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neilcunninghamdotcom

Designer, film-maker. London, Oxford. Late to Instagram. Every day’s a throwback day!

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 New Year’s Eve @richardyoung110 ‘s - was it 2001?! #joancollins #olivertobias #jackiecollins #fontainekhaled
#seventies #biddu #ronco #soundtracksonvinyl

'Chelsea Bows' by Warner Fabrics 1985. So sad for

'Chelsea Bows' by Warner Fabrics 1985.
So sad for the Chelsea Flower Show exhibitors and my milliner pals at what should have been their busiest time of year.
Back to the 80s: we were instantly drawn to this camp confection of bows and roses on glazed cotton from the ‘Fabric on Fabric collection' by Warner (double chintz!) and couldn’t resist making a ballgown from it (Amadeus and Dangerous Liaisons were still hot). Liberty liked the idea and subsequently took orders in their Liberty prints and featured the gowns in their Regent Street windows.

I subsequently realised that the fabric-print-on-the-fabric was of course Warner’s classic ‘Maryport’ – as chosen by Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire for her sofa and armchairs at Chatsworth. She took them with her when she moved to the Old Vicarage on the estate, ( Debo portrait @simonuptonphotos ) so she must have loved this print very much.

#chintz
#80sdecor
#chelseabows
#chelseaflowershow
#maryport
#warnerfabrics
#warnerfabricsarchive
#warnertextilearchives
#warnervintagefabrics
#englishcountrystyle
#chatsworth
#chatsworthhousestyle
#mitford
#mitfordsisters

The party’s over; we drank tea, made bunting fro

The party’s over; we drank tea, made bunting from old shirts and boxer shorts and polished the silverware.

#veday
#winstonchurchill
#tea
#wedgwood
#cufflink
#cufflinks
#cufflinksdesign
#cufflinkstyle

“The springtime bride is starry-eyed... “ Bela

“The springtime bride is starry-eyed... “ Belated anniversary wishes to one of my most beautiful and elegant brides, Wiggy; marrying William Hindmarch in 2005 (photography @douglasfry )and now a successful designer herself @wiggykit . The bias-cut silk zibeline gown features mint imperial sized ball buttons and an @andrewrtprince brooch made to order.

#douglasfry
#neilcunninghamdress
#wiggykit
#andrewrtprince
#englishcountrywedding
#bride
#bridalgown
#weddingdress
#weddinggown
#whiteanemone
#springtime

RIP Honor Blackman, here wearing my women’s tuxe

RIP Honor Blackman, here wearing my women’s tuxedo and slasher pants suit. Photograph @alanstrutt styling @ajknightstyle 20 years almost to the day, April 2000. She put her enduring beauty and taut face down to drinking lots of water and eating mood enhancing foods.

#honorblackman
#honorblackmanrip
#neilcunninghamdress
#alanstrutt
#ajknightstyle
#womenstuxedo
#womenstailoring
#jamesbond
#jamesbond007
#jamesbondstyle
#jamesbondgirl
#bondgirl
#pussygalore
#goldfinger

Phillip Schofield’s lovely wife Stephanie chose

Phillip Schofield’s lovely wife Stephanie chose this gown to wear for their wedding 27 years ago. It was called “Marrying A Sailor” and she ordered it from my collection at Liberty before I opened my shop.

There are many routes to a happy and successful marriage. Best wishes to you both @schofe
The nautical themed gown was definitely a nod to the designs of #irenesharaff but the collar was actually shawl, not sailor. It was also a tribute to the 1960s empire line wedding gowns I can just remember tailing out in the early 70s.

#neilcunninghamdress modelled by #julietownsend photographed at #hartwellhouse
by #beningham in 1992.

#marryingasailor
#duchessesatin
#bridalgown
#weddingdress
#weddinggown

Remembering the face of the seventies, icon Farrah

Remembering the face of the seventies, icon Farrah Fawcett on her birthday and @ryan_o_neal .

The Many of Moods of Farrah was an art decoration, a box of twelve original 1977 Farrah Fawcett Majors fashion doll heads by Mego. Produced by a doll manufacturing company liquidating its inventory, and distributed by Urban Outfitters and other kitsch art retailers. Ready to hang on the wall. Circa early 1990s.

Photographed in my West End workroom 2003 by @mikegoldwater

#themanymoodsoffarrah
#farrahfawcett
#farrahfawcettmajors
#mikegoldwater
#mego

Okay, so it wasn’t exactly Dynasty calling, but

Okay, so it wasn’t exactly Dynasty calling, but when asked if I’d make a gala gown for Joan Collins for her upcoming stint in the infamous Footballers' Wives TV (2005) series, as far as I was concerned, it was a no-brainer.
Read the full story of dressing the irresistible @joancollinsdbe at http://neilcunningham.com/royal-purple-for-dame-joan/

Thanks so much to @tonywardpix for his beautiful photo (sorry I just had to crop out Zöe Lucker). #joancollins #joancollinsdbe #joancollinsbeauty #joancollinsfashion #joancollinsbeautyforever #alexiscolby #tonywardpix
#neilcunninghamdress #couture #hautecouture #royalpurple #duchessesatin #dynasty #gayicon #legend

Gloomy dramatic skies above Piccadilly this aftern

Gloomy dramatic skies above Piccadilly this afternoon (no filter); as I continued on to Green Park I swear there was steam rising from Buckingham Palace.

Last Supper in Pompeii with @carol_m_lister and #b

Last Supper in Pompeii with @carol_m_lister and #bacchus at the Ashmolean Museum. Last few days in fact.

Our town and country tree with a suitably pagan #t

Our town and country tree with a suitably pagan #thewickerman backdrop. Homemade Christmas pudding baubles (27 years old, made from ping-pong balls and Fimo) and loads from the consistently brilliant @frompaperchase .Can you spot @Bentheoandrews smiling at us through the pine needles too? Happy holidays everyone.

#thewickerman1973

Reposting Wesley Morgan on Instagram: “Throwing

Reposting Wesley Morgan on Instagram: “Throwing way back to 20 years ago. I always loved working for @neilcunninghamdotcom. Such a gentleman who produced classy campaigns to compliment his bespoke clothing. I’m still with @nevsmodels for bookings. 😜

#heidiwichlinski wears #neilcunninghamdress #wez_morgan_fitness wears #hugoboss and
widescreen TV ring by #stephenwebsterjewellery photographed by #bronwynkidd at Highpoint Highgate designed by architect #bertholdlubetkin

Charming sight at Marylebone Station yesterday (Su

Charming sight at Marylebone Station yesterday (Sunday 8.30am) of ten geezers armed with baubles and fairy lights employed by Mitie Landscapes to erect this almighty tree. When we returned at 5pm it was looking very impressive indeed.

#mitielandscapes
#marylebonestation
#marylebone
#christmastreelondon
#christmastree
#london

Posted during the witching hour; this silk organza

Posted during the witching hour; this silk organza empire line gown was the show finale dress for my Autumn/Winter 1999 collection seeing out the century with a deep sense of mourning. Also a nod to the #wickedwitchofthewest (three years before #wickedthemusical )and #margarethamilton – the witch to end them all. Silk tulle draped hat made to match @edwinaibbotson .Photographed in 2003 @mikegoldwater .

#neilcunninghamdress
#mikegoldwater
#edwinaibbotson

Reposting @pjcalder:⠀ ...⠀ "Stella Tennant wea

Reposting @pjcalder:⠀
...⠀
"Stella Tennant wearing @neilcunninghamdotcom hair @gianniscumaci mup Samantha Bryant 📷 #timwalker @kphelan123 @robinderrick November 2005 #britishvogue #myfashionbookshelves #thepennyedit #neilcunninghamdress

When did Fortnums green become Tiffany blue?! #for

When did Fortnums green become Tiffany blue?! #fortnumandmason
#tiffanyandco

The best gift, and Thomas agrees. #franlebowitz wh

The best gift, and Thomas agrees. #franlebowitz where have you been all my life?

#catsofinstagram

Flowers for Fenella. The wonderful #fenellafieldin

Flowers for Fenella. The wonderful #fenellafielding died a year ago today aged 90. I snapped her backstage at #zedels just before one of her memoir readings. We were looking at new blouse ideas - she wanted a big rose near her face. This was intended to be worn for her upcoming OBE presentation in November. Sadly she didn’t make it.
Read my story about dressing Fenella at http://www.neilcunningham.com/in-search-of-fenella-fielding

Fred the gardener is the best kept secret in #oxfo

Fred the gardener is the best kept secret in #oxfordshire – no tags, no contact details – aren’t we lucky to have him @aynhoepark @jamesaynhoe ?
#beardedgardener
#beardsofinstagram

Sausage sandwiches and bone china for Fred – one

Sausage sandwiches and bone china for Fred – one of the best gardeners in #oxfordshire. He prefers a cup and saucer and says a #sausagesandwich is the food of the gods.

Darcey and Daisy! So pleased to see Joan Corlass a

Darcey and Daisy! So pleased to see Joan Corlass acknowledged for her Daisy illustrations for Mary Quant back in the Seventies.
The ruffled halter-neckline in this sticker book (right) made such an impression on me as an eight year-old in 1973 that it finally became a feature on a dress I designed for Darcey @darceybussellofficial (left) to wear at the 1997 British Fashion Awards.

#darceybussell
#neilcunninghamdress
#taronisilk
#ginashoes
#britishfashionawards
#maryquant
#maryquantexhibition
#joancorlass
#daisydoll
#froufrou

Another afternoon with Dior and Quant and best bud

Another afternoon with Dior and Quant and best buddy AJ Knight from Conde Nast days @ajknightstyle .For me this mini-masterpiece of a dress trimmed with lily-of-the-valley is a study in achieving the perfect shade of ivory. Lots of putty grey in the creamy mix for the definitive bone white.

#christiandiordesignerofdreams
#lilyofthevalley

It was the birthday of #coralbrowne on the 23rd (

It was the birthday of #coralbrowne on the 23rd ( thanks @dameednaeverage ). The most charismatic and witty actress of stage and screen so sorely missed. Remember her in #auntiemame and An Englishman Abroad by #alanbennett ? And of course the wonderful #killingofsistergeorge with #berylreid (poster from my own collection). This 1960s style wool crepe number became a staple of my ready-to-wear range in the noughties; we even called it the Jackie dress. In black or navy it was the perfect office-through-to-cocktails outfit. When we tried it in red however the effect was the full blown predatory #mercycroft ...

On a clear day you can see the stitching. Last Bar

On a clear day you can see the stitching. Last Barbra-in-London post: July 2004; Planet Hollywood Leicester Square; surprise window full of costumes from #onacleardaycanseeforever plus the panne velvet cape #barbra wore to the Royal Film Premiere for Funny Lady. Check out the #embroidery and #beading detail and frayed hemline.

The theme was #streisand in England to promote the upcoming #juliensauctions sale of B’s own clothes and possessions. The iconic white beaded gown only went for about 8,000 US (?) but surprisingly it ended up back in the mall/cellar of @barbrastreisand . Do we think she was bidding for this herself? Did she buy it back? Was the sale an inside job?! Who is there among us who knows? @babsdude @barbramemes @streisandstylefiles please help.

The teaming of director #vincenteminnelli with the #myfairlady composers for #onaclearday featuring the Semitic beauty of #barbrastreisand photographed by legendary cinematographer #harrystradling in #cecilbeaton Regency costumes at #brightonpavillion was in my opinion sheer genius.

#melindatentrees
#lovewithallthetrimmings
#costumedesign
#fashioninfilm
#filmcostume
#hollywoodcostumes
#hollywoodcostume
#couture

Barbra & Kris forty-three years on... #barbrastrei

Barbra & Kris forty-three years on...
#barbrastreisand
#kriskristofferson
#astarisborn1976
#lostinsideofyou
#ahappeninginhydepark
#nofilter

And she’s here! Sunday in the park with #barbras

And she’s here! Sunday in the park with #barbrastreisand #ahappeninginhydepark

Where did a year go? Best of luck for tonight’s

Where did a year go? Best of luck for tonight’s supper club @blo.deady #blodeady

Happy Anniversary @joolsoliver and @jamieoliver .

Happy Anniversary @joolsoliver and @jamieoliver . I wasn’t going to release these from the vault until your 20th next year but hey-ho happy 19th instead. Happy memories of a lovely day. X

#joolsoliver
#neilcunninghamdress

Long overdue visit to the gardens @asthallmanor bu

Long overdue visit to the gardens @asthallmanor buzzing with #mitford history and catching up with old pal @carol_m_lister after more than twenty years. Veteran jewellery buyer (previously @libertylondon and @harveynichols ); have long admired Carol’s stoic lust for life and the attention she pays to the minutiae of her pursuits!

She wears #vintage embroidered skirt, #driesvannoten top, jacket from #v_and_a_shop (online), flip-flops by #mykonossandals , jewellery and bag bought in Delhi!

With thanks to new friend Andy @brixtoneast1871 for his wheels.
Also #mitfordsisters graves #swinbrook

The somewhat ubiquitous image of the grave of #dia

The somewhat ubiquitous image of the grave of #dianamosely but finally standing six feet above three #mitfordsisters is definitely a moment.

#dianamitford
#swinbrook

Show me your peonies and I’ll show you mine @lyd

Show me your peonies and I’ll show you mine @lydiasmag .It’s been a #myfairlady overture @marksandspencer this past month.

#peony #peonies

“Just hearing the name #Fenellafielding sent a t

“Just hearing the name #Fenellafielding sent a tingle of excitement up your spine...” said Giles Brandreth at her memorial service yesterday. Dame Cleo Laine sang, as did Andy Bell and David McAlmont. Sian Phillips and a host of others performed. Everyone agreed that her totally unique and bewitching voice would be so painfully missed.

Thrilled to meet Miriam Margoyles and to see #valerieleon again.

From my own archive: Mrs Ziegler’s dress from #e

From my own archive: Mrs Ziegler’s dress from #eyeswideshut. Slightly more than a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment (30 seconds to be precise) but to hear from the costume department that #stanleykubrick loved the pink dress was a reward in itself. He used this precise shade of salmon pink as an accent colour throughout the #eyeswideshutmovie and #theshining most noticeably in the party/ballroom scenes.
#stanleykubrick
#stanleykubrickpink
#neilcunninghamdress
#duchessesatin
#buchefabric

The creepy masks of #eyeswideshut that inspired a

The creepy masks of #eyeswideshut that inspired a generation of middle-class swingers!

#discoverkubrick
#stanleykubrickexhibition
#stanleykubrick
#eyeswideshutmovie

Contact relic status costumes @designmuseum – cu

Contact relic status costumes @designmuseum – currently a shrine to #stanleykubrick.

#discoverkubrick
#stanleykubrickexhibition #theshining

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