The Rise and Fall of an Haute Couturier

Adam Solomons | Issue 2 | Culture & Travel, Magazine

From the Archive

Norman Hartnell: The Biography, by Michael Pick, reviewed by Adam Solomons

The autobiography by the Queen’s longtime stylist, Angela Kelly, will likely steal the attention from Michael Pick’s forensic look at the life of the couturier Norman Hartnell, which is a shame, because this is a fascinating study of the life of the man who designed dresses for three queens during a 47-year career at the centre of British haute couture. Pick takes us on the odyssey of Hartnell’s life, from his humble origins as a Streatham publican’s son through to his career highs, such as designing the Queen’s Coronation gown in 1953, and then the decline of his business through misjudgement and poor management. It’s hard not to be moved by the image of Hartnell working past retirement age to pay off debts. A poignant read.

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.