Hawes and Curtis launch range inspired by Queen’s military uniform

London – British heritage brand Hawes and Curtis has partnered with the National
Army Museum to create a limited-edition collection inspired by the military
uniform Queen Elizabeth II wore as a young princess during the Second World
War.

From 1949 to 1953 Princess Elizabeth carried out her duties as an
Honorary Brigadier in the Women’s Royal Army Corps before resigning these
appointments on becoming Queen in 1953.

Hawes and Curtis, which has been specialising in luxury shirts and fine
tailoring since 1913, was the shirtmaker chosen to make the khaki shirt and
tie for Princess Elizabeth’s Women’s Royal Army Corps uniform in 1949.

For the limited-edition capsule collection, the brand has re-created a
one-off replica of the original fine cotton uniform shirt, which is
currently on display in the National Army Museum shop. The collection
includes bespoke prints designed in honour of the collaboration, which
feature on silk ties and pocket squares inspired by the regimental stripes
on the Queen’s jacket.

In addition, contemporary women’s blouses feature a vibrant print
inspired by the ribbons on the royal uniform and cufflinks have been
designed in the shape of the Military buttons on the uniform jacket to
complete the collection.

Hawes and Curtis partners with the National Army Museum

Sophie Anderton, curator at the National Army Museum, said of the
partnership in a press release: “Part of our role as a museum is to
preserve our amazing collections for the public and future generations, but
it is also about keeping those items relevant and sharing their history in
new and different ways.

“Our partnership with Hawes and Curtis has given us the opportunity to
look at the production of uniform, specifically the Queen’s, which they
tailored items for, and uncover the heritage behind it. It’s very exciting
to be working with the same tailor to produce new items influenced by the
Queen’s uniform, and it also demonstrates the timeless inspiration that
comes from army fashion.”

Hawes and Curtis chief executive Touker Souleyman added: “The
partnership with the National Army Museum celebrates Hawes and Curtis’
royal heritage and highlights the Military’s influence on contemporary
fashion.”

The collection is available to purchase in the National Army Museum
shop, the Hawes and Curtis flagship store on Jermyn Street and at both of
the their respective websites.

Hawes and Curtis has a long standing relationship with the royal family,
the British heritage brand has been awarded four Royal Warrants from The
Duke of Windsor, King George VI and The Duke of Edinburgh.

Image: courtesy of the National Army Museum / Hawes and Curtis