A look into Queen Elizabeth's closet
The secrets of the monarch's wardrobe have been revealed. Let's take a look at Queen Elizabeth's closet.
For a long time it was a mystery, today we finally know the best kept secret in Queen Elizabeth's closet.
Her name, until now, was unknown to the general public; However, for almost 20 years Angela Kelly has had the privilege of caring for Queen Elizabeth's wardrobe and dressing the most famous woman in the world, the one to whom all designers would like to offer their services.
In her book Dressing The Queen: The Royal Wardrobe, Kelly reveals the meticulous work behind each of the models that Queen Elizabeth II wears in her official engagements. A process that is not simple.
Ever since her uncle Edward VIII had the idea of falling in love with Wallis Simpson, a divorced American, and renouncing the throne for love, Elizabeth became heir to the throne and the eyes of the world rested on her.
Not to be missed: Elizabeth II: the queen daughter of an unlikely king
From princess she became queen (in 1952, at the age of 26), and from young mother to grandmother and then great-grandmother. Just as throughout her life her actions were interpreted and commented, her style of dress was also carefully analyzed and, on more than one occasion, judged with irony.
But her Hermès scarves, her tart-hued coats, her classic hats, her patterned dresses, her tweed skirts, her eternal structured bag, her trench coats ... some out of fashion in the 80s and 90s, are very chic nowadays. And today, at 94, by dint of staying true to her taste and unmoved by trends, she is considered by many an icon of elegance.
NO DETAIL REMAINS UP TO RANDOM
Angela Kelly's book offers a fascinating look at the intricate planning behind each garment, each of her outfits. In her wardrobe, no color, no detail is random.
Some examples: when the queen traveled to Canada in 2010, she wore a yellow jacket embroidered by the women of the Mi’kmaq indigenous community, famous for their intricate embroidery work, a gesture that Canadians loved.
When she made her first and historic visit to Ireland in 2011, it was no coincidence that she chose a green model, the national color, for her arrival.
Likewise, the golden dress that she wore at her Diamond Jubilee concert last June evoked the gold-plated figure of Queen Victoria, and for the dress she wore for the journey down the River Thames, also part of the ceremonies, she chose the color white so that her figure stood out among the red of the boat's upholstery.
The Queen's tryout sessions are very private and only Angela Kelly, her dresser, and "a few quadrupeds" participate. "We are often joined by one or two of the queen's corgis, watching everything with a watchful eye," says the dressmaker.
The creation process begins when Kelly presents at least four different designs for each fabric, for the queen to choose and give her suggestions. Once you make up your mind, you rarely change your mind. The tests usually last half a day.
Angela makes sure that her team presents four or five models for the queen to try on to make the most of her precious time.
When it comes to silk, organza, or chiffon, use a fan to see how they react to the wind.
Above all, the book details the two years of preparation and meticulous planning that the queen's wardrobe required for her Diamond Jubilee.
An anecdote reflects the level of secrecy that prevails around the royal wardrobe: the palace seamstresses had to make two identical versions of the lace and peach-colored crystal cocktail dress that the queen wore at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in July of last year.
Until the last moment, the workers were unaware that the second was destined for a stuntman who would jump from the helicopter at the Olympic stadium with James Bond, one of the most exciting moments of that night.
YOUR WOMAN OF CONFIDENCE
Throughout 20 years of being with the Queen, Angela Kelly has earned a privileged place, as she has gone from dresser to being Her Majesty's first personal assistant, counselor and curator, as well as being her exclusive designer and guardian from Queen Elizabeth's closet.
Despite their opposite origins (Kelly was born in a social housing in Liverpool), queen and employee maintain a relationship of trust and complicity. They say that when they are alone, other staff members hear them laughing from the hallway.
"I think we make a good team," the queen once told her, and even remarked to her friend Lady Glenconner, "We could be sisters."
Prior to this book (for which she had the approval of the queen and whose proceeds will go entirely to charitable works) she only gave an interview to The Daily Telegraph.
Angela revealed that alone they talk "about everything and anything", be it their grandchildren, jewelry or makeup, and although she does not brag about her intimacy with the queen, she admits that she has a "very mischievous" sense of humor and have fun together.
Angela has reverence for the queen:
“She is an excellent impersonator, she can do all the accents, including mine. I love her, I adore her, ”she says, and she wants her to look good in the clothes she makes for her.
Angela Kelly, divorced, 60, has three children and four grandchildren, and lives in a house in Windsor, a gift from the Queen. In 2007, Elizabeth II awarded her the Royal Victorian Order and more recently elevated her to the rank of lieutenant (an honor that is rarely conferred on an employee); she also entrusted her with the organization of the costume exhibitions in Buckingham.
Angela always accompanies her on her trips. In reality, not a day goes by without me seeing her, much more so than her family members, which causes the jealousy of much of the staff.
I can't count all the knives on my back anymore. I hope to continue working with her majesty for many years and grow old with her, ”she says resigned.
THE SECRETS OF A STYLE AND THE QUEEN ISABEL'S WARDROBE
After 6 p.m., the queen does not wear hats, but a headdress or a tiara at official banquets. When visiting schools, she prefers that her hats have flowers or feathers to attract the attention of children.
If the queen uses a color for a visit to a region of the country, she will avoid using it again for several months, even if it is a completely different model.
The queen repeats some of her models, but these occasions are strategically distributed throughout the year.
For some of the models that are made for the queen today, fabrics from her personal deposit are used. Isabel II always tightens the fabrics by hand to check for wrinkles. If this happens, discard them.
Once the model and material are approved, a white cotton prototype is made on the queen's mannequin.
Hats should never hide your face and the width of the brim is important. They should not be so high that they complicate your exit from the car. And the back can never be too low, so it doesn't rub against the collar of the coat.
When visiting a nursing home or hospital, always choose a bright color so that those with vision problems can identify it.
Dresses made from very lightweight fabrics have weights attached to the hem to prevent the wind from exposing the actual legs.
For the day, her favorite length is below the knee. If you are going to wear a cocktail dress, you prefer it a little longer.
Stairs can be a problem if the dress is narrow. Openings are included in all its models. As for the length of the sleeves, the queen's favorite is three-quarters.
The bridesmaid always wears a silk foulard that matches her outfit in case her hat is damaged by the rain.
Umbrellas are always see-through, so people can see your face, but they come with a handle and edge to coordinate with your clothing set.
As for her shoes, the queen always wears 2-inch heels.
The weight of the bag is vital, due to the long time you must carry it. Elizabeth II prefers straps long enough to hang from her forearm and not tangle with her fist.
The queen is changed several times a day. All their models have long closures to be able to take them out from underneath, because taking them off over the head can ruin your hairstyle.
The color is chosen not only to suit the queen, but to match the background. If you are going to plant a tree, avoid green, for aesthetic and photographic reasons.
Each year four fashion collections are designed for the queen, one for each season.
Impressive the wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth II, right?
