Historically important Baroness Thatcher outfits donated to the V&A
A selection of "iconic and historically important" outfits worn by Britain's first female Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher have been gifted to the V&A and will go on display in the museum's fashion gallery in December.
The collection, which includes outfits worn by Baroness Thatcher at significant moments in her public and private life, has been donated by her children, Sir Mark Thatcher Bt and Hon Carol Thatcher, and her grandchildren Michael Thatcher and Amanda Thatcher.
As Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990, Baroness Thatcher was known to have used her wardrobe to great effect to reflect her role as global stateswoman and she came to define 1980s power-dressing. In her 1993 memoir, The Downing Street Years, she wrote:“I took a close interest in clothes, as most women do: but it was also extremely important that the impression I gave was right for the political occasion.”
As was befitting of the leader of the Conservative party, blue was a key colour in Thatcher's wardrobe (she was also famed for her pussy bow blouses and solid-frame handbags) and some key blue pieces form part of the V&A collection including a royal blue wool suit with matching silk blouse by Aquascutum. Another Aquascutum piece is said to be one of the most spectacular in the collection, an evening suit of pink brocade with a floor-length skirt and a sleeveless iridescent silk opera cape, which was worn to the Lord Mayor's banquet in 1988.
Other key items include a caramel silk day dress with floral print by her personal dresser Daphne Scrimgeour, a long navy blue silk dress with gold flower motifs and a gold flower buckle by Jean Muir, and fuchsia pink suit by Thomasz Starzewski.
Senior curator of fashion at the V&A, Claire Wilcox said Baroness Thatcher “used her wardrobe as a strategic tool to project power and inspire confidence. She was notable for supporting the British fashion industry, and patronised many of the leading designers of the day.
"Baroness Thatcher learnt to dress for the camera whilst in office, and interestingly, amended her wardrobe after the House of Commons became televised in November 1989. This gift constitutes a record of the working wardrobe of one of the most influential and powerful women of the 20th century, and will form an important addition to the museum’s fashion collection.”
