Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour & the Art of British Ready-to-Wear

Horrockses quickly became synonymous with effortless elegance. Its dresses were worn by women from all walks of life, from mill workers to members of the royal family. Famously, Queen Elizabeth II packed several Horrockses cotton dresses for her 1953–54 Commonwealth tour, demonstrating how the brand’s refined yet practical designs could move seamlessly from garden parties to global diplomacy.

Central to Horrockses’ success was their pioneering approach to textile design. The company collaborated with leading contemporary artists to create distinctive fabrics that elevated ready-to-wear fashion into a form of wearable art. Bold florals, graphic geometrics and striking modernist motifs appeared on their  full-skirted ‘New Look’ silhouettes.

Drawing on the world’s largest museum collection of Horrockses dresses, this exhibition reveals the creativity, craftsmanship and cultural significance behind one of Britain’s most beloved post-war fashion labels.

The Horrockses Fashion exhibition is supported by a new publication, edited by The Harris’ Decorative Art Curator, Scott Schiavone. 

This publication will be released exclusively on Saturday, 19 September 2026

The exhibition runs at The Harris Museum from 19 September 2026 to 31st January 2027

Entry to this exhibition is free.