Latest news with #IanThomas


The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Largest ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II's fashion to go on show
The largest ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II's fashion is to be staged at Buckingham Palace to mark the centenary of the late monarch's birth. Some 200 items, more than half on public display for the first time, will chart the story of the nation's longest reigning sovereign through outfits worn during all 10 decades of her life. The Queen's clothing, from birth to adulthood, from princess to queen, and from off-duty style to diplomatic dressing for the global stage will be explored at The King's Gallery in 2026 – the year she would have turned 100. Among the key pieces in the most comprehensive exhibition of the late Queen's fashion ever to be mounted will be a silver lame and tulle bridesmaid dress worn by Princess Elizabeth when she was eight-years-old, a trio of floaty, vibrantly printed Ian Thomas evening dresses from the 1970s, and the Queen's famous Sir Norman Hartnell wedding and coronation gowns. The exhibition will delve into Elizabeth II's use of diplomatically significant emblems and colours in her overseas tour wardrobes, including a white Hartnell gown designed for a 1961 State Banquet in Karachi, which incorporated Pakistan's national colours through a dramatic emerald-green pleat cascading down the back. Alongside clothing, jewellery, hats, shoes and accessories, visitors will see never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples and handwritten correspondence revealing the behind-the-scenes process of dressing one of the most famous women in the world. The Queen's fashion archive is considered one of the largest and most important surviving collections of 20th-century British fashion and now forms part of the Royal Collection. The exhibition will also shed new light on the late Queen's close involvement in the creation of her wardrobe. Caroline de Guitaut, exhibition curator and Surveyor of The King's Works of Art who has written an accompanying book, Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, said: 'Over the course of Queen Elizabeth II's remarkably long reign, her distinctive style became instantly recognisable around the world, bolstering the British fashion industry and influencing generations of designers and couturiers. 'Only now, as the late Queen's fashion archive comes under the care of Royal Collection Trust, can we tell the story of a lifetime of thoughtful style choices – from her hands-on role and understanding of the soft power behind her clothing, to the exceptional craftsmanship behind each garment.' She added: 'In the year that she would have turned 100-years-old, this exhibition will be a celebration of Queen Elizabeth's uniquely British style and her enduring fashion legacy.' The bridesmaid dress by Edward Molyneux is one of the earliest surviving pieces of couture from the Queen's childhood wardrobe and was worn to the wedding of her uncle George, the Duke of Kent to Princess Marina of Greece in 1934. In the 1940s as British couture rose to prominence, Princess Elizabeth began working with Sir Norman, who became her most influential designer over the next three decades and was chosen to design her wedding dress in 1947 and her Coronation dress in 1953. The Royal Collection cited eveningwear as a 'vital component of the Queen's wardrobe', with members of the public able to see 'stunning examples that reflect the evolution of fashion trends throughout the Queen's long reign'. On show will be crinoline-skirted gowns from the 1950s by Sir Norman and Sir Hardy Amies, as well as outfits by Thomas, who began designing for the Queen in the 1970s and introduced softer silhouettes in chiffon and striking colours to her evening dress, channelling what the Royal Collection described as 'relaxed glamour'. Three of his floor length gowns – in bright orange, sunshine yellow and vivid blue – will be exhibited for the first time. The Queen's off duty wardrobe will also be a feature, with visitors able to view impeccably cut riding jackets, tartan skirts and silk headscarves among the never-before-displayed examples of the monarch's practical everyday style. The late Queen, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96, would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 21 2026. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style is at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from spring to autumn 2026. Dates will be confirmed in due course and tickets will go on sale in November 2025.


Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Largest ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II's fashion to go on show
Some 200 items, more than half on public display for the first time, will chart the story of the nation's longest reigning sovereign through outfits worn during all 10 decades of her life. The Queen's clothing, from birth to adulthood, from princess to queen, and from off-duty style to diplomatic dressing for the global stage will be explored at The King's Gallery in 2026 – the year she would have turned 100. Princess Elizabeth of York as a bridesmaid in 1934 (Elliott & Fry/Royal CollectionEnterprises Limited 2025/Royal Collection Trust/PA) Among the key pieces in the most comprehensive exhibition of the late Queen's fashion ever to be mounted will be a silver lame and tulle bridesmaid dress worn by Princess Elizabeth when she was eight-years-old, a trio of floaty, vibrantly printed Ian Thomas evening dresses from the 1970s, and the Queen's famous Sir Norman Hartnell wedding and coronation gowns. The exhibition will delve into Elizabeth II's use of diplomatically significant emblems and colours in her overseas tour wardrobes, including a white Hartnell gown designed for a 1961 State Banquet in Karachi, which incorporated Pakistan's national colours through a dramatic emerald-green pleat cascading down the back. Alongside clothing, jewellery, hats, shoes and accessories, visitors will see never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples and handwritten correspondence revealing the behind-the-scenes process of dressing one of the most famous women in the world. Ian Thomas's evening gowns (Jon Stokes/Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd/PA) The Queen's fashion archive is considered one of the largest and most important surviving collections of 20th-century British fashion and now forms part of the Royal Collection. The exhibition will also shed new light on the late Queen's close involvement in the creation of her wardrobe. Caroline de Guitaut, exhibition curator and Surveyor of The King's Works of Art who has written an accompanying book, Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, said: 'Over the course of Queen Elizabeth II's remarkably long reign, her distinctive style became instantly recognisable around the world, bolstering the British fashion industry and influencing generations of designers and couturiers. 'Only now, as the late Queen's fashion archive comes under the care of Royal Collection Trust, can we tell the story of a lifetime of thoughtful style choices – from her hands-on role and understanding of the soft power behind her clothing, to the exceptional craftsmanship behind each garment.' The Hartnell evening gown worn by the Queen to honour the colours of Pakistan's flag (Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd/PA) She added: 'In the year that she would have turned 100-years-old, this exhibition will be a celebration of Queen Elizabeth's uniquely British style and her enduring fashion legacy.' The bridesmaid dress by Edward Molyneux is one of the earliest surviving pieces of couture from the Queen's childhood wardrobe and was worn to the wedding of her uncle George, the Duke of Kent to Princess Marina of Greece in 1934. In the 1940s as British couture rose to prominence, Princess Elizabeth began working with Sir Norman, who became her most influential designer over the next three decades and was chosen to design her wedding dress in 1947 and her Coronation dress in 1953. The Royal Collection cited eveningwear as a 'vital component of the Queen's wardrobe', with members of the public able to see 'stunning examples that reflect the evolution of fashion trends throughout the Queen's long reign'. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on their wedding day (PA) On show will be crinoline-skirted gowns from the 1950s by Sir Norman and Sir Hardy Amies, as well as outfits by Thomas, who began designing for the Queen in the 1970s and introduced softer silhouettes in chiffon and striking colours to her evening dress, channelling what the Royal Collection described as 'relaxed glamour'. Three of his floor length gowns – in bright orange, sunshine yellow and vivid blue – will be exhibited for the first time. The Queen's off duty wardrobe will also be a feature, with visitors able to view impeccably cut riding jackets, tartan skirts and silk headscarves among the never-before-displayed examples of the monarch's practical everyday style. The Queen's Hacking Jacket for off duty riding expeditions by Bernard Weatherill of Savile Row (Jon Stokes/ Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025/PA) The late Queen, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96, would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 21 2026. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style is at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from spring to autumn 2026. Dates will be confirmed in due course and tickets will go on sale in November 2025.

Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Largest ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II's fashion to go on show
Some 200 items, more than half on public display for the first time, will chart the story of the nation's longest reigning sovereign through outfits worn during all 10 decades of her life. The Queen's clothing, from birth to adulthood, from princess to queen, and from off-duty style to diplomatic dressing for the global stage will be explored at The King's Gallery in 2026 – the year she would have turned 100. Princess Elizabeth of York as a bridesmaid in 1934 (Elliott & Fry/Royal CollectionEnterprises Limited 2025/Royal Collection Trust/PA) Among the key pieces in the most comprehensive exhibition of the late Queen's fashion ever to be mounted will be a silver lame and tulle bridesmaid dress worn by Princess Elizabeth when she was eight-years-old, a trio of floaty, vibrantly printed Ian Thomas evening dresses from the 1970s, and the Queen's famous Sir Norman Hartnell wedding and coronation gowns. The exhibition will delve into Elizabeth II's use of diplomatically significant emblems and colours in her overseas tour wardrobes, including a white Hartnell gown designed for a 1961 State Banquet in Karachi, which incorporated Pakistan's national colours through a dramatic emerald-green pleat cascading down the back. Alongside clothing, jewellery, hats, shoes and accessories, visitors will see never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples and handwritten correspondence revealing the behind-the-scenes process of dressing one of the most famous women in the world. Ian Thomas's evening gowns (Jon Stokes/Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd/PA) The Queen's fashion archive is considered one of the largest and most important surviving collections of 20th-century British fashion and now forms part of the Royal Collection. The exhibition will also shed new light on the late Queen's close involvement in the creation of her wardrobe. Caroline de Guitaut, exhibition curator and Surveyor of The King's Works of Art who has written an accompanying book, Queen Elizabeth II: Fashion and Style, said: 'Over the course of Queen Elizabeth II's remarkably long reign, her distinctive style became instantly recognisable around the world, bolstering the British fashion industry and influencing generations of designers and couturiers. 'Only now, as the late Queen's fashion archive comes under the care of Royal Collection Trust, can we tell the story of a lifetime of thoughtful style choices – from her hands-on role and understanding of the soft power behind her clothing, to the exceptional craftsmanship behind each garment.' The Hartnell evening gown worn by the Queen to honour the colours of Pakistan's flag (Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd/PA) She added: 'In the year that she would have turned 100-years-old, this exhibition will be a celebration of Queen Elizabeth's uniquely British style and her enduring fashion legacy.' The bridesmaid dress by Edward Molyneux is one of the earliest surviving pieces of couture from the Queen's childhood wardrobe and was worn to the wedding of her uncle George, the Duke of Kent to Princess Marina of Greece in 1934. In the 1940s as British couture rose to prominence, Princess Elizabeth began working with Sir Norman, who became her most influential designer over the next three decades and was chosen to design her wedding dress in 1947 and her Coronation dress in 1953. The Royal Collection cited eveningwear as a 'vital component of the Queen's wardrobe', with members of the public able to see 'stunning examples that reflect the evolution of fashion trends throughout the Queen's long reign'. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on their wedding day (PA) On show will be crinoline-skirted gowns from the 1950s by Sir Norman and Sir Hardy Amies, as well as outfits by Thomas, who began designing for the Queen in the 1970s and introduced softer silhouettes in chiffon and striking colours to her evening dress, channelling what the Royal Collection described as 'relaxed glamour'. Three of his floor length gowns – in bright orange, sunshine yellow and vivid blue – will be exhibited for the first time. The Queen's off duty wardrobe will also be a feature, with visitors able to view impeccably cut riding jackets, tartan skirts and silk headscarves among the never-before-displayed examples of the monarch's practical everyday style. The Queen's Hacking Jacket for off duty riding expeditions by Bernard Weatherill of Savile Row (Jon Stokes/ Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2025/PA) The late Queen, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96, would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 21 2026. Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style is at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from spring to autumn 2026. Dates will be confirmed in due course and tickets will go on sale in November 2025.


Cision Canada
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Canadian Car Owners Earn $300 Million Through Turo as Economic Pressures Fuel Car Sharing Français
Turo milestone shows sharing economy has evolved from early adopter trend to mainstream income solution amid rising cost of living. TORONTO, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- Turo, the world's largest car-sharing marketplace, today announced that Canadian car owners have collectively earned over $300 million by sharing their vehicles on the platform since the company launched in Canada in 2016.* The $300 million in host earnings represents a significant injection into the Canadian economy at a time when rising living costs are pressuring household budgets nationwide. With car ownership costs climbing 9% to an average of $5,497 annually according to Turo's 2025 Car Ownership Index, Canadian car owners are increasingly turning their idle assets into income generators. "For most Canadians, their cars sit idle 95% of the time, but they don't have to," said Bassem El-Rahimy, Vice President of Turo Canada. "Hosting on Turo is giving everyday Canadians a powerful new way to unlock value from what they already own. Whether it's to cover bills, fund passions, or build a business, more people are realizing that their car can work for them, not the other way around." Turo sees a broad range of Canadians host their cars on Turo. Many hosts share a single car, earning income when it's not in use, while other hosts have found the platform so lucrative that they have turned it into a full-time business, with some Canadian hosts listing 5 to even 50 vehicles. Success Stories Reflect Broader Trend Turo's growth in Canada is being driven by entrepreneurs like Ian Thomas, a Vancouver-based host who turned a single car listing into a thriving fleet of 10 vehicles in just two years. "I started on Turo as a student, just testing the waters with my personal car," said Thomas. "Canadians were so kind and respectful to my vehicles, and I was surprised by how quickly bookings came in. What started as a small experiment has turned into a real meaningful side business. It's grown faster than I ever expected." Canadian hosts are earning an average $3,500 during peak summer months, with many using the income to offset rising costs of living, fund education, or build emergency savings. Domestic Travel Boom is Driving Demand The milestone comes as Canadians increasingly choose domestic travel options, creating strong demand for unique vehicles in popular destinations. Leger data shows 77% percent of Canadians plan to travel domestically up 8% year-over-year, with car-sharing benefiting from travelers seeking alternatives to traditional rental cars. "Travelers want authentic experiences, and they want to support local communities," said El-Rahimy. "When you book through Turo, you're not just getting a car – you're putting money directly into a Canadian's pocket, supporting local economies from coast to coast." Platform Safety and Protection Drive Confidence This mainstream adoption has been enabled by Turo's comprehensive insurance coverage that addresses both host and guest concerns. Every reservation includes $2 million in liability coverage, with protection plans covering physical damage up to the vehicle's full value, maximum $150,000. "Trust and safety are foundational to the sharing economy," El-Rahimy noted. "Insurance coverage provided by Economical Insurance and ICBC gives both hosts and guests confidence to participate, which has been crucial to our growth beyond early adopter communities." Looking Ahead: The Future of Asset Sharing The company plans to continue expanding across Canada, most recently launching in the Yukon last month. Turo is now available in BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon. *Based on host earnings in Canada from April 2016 to July 2025. About Turo Turo is the world's largest car-sharing marketplace, where you can book the perfect car for wherever you're going from a vibrant community of trusted hosts across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and France. Flying in from afar or looking for a car down the street, searching for a rugged truck or something smooth and swanky, you can skip the rental car counter and choose from an extraordinary, totally unique selection of nearby vehicles shared by local hosts. Entrepreneurs can take the wheel of their futures by becoming hosts and building car-sharing businesses on Turo, leveraging our established platform to scale their businesses to meet their goals. With an unwavering mission of putting the world's 1.5 billion cars to better use, Turo unlocks the hidden value in idle and underutilized assets, empowering anyone to get in the driver's seat. Find your drive® — Turo.


BBC News
25-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Sam Fender gigs gave Newcastle £16.5m boost, figures claim
Sam Fender's trio of homecoming concerts at St James' Park boosted the local economy by £16.5m, business groups have 150,000 fans flocked to see the North Shields singer-songwriter play three sold-out gigs at the home of Newcastle United in shows brought in extra revenue for bars, restaurants and hotels according to figures released by investment agency NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI).Ian Thomas, NGI's chief operating officer, said while it was "fantastic" to see every corner of the city "bustling", businesses were still facing challenges. He said the organisation would look to "attract more large-scale events" to the city and "ensure the impact of these events is felt long after the final encore", according to the Local Democracy Reporting have been a number of bar and restaurant closures in Newcastle over recent months, including venues such as Leila Lily's, Prohibition, the Earl of Pitt Street and Horticulture, with businesses blaming high energy costs, rent rises, and increased National Insurance contributions. Abdul Samad, Newcastle City Council's cabinet member for culture, said the Sam Fender gigs were a "very welcome boost to our hospitality trade" during challenging gigs between 12 June and 15 June marked the Seventeen Going Under singer's return to St James' Park following two huge shows in summer 2023, and were part of his People Watching £16.5m boost is based on NGI data gathered from visitor and supply chain spend, generated via visitor surveys, hotel occupancy data, average room rates and spending in retail, restaurants and Patterson, CEO business development firm NE1 Ltd, said: "Sam is a local hero with a worldwide fan base, and the concerts turned the spotlight on the city and created boom time for Newcastle." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.