OLD COUNTRY MILITARY & HISTORY TOURS INC.
History Brought Alive in the Company of Like-Minded People.
'Two Centuries in Vogue' British Women's Fashion 1800-2000
For Groups (Minimum: 15 People)
For the fashion enthusiast and student of design, an exclusive opportunity to discover the origins of the exquisite costumes from British television, film and stage dramas.
From simple day-wear gowns of the early 1800's to the sumptuous collection owned by Queen Elizabeth II. As we visit museums, workshops and research centers, learn about British fashion and its influence on world fashion during the past two centuries.
Our route takes us first to the Georgian city of Bath, with its fine costume museum and research center and then onto Nottingham the home for many centuries of fine lace making. Finally to London, full of fashion and design history, its ambience and setting makes this city a truly fashionable place to end your tour.
During your visit we will take you directly to the heart of British designer wear so as to allow you the opportunity to shop for that special item of clothing or fashion accessory, from leather goods, jewellery, hats, gloves and shoes.
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'Why you should not miss this unique opportunity'
• Escorted throughout by a leading established fashion style consultant.
'To be inter-active with designers and key influencers of fashion'
• 'Our contacts will allow you to go direct to manufacturers, to save you time and money'
• 'Personal Image Consultant to advise you on all aspects of shopping, colour, style and presentation'
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight from North America to London.
Day 2
Arrive London early am, met by fashion tour director. Drive to Bath en route stopping for morning coffee in Windsor. After checking in at our hotel (in Bath) in the center of this beautiful Georgian city, founded by the Romans, This afternoon we will visit the world famous Museum of Costume. The displays cover 400 years of fashion. Evening reception and overview of tour.
Day 3
After Breakfast we will take a tour of the Fashion research center, where you can handle the collection of dresses, accessories and textiles dating from the late 18th century. Their library contains a fine selection of books on the history of dress.
This afternoon we will be hosted to a traditional 'cream tea' by Mulberry Leather Goods at their hotel. You will be invited to view their range of leather goods and fashion. This evening we will have a guest speaker.
Day 4
After an early opportunity for some final shopping, we leave Bath and drive northeast towards the city of Nottingham. Our route takes us past 'The City of Dreaming Spires' Oxford. We stop at Blenheim Palace, the home of the Marlborough family, where in 1873 Winston Churchill was born (this visit only on the August tour). Leaving Blenheim in the afternoon we arrive at our hotel in Nottingham early evening.
Day 5
The museum of Costume and design in Nottingham is located in an elegant row of late 17/18th century houses. It has rapidly become one of the most important study centers for costume and textile research in the world. It also has the oldest lace-making machine (circa 1769) in England. The museum essentially exhibits in chronological order, with six period rooms from 1790 to 1935. Together with a wide selection of bags, shoes and fans etc, the museum gives an excellent view of the period of fashion that we are studying.
This afternoon we will explore the fascinating area of the city known as the 'Lace Market'. A short guided walk amongst the Georgian & Victorian buildings takes us to the Museum of Nottingham Lace. We will spend the afternoon here learning about the history of Nottingham's world famous lace. Before the American Civil War 70% of its production went to the USA. This comprehensive center explains, with the aid of exhibits, demonstrations and audio visuals, how bobbin lace in the 18th century developed via local Whitting machines, to the thriving industry of the mid Victorian period. By this time there were 130 major lace factories in the city. The highlight of this afternoon must be to see an old 18th century lace making machine in production, you will even receive a small sample of the lace makers craft.
Day 6
Before we leave Nottingham in the early afternoon, there will be a chance for you to shop for lace and woolen items. Heading South it will take us about three hours to reach London, where we should arrive early evening to check into our centrally located London hotel for the next 3 nights.
Day 7
After a leisurely breakfast we will walk from our Knightsbridge hotel to the close by fashionable shops which help make this part of London such an exhilarating and vibrant area. close by is Beauchamp Place with its trendy boutiques including the designer's, Bruce Oldfield. Nearby is Harrods, competing equally with the Scotch House, Aquascutum, Harvey Nichols and Nichole Farhi, to name but a few.
Day 8
The Kensington area of London is home to the Victoria & Albert Museum. We have a particular interest in the gowns and artifacts of the costumes of the late 1800's and 1900's.
This afternoon we offer a driving sight seeing tour of central London, to include Trafalgar Square, the Palace of Westminster, Piccadilly Circus.
Day 9
In keeping with more recent fashion, we visit Royal Kensington Palace to view a selection of Queen Elizabeth's gowns and examples of court dress. The state apartments are also available for us to visit and marvel at their regal splendor.
Your afternoon is at leisure, for relaxing or a final shopping trip. This evening a final dinner to be hosted by our tour director.
Day 10
Transfer to London airport for return flight to North America.