Appeal to trace rare ‘made in Lancashire’ housecoat
23 minutes ago
Harris/Imperial War Museum
A museum has launched a national appeal in the hope of locating a lost piece of Preston fashion history, a month before the opening of a major exhibition of a celebrated Lancashire fashion brand
Harris Museum curator, Scott Schiavone, wants to trace a rare housecoat from Horrockses Fashions’ first collection, before the show opens on 19 September
The housecoat from Horrockses’ debut collection, featured a map of the British Isles and was one of the pieces to appear at Horrockses’ first ever fashion show on 3 April 1946
Horrockses Fashions was founded by John Horrocks, who built his first cotton mill on Dale Street in Preston in 1791
Only two surviving examples of the housecoat are currently known: a burgundy version held in the collection of the Imperial War Museum, which curators believe may be the “petunia” colourway referenced in a contemporary Country Life article, and a blue version thought to be in private hands
Horrockses also produced a dress in the same map-print fabric and the museum is keen to hear from anyone who may own or know the whereabouts of one
Schiavone, decorative art curator at The Harris, explained: “This map-print piece is one of the most exciting and elusive garments from Horrockses’ history
“It was there right at the very beginning… and yet we know of only a handful of surviving examples
“We’d love to hear from anyone who owns one of these garments, or who knows where one might be, so that we can explore bringing it to Preston to be seen alongside the rest of the collection this autumn.”
The Harris
The monarch packed several Horrockses cotton dresses for her1953-54 Commonwealth tour. Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Kent were also fans of the brand
The exhibition will feature 60 dresses, alongside original sample sheets, fabric swatches, design books, and photography revealing how the label worked from the inside
Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour and the Art of British Ready-to-Wear – will run from 19 September 2026 to 31 January 2027 at The Harris Museum in Preston
The Harris
Listen to the best ofBBC Radio Lancashire on Soundsand follow BBC Lancashire onFacebook,XandInstagram. You can also send story ideas
Exhibition will explore Horrockses’ style legacy
Exhibition showcases 200-year-old Regency fashions
How a magnate’s fortune still funds Burnley’s arts
Historic dress designs worn by Queen go on sale
The Harris
Queen Elizabeth II
Preston
Fashion
