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The story behind the forgotten suffragette princess that inspired Bora Aksu's AW17 collection

<i>Bora Aksu’s latest collection was inspired by a Suffragette princess [Photo: PA]</i>
Bora Aksu’s latest collection was inspired by a Suffragette princess [Photo: PA]

A forgotten feminist icon was the driving force behind Bora Aksu’s stand-out AW17 collection at London Fashion Week on Friday afternoon.

Princess Sophia Duleep Singh is an unknown name to most of us but her work in the campaign for women’s votes is truly unforgettable.

Working alongside the face of the suffragettes, Emmeline Pankhurst, the Princess campaigned tirelessly for gender equality. She could often be seen selling The Suffragette newspaper outside Hampton Court Palace and was a proud member of the Women’s Tax Resistance League.

<i>The princess campaigned tirelessly for women’s rights [Photo: Wikipedia]</i>
The princess campaigned tirelessly for women’s rights [Photo: Wikipedia]

As she was Queen Victoria’s goddaughter, Sophia was never imprisoned unlike her other suffragette comrades. But that didn’t stop the royal figure from trying her hardest for the opportunity to go on a hunger strike.

In the book Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary, author Anita Anand explains how the Princess once “threw herself at the prime minister’s car” but received no punishment due to her high ranking in society.

<i>Sophia’s influence could be seen in the tougher looks [Photo: PA]</i>
Sophia’s influence could be seen in the tougher looks [Photo: PA]

Bora Aksu, who usually shows much floatier pieces, went for a much stronger vibe with this particular collection. Victorian-style dresses in feminine shades of white, pink and powder blue were juxtaposed against harder gingham pieces.

<i>Victoriana-style hats accessorised [Photo: PA]</i>
Victoriana-style hats accessorised [Photo: PA]

Old-fashioned hats tied up under the chin also appeared, further adding a suffragette feel to the updated Bora Aksu army.

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