Annabelinda

1982 Design 378 Sunray pleated silk organza, postcard

When we visited Woodstock we saw the Annabelinda exhibition at The Oxfordshire Museum. This was a beautiful exhibition of couture dressmaking. What interested me to begin with was the story of Annabelinda...

Belinda O'Hanlon went to Oxford to study for a geography degree in the mid 1960's. She made dresses for her student friends and for some of the tutors, having acquired dressmaking skills at home with her mother. This activity flourished and so she left her degree course before graduation to set up her couture business. So there's a tale of home education!

Wonderful fabrics and combinations of silks, chiffons, brocades, velvets and wools. In the early years Liberty prints were combined with plain coloured fabrics. We saw gorgeous surprise patterned linings, hand-embroidered finishes. The neckline details were especially noteworthy: also Chinese braids, hand-painted silks, and lots of symmetry, piping, sweeping sleeves and skirts.

The 1970's designs were my favourites. They made me feel very nostalgic as I recalled the first skirt I ever made in the front room at my Nan's house. The fabric was a lightweight brown cotton with small pink and cream floral patterns. Meanwhile Jenny, a family member, then in her thirties, sat alongside me and recalled the dresses she had worn in her teenage years. A very special memory so thanks to Annabelinda for reminding me.

I came home very inspired and determined to make her first dress on the sewing machine.

The Annabelinda exhibition runs until 12th July. http://www.annabelinda.com