Kensington Palace has a new Queen B.
It is the biggest and most ambitious exhibitionHistoric Royal Palaceshas ever staged, and recreates a bustling Georgian-era party in the State Apartments of the royal home in central London.
Beyonce’s Most Regal Look at Kensington Palace.Historic Royal Palaces
The idea was forged in May 2018 when experts at the palace watched the Met Gala.
Beyonce’s Most Regal Look is displayed at Kensington Palace.Historic Royal Palaces; Christopher Polk/Getty Images
The idea is that an 18th-century party at the palace was the historic equivalent. “Then, there were reports of great crowds gathering at the palaces to see aristocrats arrive in their finery,” adds Acott Williams. “The 18th century is also the birth of the fashion press too, and there was a public narrative about what is being worn and who was in favor or out of favor at court — with detailed accounts of the outfits being worn at court, like a best and worst dressed.”
Lizzo’s black and gold-embroidered gown on display at Kensington Palace.Historic Royal Palaces
Today, and certainly in the best category, that could be said of Beyoncé’s stunning Peter Dundas gown from 2017.
“It is most exquisitely gold beaded gown evoking various different African goddesses — it has become an iconic Beyoncé moment,” Acott Williams adds.
On display too — just like on that Grammys night — is the epic headpiece from House of Malaka, which the “Halo"singer wore.
“She is under the Throne Canopy in the Presence Chamber — which is the space where you would first encounter the monarch,” says Acott Williams. “You are in the presence of Queen B.”
Billie Eilish’s 2021 Met Gala gown on display at Kensington Palace.Historic Royal Palaces
Lively’s dress is stationed in the King’s Gallery, which was one of the main entertaining spaces in the palace.
A court mantua on display at Kensington Palace.Historic Royal Palaces
That was what singer Billie Eilish was trying to do with the peachy-pink Oscar de la Renta outfit she wore at the Met Gala in 2021.
“She said she wanted to take up space and be unmissable,” says the curator. It was a moment of “image transformation for her. The Gala happened not long after her new album, on the cover she had gone for a sophisticated rendering of herself and the Met Gala was part of that re-branding.”
Gowns on display at Kensington Palace.Historic Royal Palaces
The curators draw comparisons with how 18th-century women when they married and were presented again at the royal court. “It could be considered to be a relaunch,” says Acott Williams.
TheCrown to Coutureexhibition — which comes as part of palace admission —opens to the public on April 5.
source: people.com
