Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party

Published to accompany a 2025 exhibition at the Garden Museum.

Best known for his iconic fashion photography, Cecil Beaton had a bouquet of creative talents: he was also an accomplished costume and set designer for film, theatre and ballet, and a gifted artist. ‘Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party’ is the first exhibition to examine the common thread weaving through Beaton’s work: gardens and flowers.

This catalogue accompanying the exhibition includes a foreword by art historian and museum director Sir Roy Strong sharing memories of his friendship with Beaton, which followed their collaboration on Beaton’s 1968 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, where Strong was then Director.

An essay by Garden Museum Curator Emma House further explores Beaton’s passion for his gardens, with photographs, paintings, drawings, costume and set designs from the exhibition illustrating the role flowers played in developing his creative practice. From the lavish floral installations he created for parties with flowers from his own gardens, to painted and fresh flowers used as backdrops for fashion photography and royal portraits, to the famous floral costumes in My Fair Lady, discover Beaton’s life in flowers.