Dressing Up Collection

Prima Ballerina Russian Ballet Dancer Anna Pavlova
1924: Russian Ballet dancer Anna Pavlova (1882 - 1931), regarded as the prima ballerina of her era. (Photo by James Abbe/General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

Pavlova In Giselle
Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (1882 - 1931) performs in a production of Giselle. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

The cast of Are You Being Served? pictured during the shooting of their Christmas show. Pictured left to right, John Inman (Mr Humphries), Frank Thornton (Captain Peacock)

The Mad Hatters... Flamboyant manager Malcolm Allison and his giant killing side have
The Mad Hatters...Flamboyant manager Malcolm Allison and his giant killing side have taken to wearing fedora-style hats after their recent FA Cup success

The Faun (Nijinsky), costume design for the Ballets Russes, 1912. Artist: Leon Bakst
The Faun (Nijinsky), costume design for the Ballets Russes, 1912. Design for Nijinskys costume in Debussys ballet l apres-midi d un faune (The Afternoon of a Faun)

Court Jester dressed in red and blue wearing bells, stepping forward

Illustration of a fox dressed in suit and top hat

Ballet Dancer
24th December 1938: A dancer with Antony Tudors London Ballet looking into a wardrobe at Toynbee Hall in east London. Original Publication: Picture Post - 55 - Ballet In The East End - pub

Indian Dance (La Marquise de Casati), 1912. Artist: Leon Bakst
Indian Dance (La Marquise de Casati), 1912. Published in L Art Decoratif de Leon Bakst. (Paris, 1913). From a private collection

Fancy dress
Cover of Leach Fancy Dress catalogue. Date: 1928-9

Person Wearing A Ghost Costume, Made Out Of A White Sheet With Two Holes In It
UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1960s: Person Wearing A Ghost Costume, Made Out Of A White Sheet With Two Holes In It. Highlights Are On The Sheet, The Background Is Pitch Black

Children playing with toys
864812 Children playing with toys; (add.info.: Children playing with toys - Soldier's uniform, horse on wheels, ball, ninepins, skipping rope, rattle, bugle)

'L' Andalouse', 1927. Creator: Francis Picabia
'L' Andalouse', 1927. From a private collection.

follow the leader
Linda Wride

Women Dancing at New Years as Monkey Trainers, c1800. Creator: Utagawa Toyokuni I
Women Dancing at New Years as Monkey Trainers, c1800

Quand on a un père farceur, 1848. Creator: Honore Daumier
Quand on a un pere farceur, 1848. When you have a prankster father. From Les Papas, no. 21

Five children in fancy dress, 1870-1937. Creator: Willem Wenckebach
Five children in fancy dress, 1870-1937. Children dressed in coats and hats, with fake beards and moustaches. They each have a broom in hand

Mercury Ordering Calypso to Release Odysseus, c.1680. Creator: Gerard de Lairesse
Mercury Ordering Calypso to Release Odysseus, c.1680

Children in disguise, known as Les Atours, c1790. Creators: William Artaud, John Hoppner
Children in disguise, known as Les Atours, c1790

Miss Kitty Dressing, 1781. Creator: Thomas Watson
Miss Kitty Dressing, 1781

Self-portrait of Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden (1856 - 1931) in Arabic costume, c
1275378 Self-portrait of Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden (1856 - 1931) in Arabic costume, c.1890 (sepia photo). by Gloeden, Wilhelm von (1856-1931); Private Collection; (add.info)

Planet of the Apes i Urko and Galan and friends (currently appearing at Chipperfields Curcus) called on the Queen at Buckingham Palace, to give a hand with the Changing of the Guard

Model, Felicity Devonshire, who is a keen Chaplin fan, pays tribute to Chaplin today when she dressed up as him. Charlie Chaplin receives his knighthood at Buckingham Palace from the Queen tomorrow

Halloween hairdressers at Stuarts. 31st October 1987

Conservative MP for Smethwick, Peter Griffiths with his wife Mrs Jeannette Griffiths, at an Edwardian Old Time Music Hall evening at Thimblemill Baths, Smethwick. 4th November 1965

For a moment Alison Rand displays a touching lack of awe for the Olympic medals that put her mother Mary Rand among the world d supreme athletes. 29th October 1964

Lorina and Alice Liddell in Chinese Dress, 1860. Creator: Lewis Carroll
Lorina and Alice Liddell in Chinese Dress, 1860

Cleopatra, ballet costume design, 1909. Artist: Leon Bakst
Cleopatra, ballet costume design, 1909. Costume sketch for Ida Rubinstein for the ballet Cleopatra performed during the 1909 season of the Ballets Russes in Paris

Fairy Carabosse, costume design for Tchaikovskys ballet Sleeping Beauty, early 19th century. Artist: Leon Bakst
Fairy Carabosse, costume design for Tchaikovskys ballet The Sleeping Beauty, early 19th century

Le Dieu Bleu ( The Blue God ), ballet costume design, 1911. Artist: Leon Bakst
Le Dieu Bleu ( The Blue God ), ballet costume design, 1911. Costume Design for Nijinsky in a Ballets Russes production of Le Dieu Bleu, story by Jean Cocteau and Frederigo de Madrazo

Lovers in an Upstairs Room, from The Poem of the Pillow, 1788. Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro
Lovers in an Upstairs Room, from The Poem of the Pillow, 1788. From the British Museum, London

Pearly King and Queens Harvest Festival, London, England, UK

Dickens Festival, Rochester, England, UK

Laceing [sic] a Dandy, January 26, 1819. January 26, 1819. Creator: Anon
Laceing [sic] a Dandy, January 26, 1819

Cover of La Vie Parisienne, 18th March, 1922 (colour litho)
DGC288167 Cover of La Vie Parisienne, 18th March, 1922 (colour litho) by Milliere, Maurice (1871-1946); 33x25.4 cm; Private Collection; Prismatic Pictures ; French, out of copyright

A Momentous Question, 1903 (oil on panel)
993954 A Momentous Question, 1903 (oil on panel) by Cockerell, Christabel (1863-1951); 22.8x30.5 cm; Private Collection; Photo © Christies Images

"Do you want very much to wear your pearl necklace?", illustration from Josephine is Busy, by H. C
IL262870 " Do you want very much to wear your pearl necklace?", illustration from Josephine is Busy, by H.C. Cradock, published by Blackie & Son, Ltd

Me and My True Love, c. 1930 (pencil & w / c on paper)
5975353 Me and My True Love, c.1930 (pencil & w/c on paper) by Green, Madeline Emily (1884-1947); 38.2x52.7 cm; Leeds Museums and Galleries (Leeds Art Gallery) U.K.; (add.info)

Illustration for "The Masque of the Red Death"by Edgar Allan Poe, 1895 (litho)
746777 Illustration for " The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe, 1895 (litho) by Beardsley, Aubrey (1872-98); Private Collection; (add.info)

Maximilien Robespierre (Sepia toned)
Maximilien Robespierre 1758-1794 Jacobin leader during French Revolution Engraved by W H Mote from the book Historical Sketches of Statesmen published London 1843

General and Mrs. George Washington, 19th century. Creator: R Lewis
General and Mrs. George Washington, 19th century. [ General and Lady Washington ]: children dressed as George and Martha Washington, in newspaper hat and borrowed mob cap]

The May Queen (oil on canvas)
XPG381800 The May Queen (oil on canvas) by Hornel, Edward Atkinson (1864-1933); Private Collection

The Primrose Gatherers (oil on canvas)
XPG381802 The Primrose Gatherers (oil on canvas) by Hornel, Edward Atkinson (1864-1933); Private Collection; Scottish, out of copyright

Dressing up the Doll, (oil on canvas)
989260 Dressing up the Doll, (oil on canvas) by Sain, Edouard Alexandre (1830-1910); 50.2x61.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Dressing up the Doll. Edouard Alexandre Sain (1830-1910)

The Police Court, 1867 (oil on canvas)
CH401599 The Police Court, 1867 (oil on canvas) by Henderson, Charles Cooper (1803-77); 25.4x35.6 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Lever des Ouvrieres en Linge, (w / c heightened with white on paper)
659256 Lever des Ouvrieres en Linge, (w/c heightened with white on paper) by Bosio, Jean Francois (1764-1827); 24.5x32.8 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; French, out of copyright

Christmas festivities. English artist Myles Birket Foster and friends in 16th Century costume (b / w photo)
3621760 Christmas festivities. English artist Myles Birket Foster and friends in 16th Century costume (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Binding of a souvenir album of the Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball, Leeds
3744838 Binding of a souvenir album of the Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball, Leeds, 12th January 1891 (leather) by English School

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Dressing up is an art form, a way to transport ourselves into magical realms and embody captivating characters. Just like Prima Ballerina Anna Pavlova, who gracefully twirled across the stage in her exquisite costumes, we too can embrace the elegance and grace of the Russian Ballet. From Pavlova's enchanting performance in Giselle to Nijinsky's mesmerizing portrayal of The Faun, costume design has always played a pivotal role in bringing these timeless stories to life. But dressing up isn't limited to ballet alone; it allows us to explore endless possibilities. Imagine being a Court Jester, dressed in vibrant red and blue with bells jingling as you step forward, ready to entertain all with your playful antics. Or perhaps channeling your inner fox, donning a dapper suit and top hat that exudes charm and wit. Whether you're a professional dancer or simply indulging in fancy dress for fun, there's something truly magical about transforming yourself through clothing. Each outfit becomes an opportunity for self-expression and creativity – from whimsical fairytales brought alive by ballet dancers on stage to extravagant parties where everyone embraces their alter ego. So let us celebrate the joy of dressing up. Let our imaginations run wild as we slip into fantastical ensembles that transport us beyond our everyday lives. Whether it's donning tutus or elaborate costumes reminiscent of Bakst's designs for the Ballets Russes or even just adding some sparkle and glamour to our everyday attire – let us revel in the magic that comes with embracing different personas through fashion. In this world where anything is possible when we dress up, let us dance like ballerinas with grace and poise while also enjoying moments of pure silliness as court jesters or sly foxes. So go ahead – put on that fancy dress and unleash your inner performer.