Historic Royal Palaces Launches Collaboration with Olympia Le-Tan Brand

Clutches celebrating royal history will launch in September.

August 23, 2023

Historic Royal Palaces CollectionOlympia Le Tan Brand

Inspired by the Crown to Couture exhibition currently being held at Kensington Palace, the Olympia Le-Tan brand has created three limited-edition clutch bags to kick off its three-year licensing deal with Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that cares for Kensington Palace. Items from the exhibition have been interpreted across the brand’s signature book clutch for the collection, which have all been hand-embroidered with silk thread and felt appliqué.

Crown to Couture opened in April and celebrates the world of the Georgian court alongside the modern-day red carpet. It’s the largest exhibition ever staged at the Palace, with more than 200 objects on display, from 18th century court dress to contemporary red carpet looks.

“We’re hugely proud of our new partnership with the brand, Olympia Le-Tan,” says Jenny Smyth, licensing manager, Historic Royal Palaces. “The handcrafted nature of these pieces and the skill that has gone into producing them is reflective of the time and effort that has

gone into creating some of the historic pieces in this exhibition, including the exquisite Spitalfields Mantua. This is a striking interpretation of what the Historic Royal Palaces licensing program represents – be inspired by the past to create stunning product for today. We are excited to start work on new designs with the creative team from the brand, Olympia Le-Tan.”

“I am thrilled to share our collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces for the Crown to Couture collection,” says Olympia Le-Tan, head, curating, Olympia Le-Tan. “This partnership has been a remarkable opportunity for us to merge the worlds of fashion and history, paying homage to the regal heritage of Historic Royal Palaces and the enchanting exhibition at Kensington Palace. The rich history of the palace provided us with a captivating tapestry of ideas, allowing us to create a collection that exudes elegance and grace. Each piece in the Crown to Couture collection is meticulously handcrafted, with the utmost attention to detail. The intricate embroideries, painstakingly depicting royal motifs and symbols, add a touch of regality to our signature styles. It is a true celebration of craftsmanship and artistry, merging the worlds of fashion and heritage seamlessly.”

The clutches will be available in the Kensington Palace retail shop and via the website of the brand, Olympia Le-Tan website from Sept. 25, the Spitalfields Mantua book clutch is available to pre-order from Olympialetan.com.