Fashion sketch for Queen Elizabeth II

This fashion sketch by British fashion designer Ian Thomas Is for Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen wore the outfit to the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.

The wedding ceremony was a momentous occasion seen by an audience of over 750 million people from around the world and set the record for the largest television audience for a wedding in history.

Fashion sketches were sent to customers for approval and comment. Designs for members of the Royal Family were often subject to royal protocol and suitability for a royal occasion such as this. The sketch shows details of the hat, the short-sleeved belted dress worn underneath and the long opening amongst the pleats at the front and back of the jacket. It is signed by the designer and dated 1981, below the sketch he has handwritten 'for her Majesty the Queen. For the wedding of Prince Charles.'

Before setting up his own label and couture house, Ian Thomas worked for 17 years as an assistant to the prestigious British designer, Sir Norman Hartnell, best known for having designed Queen Elizabeth II's wedding and coronation dresses. Thomas dressed many members of the Royal Family. He worked with Queen Elizabeth II for over 20 years and created some of her most iconic outfits.

It is reported that the Queen appreciated the restrained and understated elegance of his designs. Both were known to share a common interest in horses and horse racing. In 1973 the designer was awarded a Royal warrant as dress maker.