Posted by Nellie on April 24, 2012, 12:11 am, in reply to "Re: cloaks"
These are not exctly cloaks but capelets, as Parkinson called them.
Here are a few more snippets from the story
Norman Parkinson had 2 or 3 weeks to plan the picture, after arranging that the three ladies would be available together, before lunch and after church, one Sunday in June at Royal Lodge.
"I hazarded a guess that the three ladies would present themselves to my camera in eau de nil silk, pink shantung and a polka dot dress."
He was in New York and bought a ten-metre remainder of a heavy royal blue satin.
In London, he called Hardy Amies who was on holiday in the country. 'Lovely idea, Parks,' he responded. 'Three capelets with one button at the back? We'd love to do it.............."
"One week later I picked up three beautifully made abbreviated capes trimmed with tiny red piping, each on its own hanger in Hardy's elegant plastic bags emblazoned with the 'By appointment' Royal crest."
The day arrived and the three plastic bags were ostentatiously arranged on an armchair .......
"My anticipation of what the ladies would be wearing for this group picture was, give or take a dot or two, absolutely correct."
At first they worked outside on the terrace.
"I had telephoned Princess Margaret earlier as I believed she would be an ally in my plan and, on cue as we walked back into the saloon, she stopped by the capes and asked, 'And what are these Parks?' "Well, Ma'am, I asked Hardy Amies to make three Royal capelets which button up at the back, and if you are prepared to be photographed in them, I feel it may make a timeless, fashion-free picture which will ensure its place of importance in the future.' 'What a good idea,' she replied. "Come on, let's try them on.' "
"During the sitting I was issuing instructions, trying to get the best picture - 'Ma'am a little this way. Ma'am come forward two inches. Ma'am chin up just a fraction to balance the picture' - when Princess Margaret really put me in my place: 'Listen, Parks, it's absolutely no use, you Ma'aming us like this, because we haven't the slightest idea who you're referring to - you see, we're all Ma'ams!' " At which point everybody collapsed with laughter and the pictures were done. " A number of other shots were taken at that sitting, with the three ladies wearing the outfits they had chosen themselves, and their own jewels.
--Previous Message-- : also in this Leiberwitz : : : : --Previous Message-- : In this Beaton potrait, The Queen wears an : Admiral's boat cloak. : : : : :
on April 24, 2012, 12:11 am, in reply to "