Chertsey Museum’s new exhibition Marriage à la Mode showcases over 200 years of wedding fashion, with gowns from the 1780s–1980s drawn from the Olive Matthews Collection.
Highlights include a unique 1780s wedding ensemble complete with hat and shoes, and a 1930s gown by the renowned designer Norman Hartnell, famed for his elegant couture. Each dress tells a personal story, marking a bride’s most memorable day in her own way.
All of the items on display are drawn from the nationally significant Olive Matthews Collection of fashionable dress and textiles, which is housed at Chertsey Museum. The collection holds more than 6,000 items dating from the 1600s to the present day, offering rare insights into the history of dress and design.
Grace Evans, Keeper of Costume at Chertsey Museum, said:
“I am incredibly fortunate to work with the Olive Matthews Collection. I am particularly fond of our outstanding collection of wedding dresses, and it has been a pleasure to select and display these beautiful pieces. Many of them are displayed alongside pictures of the brides themselves, as well as accompanying accessories. The exhibition will be a feast for the eyes, and an inspiration for would-be brides as they search for their own special gown.”
The Olive Matthews Collection is displayed in partnership with Runnymede Borough Council, which works closely with the collection trustees to deliver an annual fashion exhibition for residents and visitors.
Marriage à la Mode is open to the public until 5 September 2026 at Chertsey Museum. For more information, visit www.chertseymuseum.org.uk
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