Gallery

The National Trust of Guernsey's acclaimed Costume Collection comprises about 8,000 pieces, all of which have local provenance. Remarkable fashion with great attention to costume detail is showcased with exhibitions changed annually, typically mirroring local and global historic anniversaries.

2021 Costume Exhibitions – The 1950s

After WWII, women longed for frivolity. They craved glamour, elegance and swathes of fabric where scraps of material had once existed. Teenage fashion became a major market, with teenagers no longer needing to dress like their parents. 

The first floor '1950 Night and Day' exhibition reflects the 'New Look" with fabric, colours and prints showing a positive rainbow of colour for the night time look and pretty prints for day time dresses. 

The ground floor costume exhibition is dedicated to the work of local artist and designer Marie Bisson (1927 – 1964). Commissioned by the States of Guernsey to organise costumes Guernsey's 1953 Coronation Pageant, Marie's work is displayed through original sketches, illustrations and correspondence of the time. Garments designed and created by Ms Bisson are displayed, notably her wedding dress reflecting the glittering beadwork style of the day influenced by Norman Hartnell's 1953 gown designed for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.