Fashion plate, from La Belle Assembleé

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This hand-coloured fashion plate is from La Belle Assembleé, a ladies' monthly magazine published in London. The plate illustrates a walking dress and is dated 1 January, 1821.

The text at the foot of the plate reads, 'Invented by Mrs Bell, St James's Street'. Mary Ann Bell, who may have been related to the magazine's founder, John Bell, was a leading London dressmaker.

From around 1814, her stylish creations rivalled those being produced in Paris. Nobles and gentry were invited to come and see her costumes at the beginning of each month.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-769-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.RHI 19.23
• Date: 1 January 1821
  1821
  
• Material: Paper. Inscription: Walking Dress. Invented by Mrs Bell, St James's Street.
  Document / plate, fashion
  
• Dimensions: 9.30" x 5.50"
  
• What: Document / plate, fashion
  
• Subject: Fashion plates
  
• Who: La Belle Assemblee
  Mrs Bell (Dress designer)
  
• Where: England, London
  England, London, St James's
  
• Event:
• Description: Fashion plate showing a walking dress, invented by Mrs Bell, from La Belle Assemblee, possibly from number 143, 1 January 1821
  
• References:
  • Langley Moore, Doris. Fashion through Fashion Plates 1771-1970. London: Ward Lock Ltd, 1971, pp 21-2. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: