Pre-Raphaelite Beetle Dress

I've just found out about a Pre-Raphaelite style dress that has recently been restored from the Pre-Raphaelite Paintings Blog and I can't stop looking at it!  The dress was made from 1,000 beetles wings and was worn by Ellen Terry when she played Lady Macbeth at London's Lyceum Theatre in 1888 (I looked at her slightly for my last essay for my MA).  Although there is an element of cruelty in the making of this dress I cannot deny that the overall effect is fascinating and eyecatching...

(Pictures originally from the Daily Mail).

I am currently planning a trip to London at Easter because I need to do lots of archival research for my MA: namely at the National Portrait Gallery, the V&A and the Women's Library but I have also just added the new exhibit at the V&A to my list: The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement 1860-1900 I can't wait! I also have the new Pre-Raphaelite exhibition in Birmingham to go to at some point:  The Poetry of Drawing:Pre-Raphaelite Designs, Studies & Watercolours

Aside from that I have mostly been preparing for Presentations & working my admin job.  Fun times!