Costume conservation: My Fair Lady – Eliza Doolittle | V&A

This fragile silk costume was once worn on the West End stage by Julie Andrews in her role as Eliza Doolittle – star of the classic musical My Fair Lady. Designed by iconic designer and photographer Cecil Beaton, the exquisite ballgown was influenced by Beaton’s glamorous mid-century fashion photography. Follow the gown’s transformation in our Conservation studio, as we prepare it for display in our Theatre and Performance galleries.

00:00 What is ‘My Fair Lady’?
00:56 Looking at the dress in detail
02:00 Mounting concerns and solutions
03:26 Examining the dress and deciding conservation process
04:58 Dyeing silk crepeline
06:51 Cecil Beaton costume designs
08:02 Catherine Zuber, costume designer of 2018 adaptation
08:51 Supportive straps
09:42 Final mounted dress

The costume can be seen as part of the Re:Imagining Musicals display until November 2023.

[vintagegal]

This dress is beyond stunningly beautiful. I'd like to know if Julie Andrews has seen or intends to see it while on display at the V & A? Thank you to anyone who has the passion to preserve anything from the past, whether clothing, buildings, furniture, anything. It's painstaking and are to be commended for your devotion.

[mapatterson]

My parents saw __My Fair Lady__ with Julie Andrews. They had the record from the play. I grew up listening to Julie Andrews singing Eliza. To learn that there are garments being preserved from the play fills my heart with fond memories of my parent’s love of musicals. To be able to glimpse a garment from the stage performance is a wonderful experience. Thank you for caring for these bits of history.

[StayVCA]

I always love how the effort and the intricacies of making these conservations in order to be preserved for the next generations to see!!

[mollycblaeser]

What a gorgeous piece of history. I've always loved 'My Fair Lady, ' even when I was quite young, and became even more obsessed after discovering Julie Andrews originated the role onstage. She is my idol.

[Kaytecando]

These V&A conservation videos are so very informative. What expertise and dedication frothed conservators!

[emm]

6:50 This is fascinating! I didn’t even know that “Textile Conservationist” was a job. The ladies are very artistic but are also literally doing like a chemistry excitement with trying to match die. That’s so neat! I would love to learn more about their jobs and how they got into such a career!

[soniatriana]

What a fascinating job, to be a textile restoration/conservation expert. It would be amazing if the V&A would interview a few of their conservationists, so that we can know more of what it takes to study & train for this career!
I imagine it required a strong art & science background!!

[katecreate]

Such a treat to see an iconic dress that most of us don’t have the chance to see how it was in the glory days on the stage. More familiar with Audrey Hepburn’s as she was the one who was in the movie, so it is interesting to note the details of this dress and compare it to the film’s.

[lilliankeane]

That is a stunning and elegant dress. Thank you for all the efforts in great detail to conserve it.

[lilitharam]

Wonderful! I always love it when others appreciate the work that goes into those intricate set pieces and actually want to preserve them. You should read how Hollywood has just discarded National Treasures but some people were kind enough to save them for future generations. The dresses from Gone with the Wind are a really sad example.

[cherinoelke]

Absolutely stunning. A standing ovation for all the people that protect and preserve these wonderful theatrical creations. A lot of work with little recognition.

[Nicole-wxjy]

I love learning about the conservation process of these pieces. The passion that the staff has for their work is evident.

[Knoyle]

🧵🪡🧵 Mr Cecil Beaton & Miss Julie Andrews 🎭🎭🎭 : What a GREAT duet !! 😍🤩😍

[kazza]

LOVE these videos about musical costumes. We can never see the detail and care from the audience; it's so great to see the elements up close.

[ComatoseCupcake]

These conservation videos are truly some of my favorite content on YouTube. Thank you for doing this. They're so informative, and (to me) extremely soothing. 😌

[newchapterasmr]

What a gorgeous dress. Beautiful work done by the conservators

[anonview]

One of my late grandmother's dress is over 70 years old. A beautiful, body-hugging piece with shimmery lace. We don't have dress conservation experts where we live, so the best we can do is store it as carefully as possible.

[franciscomedavog]

LOVE THE RED STONES - BEAUTIFUL BEADED GOWN

[gregoryschreiner]

I have so many costumes that would benefit from the genius of these people working on it.

[memorian]

I dunno I think these videos could be an hr long and I'd love them even more lol