1878 Emmeline Pankhurst - Mistic Purple

Seaside Dress Fabric, c. 1878

This cheerful striped cotton is inspired by seaside fashions of the late 1870s, when bold lines and playful contrasts became a hallmark of summer attire. The soft cream ground with blue and rose-red stripes recalls the dresses worn for promenade and leisure along the coast — elegant yet practical. Perfect for bustle-era gowns, parasols, or light interiors that echo the refined joy of Victorian seaside style.



Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) was a British political activist and a key leader of the suffragette movement. She founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903, advocating for women’s voting rights through bold and militant tactics. Her efforts played a crucial role in securing women’s suffrage in the UK, with partial voting rights granted in 1918 and full equality achieved in 1928.

The suffragette movement was a bold campaign for women’s voting rights, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unlike the more peaceful suffragists, suffragettes used militant tactics such as protests, hunger strikes, and civil disobedience to demand change. Led by figures like Emmeline Pankhurst, the movement played a crucial role in securing women’s suffrage, with key victories in Britain (1918, 1928) and across Europe.