WHAT? Crown to Couture 

WHERE? Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX

WHEN? Now until 29th October 

WHY GO? For a five-star fashion spectacle. The timing is spot on; as we celebrate the coronation, let's also enjoy some dazzling celebrity couture?

If you love ‘red carpet fashion’, this blockbuster will satisfy your every whim. It records who wore what to star studded events like the Met Gala, and staged in the splendour of Kensington Palace, it is magnificently regal. 

It compares the Georgian era when the Palace received VIPs in ‘court’ dress to nowadays when ‘dressed for best’ can be glamorous or outrageous, none more so than the elaborate ’Sun God’ outfit worn by Billy Porter to the Met Gala in 2019, undoubtedly ensuring that his image will go down in history.

Opening with an Oscar statuette alongside the original Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, the exhibition winds through the palace displaying glittering couture outfits, past and present, make-up and accessories in appropriate regal settings with glorious accompanying music and stylish fashion illustrations by the acclaimed artist Gladys Perint Palmer. 

IN THE KNOW:  Tellingly, Crown to Couture is the largest ever exhibition to be staged at Kensington Palace making use of all the largely empty state rooms that were ironically packed back in the day with lavish balls and parties. If only walls could talk, what would yesterday's Royals make of today’s celebrity outfits?