By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
A collection of Victorian era diminutive sailor suits is set to be displayed. The trend of nautical fashion gained popularity in 1846 after Queen Victoria commissioned a sailor uniform for her son, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, aboard the royal yacht. The Leeds Discovery Centre will exhibit these outfits as part of a broader exploration of local tailors and their impact on style and manufacturing over the centuries.
Natalie Raw, curator at Leeds Museums and Galleries, highlighted sailor suits as a "fascinating early example" of how a public figure's distinctive attire can create a lasting trend.
The collection features various blue and white outfits, including dresses and bell bottom trousers, which became fashionable among children from affluent families during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Prince Albert was reportedly so taken with the suit made for his son that he commissioned a painting of the Prince of Wales wearing it, further popularizing the style among wealthy families.
By the late 1800s, sailor suits had become more mainstream, according to a spokesperson for Leeds Museums and Galleries. Tailors like John Barrans of Leeds began to specialize in children’s clothing, earning the moniker "little boys tailor."
Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles, and culture at Leeds City Council, expressed fascination at seeing locally made outfits that contributed to historic trends. She noted that the collections offer visitors insight into the city’s unique history and the creativity of past residents who helped shape modern Leeds.
An event at Leeds Discovery Centre will feature Victorian pictures and a workshop on 31 July from 10:00 to 12:00. Additionally, the collection will be part of a larger exhibition of children’s clothing at Lotherton Hall, Aberford, in March next year.
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