A Mega Exhibition Dedicated To Period Drama Costume Is Coming To London This September

‘We entered Cosprop as ourselves and walked out as the person we were playing.’ These words from actress Helena Bonham Carter perfectly sum up the work of wold famous costume house Cosprop. The costumier has been outfitting stars since 1965, creating period dress for cinematic titles and TV favourites alike. And now, you can can see it all up close. Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop comes to London this September – here’s how to get tickets.

More Fashion Exhibitions Coming To London This Year

Costume Couture: Dates, Tickets & What’s On Display

Even if you haven’t heard of Cosprop, you’re more than likely familiar with the house’s work. The costumier is responsible for kitting out some of the biggest period drama titles of the last six decades, from box office hits Pride and Prejudice, A Room with a View and Out of Africa to award-winning programmes Downton Abbey, Peaky Blinders and Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Created by Oscar and BAFTA winning costume designer John Bright, the costume house is renowned for its unmatched level of historical accuracy – sticking to the same methods that seamstresses and tailors of the day would have used.

(c) Paul Bulley

It’s this level of detail that has given Cosprop such a high standing in the world of cinema. Understandably, the studio has become pretty legendary over the years, with fans including films buffs and industry stars alike. As Dame Judi Dench once noted, ‘Cosprop is a magical place that is an important part of the nation’s rich cultural heritage.’

And, having worked on so many projects over the years, Cosprop is also home to a rather ginormous archive of costumes, props and behind-the-scenes memorabilia. Access to its vast stores is usually limited to period drama costume departments looking to kit out actors for future projects – but from this autumn, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with some of the most famous garments in cinematic history.

Anya Taylor-Joy in Emma (2020)

What’s On Display?

Diving deep into over 60 years of period dress and costume design, Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop will serve as a role call for the range of film, television and stage productions that have worked with the costumier.

Meryl Streep in Out of Africa (1985) © Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

Some of the highlights on display include:

• The belted wedding suit and embroidered silk hat worn by Meryl Streep in Out of Africa (1985)
• A selection of costumes from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (2003-2017)
• Three-piece suits from Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
• Cate Blanchett’s velvet robes from Elizabeth (1998)

Other titles rumoured to be taking the spotlight in Costume Couture include A Room with a View (1986), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (2022), Little Women (2019), The Danish Girl (20015), Emma (2020) and The Duchess (2008) – although with Cosprop’s impressive archive, we imagine there will be a few more surprises on the way.

(c) Paul Bulley

Alongside the huge array of costumes, the exhibition will also dive into how pieces are created at Cosprop. Featuring mood boards, swatch books, sketches, illustrations and final designs, Costume Couture will give an in-depth look at the creative process behind many of our favourite titles – as well as the technical skill involved. Exhibition goers will be able to see how fabrics are hand dyed, cut, draped and finished, with clothing designed on mannequins and crafted by hand. There’ll also be a chance to explore how costumes are ‘broken down’ by design departments to look worn or damaged for certain scenes.

Accessories also take a starring role. Displayed alongside prominent costumes and props, Cosprop’s hats, bags, jewellery and masks focus on the level of finishing the costumier has become famous (and won awards) for.

Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl (2015)

Where & When?

Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop will run at the Fashion and Textile Museum (83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF) from 26 September 2025 until spring 2026.

How To Get Tickets For Cosprop’s Costume Couture Exhibition

Tickets are on sale now and cost £12.65 per person (concessions available). fashiontextilemuseum.org