Famous fashions from the world famous Downton Abbey TV series.

By DARLA MCCAMMON

Lakeland Art Association

WARSAW — Is Fashion an art form? This question has been debated many times. Famous designer Ralph Lauren has said, “I don’t design clothes. I design dreams.” Another fabulous fashion designer said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” If you guessed this quote came from Coco Chanel, you would be correct. If you agree fashion can be art—read on.

A British-American television series Downton Abbey has nearly become a cult. A following continues to this day though the series ended near Christmas 2015. The fashions created were carefully modeled after the time periods that were taking place. In the series the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family are followed for years beginning in 1912 with the sinking of the Titanic which created tension from the death of the Earl of Grantham and left the entire future of the great Georgian estate in questionable circumstances.

The fashions were exquisite. Many houses of couture sold designs modernized but advertised to have the same flair as those shown in the various segments of the series.

The post-Edwardian era brought the fictitious Crawley family through wars, flu pandemics, scandals, Irish uprisings and many other historic events including the Teapot Dome scandal. The fashions designed for the show were highly acclaimed. Downton Abbey was recognized as “one of the most widely watched television drama shows in the world.”

You can personally view 36 of these spectacular fashions close to home. The History Museum of South Bend is offering an exhibit staged in vignettes along with actual scenes from the series, but also the real gowns, shoes, accessories and fashions worn during the first four seasons—even that of the downstairs staff.  The exhibit will be available from now through January 8, 2017. More fun happens if you can catch one of the High Tea events. In addition, you can ask for your ticket to include a visit to Copshaholm decorated for Christmas!

The History Museum and the Studebaker National Museum are located on Thomas Street in South Bend. Call (574) 235-9664 to obtain information on group discounts, ticket prices and dates for high teas. Mail questions to: The History Museum, 808 West Washington Street, South Bend, IN 46601. The exhibit is titled Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times. Tickets to the museum range downward from $14. The High Tea Tickets are $50 each but also include the Downton exhibit plus an elegant classic tea with savories and sweets at the Oliver Mansion Carriage house. You will be seated at round tables of eight, each decorated in the exquisite style of an English high tea. Guests are welcome to dress in the style of Dressing Downton. Teas begin at 2:00 p.m. 

Coming Up:

• LAA Fall Members Show. Opens Wednesday Nov. 9 — free Admission. Please join us in the artist’s reception on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. Free reception and meet all the artists! Win raffle with ticket purchased through the Nov. 13 at 302 E. Winona Avenue, Warsaw.
• Jennifer Caudill-Penaherra special art exhibit: Warsaw City Hall Gallery, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday beginning November through December.
• Now through Jan. 8, 2017, Downton Abbey Exhibit in South Bend.

For more information contact artist/author, Darla McCammon at [email protected] or website. Call Lakeland Art at (574) 267-5568.