DIANA: HER FASHION STORY
The most famous female of her era died 20 years ago this year, on 31 August 1997. Her memory burns bright for so many reasons, and not least for a sense of fashion that was simply unheard of in royal circles at that time.
Two decades on, Kensington Palace is mounting a special exhibition that charts her life through her fashion, ranging from her shy debut years in London society, to the luminous, uber-fashionable princess, and who lit up the lenses of Snowdon, Bailey, Mario Testino and Patrick Demarchelier.
Among the array of creations on show will be the Emanuel blouse worn for her engagement portrait, and Victor Edelstein's blue velvet gown, in which she gyrated at the White House with John Travolta.
When : 24th February to 31st August 2017
Where : Kensington Palace State Apartments, London W8 4PX
Tube : High Street Kensington
Information: http://www.hrp.org.uk
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF CROSSRAIL
If you’ve lived or worked in London over the last few years, you have never been far from Crossrail.
This vast urban digging project has created more than 26 miles of new tunnels – and has yielded a treasure trove of clues, insights and learning from subterranean London, including many artefacts thousands of years older than ‘Londinium’ itself.
This haul of archaeological trophies recovered from the digging includes 8,000 year-old Mesolithic tools, a Tudor bowling ball, Roman horse shoes, and the skeleton of a plague victim, from the 17th century Bedlam cemetery. Ghoulish and compelling in equal measure.
When: 10th February to 3rd September 2017
Where: Museum of London Docklands, No 1 Warehouse, Tower Hamlets, West India Quay, London E14 4AL. Free admission.
Tube: Canary Wharf
Information: www.museumoflondon.org.uk
THE GREAT SPITALFIELDS PANCAKE RACE
The precise origin of the Pancake Race may be lost in the whisks (sorry) of time, although it is said that in 1445, a woman of Olney, Buckinghamshire, found herself late for confession. She was cooking pancakes at the time and, as you do, raced to the church with frying pan still in hand.
This is an experience you can recreate at this year’s Great Spitalfields Pancake race. Get together a team of four, grab your frying pans and arrive in time for the heats and, just possibly, the Finals. Pancakes are provided.
Wear the most absurd team costume you can muster, because there’s a prize for the best looking – how do we put this – tossers on the day. Admission is free, and they’re welcoming donations to the London Air Ambulance on the day.
When: Tuesday 28th February 2017.
Where: The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, London E1 6QL
Tube: Liverpool Street/Shoreditch High Street
Information: http://www.alternativearts.co.uk
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