Wedding gown exhibition to raise charity funds
An exhibition of stunning and historical bridal gowns will take pride of place in a York gallery and help raise vital funds for charity.
The collection of wedding dresses – including vintage couture gowns designed by Coco Chanel and a bridal creation dating back to 1938 – can be viewed by visitors to the Lucy Pittaway Gallery in the city’s Coppergate from this weekend.
Visitors to the gallery will have the chance to see astounding examples of wedding dress design from the past century including original gowns and hand-made replicas of royal gowns including those worn by Princess Diana, HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales and HRH The Princess Royal. A ‘toile’ or ‘practice version’ of the wedding gown worn by Princess Margaret, and created by the renowned Norman Hartnell, will also be on display.
The event forms part of a year of fundraising being organised by Lucy and her team to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a charity which is very close to Lucy’s heart. This year marks the 25th anniversary since Lucy lost her father, Middlesbrough Football Club’s legendary former player and manager Willie Maddren, to Motor Neurone Disease.
The gowns on display are part of a vast collection of dresses owned by former couture dressmaker Kevin Thornhill. Since the early 1990s, Kevin, from Shotton Colliery in County Durham, has collected more than 400 wedding dresses and regularly loans them for fundraising exhibitions and fashion shows around the country, collectively raising more than £600,000 for charity.
Kevin said: “I heard about Lucy’s fantastic fundraising in memory of her Dad and got in touch. The specially-curated collection we have at the gallery includes wonderful gowns, and really importantly, the stories of the people who wore them. I’m thrilled that they will contribute to such a great cause.”
Eilish Booth, Area Retail Manager and York Gallery Manager at Lucy Pittaway, said: “We’re so excited to be hosting this exhibition and to continue raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. We’re obviously used to being surrounded by beautiful pieces of art and these dresses, which are each stunning works of them themselves, are no exception. We know our visitors will love the chance to view these gorgeous gowns up close.”
A specially-curated collection of 21 gowns will be on display at The Lucy Pittaway York Gallery until Sunday September 7. It will be open for visitors during the gallery’s usual opening hours – 9.30am-5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays.
There is no specific admission fee required to view the exhibition however, a donation towards the Motor Neurone Disease Association would be gratefully received.