Appeal to trace rare 'made in Lancashire' housecoat

A museum has launched a national appeal in the hope of locating a lost piece of Preston fashion history, a month before the opening of a major exhibition of a celebrated Lancashire fashion brand.

Harris Museum curator, Scott Schiavone, wants to trace a rare housecoat from Horrockses Fashions' first collection, before the show opens on 19 September.

The housecoat from Horrockses' debut collection, featured a map of the British Isles and was one of the pieces to appear at Horrockses' first ever fashion show on 3 April 1946.

Horrockses Fashions was founded by John Horrocks, who built his first cotton mill on Dale Street in Preston in 1791.

Only two surviving examples of the housecoat are currently known: a burgundy version held in the collection of the Imperial War Museum, which curators believe may be the "petunia" colourway referenced in a contemporary Country Life article, and a blue version thought to be in private hands.

Horrockses also produced a dress in the same map-print fabric and the museum is keen to hear from anyone who may own or know the whereabouts of one.

Schiavone, decorative art curator at The Harris, explained: "This map-print piece is one of the most exciting and elusive garments from Horrockses' history.

"It was there right at the very beginning... and yet we know of only a handful of surviving examples.

"We'd love to hear from anyone who owns one of these garments, or who knows where one might be, so that we can explore bringing it to Preston to be seen alongside the rest of the collection this autumn."

By the mid-1940s, Horrockses had launched a fashion label that was adored by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who had the pick of every collection and wore its clothes before they went on sale to the public.

The monarch packed several Horrockses cotton dresses for her1953-54 Commonwealth tour. Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Kent were also fans of the brand.

The exhibition will feature 60 dresses, alongside original sample sheets, fabric swatches, design books, and photography revealing how the label worked from the inside.

Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour and the Art of British Ready-to-Wear - will run from 19 September 2026 to 31 January 2027 at The Harris Museum in Preston.

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