Magnificence of the Tsars

Charming exhibition at the V&A of the ceremonia clothes of the Tsars.

Held in the fashion gallery this is a small exhibition but has some amazing clothes to see. Most of it is taken up by coronation clothes of the Tsars and their entourage. It shows how they change of using Western style uniforms to moving back to more peasant style garb. Most stunning was a mantle from the Coronation of Nicholas II with the freshest ermine.

However most exciting was the clothes of Peter the Great’s grandson Peter II, who dies aged 14 after ruling for 3 years. These were the clothes of a teenage boy and having spent New Year with friends teenage boys I can’t imagine them in anything like this. There were wonderful sets of coats ad waistcoats with deep gold embroidery. Some, which he wore more often, had had the seams let out as he grew. These items were so poignant.

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