A rare and evocative collection of historic wedding dresses from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB)'s prestigious Costume Archive has been unveiled to the public in a new exhibition.
Curated from a collection that spans more than 150 years, Something Borrowed offers a poignant glimpse into the lives, styles and social histories of the women who wore the dresses.
The exhibition opened on 12 September for a wedding fare at Upton House, Poole, where it will remain until 20 September for Heritage Open Day. It will then open at Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum on 22 September, staying until 8 November.
To prepare the collection for public viewing, AUB students mounted, conserved, researched, and photographed the garments. Each student was inspired by a specific gown, following its history down individual research pathways to compile a detailed exhibition guide.
“We have an amazing costume archive on campus full of historical costume, and while they are an incredible resource to our students, the garments rarely get seen by the general public," explains Costume Technician Demonstrator and AUB alumna Victoria Adams, who has curated the exhibition.
"Wedding dresses are unique because we can date them so specifically, and together our collection of them shows the change in fashions from the mid-19th century, as well as some beautiful stories of the women that wore them. I reached out to Upton Country Park and Russell Cotes to see if they would want them on display so that they can be looked at and appreciated once more.
“Each student has been inspired by a dress and followed it down a research pathway for our exhibition guide. It outlines how character and circumstance, as well as personal taste, influence the decision a woman makes for what is deemed one of the most important dresses of her life.”
Something Borrowed showcases garments dating from 1834 all the way through to the 1980s.
The majority of the pieces on display have been generously donated by the daughters or friends of the original brides, preserving not just the delicate textiles, but the rich family memories, photographs, and personal provenance surrounding each gown.
Aside from two mysterious pieces – an 1890s eau de nil silk ensemble and a delicate 1927 Juliet cap veil – every dress carries a documented story of love, resourcefulness, and social change across three centuries.
Highlights of the exhibition include a 1834 silk dress re-worn across three generations of women over 100 years; thrifty 1930s and 1940s wartime gowns; a 1956 pink organdie tea-length dress; and a 1983 taffeta ballgown inspired by Diana, Princess of Wales.
For further information, explore our website and read the Something Borrowed exhibition guide.
