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neilcunninghamdotcom

Designer, film-maker. London, Oxford. Late to Instagram.

Thank you Ophélie Renouard for the mention @lebal

Thank you Ophélie Renouard for the mention @lebal.paris .The delectable Ophélie has worked tirelessly since 1992 creating Le Bal des Débutantes: an homage to the English debutante balls where young women were introduced into society. It’s now just a good excuse for the rich and famous of the world to showcase their offspring in couture gowns. Many months of preparation goes into selecting the girls; dressing and photographing them and finding suitable young gentleman escorts. The evening itself is a whirlwind mixture of beauty pageant; fashion show; prom dance and an opening night – with a non-stop press call. The event raises heaps for charity and attracts socialites, politicians and fashion grandees alike: Anna Wintour donated her daughter the last time I was there (mother and daughter both wore Chanel).

The ball invitations are meticulously designed and this was my favourite illustration by René Gruau chosen for the 2003 ball.

In 2000 I dressed a baby-faced and timid Tamara Ecclestone in red silk zibeline. This was a particularly competitive year – it’s fair to say that Lauren Bush (niece of the president in waiting) in her huge vintage Dior gown rather stole the show.

Photography @thierry.chomel

#ophelierenouard
#renegruau
#tamaraecclestone
#mikimoto
#hoteldecrillon
#hautecouture

Reflecting on the excesses of lockdown. #beaujola

Reflecting on the excesses of lockdown.

#beaujolais
#cotswoldscreamliqueur
#lockdown
#may2021
#fatbastard

Hadn’t heard of #internationalcatday until yeste

Hadn’t heard of #internationalcatday until yesterday but this is a great excuse to tell Thomas the cat’s previous folks: Paul @p.bastock how happy he is and how much he is loved. After his first month indoors he went out and caught a mouse within two minutes. Sociable, vocal and always hungry, Tom is such good company and he has constant attention as the house is never empty. Can’t believe it’s been nearly three years…

#catsofinstagram

Happy 63rd birthday Kate Bush @katebushmusic . I w

Happy 63rd birthday Kate Bush @katebushmusic . I was 16 when I queued at Virgin Megastore Oxford Street to meet this tiny little lady and have her new album signed. I asked her about the lyrics to The Kick Inside - was it all about incest? ‘Yes’ she smiled broadly. Seems bizarre now that anyone could pull up that day for a quick word with this now reclusive genius.

#katebush
#thedreaming
#muchloved
#1982

Happy 76th Birthday @HelenMirren. Have loved this

Happy 76th Birthday @HelenMirren. Have loved this actress since I was fifteen. Such a pleasure dressing her several times. Here in a froth of mocha-cappuccino silk satin and chiffon by yours truly. Styling @rachelfanconi brooch to order @andrewrtprince

#helenmirren
#neilcunninghamdress
#cappuccino
#couture
#satindress
#rachelfanconi
#andrewprince

Not a film set today, just shielding the kitchen w

Not a film set today, just shielding the kitchen windows from 32° sun with equipment to hand.

#ifyoucantstandtheheatgetoutofthekitchen

Happy Anniversary to my ‘little’ sister Susie

Happy Anniversary to my ‘little’ sister Susie and her hubby Richard. The pair met at Keble College and returned to marry in the chapel in 2008. Handy having a couturier brother to design for you but Suze had always loved the shape of an Audrey gown in the 1956 film War and Peace. Taking the silhouette as inspiration we chose a corded Italian lace with a strong weft weave reminiscent of a garter stitch to reflect Susie’s love of knitting. By cutting the skirt on the bias we were able to lift the dress from a plain ol’ princess line into something more contemporary with chevron stripes.

Oyster/blush is always my favourite shade for a bride but Susie’s pale complexion demanded it. Shorter sharp hairstyles are also tricky to dress for weddings so we just created a cloud of tulle to frame her signature dark red bob and a Billie Holiday style gardenia (rose) finished the look without fuss. Could never think of a good name for the colour of the tulle - we just called it wee-wee.

#keblecollegeoxford
#keblecollegechapel
#oxford
#englishwedding
#neilcunninghamdress
#bride
#blush
#blushweddingdress
#chevronstripes
#cordedlace
#knitter
#audreyhepburn
#warandpeace1956
#empireline
#madeinlondon
#madeinengland

Happy anniversary to past client Justine @vocabula

Happy anniversary to past client Justine @vocabulary_of_style who wore this oyster duchesse satin overlaid with sequinned chantilly lace gown for her Claridges wedding nineteen years ago (yesterday). Justine, I’ve emailed you the other scan you wanted x

I rarely post bridal stuff but when the photography is by @sheila_rock_photographer ...

#neilcunninghamdress
#sheila_rock_photographer
#brides

I bought this book 30 years ago (it’s the one th

I bought this book 30 years ago (it’s the one that the Netflix series is based on). A friend searching for this title lamented that it’s now rare and pricey. Ebay UK bids currently at £300 for the hardback and a few days ago Amazon wanted over £1,200 for the same.

On Sunday night I managed to find a copy on a well known international online bookshop specialising in rare and out-of-print books: £18 plus p&p to the UK (£50) – bargain! A nice gift for my friend I thought. Order confirmed and money taken from my bank account.

Too good to be true. The following day I was contacted by the book company to tell me there’d been a mistake - quelle surprise! The book was no longer available and they had reimbursed me. Computer stock error or just bad sports?!

#halston
#halstonnetflix
#simplyhalston
#stevengainesauthor
#stevengaines
#outofprint

I couldn’t let you finish your photo guide of re

I couldn’t let you finish your photo guide of retro cars of Muswell Hill @nigelmortonphotography without showing you this local fixture from 1990 to 2010: mine!

My 1957 Polar Silver Deluxe VW Beetle left-hand drive, was my pride and joy. I bought the car when I was 22 and used it as my primary transport for as long as was practical. @carol_m_lister - I drove BillyBoy* @billyboymdvaniiofficial @mdvaniiism all the way from London to Herefordshire in 1990 (to meet an eccentric doll collector) in what must have been the most bone-rattling journey of his life.

Sold the car in 2013 to a wonderful lady collector who also provides VW camper vans for weddings and funeral services, particularly for young deaths: surfer types etc when a big black hearse would just be too grim.

Not as perfect as yours @shane.chivers.14

This photo is #1989 and we’re in the #peakdistrict

#vw
#vwbeetle
#vwoval
#vwlove
#vwpolarsilver
#polarsilver

Beaton, Blenheim, Barbra, booked! #cecilbeaton

Beaton, Blenheim, Barbra, booked!

#cecilbeaton
#cecilbeatonportraits
#blenheimpalace
#onacleardayyoucanseeforever
#barbrastreisand

My five-year-old nephew was very taken with Prince

My five-year-old nephew was very taken with Prince Philip’s funeral last week and recreated the scene from his toy box. Only one guard unfortunately and an open casket (stretcher).

#princephilip
#princephilipfuneral
#landrover
#landoverdefender
#playmobilfigures
#playmobil

6.30am iPhone weather for Oxford: Haze, 5° #pink

6.30am iPhone weather for Oxford: Haze, 5°

#pinkskyinthemorning
#thames
#oxfordrowing
#blush

Broken blossom! Lame snow photo but what a shock t

Broken blossom! Lame snow photo but what a shock this morning (07.55) after the Florentine blue skies and welcome sunshine of yesterday afternoon. Look how the spring colours are fighting back though.

#endoflockdown
#alfrescodining
#brokenblossom
#thames

The rowers return. Happy students but bewildered d

The rowers return. Happy students but bewildered ducks and swans who’ve had the river to themselves this past year. They don’t know what’s hit them; sometimes literally.

#happymonday
#kayak
#iffleylock
#thames

This week’s Ebay spoils. Not sure how long this

This week’s Ebay spoils.
Not sure how long this straight talking bombast would last in today’s cancel culture.

#jamesrobertsonjustice
#sirlancelotspratt
#doctorinthehouse
#doctoratlarge
#doctorinlove
#doctorindistress
#doctorinclover
#doctorintrouble
#hero

Green shoots in my old stomping ground this aftern

Green shoots in my old stomping ground this afternoon. Pleasantly surprised to find that #fortnumandmason is deemed a necessity during lockdown. Took full advantage!

#piccadillycircus

Crazy Oxford students Harvey and pal @guy_herring

Crazy Oxford students Harvey and pal @guy_herring and braving the Thames at 7am this morning.

#earlymorningswim
#oxfordstudents
#riverthames

Bye bye Barbara Ann Deeks

Bye bye Barbara Ann Deeks

Finally did it: Fanny Cradock’s Royal mincemeat

Finally did it: Fanny Cradock’s Royal mincemeat omelette (currently to be seen on BBC iPlayer and Youtube). Wasn’t sure whether to eat this for breakfast lunch or dinner - we plumped for tea. The fast melting sweet icing sugar mixed with the egg creates a taste similar to creme caramel or custard tart - not unpleasant - but the overwhelming texture of scrambled egg/omelette (no crunch of pastry or biscuit) is unsettling.

#fannycradock #fannycraddock #fannycradockforchristmas #royalmincemeat #mincemeatomelette

Happy holidays everyone - have the best week possi

Happy holidays everyone - have the best week possible!

#tracyisland

The wonderful photographer @LaurieLewisphotography

The wonderful photographer @LaurieLewisphotography posted this yesterday. It’s one of my favourite pictures, (certainly of my dresses) and so I can’t help regramming it.

#DarceyBussell amidst the newly regilded angels atop the #AlbertMemorial 1998 to promote the restoration by #EnglishHeritage , the #RoyalBallet and #FashionWeekLondon simultaneously. Looking up at the monument now it’s hard to believe we ascended 200ft (by lift and scaffolding) to achieve this little masterpiece; perhaps my queasy face says it all.

Said the photographer:

The ballerina had recently danced at the Albert Hall 200’ below, now in the arms of a gilded angel and glowing in a Neil Cunningham dress, she balanced motionless for a portrait destined for tomorrow’s newspaper.

What a strange commission … it was the idea of English Heritage to publicise the elaborate restoration of the Albert Memorial, to be unveiled by HRH Queen Elizabeth in a formal ceremony at night, with all the customary pomp and spectacle, plus a firework finale.

I photographed @darceybussellofficial debut in The Prince of the Pagodas, and all the dance up until her retirement from the Royal Ballet, onstage, backstage and in the studios, the challenge as always was to catch fleeting moments in subdued light. With a subject lying in repose, bathed in a strong soft light, albeit way up in the sky, it was by comparison, a gift.

Featured from the book ‘Portraits’ @unicornpubgroup © Laurie Lewis 2020

#laurielewisphotography
#neilcunninghamdress
#red

This #BritishVogue from December 2001 was in produ

This #BritishVogue from December 2001 was in production as the Twin Towers came tumbling down in September, diminishing creative spirits to say the least. I’m sure I remember hearing that Linda Evangelista couldn’t face boarding a plane to London to be photographed for this issue. Was delighted that my empire line gown of lilac silk organza was part of this fabulous story: ‘A Right Royal Do’ by the irreplaceable @LucindaChambers photographed by #MarioTestino . The #KateMoss photo by #Nick_Knight would later be nominated by PPA for the cover of the century. Thank you @pjcalder for the reminder.

#neilcunninghamdress
#vogue
#couture
#lilactime

Minnie Mouse is 92 years old today and my Minnie M

Minnie Mouse is 92 years old today and my Minnie Mouse dress is 21! Modelled (right) by @ingridwallinartist photographed by @garthaikens styled by @bryonytoogood for @Cosmopolitan_de for a #babydolldress story.

#minniemouse
#neilcunninghamdress
#garthaikens
#cosmopolitangermany
#bryonytoogood
#babydoll

Trains running as normal but carriages are virtual

Trains running as normal but carriages are virtually empty and stations are clean and glossy. It’s a rather civilised way to travel.

Frosty garden, river of fire – or perhaps just t

Frosty garden, river of fire – or perhaps just the hot breath of university rowers who don’t believe in social distancing! What a divided world we are this morning.

#thamestowpath
#thamesriver
#aroomwithaview
#nofilter

It’s always Halloween in this house with a maste

It’s always Halloween in this house with a masterpiece by @GlennBrownOfficial smiling down at us. Discovered this incredible artist 16 years ago at his Serpentine Galley exhibition and bought this limited edition print. I had to a sign a form that forbade me from selling it on Ebay. As if.

#glennbrown
#halloween

“I walk down the Strand with my gloves on my han

“I walk down the Strand with my gloves on my hand...” Wet empty streets of London this afternoon. We had front row seats for #SundayIntheParkwithGeorge at #Savoytheatre with @JakeGyllenhaal this
past July. Don’t believe the production will come here now but reassuring to see @thesavoylondon in all its gleaming glory. And happy birthday to Burlington Bertie herself @JulieAndrews !

#thesavoylondon
#sundaywestend
#london
#youhavechosenwisely

Thanks for the memory @fgolfar regramming photogra

Thanks for the memory @fgolfar regramming photography @hughstewartgallery for #britishvogue . @skyegyngell cooking in couture @petershamnurseries kitchen and there wasn’t a spot of oil on the dress afterwards!

Styling @emmaelwickbates
Hair @kerrywarnofficial
Make-up @audreybourke

#neilcunninghamdress
#red

Still feeling heartsore at the omission of Hilary

Still feeling heartsore at the omission of Hilary Mantel from the #bookerprize2020 shortlist. A hat trick was unlikely but ignoring one of our own treasures for the final round seems churlish and ungrateful to me.

I recently read her #spellbinding autobiography #givinguptheghost - I can’t recommend it enough.

#hilarymantel
#anticlimax

Remembering Fenella Fielding on the second anniver

Remembering Fenella Fielding on the second anniversary of her death today. I took this photograph of her having tea at #homehouselondon on 10th Oct 2017 just before she was due to give one of her memoir readings. We were also discussing outfit ideas for her upcoming 90th birthday party. It was a well kept secret that she was suffering from the early stages of dementia (she was also very deaf) and most people just thought she was just being a little more eccentric than usual. As soon as she stood in front of the audience however she was as right as rain and sharp as a pin and could answer any random question during the Q&A. My most vivid memory of the evening is watching Fenella meticulously applying her lipstick and nail varnish before the audience arrived.

#fenellafielding
#oneoff

Happy Birthday Barbara Windsor (yesterday). It’s

Happy Birthday Barbara Windsor (yesterday). It’s been a horrible week getting used to the idea of Babs in a care home and we send much love to dear @scott.mitchell3 for his selfless caring these past few painful years.

I took these photos of Barbara on the morning of her investiture in 2016, just before she set off for Buckingham Palace. Hat @racheltrevormorgan hair and make-up @ianmcintoshstyle

#damebarbarawindsor
#barbarawindsor
#ianmcintoshstyle
#racheltrevormorgan
#eyelashes

Couldn’t resist a quick peek at Ghislaine Maxwel

Couldn’t resist a quick peek at Ghislaine Maxwell’s childhood home, Headington Hill Hall on my bicycle ride this morning. Her tycoon father Robert Maxwell rented this 50-room mansion from Oxford City Council from 1958 until 1992 just after his death. He said it was the best council house in the country! I’m guessing he landed his helicopter in the back garden (pictured).

The house was built in 1824 for the Morrell family who were local brewers but the grand extension in 1856 – an Italianate mansion of an add-on – eclipsed the original building. The family lived there for 114 years and apparently Oscar Wilde was a guest at a fancy dress May Day ball given by the Morrells on May 1st 1878 (May Day is a big deal here in Oxford).

The building is now leased to Oxford Brookes University.

#headingtonhillhall
#englishmansion
#italianatemansion
#robertmaxwell
#ghislainemaxwell
#oscarwilde
#salemslot
#pyschohouse

This was the first time @davinamccall had worn any

This was the first time @davinamccall had worn any colour other than black for Big Brother UK and @ajknightstyle wanted full blown couture red for the BB 8 Grand Final, August 31st, 2007. Bias cut silk zibilene dress with ruby slippers @thepatrickcox . Davina photo: Stuart Wilson.

#bigbrotheruk
#bbuk
#davinamccall
#ajknightstyle
#neilcunninghamdress
#patrickcox

One of the (few) good things about my bonkers chri

One of the (few) good things about my bonkers christian upbringing was the absence of racism in our church. When you mixed with Jamaicans and Africans (people you called auntie and uncle) you naturally went out into the world colour blind.
I discovered this album when I was twelve and first started to learn about the history of the struggles of black America, the Klu Klux Klan and Strange Fruit via Billie Holiday.
Of course #blacklivesmatter

Wearing #monsieurlestud this weekend in tribute to

Wearing #monsieurlestud this weekend in tribute to my teenage crush @joancollinsdbe on her birthday. Great idea to be born on a bank holiday weekend!
I bought this #aftershave in #1978 when I was thirteen on my first trip to @Selfridges . Doesn’t smell quite the same after 42 years.

Also a shout out to #thestud himself @olivertobiasactor - haven’t seen you and Arabella since that evening at @richardyoung110 ‘s - was it 2001?! #joancollins #olivertobias #jackiecollins #fontainekhaled
#seventies #biddu #ronco #soundtracksonvinyl

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