Darnell of London Gown Questions

Fay Mendez

Fay Mendez

Registered Guest
I found this dress with a Darnell of London label, with a little research I found that he attracted many showbiz names of the 1950s, 60s and 70s including The Beverley Sisters, strongwoman Joan Rhodes, Diana Dors, Joan Collins, Zsa-Zsa Gabor, Dorothy Squires and drag queens including Ricky Renee and Danny LaRue, and of course Shirley Bassey being his most famous muse.

I would love to know who this dress belonged to and the date of this label. If anyone have any ideas I would be greatful.

The two links below will give you a little more info about the designer.

https://doloresdelargotowers.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-dame-designer-and-gasp.html

https://shirleybassey.wordpress.com/2022/01/27/tribute-to-doug-darnell/
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your dress looks 1960s to me.

We had an ongoing discussion here about this fashion house, in this thread:

catwalkcreative

Thread 'Darnell of London'

I've been researching a label 'Darnell of London' and have drawn a blank. Here are two recent purchases, both with the Darnell of London label. I think they both date 1970's although the blue gown certainly gives off a much 'older' vibe. It has a metal zip down the centre-back but the label is exactly the same as in the black dress. Both have lovely beading detail, but especially the blue gown.

I discovered a designer named Eric Plant who worked under the label Darnell of London. He designed some of the stage clothes for British pop singer, Dusty Springfield in the 60s and 70s (see...
  • Like

I had a Darnell dress once and it was fabulous work.

I don’t think you will find out who owned it unless you stumble across a photo of it being worn.

I believe Model Originel implies your dress is off-the-rack rather than couture/custom made? But I’m not sure.
 
Last edited:
retro ruth said:
your dress looks 1960s to me.

We had an ongoing discussion here about this fashion house, in this thread:

catwalkcreative

Thread 'Darnell of London'

I've been researching a label 'Darnell of London' and have drawn a blank. Here are two recent purchases, both with the Darnell of London label. I think they both date 1970's although the blue gown certainly gives off a much 'older' vibe. It has a metal zip down the centre-back but the label is exactly the same as in the black dress. Both have lovely beading detail, but especially the blue gown.

I discovered a designer named Eric Plant who worked under the label Darnell of London. He designed some of the stage clothes for British pop singer, Dusty Springfield in the 60s and 70s (see...
  • Like

I had a Darnell dress once and it was fabulous work.

I don’t think you will find out who owned it unless you stumble across a photo of it being worn.

I believe Model Originel implies your dress is off-the-rack rather than couture/custom made? But I’m not sure.
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OMG
Ruth, that old thread you linked to is fantastic!
So much great info about the brand and all the past employees posts - wow, I loved it!
We certainly have enough here for an entry in the LR.
 
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