The current special exhibit at The Biltmore in Asheville, NC is Fashionable Romance which features various wedding gowns that have been featured in films over the years. On a recent trip I was thrilled to discover that non-flash photography is permitted within the house if you use a cell phone or point and shoot camera (no larger cameras, tripods, selfie sticks or other larger photography equipment is allowed) so it allowed me the opportunity to capture some of the beauty of the dresses and men’s attire to share on the blog.
Many of the films were new to me but several were ones that I remember and the beauty of the costuming was not lost on me when I first saw them and certainly not as I viewed them in person at the estate.
I remember my dad loved the movie Out of Africa and so of course if he loved it I had to love it as well. Who wouldn’t love a movie with both Meryl Streep and Robert Redford? 
I remember the costuming was spectacular in this film and it makes me want to go back and rewatch it. The wedding gown was designed my Milena Canonero and the white silk hat was trimmed with floral embroidery and netting. It completed the outfit I think.
Don’t you love how they posed the mannequin just like the movie still?
How about this lovely dress from Hamlet? Once again they staged the dress beautifully with the mirror.
Gwyneth Paltrow starred in Emma in 1996 and the tone of the costuming for this early 1800’s based film was understated. Several outfits were on display from this film and they were simply stunning.
Another film I had never heard of was The Magnificent Ambersons which came out in 2002. The dress created by John Bright shows the 1880’s wedding dress style.
Mansfield Park, a film made in 2007, featured another 1800’s style wedding dress that was worn by Jane Austen’s beloved Fanny Price that was designed by Mike O’Neill. Simple but beautiful.
The Aristocrats was a 1999 film based on the lives of the Lennox sisters and the gown on display was typical of the 1740-1750 time period.
Costume designer James Keast designed the following dress for Geraldine Somerville to wear as she portrayed Lady Emily Lennox.
There were a lot of other dresses on display but you will have to go see the exhibit for yourself to see those I have not included on my blog tour. The exhibit runs February 12 – July 4, 2016 so you still have plenty of time. For more information about tickets and pricing click here.
To round out the exhibit the folks at The Biltmore have continued the experience in Antler Hill Village where the exhibition continues with displays that focus on the weddings of George and Edith Vanderbilt, their daughter, Cornelia and Joh Francis Amherst Cecil and grandson William A. V. Cecil and Mary Lee Ryan. The exhibit shares with visitors the first ever display of the family wedding veil worn by Mary Lee Ryan and her first cousin, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier at her marriage to John F. Kennedy. 
If you want to read the other posts I have shared on this wonderful exhibition please feel free to click on the following links to go directly to those posts.
Fashionable Romance at The Biltmore
Fashionable Romance at The Biltmore Continues
26 Comments
Leave a commentAnother wonderful post, Beth Anne! I can imagine all the “oohs” and “aahs” that can be heard as folks visit this exhibit.
It really is a fun exhibit with all of the wonderful costumes. There were a lot from movies that I had not even heard of but it got me interested in checking out those movies.
Thanks, Beth. That was interesting. Mark and I enjoyed a visit there a couple of years ago. It’s grand.
It really is a grand place, isn’t it? That is a great way to describe it. Thanks for stopping by.
I can´t get enough of these amazing costumes. They are incredible. The ones from Out of Africa and Emma, two of my favourite films, are so special. Thanks so much for taking me with you on this trip as I won´t be able to make it!
You are very welcome. I wish the pictures were a little bit better but at least you get the idea of how beautiful the displays are.
The pictures are just fine!!
Not really related, but one of my all time favorite movies was Doctor Zhivago – and after seeing that, Julie Christie (above in Hamlet), was also a favorite. (But I will admit, I had a crush on Omar Sharif until the day he died!)
What a fun place to visit! I love the Renaissance dresses.
Thanks, Robin. It really is a lovely place.
I’ve never heard of most of these movies, but I’ve so enjoyed following along and seeing the beautiful dresses!
Thanks, Katy. I think most of these were probably before your time—I have really not seen a lot of them myself but probably because I am just not into period films like some people. But the costumes are amazing.
Ditto that ^ never heard of most of these movies, but have certainly enjoyed the tour! Biltmore should hire you as a Liaison, I’ve been 100 % more aware of the Biltmore since you moved to NC!
Glad you have enjoyed this series. I am sure there will be more coming since I plan to visit often but I will try not to bore you. 🙂
Beautiful and elegant! Lovely post!
Thank you so much, Delores!
This is so very cool!
They are so good at getting great exhibits to augment the beauty of the estate which makes it always something different to go see.
Oh, this would be fun to see. But the headless torsos or blank face torsos look a bit frightening.
I guess when you view them in person the focus is so much on the costume and the surroundings that you don’t really notice the beheaded nature of the mannequins. Or at least I didn’t. But yes–it could freak one out.
Beth Ann, I totally want to go there now! Those gowns are gorgeous! I love to look at period clothing. Even though these are from film, you know the designer had to do their homework to get the details right. It is so interesting to see how people dressed, and how certain elements of fashion make their way around again. Here’s to shoulder pads never rearing their ugly heads again!!
Miranda—it is such a fun exhibit. We are so happy to be able tp pop over here anytime we have time to go and when they have great exhibits like this one I just have to go. I have to agree with the shoulder pad ban!
Gorgeous! I love the one from Emma because I actually wore a similar one (not as elaborate of course) for a high school play. Having the accurate costume really makes it easier to get into the role — especially when a corset is involved!! Ouch – I don’t know how women lived like that daily back then. No wonder they were prone to fainting – they couldn’t breathe properly! 🙂
How cool—and yes—Those dresses look TIGHT!
It’s definitely on my to visit list.
Let me know when you come, okay? I will meet you ! In person! Yay!