The City of London has many august traditions, but few are as beautiful, striking and good-natured as that of the Pearly Kings and Queens. Exploring the origins of the Pearlies, the meaning of their highly detailed, shimmering garments, Dress: Fancy were lucky enough to attend the Pearlies’ most important annual event: the harvest festival. 

For episode images see Instagram: @dressfancypodcast.

The episode is brought to you in conjunction with Penhaligon’s (@penhaligons_london) and their Empress fragrance, which is truly the Pearl Queen of their trade routes collection.

As ever, for accompanying episode images see our Instagram feed at @dressfancypodcast. If you enjoy listening to Dress: Fancy, you’ll probably know somebody else who would, too, so do spread the word. While you’re at, leave a review on Apple iTunes, and provide a suggestion for a fancy dress theme you’d like us to cover in an upcoming episode.

 

Show notes

• Dress: Fancy Instagram: @dressfancypodcast
• Penhaligon’s Instagram: @penhaligons_london
• Penhaligon’s Empress fragrance: https://www.penhaligons.com/empressa/ 
• Lucy Clayton: @mslucyclayton
• Benjamin Wild: @DrBenjaminWild
• Lou Taylor: @loutaylor. For Lou’s ‘Pearlies’ range, see: www.lou-taylor.co.uk/collections/pearly-kings-and-queens 
• The Pearlies: http://thepearlies.org.uk