The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina has more than just opulent furnishings and massive rooms.  One of the best things, in my humble opinion, is the ability of the estate to offer more experiences to their visitors.  The Biltmore management team is superb at enticing visitors back to the estate time and time again by offering new experiences.

One of my favorite things that is offered at The Biltmore has to be the different costumes that they have featured in the house over the past few years.  From Downton Abbey to famous films to the current exhibit Glamour on Board – Fashion from Titanic the Movie the Biltmore offers visitors new and unique experiences .

My sister, Paula, is a Titanic freak of sorts.  I think she would agree. She loves the movie and anything and everything related to it so when I found out that they were having this exhibit AND that she had wanted to take some vacation AND that it was her birthday in April  I knew this was the perfect gift.  The stars aligned and she and her husband made a trip to visit and she and I spent the day at The Biltmore celebrating her birthday.  We did the special guided tour, had lunch and then went back and toured the house a bit more leisurely.  It was fabulous.

Perhaps my favorite outfit from the exhibit was this first one that was on display on the tour. Love it. This is the dress that Rose makes her first appearance in on the docks in the movie and the tie to Edith Vanderbilt is strong.  The dress is patterned after a dress in the January 1912 issue of Les Modes magazine which Edith had in her possession.  We were thrilled to see a photocopy (the magazine is not on display due to the age) of that same dress.

The estate borrowed 50 + costumes from 20th Century Fox and they are placed throughout the massive house in various rooms, in various poses and all very elegantly presented.

Most will remember this iconic scene from the movie and the dress that Kate Winslet wore was even more beautiful in person.

George and Edith Vanderbilt had a tie to the Titanic and actually had tickets to be on board that fated vessel.  However they changed their plans at the last minute to travel on the RMS Olympic instead to get back home to the Biltmore earlier.  George claimed they were homesick and the earlier sailing date would get them back to their beloved estate earlier.  Unfortunately many who loved the Vanderbilts did not know of their change of plans and feared that they too were among those lost at sea when the Titanic sunk.

One of the most elegant and lovely of the costumes caught my eye – maybe because of the color?

Our tour guide was really great at giving us all the details about the clothing and the stories behind the movie, the characters and the tie ins with the Vanderbilts.  It was really enlightening and such a great way to learn more about this time period as well.

One of the things that fascinated me the most was the “wigs” on each of the mannikins.  Our guide told us that they were made of watercolor paper and I was intrigued by them.  The details and styling were simply amazing.

Our guide told us that the coat in this costume was sized several sizes larger than actress Kate Winslet wore in order to achieve the vulnerable look that the director was going for in these scenes.

Imagine trying to walk in this hobble skirt style. I don’t think I would have been very successful at it.

Earlier this week I shared a tea set that was in the Tapestry Room and of course there was the perfect setting for that tea set.  I lingered here for quite awhile.

I could almost imagine learning how to properly “take tea” from these fine ladies.

Glamour on Board: Fashion from ‘Titanic’ the Movie” is exclusive to Biltmore Estate and will not travel to other sites. The exhibition is included with admission to the estate and will run through May 13.  An extra 90 minute guided tour is also available for purchase and for the die hard Titanic fans this is a must.  I would highly recommend a visit while the exhibit is there.

To find out more about The Biltmore Estate and this exhibition in particular feel free to visit their website at www.biltmore.com or call  800-411-3812.  To read an excellent article about the exhibit please click here to read a piece from the Citizen-Times.

Have you visited this exhibit or any like it?  I would love to hear all about it in the comments.  Remember that our Comments for a Cause this month is Imagination Library.  Each comment made on any blog post this month means a 50 cent donation to help get books in the hands of children.