Fancy Dress Collection

Comedian Roy Chubby Brown wearing colourful suit July 1993

Lenny Henry and Dawn French, as Michael Jackson and Bubbles, arriving at Elton Johns 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. 6th April 1997

Pop group called the Animal Kwackers seen here in a central London park. Left to Right Rory the Lion, Bungo the hound dog, Twang the monkey, and Boots the tiger. 17th October 1975

Scene from Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo: Javert, the detective (engraving)
5996966 Scene from Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo: Javert, the detective (engraving) by Brion, Gustave (1824-77) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Scene from Les Miserables)

Twelfth Night Revels in the Great Hall, Haddon Hall, Derbyshire
STC87430 Twelfth Night Revels in the Great Hall, Haddon Hall, Derbyshire, from Architecture of the Middle Ages, 1838 (litho) by Nash

Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth II) on her betrothal to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, Buckingham Palace, London
5999700 Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth II) on her betrothal to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, Buckingham Palace, London, 1947 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

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

Actresses Sue Pollard (left) who plays Peggy in the television comedy series Hi De Hi and Diane Holiday who plays Yvonne, pictured dressed as Hula Girls during filming for the new series

Shirley Bassey and guest arriving at Elton Johns 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. 6th April 1997

Ian Dury in the play Talk of the Devil at the Palace Theatre, Watford. He is pictured with Kate Lock who plays the part of Geraldine

Cornelia Bradley Martin, as Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, Bradley-Martin Ball
3077517 Cornelia Bradley Martin, as Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, Bradley-Martin Ball, 1897 (b/w photo) by American Photographer; Collection of the New-York Historical Society

Actresses Sue Pollard (left) who plays Peggy in the television comedy series Hi De Hi and Diane Holiday who plays Yvonne, pictured dressed as Hula Girls during filming for the new series

Cat-Show-Offbeat
Cat dressed up for a show with a top hat AFP PHOTO

Barbara Windsor with boyfriend Scott Harvey, dressed as a Pearly Queen and King, arriving at Elton Johns 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. 6th April 1997

Students spray the watching crowd with water during the Rag Week procession down Northumberland Street, Newcastle on 8th March 1980

British actor John Thaw in January 1987, appearing in the Sherlock Holmes TV film " The Sign of Four" where he plays treasure smuggler Jonathan Small, pictured here with co-star Tonga

Press Club February 1978 Playboy bunnies will challenge Press club rabbits at the Press club, London International Press centre, Shoe Lane London in a grand snooker tournament

"The two Ronnies"- Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett
" The two Ronnies" - Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, filming at Berkely (Glos) for the new B.B.C. Television series " Women rule England". July 1980 P003689

William Edward Dighton (1822-1853) in Middle Eastern Dress, ca. 1852-53. Creator
William Edward Dighton (1822-1853) in Middle Eastern Dress, ca. 1852-53

Buffoons in a Village, 1857. Artist: Francois Nicolas Riss
Buffoons in a Village, 1857. Riss, Francois Nicolas (1804-1886). Found in the collection of the State V. Tropinin-Museum, Moscow

Pythagoras and Euclid, 1437 (marble tile)
7260238 Pythagoras and Euclid, 1437 (marble tile) by Della Robbia, Luca (1400-82); 83x69 cm; Museo dell Opera del Duomo, Florence, Tuscany, Italy; Photo © Raffaello Bencini

Patsy Cornwallis-West, Irish born aristocrat and mistress of King Edward VII (b / w photo)
6015459 Patsy Cornwallis-West, Irish born aristocrat and mistress of King Edward VII (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Franz Schubert (colour litho)
3095884 Franz Schubert (colour litho) by Nowak, Otto Robert (1874-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Franz Schubert. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Manchester City players dressed in costume fot their Christmas Pantomome " Aladdin". They are L-R: Mike Summerbee, Tony Book, Francis Lee and in front Joe Corrigan December 1971

Andrew Lloyd Webber arriving at Elton Johns 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. He is wearing a fancy dress costume, dressed as a football fan. 6th April 1997

Indian Empire Garden Party at Hurlingham Mrs Grosvenor - Collins ( wife of Major Grosvenor - Collins, of Welwyn, Hertfordshire ) 1 July 1935

Opening personnel at the Commodore Cinema. 1933

Boxgrove Tipteers, local amateur group in a Christmas Mummers Play October 1936
Christmas Mummers Play with the actors in a variety of costumes. October 1936 George Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: Garland N13694

Consular diptych of Boethius (ivory relief, 487)
LRI4671276 Consular diptych of Boethius (ivory relief, 487) by Italian School, (5th century); 24x18 cm; Museo di Santa Giulia, Brescia

French noble in formal clothes, 1808. 1825 (lithograph)
7236918 French noble in formal clothes, 1808. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857); Private Collection; (add.info.: French noble in formal clothes, 1808)

The Church of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, 1740 / 41. Creator: Michele Marieschi
The Church of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, 1740/41

After the Ball, 1917 (oil on board)
CH344434 After the Ball, 1917 (oil on board) by Fischer, Paul (1860-1934); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Danish, out of copyright

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret (b / w photo)
3103112 Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret)

Coat of arms of various cantons of Switzerland (colour litho)
3643225 Coat of arms of various cantons of Switzerland (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Coat of arms of various cantons of Switzerland)

Now heres a likely candidate for this years milk race, a lady who is way ahead of the common herd. Daisy reckons shes just the cream of amateur cycling -- the faster moo-ver in the West Midlands

Comedian Ken Dodd and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1980, tickling sticks at the ready

Yma Sumac, before appearing before the audience at the Kings Hall, breaks the ice with a spot of rhythm with the two Andean Drummers, Hernan Brana and David Rivera. June 1952 P009566

The Devonshire House Ball Lady Alexander 14 April 1920

Mista the clown, alias Clive Chandler, visits pupils at Earlsdon Primary School, Coventry, as part of a drive to get children involved in the arts. August 9th 1984

Michael Crawford actor comedian In Pantomime

Lulu and her son, Jordan Frieda, arriving at Elton Johns 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. 6th April 1997

Greg Rusedski and Lucy Connor arriving at Elton Johns 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. 6th April 1997

The filming of It Ain t Half Hot Mum, at Hawley Lake, Farnborough, in Hampshire seen here is Melvyn Hayes in costume. June 1980 80-03101

Six dressed-up youngsters, one of the young people plays the guitar, 1910-1920. Creator: Hans Per Persson
Six dressed-up youngsters, one of the young people plays the guitar, 1910-1920

The Preston Guild Festival: costume ball in the Guild Assembly Room, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Preston Guild Festival: costume ball in the Guild Assembly Room, 1862. The ball took place on Friday in the fine centre hall of the Corn Exchange, which was tastefully fitted up for the occasion

Costume of a revolutionary commoner or sans culotte, 1793. 1825 (lithograph)
7237140 Costume of a revolutionary commoner or sans culotte, 1793. 1825 (lithograph) by Lecomte, Hippolyte (1781-1857); Private Collection; (add.info.: Costume of a commoner or sans culotte)

Brian May arriving at Elton Johns 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. 6th April 1997

John Reid (Elton Johns Manager), and guest arriving at Elton Johns 50th birthday party at Hammersmith Palais. 6th April 1997

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"Fancy Dress: A Timeless Celebration of Imagination and Identity" Step into the world of fancy dress, where history intertwines with creativity, and characters come to life. From the grandeur of Les Miserables to the royal betrothal of Princess Elizabeth, each scene captures a moment in time that transcends reality. Lenny Henry and Dawn French's portrayal of Michael Jackson and Bubbles reminds us that even pop culture icons can be transformed through costume. Their dedication to detail brings joy and laughter to all who witness their transformation. The Twelfth Night Revels at Haddon Hall transport us back to an era filled with merriment and revelry. The Great Hall comes alive as people don extravagant attire, embracing the spirit of festivity. Cornelia Bradley Martin's embodiment of Mary Stuart at the Bradley-Martin Ball showcases how fancy dress allows individuals to step into different roles, exploring historical figures or mythical beings, and is a testament to our fascination with other worlds and times. William Edward Dighton's Middle Eastern Dress transports us across continents, reminding us that fancy dress knows no boundaries. It allows us to explore cultures far from our own, fostering understanding and appreciation for diversity. At cat shows or press club challenges, even animals partake in this whimsical tradition. Whether it be Playboy bunnies challenging press club rabbits or feline fashionistas strutting their stuff on stage, they remind us that everyone can join in on the fun. Ian Dury's performance in Talk of the Devil demonstrates how fancy dress extends beyond visual appeal; it becomes a tool for storytelling on stage. Through costumes, actors embody characters' essence while captivating audiences with their talent. Even ancient artifacts like Boethius' consular diptych or Pythagoras and Euclid depicted on marble tiles reveal that dressing up has been cherished throughout history. These relics remind us that humans have always sought ways to express themselves creatively.