Jean Simmons as Young Bess- Elizabeth I in 'Young Bess' Designed by Walter Plunkett

Two piece period gown, fitted bodice of a green crinkled silk material with medium green cross-hatch cording detail, lace-up back, square neckline, cap sleeves, attached shear beige cotton long sleeves, ornamented at cap sleeves, neckline and down front with red fabric, gold bullion trim, small gold buttons and gold metal ribbon detailing at front. Bias label reads :["Jean Simmons Ch#9 1604 2291]; matching green fabric skirt attaches to bodice with hook and eyes and is ornamented down front and hem with matching red fabric with gold ornamentations and gold bullion trim; cream heavy fabric inner skirt, woven with roses and green leaf motif is attached to skirt.

Jean Simmons was a luminous British actress who first appeared in a film at age 14. In the 1953 Technicolor biographical film, which was released the week of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Simmons plays the role of the brilliant and cunning Queen Elizabeth I during her tumultuous and danger-fraught teenage years until her unexpected ascension to the throne at 25. As with many over-romantic Hollywood period films, great liberties were taken with historical accuracy in creating the story of Elizabethan court intrigue. But the film does create a rich tapestry and is good film making.

Walter Plunkett, the accepted authority in Hollywood of period costumes created magnificent costumes for the ‘historical’ epic. In creating the costumes for Jean Simons, he paid great attention of historical detail in creating Elizabethan fashions that would take her through the adolescent years into young womanhood. Many of the costumes from the film would later be re-used in the film “Diane,” 1955, which Plunkett would also design.