King James I's gloves in 'unique' fashion tour

A pair of embroidered gloves belonging to King James I are among a collection of fashion items going on display In France and across the UK.

Fashion Museum Bath's collection, which also includes an embroidered court dress "designed at the dawn of Haute Couture", spans five centuries of fashion, dating back to the 16th Century.

While the museum is undergoing a major refurbishment, its garments can be seen in major exhibitions in Paris, London and Edinburgh.

"Each item has a unique story to tell, and it is a delight to match these pieces up with some of this year's most important exhibitions," said Elisabeth Murray, the museum's senior curator.

The museum's collection was viewed by more than 1.2 million people globally in 2024.

Ms Murray added: "Our loans-out programme provides the wonderful opportunity for people to see, enjoy, and be inspired by our extraordinary collection."

The exhibited items include:

• The brown leather gloves, once owned by King James I and a 17th Century multi-coloured embroidered women's waistcoat, currently on display at the National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait Gallery.
• Two couture dresses designed by the House of Worth for Mary Curzon and Empress Eugenie are centre stage at Petit Palais & Galliera in Paris.
• A hat worn by photographer Sir Cecil Beaton and a silk dress worn by actress Wendy Hiller are being displayed at the Garden Museum, London.

There are also pieces on display in Surrey and Dorset over the summer.

Councillor Paul Roper called the collection "an incredible time capsule of fashion history and a real asset to the city".

He added: "As we work towards a flagship new home for the museum it is particularly exciting to see that this collection continues to inspire through loans out to other museums.

"Working with such high-profile cultural organisations puts Bath firmly on the fashion map."

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