Royal Couture: The Designers Behind Queen Elizabeth II’s Iconic Looks

Before Hardy Amies, Norman Hartnell was appointed as the official dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in the 1940s and later to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. The Queen first wore a Norman Hartnell design as a young princess, at the age of nine, when she served as a bridesmaid at the marriage of Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott to Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester.

Hartnell’s designs were admired by fashion legends like Coco Chanel, and he was friends with top designers like Christian Dior and Mainbocher. He had already made a big impact on London’s luxury fashion scene when Queen Elizabeth II asked him to design her wedding dress in 1947. Six years later, she chose him again to create her Coronation dress, securing his place in royal fashion history.

The significance of diplomatic nods in the Queen's outfits is noteworthy. In Hartnell’s memoir, he discussed the challenges these details could create. For the Coronation dress, he incorporated Wales’ emblem of leeks in a stylish way. He wrote, “In the end, by using lovely silks and sprinkling it with the dew of diamonds, we were able to transform the earthy leek into a vision of Cinderella charm and worthy of mingling with her sisters Rose and Mimosa in a brilliant Royal Assembly and fit to embellish the dress of a queen".

Norman Hartnell is celebrated in history as the designer behind some of Her Majesty’s most important moments. Even those who may not recognize his name will find his influence evident in images of the Queen, as his designs played a significant role in defining her style.

Hardy Amies designed for the Queen from 1951 until he died in 2003, paying great attention to detail, even creating gowns that complemented the venues of events.

Founded nearly 130 years ago, the first Barbour jackets were made from leftover sails coated in fish oil, which had a terrible smell. By the time they were worn by the Royals, that odor was long gone. Barbour is known for its timeless style, and there's a rumor that the Queen wore the same jacket for over 25 years. Around her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, she requested her old jacket be re-waxed instead of accepting a new one.

During her time at Balmoral, one wardrobe staple was the Barbour jacket. Founded in 1894, this English brand has been awarded three Royal Warrants, the first of which was given by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in 1974. Known for its durable wax jackets, Barbour was a favorite not only of the Queen but of the entire Royal Family.

As one of the oldest British heritage brands with deep ties to the Royal Family. In 1955, Burberry was awarded a Royal Warrant as the Queen’s ‘Weatherproofers’ of choice, followed by a second warrant from the Prince of Wales as the ‘Outfitters’ of choice.

Burberry is one of Britain’s most loved and iconic brands, appealing to both young people and the Queen. She was frequently seen wearing a Burberry trench coat and headscarf, making it a style that connects different generations and cultures.

By the 1960s, the Queen had moved away from the New Look in favor of shift dresses, coats, and petal-covered hats. She also frequently wore fur throughout the years.