to life.