Talk: Couture in the Country - the ladies of Chilton Lodge

Following the death of American Heiress Lady Jean Templeton Ward in 1962, her daughter-in-law Susan Ward donated many items of her couture clothing to the Fashion Museum, Bath. The donation included unique items including a Busvine riding habit from circa 1905, court trains, British and French couture from the early-mid twentieth century, some worn at the coronations of British monarchs. Susan also donated fine examples of her own couture clothing, much of it worn in court circles. The husbands of the ladies had important working and personal relationships with five monarchs from Edward VII to Queen Elizabeth II. This talk will illuminate the social and personal histories of this local family and their connections with the royal family, through the lens of their clothing.
The speaker Caroline Ness lives in Hungerford and is an independent researcher, author and consultant in the History of Dress. She gained her History of Art degree from the University of Southampton in 2007, immediately followed by an MA in the History of Dress and Textiles in 2008. After a period working in the curatorial team at the Fashion Museum Bath, she studied for her PhD at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 2014, before returning to the Fashion Museum as a consultant on projects. Her publications to date include articles in the peer reviewed journals Costume (2011) and History of Retailing and Consumption (2021), and a chapter in the V&A book London Couture 1923-1975: British Luxury (2015). Caroline is currently writing a book on mid-20th century London Couture and gives talks to a variety of audiences both locally and nationally. She is also the current Chair of Hungerford Historical Association.
To book a free ticket, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/48u3jhmy
Bookings close 4pm the day before the talk.
Image courtesy of Fashion Museum, Bath