Living In Fifties Fashion: Royal Glove Maker

Under the threat of Nazism, a young Cornelia Katz left her native Vienna at the young age of 21. She escaped to Paris with very little more than a few lengths of calfskin leather. She would travel on to England to await a visa to enter the USA. However, she met and shortly married Jack James and remained there to become England's premier glovemaker.

Having studied glovemaking at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, she taught the handcraft as a part of occupational therapy for wounded soldiers during World War II.

After the conclusion of the war, James realized that post war Europe's 'utility' clothing could easily be brightened by colorful gloves. Cornelia James, Ltd was born with their goal being to bring quality, freshness, and gaiety to the fashion world.

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in Cornelia James Gloves 1947

James' efforts were soon rewarded when couturiers Norman Hartnell and Hardie Amies were attracted to her designs. In 1947 James was commissioned by Hartnell to design all of the gloves for Princess Elizabeth's wedding trousseau.

This was the beginning of a long-standing relationship between Cornelia James and the royal household. James was granted a Royal Warrant in 1979. James Royal Warrant

Queen Elizabeth II wearing Cornelia James gloves at garden party
Sydney, Australia February 1954.

Queen Elizabeth in Norman Hartnell Gown and Cornelia James Gloves
for Princess Margaret's 1960 Wedding. Cecil Beaton Photo

The late Princess Diana arriving at Claridges Hotel in 1992.
She is wearing midnight blue Cornelia James' Hermione gloves
and a Bruce Oldfield evening dress.