Long Weekend: 'Dressing Downton' at the Biltmore

Long Weekend: ‘Dressing Downton’ at the Biltmore

January 22, 2015

FILM STILL CREDIT: ©Carnival Films

Local Downton Abbey devotees may have noticed on the third episode of season five that apparently Cora Crawley is from Cincinnati. As we reeled from this awesome, random news, something else occurred to us: This means that Cora’s mother, SHIRLEY MACLAINE, is from Cincinnati too.

But we digress.

To show fans, Highclere Castle (where the PBS Masterpiece period drama is filmed) is the ultimate mecca. But at more than 3,000 miles away, it’s not exactly a quick jaunt. Enter the Biltmore Estate.

As close as America gets to a proper castle, the Vanderbilt family’s legendary historic home and grounds hosts an exhibition of more than 45 costumes from the smash hit series, including gowns, suits, servants’ uniforms, and fancy hats.

The award-winning costumes will be displayed in groupings throughout the house inspired both by the fictional show and by life in the Biltmore’s heyday, and will reflect how historical events like the First World War and women’s suffrage influenced fashions.

Downton Abbey (PBS) Season 1,2010. Shown: Maids in line.

This costume will be displayed for visitors to view in the Second Floor Living Hall in Biltmore House Oct. 1, 2014, until the exhibition’s opening day on Feb. 5. The preview costume was worn by Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, during season 1 of “Downton Abbey” covering the years 1913-1914.

“The day-to-day running of Biltmore House was surprisingly similar to that of Downton Abbey,” says Ellen Rickman, Director of Museum Services. “Just like Downton has Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes, Biltmore had its own cast of fascinating characters. Displaying these fabulous costumes from the show gives us an unparalleled opportunity to delve into Biltmore’s stories.”

Right: Light cream linen suit and hat, watch fob, white shirt, collar, ascot with stock pin, brown shoes, socks and straw hat by Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. Actor Hugh Bonneville. Worn several times, including the Downton Village Flower Show, at a Garden Party, the day the United Kingdom declares war on Germany, and on an outing to “Downton Place” on Downton Abbey, Season 1, 1913-1914. Left: White silk day dress and coat with black trim and hat worn by Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham. Actress Elizabeth McGovern. Worn at the Downton Village Flower show on Downton Abbey, Season 1, 1913.

Maids Uniform of Black Cotton Dress with White Apron and Lace Collar Worn in the afternoons and evenings Downton Abbey,Seasons 1–4, 1912–1922 Actresses:Joanne Froggatt as Anna Smith Amy Nuttall as Ethel Parks Rose Leslie as Gwen Dawson Clare Calbraith as Jane Moorsum

Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham Gray drop waist silk velvet formal dress with original bodice from the 1920s embellished with diamante stones and gold seed beads.

Lady Edith Crawley Peach colored evening dress made up of two layers of silk, the top sheer layer with a gold iridescent quality.

Left: Lady Mary Crawley Dark Red Dress Worn at Dinner the night of the hunt. Right: Matthew Crawley Black Tail Suit with Waistcoat, White Shirt, White Tie Worn at dinner the night of the hunt and for most other formal occasions.

Left: Lady Edith Crawley Black coat edged in autumnal colored Embroidery. Middle: Lady Mary Crawley Burgundy Coat and Hat and Pocket Book. Right: Lady Sybil Crawley Blue/Green Suit and hat.

Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham Purple Print Day Dress.

Dressing Downton, Feb 5–May 25, Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC, biltmore.com

Long Weekend: ‘Dressing Downton’ at the Biltmore

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