Victorian costume restored for exhibition
A 120-year-old Little Bo Peep costume has been restored to its former glory ahead of a new exhibition.
The Fashion at Play exhibition, opening in March at Lotherton Hall, will explore the history of children's fashion from the 1600s to the present day.
Leeds Museums and Galleries' curator of costume Natalie Raw said the costume tells a unique story about children's tailoring in Leeds.
She said: "Fancy dress played a big role in the party scene for both children and adults in the 19th Century, and it's clear that the tailor-made, extravagant outfits they wore were not only great fun but a bit of a status symbol too."
According to the museum's records, the dress would have been worn by Leeds girl Gladys Redman when she attended a prestigious chapel concert held in Leeds in 1900.
The dress was later donated to Leeds Museums and Galleries but years of enthusiastic wear and tear had taken their toll.
The dress has now been restored as part of a project supported by the Friends of Leeds City Museums and will be on display in the exhibition exploring the story of children's fashions through the ages.
Ms Raw said: "We're particularly happy to see the costume little Gladys Redman celebrated in more than 120 years ago restored and ready to go on display.
"It gives us a real, tangible link to those amazing parties and occasions.
"Looking back at children's fashions through the ages can tell us a lot about not only different styles and trends, but also how attitudes to parenting, growing up and family life have changed over time too."
The costume was bought from Mrs Walter Sugden, a specialist children's clothing shop, established in 1861 on Commercial Street, Leeds.
The shop sold baby linen and other ready-to-wear children's clothing as well as women's fashions and fancy dress costumes.
An album of photographs, which show a spectacular children's fancy dress ball hosted at Leeds Town Hall by the mayor and mayoress of Leeds on January 12, 1891, will also be on display as part of the exhibition.
Nearly 400 children attended in fancy dress from fairytale characters to famous figures from history.
Other objects explore the changing styles worn by babies, children and teenagers and look at how they continue to influence modern trends.
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