The Forsytes Premiere with Iowa PBS 

This month I got to work with the folks at the Jordan House and Iowa PBS in preparation for the local premiere event of The Forsytes.

Have you heard? Masterpiece on PBS is premiering The Forsytes, a costume drama based on John Galsworthy's beloved books. The series follows the trials and tribulations of a wealthy Victorian stockbroking family torn between tradition and the personal pursuit of happiness: a timeless tension that unfolds beautifully through period costumes and settings.

I've always loved costume dramas. Whether it's The Gilded Age, All Creatures Great and Small, or Downton Abbey, these series excel at bringing history to life through superb period costumes. So when I was asked to participate in the local premiere event for The Forsytes, I jumped at the opportunity. Working with the team at the Jordan House, we selected a stunning Edwardian-era dress that perfectly captured the aesthetic of the show's setting.

The Edwardian S-Bend Silhouette

The dress we chose dates to the Edwardian period, circa 1900s, and exemplifies the iconic S-bend silhouette that dominated fashion from 1904 to 1905. This distinctive shape is instantly recognizable: the bust is full and prominent (typically enhanced with padding), the waist is tightly cinched, and the rear is pushed back with additional padding. The result is an exaggerated "S" curve that runs down the body.

In fashion illustrations of the era, this silhouette appears extreme and almost impossible, but real women wore a more moderate version of this shape. The corset beneath the dress was engineered specifically to achieve this fashionable form; it encouraged the torso to lean forward while pushing the hips back. The padding strategically placed throughout the garment itself created much of the distinctive "S" shape, making the silhouette both structurally sound and visually striking.

Why Did We Choose This Dress? 

We chose this particular dress for several important reasons. First and foremost, it was in exceptional condition. When preserving and displaying historical textiles, the condition of the garment always takes priority. This ensemble was not only beautiful but also stable enough to transport and display safely. Second, it aligned perfectly with the time period Iowa PBS had requested. And lastly, because it's an absolute stunner, a dress that commands attention and immediately transports you to another era!

About the Dress

Based on its high neckline, this is a day dress; evening wear from this period would have featured much lower-cut bodices. The garment is crafted from a gorgeous copper-colored satin silk fabric adorned with intricate beadwork throughout. Hook-and-eye closures secure the two-piece dress, which consists of a fitted bodice and a separate skirt. The skirt is gored, cut with triangular panels, which allows it to flare naturally at the hem. The sleeves are long and fitted, following the elegant lines of the Edwardian silhouette.

Bringing History To Life

I began at the Jordan House by carefully removing the dress from the form and wrapping each piece in acid-free tissue with strategic padding, then storing it in an acid-free box for transport.

Setting up the dress for display at Iowa PBS was where the real fun happened. At the event, I started by positioning the skirt on the dress form, adjusting the height so the hem would fall naturally, just as it would have when first worn. Next, I padded the bodice sleeves to ensure they held their fitted shape perfectly. Once the sleeves were positioned correctly, I fastened the two sets of hook-and-eye closures—one at the bust padding and one at the center front. Finally, I added padding to the rear and underside of the skirt to emphasize that signature "S" silhouette and allow the skirt's natural flare to be clearly visible.

Preserving the Past

This experience reinforced what I love most about textile conservation: the ability to view and understand history through the lens of what people actually wore. While conservation work can take many forms, its primary purpose remains constant: to preserve our material heritage so that future generations can experience and learn from it.

So mark your calendars: The Forsytes premieres on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 9/8c on Masterpiece on PBS. After seeing how beautifully costume dramas can transport us to other eras, I suspect you'll understand why I was so thrilled to bring this remarkable dress to life for the premiere event.

If you have an object you'd like to preserve for future generations, contact Nickole here or send her an email at NickoleSwensen@gmail.com