The late Queen Elizabeth’s iconic fashion legacy is set to be immortalised in an exhibition in celebration of what would’ve been the monarch’s 100th birthday – and three British designers are taking aprt
During her 70-year reign, the late Queen Elizabeth became known for her classic, elevated and colourful fashion choices.
Now, to immortalise her iconic wardrobe and her continued impact on the British fashion world, three world-renowned British designers – Erdem Moralioglu, Richard Quinn and Christopher Kane – are set to contribute pieces to the exhibition Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, opening at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace next year.
The unique exhibition will be the largest display of Queen Elizabeth II’s fashion ever, featuring approximately 200 items, with almost half of these items being on display for the first time ever.
The exhibition will chart a wide array of clothing from all 10 decades of the late Queen’s life, including couture eveningwear to impeccably tailored off-duty clothing. Royal fans will discover the full breadth of the late Queen’s wardrobe, making the exhibit one of the largest and most important British fashion collections of the 20th century.
Each designer involved in the collection has created pieces or a collection influenced by Queen Elizabeth’s distinctive style, taking inspiration from different elements of her wardrobe. The three designers will each contribute a piece to the exhibition chosen from one of these past collections, with each ensemble shown alongside a related item from the late Queen’s personal fashion archive.
The three designers will also contribute their reflections on Her late Majesty’s fashion legacy to the official book titled Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, which will explore the late Queen’s fashion archive in unprecedented detail.
Richard Quinn, winner of the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, said of the exhibit: “There is no doubt that Queen Elizabeth II’s style and promotion of British couture over the 90 years had a huge impact on British fashion. The ultimate stamp of approval, she always shone a light on British designers, highlighting the relevance and significance of British fashion across the world.”
And Christopher Kane added: “Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe is one of the most significant living archives in modern fashion history. From the decline of the court dressmaker to the rise of couturiers like Hartnell and Hardy Amies, her garments tell the story of Britain and its changing identity through fashion. For designers and students, it offers a masterclass in silhouette, construction, repetition, symbolism and, perhaps most importantly, restraint.”
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Visitors to the exhibition will discover rarely seen and never-before-displayed items from the late Queen’s wardrobe, which has now become part of the Royal Collection under the care of Royal Collection Trust, as well as behind-the-scenes design sketches and fabric samples that give an insight into the process of dressing the long-reigning monarch.
Exhibition curator Caroline de Guitaut said: “Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe was a masterclass in symbolism, tailoring and British craftsmanship. In this landmark exhibition, as well as unveiling garments spanning every decade of the late Queen’s life, we are thrilled to be including works by three contemporary designers who have so successfully reinterpreted her style for the present day, demonstrating how her fashion legacy continues to be woven into the fabric of British design.”
Both the book and the exhibition will be available to the public in April 2026, coinciding with what would’ve been the late Queen’s 100th birthday. The exhibition will take place in Buckingham Palace and is set to run from April 10 to October 18 2026, with tickets going on sale today.
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