Fashion in Painting: Reading the Detail
July 17, 2025 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
- This event has passed.
Join us for an illuminating talk with jewellery designer and historian Andrew Prince, exploring the connection between fashion and painting.
Throughout the talk Andrew will reveal how clothing, accessories, and embellishments in historical portraits offer insights into social status, wealth, identity, and political allegiance.
With his deep knowledge of historical fashion, Andrew will decode often-overlooked elements—from Elizabethan lace ruffs to Rococo jewels—bringing artworks to life. This talk promises a fresh perspective on familiar paintings, highlighting the evolving trends of fashion and their symbolic significance. Perfect for art enthusiasts, fashion lovers, and history buffs alike, it’s a chance to see art through a new, detailed lens.
Tickets £15
Book your space now.
Tickets for this Event can be cancelled or transferred to another event up to one week beforehand. Changes to your booking after this date can only be made if the ticket can be re-sold.
Event information
- This event will be held in the Landscape Studio which is accessible via lift.
- There will be a pop-up bar for refreshments.
- There will be an opportunity for Q&A after the lecture.
- Arrive promptly for a 6.30pm start.
Image: © courtesy Kenwood House, English Heritage
About Andrew Prince
Andrew Prince’s love for jewellery began in childhood — by age five, he was already crafting pieces from beads and copper wire. His passion deepened after visiting exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert Museum and handling historic jewels by Fabergé and Giuliano.
At 16, Andrew started working on Bond Street with antiques expert Ian Harris, learning to value jewellery for its design rather than its price. Later, working with jeweller Elizabeth Gage, he explored rare gems and refined his craft. His bold, extravagant pieces caught the attention of Vogue’s Isabella Blow, leading to high-profile commissions and magazine features.
Andrew’s work expanded to Harrods, and his costume jewellery — inspired by Victorian designs using crystals and glass — became sought after by clients like Michael Jackson and Shirley Bassey. He believed jewellery should be about beauty, not cost, saying, “If it has to be locked up, it’s a worry.”
His talent led to commissions for films like The Young Victoria, Downton Abbey, and Cinderella. Today, he lectures globally at institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and Christie’s, sharing his deep knowledge and passion for jewellery history and design.
