Kensington Palace has opened its doors to a brand new exhibition entitled ‘Enchanted Palace’ revealing the secrets of the princesses that previously lived there. As part of the twelve million pound renovation project, the palace has welcomed us in with open arms to embrace a visually stunning exhibition featuring installations from William Tempest, Vivienne Westwood and Stephen Jones.

“Dress Of The World’ by Echo Morgan showed an original and quirky twist to the exhibition. The thin paper dress featured a multitude of different patterns and prints from around the world whilst the dress itself donned its own set of wheels. Traditional in its bodice and arms, the dress is a homage to the world and places in which these princesses have been seen.

Walking through the palace, a breathtaking installation by milliner Stephen Jones appears. An array of his signature hats hang from the ceiling. The hats are distinctively modern, juxtaposed with the old oak wood of the room. The hats range from oversized peacock feather hair grips, to a modernised pearl piece. In the centre of the room stands a bust of Sir Issac Newton, suspended above which is a diamond encrusted apple head band, which is easily the most fun and stand out piece in this installation.

Walking into the exhibition you are first welcomed into a serene deep aqua lit room. A four poster bed laden with historical tapestry, holds the first of the installations. ‘A Dress of Tears’ by Aminaka Wilmont shows a mannequin suspended above the bed, wearing this stunning garment. The dress is made from a fabric resembling water, with jewelled detailing around the ankle cuff and bosom. The dresses have a train which helps suspend the torso above the bed.

Metal work pieces designed by Boudicca are displayed in ‘The Room of Palace Time’. In this room stood a grand clock, which has inspired the grand pieces hung from the ceiling. The pieces showed oversized metal work, done in an electric, sheer gold, reminiscent of the pieces sported in the Lady Gaga ‘Bad Romance’ video. Resembling the boning of dresses at times, the pieces were all inspired by the inner workings of the clocks, creating busts and figures out of the different components. Dials and cogs make up the grandiose figures around the room (one for every face of the clock), making beautiful silhouettes against the window blinds.

The standout pieces of this stunning exhibition came from William Tempest and Vivienne Westwood.

Tempest has created “A Dress For Dreaming of Freedom”. The room itself is eerily serene and dimly lit, yet looking up at the ceiling, Tempest’s origami dress is haunting the room. Made entirely out of paper crane birds (the paper being the wallpaper coating the room, which also has a bird print) is stunning to behold and extremely mysterious. The dress looks over the bound mattress, like a dream to be set free, the birds also representing this.

Vivienne Westwood’s creation is enough to take anyone’s breath away. Set in the Grand King Staircase, “The Dress For a Rebellious Princess” is an extremely beautiful piece. Classically Westwood, yet classically traditional in its appearance. Created out of a gingham, chinz-esque material, the dress was a grand oversized puff ball, with shoulder detailing and a long train leading up the stairs it resides on. Extremely beautiful to behold, yet with a touch of Westwood’s fun; the dress having a badge pinned to it saying ‘I AM EXPENSIV’.

The exhibition is a wonder to behold, and definitely one not to miss.

The Enchanted Palace

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