Why was Peacock gown Colonial India’s most controversial dress? Know here

The Peacock Dress, worn by Mary Curzon at a lavish event in Delhi in 1903, epitomizes India's colonial history. This gown, crafted from fabric traditionally reserved for Mughal court attire and adorned with peacock motifs—a symbol deeply rooted in Hindu culture—served as a subtle assertion of British authority amidst Indian royalty and dignitaries.

Designed over two years, the dress featured intricate gold and silver zardozi embroidery, green beetle wing covers on silk taffeta, and accents of Indian cotton muslin. It symbolized Lady Curzon's distinctive style, blending Indian textiles with European fashion sensibilities as she fulfilled her role as Vicereine of India, representing British imperial presence at Indian court ceremonies despite media scrutiny.

In the mid-2000s, Cathy Hay undertook the ambitious task of recreating the Peacock Dress in England, immersing herself in the art of zardozi and gold wire embroidery techniques. Despite encountering challenges, Hay's dedication and passion for the gown's historical significance propelled her efforts forward, though the project remained unfinished.

Today, the Peacock Dress, along with its associated Logsdail portrait, is housed at Kedleston Hall in England. This neo-classical estate, belonging to the Curzon family and maintained by the National Trust, serves as a testament to the gown's enduring legacy and its connection to the complex history of colonial India, where fashion and politics intertwined to shape cultural narratives.