Culture

Costumes from BAFTA-winning The Favourite on display at Blenheim Palace

A selection of costumes form The Favourite on display at Blenheim Palace

Costumes from the multi-award-winning 2018 movie The Favourite have gone on display at Blenheim Palace, as part of a spectacular new exhibition celebrating the life of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.

Created by the renowned British designer Sandy Powell, the costumes used in the black comedy are historically accurate, but have made from contemporary fabrics. Powell also chose to use mainly black and white within the court to differentiate the courtiers from the outside world.

Running until June 19, ‘Battlefields & Baroque’ promises to transport Blenheim visitors back in time to the Palace of the 1700’s,  and features the clothing, food, games and music that the Duke and his Duchess would have favourited at the time.

The exhibition features displays of 18th century armour, music and instruments, the recreation of a court feast of the time, plus a fascinating collection of unique maps, documents and artefacts from the Blenheim archive, many of them on public display for the first time.

Blenheim Palace was built for the Duke as a reward from Queen Anne for his military successes in the War of the Spanish Succession.

The exhibition features displays of 18th century armour, music and instruments…

A lavish black costume from The Favourite on display at Blenheim Palace
Sandy Powell chose a monochrome theme for her period costumes in The Favourite

Sandy Powell has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design 15 times, winning three awards for the films Shakespeare in Love (1998), The Aviator (2004), and The Young Victoria (2009).

She has also received 15 BAFTA Award nominations, winning for Velvet Goldmine, The Young Victoria, and The Favourite in 2018.

Olivia Colman received an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Anne in the movie, which was directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Rachel Weisz played Sarah, 1st Duchess of Marlborough, alongside Mark Gatiss as the Duke.

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