This collection traces its origins to the couture workrooms of Norman Hartnell, dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and the British aristocracy. It comes via the archive of tambour embroiderer Mollie Welch, who embellished Hartnell gowns in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1960s, including coronation and state‑visit ensembles.
At its heart are original mid‑20th‑century beads and sequins, preserved from Hartnell’s atelier. These materials offer a rare, tactile glimpse into the techniques, colours, and textures behind his elaborate designs for the British court, and were acquired at auction in February 2026.
