The Duchess 8774 views

Anyone seen The Duchess yet? We were totally inspired by the costumes. So much so that we have got hold of a few of the designer's sketches and a featurette to share with you. We have the lowdown on the film too - post a comment if you have seen it and let us know what you thought.

Like Princess Diana, her direct descendent, Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire was beautiful, glamorous and adored by the public. But while her beauty and charisma made her a household name, one thing always seemed to escape her: love.

Beneath Georgiana’s glamorous façade lay an intelligent, vulnerable woman stranded in a loveless marriage to the Duke, one of the richest men in England. Frustrated by the limitations imposed on her by virtue of her sex and her class, she rebelled, entering into an intense relationship with the beautiful Bess Foster. Georgiana’s rebellion extended to the public sphere where she tore down the conventions, becoming a political campaigner for the liberal party. In so doing she fell in love with Charles Grey, the future Prime Minister, finally discovering the meaning of true love. But could true love survive the strictures of the Duke, of Bess and of Society – the pressures of marriage and motherhood, of friendship and loyalty, of class and celebrity?

What followed was tragic, but Georgiana’s unquenchable spirit sustained her and, unlike Diana, she ultimately found peace...

The costumes (click on the link to see a featurette) were inspired by the era but remained in tune with the modern faces of Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes. You could pick up a tip or two for your own wedding outfit here - remain true to yourself rather than getting carried away with tradition.

WP Rating: 8/10