The Harris Appeals for help tracking down Rare Horrockses Dress

The Harris has launched a national appeal in the hope of locating a lost piece of Preston fashion history.

The Museum’s curator, Scott Schiavone, is asking for help to track down one of the rarest surviving garments from Horrockses Fashions' very first collection, ahead of its major exhibition celebrating the Preston-born fashion label this autumn.

The garment in question is a housecoat from Horrockses' debut collection, made in a striking print featuring a map of the British Isles. It was one of the pieces to appear at Horrockses' first ever fashion show, held eighty years ago on 3rd April 1946.

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 – which is believed to be in private hands.

Horrockses also produced  a dress in the same map-print fabric and The Harris is keen to hear from anyone who may own or know the whereabouts of one, as well as anyone with information about the housecoat.

Scott Schiavone, Decorative Art Curator at The Harris, said:

“This map-print piece is one of the most exciting and elusive garments from Horrockses' history. It was there right at the very beginning, at the first fashion show back in 1946 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."

Councillor Hindle, Cabinet Member of Culture and Arts at Preston City Council said, "Discoveries like this don't happen often. This housecoat represents a remarkable piece of Preston's fashion heritage and marks the very beginning of the Horrockses Fashions story. With our major Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour & the Art of British Ready-to-Wear exhibition approaching in September, we're asking the public to help us track down this lost treasure from one of Preston's most celebrated brands."

Anyone with information about the map-print housecoat, the matching dress, or any other Horrockses garments is asked to get in touch with The Harris at theharris@preston.gov.uk

The appeal comes ahead of ‘Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour and the Art of British Ready To Wear”, The Harris's major exhibition on Horrockses Fashions, opening on 19th September 2026 and running until 31st January 2027.

The exhibition will showcase the largest museum collection of Horrockses garments in the UK, alongside, stories from the owners, Horrockses staff & mill workers, original sample sheets, fabric swatches, design books and photography.