The 1970s saw a slew of excellent BBC costume dramas, including the 1974 mini-series The Pallisers, based on several novels by Anthony Trollope. Raymond Hughes, who worked on projects such as Doctor Who and Return to Oz, helped to design the hundreds of costumes required for The Pallisers, which spanned many years and the ever-changing silhouette of the Victorian era. The costumes for The Pallisers went on to be used in numerous productions over the years, including The Paradise, The Buccaneers, and the Onedin Line.

This beautifully embroidered gown appeared in The Pallisers, where Susan Hampshire wore it as Glencora Palliser, Duchess of Omnium. In 1977 it was seen in The Onedin Line episode Dead Man’s Cargo, where Jessica Benton wore it as Elizabeth Frazer. In 1993 it was spotted on an extra in the episode of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman entitled Where the Heart Is. The following year it was used as a prop in the mini-series Scarlett. Finally, in 2006 it was worn by Scarlett Johansson as Olivia in The Prestige.

The gown was eventually put on display several years ago as a part of Cosprop’s Cinematic Couture exhibit. Photos of the exhibit allow one to better view the incredible amount of detail that went into every aspect of the costume.