Step Into Style: Horrockses' Iconic Dresses Hit Preston Museum This Fall!

The Harris Museum in Preston is preparing to host a fascinating exhibition that will celebrate the legacy of Horrockses, a well-known Lancashire fashion brand. Founded by John Horrocks in 1791, Horrockses began as a cotton mill on Dale Street in Preston. Over the years, it grew into a beloved fashion label, especially after the mid-1940s when it started producing stylish and affordable dresses. These dresses became popular with women from all backgrounds because they were practical, easy to care for, and still looked glamorous. The exhibition, which opens on 19 September, will feature 60 dresses that showcase the brand’s unique style and history.

One of the things that made Horrockses stand out was its approach to textile design. The company worked with leading artists and designers to create fabrics that were not only beautiful but also unique. Their dresses often featured bold floral prints, geometric patterns, and modern designs. Horrockses designers even traveled to Paris to study the latest fashion trends and brought back ideas from famous designers like Dior. They then used these ideas to create their own affordable cotton dresses, making high fashion accessible to ordinary women. Queen Elizabeth II was a big fan of Horrockses and often wore their dresses before they were available to the public. She even took several Horrockses dresses on her 1953-54 Commonwealth tour. Other members of the royal family, like Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Kent, also wore Horrockses.

The upcoming exhibition is curated by fashion historian Scott Schiavone and will not only display the dresses but also include original sample sheets, fabric swatches, design books, and photographs. This will give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how Horrockses operated and why it was so influential in British fashion. The museum is inviting anyone with a connection to Horrockses to share their stories, whether they worked at the mill or have a dress that has been passed down through their family. The exhibition, titled 'Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour and the Art of British Ready-to-Wear,' will run from 19 September 2026 to 31 January 2027. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about a brand that played a significant role in the history of British fashion and to share their own memories of Horrockses.