reused in Downton Sixbey (LAte Night with Jimmy Fallon) (at least the hat)
Didn’t look up the actor
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/13/article-2129570-129677D1000005DC-547_306x423.jpg
Use the scrollbar to explore costumes in this gallery or select a time period above to visit a different gallery.
Use the scrollbar to explore costumes in this gallery or select a time period above to visit a different gallery.
1998
Costume seen on Briony Glassco as Lady Constance Lamson-Scribener
2002
Costume seen on Barbara Flynn as Emily Forsyte
2010
Costume seen on Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
2011
Costume seen on Jennifer Saunders as the Dowager Countess of Grantham
The book The World of Downton Abbey claims that this purple ensemble was created especially for Maggie Smith for the series. Susannah Buxton, the show’s Emmy-winning costume designer, seems to re-affirm this fact in an article by the Hollywood Reporter, where she stated, “all of her costumes are made just for her.” However, it seems more likely that the costume – the dress, blouse, and hat were specially assembled for her, not made from scratch, as this costume very clearly makes earlier appearances.
The first known sighting of this costume was in 1998 on Briony Glassco as Lady Constance Lamson-Scribener in Berkeley Square. In 2002 it was used again in The Forsyte Saga, where Barbara Flynn wore it as Emily Forsyte. In 2010 it was finally seen on Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in the first season of Downton Abbey. It was used a fourth time on Jennifer Saunders impersonating the Dowager Countess of Grantham in a 2011 Red Nose Day Sketch entitled Uptown Downstairs Abbey. You can view the skit here.
The costume belongs to Cosprop, and you can see a highly detailed view of the costume on their website here.
Share this piece of costume history here!
Have you seen this gown somewhere else? Do you need to be given credit for this sighting? Do you have corrections, additions or changes you would like to make?
Have you ever watched a film and noticed a character walk by in a gown that you just know you’ve seen before? Recycled Movie Costumes is dedicated to documenting the life of a costume through its various appearances on film and television.
The book The World of Downton Abbey claims that this purple ensemble was created especially for Maggie Smith for the series. Susannah Buxton, the show’s Emmy-winning costume designer, seems to re-affirm this fact in an article by the Hollywood Reporter, where she stated, “all of her costumes are made just for her.” However, it seems more likely that the costume – the dress, blouse, and hat were specially assembled for her, not made from scratch, as this costume very clearly makes earlier appearances.
The first known sighting of this costume was in 1998 on Briony Glassco as Lady Constance Lamson-Scribener in Berkeley Square. In 2002 it was used again in The Forsyte Saga, where Barbara Flynn wore it as Emily Forsyte. In 2010 it was finally seen on Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in the first season of Downton Abbey. It was used a fourth time on Jennifer Saunders impersonating the Dowager Countess of Grantham in a 2011 Red Nose Day Sketch entitled Uptown Downstairs Abbey. You can view the skit here.
The costume belongs to Cosprop, and you can see a highly detailed view of the costume on their website here.
Share this piece of costume history here!
The book The World of Downton Abbey claims that this purple ensemble was created especially for Maggie Smith for the series. Susannah Buxton, the show’s Emmy-winning costume designer, seems to re-affirm this fact in an article by the Hollywood Reporter, where she stated, “all of her costumes are made just for her.” However, it seems more likely that the costume – the dress, blouse, and hat were specially assembled for her, not made from scratch, as this costume very clearly makes earlier appearances.
The first known sighting of this costume was in 1998 on Briony Glassco as Lady Constance Lamson-Scribener in Berkeley Square. In 2002 it was used again in The Forsyte Saga, where Barbara Flynn wore it as Emily Forsyte. In 2010 it was finally seen on Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in the first season of Downton Abbey. It was used a fourth time on Jennifer Saunders impersonating the Dowager Countess of Grantham in a 2011 Red Nose Day Sketch entitled Uptown Downstairs Abbey. You can view the skit here.
The costume belongs to Cosprop, and you can see a highly detailed view of the costume on their website here.
Share this piece of costume history here!
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reused in Downton Sixbey (LAte Night with Jimmy Fallon) (at least the hat)
Didn’t look up the actor
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/13/article-2129570-129677D1000005DC-547_306x423.jpg
Log in to ReplyI think the Late Night wardrobe dept. did a fab job recreating the look of Maggie Smith’s hat, but I don’t think they’re the same. 🙂
Log in to ReplyI would agree.
Log in to ReplyIn The World of Downton Abbey it says the outfit was created for Maggie Smith. The fabric was created by reproducing an Edwardian print onto silk. The design was based on a jacket from that era. The designers used original lace for the edging and cuff detail. The blouse had a lace bow and high neck added. The hat has vintage cotton baubles covered with a fine net dyed to match the suit.
Perhaps the Berkley Square version is the original Edwardian piece or also copied from a period piece?
Log in to ReplyThank you for sharing this info!
Log in to ReplyYes, the outfit was *put together* for Maggie Smith (and likely the hat was created especially for her), but the dress was already made prior to that, built from custom-printed silk, but for some other production. See Anna’s message below with link to article from the DM. I tend to think that the person quoted in that article was from one of the costume houses, and was specifically referring to when the costume was produced, but was quoted out of context perhaps because Jessica Fellowes misunderstood the context (when she wrote that article for the DM).
Log in to ReplyThank you! I appreciate this info, as it is definitely the same dress each time.
Log in to ReplyIf someone is interested, I’ve created a list in GoodReads of purple gowns in book covers. Check it here: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/24348.The_Lady_in_Purple
Log in to ReplyThe top of this costume appears in
The Forsyte Saga
2002
Costume seen on Barbara Flynn as Emily Forsyte
i wonder about this article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2035619/DOWNTON-ABBEY-SPECIAL-Is-thrilling-new-frock-The-magnificent-outfits-shows-big-stars.html) which clearly states, that this dress was made especially and with some concern and effort for maggie smith. like that dress “made” for monica belucci? oO
Log in to ReplyHow bizarre. Thank you so much for sharing! I mean, it does clearly say the blouse was altered, and the hat was new…but they do talk about the fabric and lace being made for Maggie when they quite clearly originate from Berkely Square (or earlier). I wonder if the costume designer said all of this, or if they just made this up for the article? I know there is another article somewhere that the costume designer clearly states that yes, they use recycled costumes, except for Maggie Smith’s, which are all new. That clearly just cannot be the case…maybe with the second season, but certainly not the first!
Log in to ReplyThe article says the “outfit was made for Maggie Smith.” Well, that’s true (sort of); the pieces were combined together specifically for Smith, and perhaps the hat was made especially for her, and maybe even the blouse. But we know the dress wasn’t. Perhaps the speaker in that blurb is from Nathan & Berman’s or Cosprop; they probably did have the fabric especially made up, but it wasn’t for Smith.
Log in to ReplyPlus, it’s the Daily Mail. Remember the article they wrote filled with lies about PBS Masterpiece Theatre?
Log in to ReplyYes, you’re very right. The fabric probably was specially made. Just not for her. Very misleading. Daily Mail? More like the ‘Daily Fail’, as I’ve heard it called by some Brits. I find that hilarious. 🙂
Log in to ReplyDo you have more information to add to this page?
Do you have a brand new costume to share?
reused in Downton Sixbey (LAte Night with Jimmy Fallon) (at least the hat)
Didn’t look up the actor
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/13/article-2129570-129677D1000005DC-547_306x423.jpg
Log in to ReplyI think the Late Night wardrobe dept. did a fab job recreating the look of Maggie Smith’s hat, but I don’t think they’re the same. 🙂
Log in to ReplyI would agree.
Log in to ReplyIn The World of Downton Abbey it says the outfit was created for Maggie Smith. The fabric was created by reproducing an Edwardian print onto silk. The design was based on a jacket from that era. The designers used original lace for the edging and cuff detail. The blouse had a lace bow and high neck added. The hat has vintage cotton baubles covered with a fine net dyed to match the suit.
Perhaps the Berkley Square version is the original Edwardian piece or also copied from a period piece?
Log in to ReplyThank you for sharing this info!
Log in to ReplyYes, the outfit was *put together* for Maggie Smith (and likely the hat was created especially for her), but the dress was already made prior to that, built from custom-printed silk, but for some other production. See Anna’s message below with link to article from the DM. I tend to think that the person quoted in that article was from one of the costume houses, and was specifically referring to when the costume was produced, but was quoted out of context perhaps because Jessica Fellowes misunderstood the context (when she wrote that article for the DM).
Log in to ReplyThank you! I appreciate this info, as it is definitely the same dress each time.
Log in to ReplyIf someone is interested, I’ve created a list in GoodReads of purple gowns in book covers. Check it here: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/24348.The_Lady_in_Purple
Log in to ReplyThe top of this costume appears in
The Forsyte Saga
2002
Costume seen on Barbara Flynn as Emily Forsyte
i wonder about this article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2035619/DOWNTON-ABBEY-SPECIAL-Is-thrilling-new-frock-The-magnificent-outfits-shows-big-stars.html) which clearly states, that this dress was made especially and with some concern and effort for maggie smith. like that dress “made” for monica belucci? oO
Log in to ReplyHow bizarre. Thank you so much for sharing! I mean, it does clearly say the blouse was altered, and the hat was new…but they do talk about the fabric and lace being made for Maggie when they quite clearly originate from Berkely Square (or earlier). I wonder if the costume designer said all of this, or if they just made this up for the article? I know there is another article somewhere that the costume designer clearly states that yes, they use recycled costumes, except for Maggie Smith’s, which are all new. That clearly just cannot be the case…maybe with the second season, but certainly not the first!
Log in to ReplyThe article says the “outfit was made for Maggie Smith.” Well, that’s true (sort of); the pieces were combined together specifically for Smith, and perhaps the hat was made especially for her, and maybe even the blouse. But we know the dress wasn’t. Perhaps the speaker in that blurb is from Nathan & Berman’s or Cosprop; they probably did have the fabric especially made up, but it wasn’t for Smith.
Log in to ReplyPlus, it’s the Daily Mail. Remember the article they wrote filled with lies about PBS Masterpiece Theatre?
Log in to ReplyYes, you’re very right. The fabric probably was specially made. Just not for her. Very misleading. Daily Mail? More like the ‘Daily Fail’, as I’ve heard it called by some Brits. I find that hilarious. 🙂
Log in to Reply
Costume Commentary
reused in Downton Sixbey (LAte Night with Jimmy Fallon) (at least the hat)
Didn’t look up the actor
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/13/article-2129570-129677D1000005DC-547_306x423.jpg
I think the Late Night wardrobe dept. did a fab job recreating the look of Maggie Smith’s hat, but I don’t think they’re the same. 🙂
I would agree.
In The World of Downton Abbey it says the outfit was created for Maggie Smith. The fabric was created by reproducing an Edwardian print onto silk. The design was based on a jacket from that era. The designers used original lace for the edging and cuff detail. The blouse had a lace bow and high neck added. The hat has vintage cotton baubles covered with a fine net dyed to match the suit.
Perhaps the Berkley Square version is the original Edwardian piece or also copied from a period piece?
Thank you for sharing this info!
Yes, the outfit was *put together* for Maggie Smith (and likely the hat was created especially for her), but the dress was already made prior to that, built from custom-printed silk, but for some other production. See Anna’s message below with link to article from the DM. I tend to think that the person quoted in that article was from one of the costume houses, and was specifically referring to when the costume was produced, but was quoted out of context perhaps because Jessica Fellowes misunderstood the context (when she wrote that article for the DM).
Thank you! I appreciate this info, as it is definitely the same dress each time.
If someone is interested, I’ve created a list in GoodReads of purple gowns in book covers. Check it here: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/24348.The_Lady_in_Purple
The top of this costume appears in
The Forsyte Saga
2002
Costume seen on Barbara Flynn as Emily Forsyte
i wonder about this article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2035619/DOWNTON-ABBEY-SPECIAL-Is-thrilling-new-frock-The-magnificent-outfits-shows-big-stars.html) which clearly states, that this dress was made especially and with some concern and effort for maggie smith. like that dress “made” for monica belucci? oO
How bizarre. Thank you so much for sharing! I mean, it does clearly say the blouse was altered, and the hat was new…but they do talk about the fabric and lace being made for Maggie when they quite clearly originate from Berkely Square (or earlier). I wonder if the costume designer said all of this, or if they just made this up for the article? I know there is another article somewhere that the costume designer clearly states that yes, they use recycled costumes, except for Maggie Smith’s, which are all new. That clearly just cannot be the case…maybe with the second season, but certainly not the first!
The article says the “outfit was made for Maggie Smith.” Well, that’s true (sort of); the pieces were combined together specifically for Smith, and perhaps the hat was made especially for her, and maybe even the blouse. But we know the dress wasn’t. Perhaps the speaker in that blurb is from Nathan & Berman’s or Cosprop; they probably did have the fabric especially made up, but it wasn’t for Smith.
Plus, it’s the Daily Mail. Remember the article they wrote filled with lies about PBS Masterpiece Theatre?
Yes, you’re very right. The fabric probably was specially made. Just not for her. Very misleading. Daily Mail? More like the ‘Daily Fail’, as I’ve heard it called by some Brits. I find that hilarious. 🙂