Arts University Bournemouth unveils Something Borrowed exhibition

A rare and evocative collection of historical wedding dresses, spanning more than 150 years, is set to go on public display this autumn. Curated from Arts University Bournemouth's (AUB) prestigious Costume Archive, the exhibiotn called Something Borrowed offers a poignant glimpse into the lives, personal styles, and social histories of the women who wore them.

The collection will be exhibited at two local historic venues, arriving first to the Grade II* listed Georgian manor, Upton House, open on the 19th and 20th September for a Heritage Open Day. Following this, the exhibition will move to Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum from 22nd September until 8 November 2026.

Aside from two mysterious pieces - an 1890s eau de nil silk ensemble and a delicate 1927 Juliet cap veil - every dress carries a documented story of love, resourcefulness, and social change across three centuries. The exhibition traces how cultural shifts, wartime rationing, and royal influences transformed bridal fashion over 150 years.

To prepare the collection for public viewing, AUB students mounted, conserved, researched, and photographed the garments. Each student was inspired by a specific gown, following its history down individual research pathways to compile a detailed exhibition guide.

Highlights of the exhibition include a 1834 silk dress re-worn across three generations of women more than 100 years, thrifty 1930s and 1940s wartime gowns, a 1956 pink organdie tea-length dress, and a 1983 taffeta ballgown inspired by Princess Diana.

Something Borrowed offers visitors a rare opportunity to engage with regional heritage, textile conservation, and local social history through the lens of creative practice. For further information regarding visiting hours and admission, visit https://aub.ac.uk/latest/something-borrowed