The backless dress has much to answer for!
—Lady Lydia Eliott, from The House of Eliott (Series 1 Episode 2)
I have to thank Danielle for reminding me about this wonderful series. I saw it a number of years ago and am no less captivated by it now than I was then. It's the story of two genteel sisters who are left nearly penniless when their father dies and must support themselves with their dressmaking skills. It is set in 1920's London, a time of great social change, especially for women. Mrs. Pankhurst and Marie Stopes are mentioned, along with coalminer's strikes and unemployment. No less controversial are the fashions of the day, and the Eliott sisters are in the vanguard when they eventually open their own fashion house. Anyone with the slightest interest in clothes would be well entertained by the award-winning costumes alone, but the writing and acting are excellent as well. Shakespearean actress Barbara Jefford, who plays the arrogant Aunt Lydia, is particularly brilliant and reminds us what good acting is suppposed to be like. Sadly, my library doesn't carry the second and third seasons, but they do have the companion book by Jean Marsh (of Upstairs Downstairs fame), co-creator of the series. I can't get the theme song out of my head now, but the funny thing is that I don't mind! Now if only I knew how to do the Charleston...
