The Achilleion Museum opened its doors yesterday, June 1st, and will welcome visitors, both Greek and international, in the beautiful gardens of the Palace until September 30, 2022. For the first time, visitors will also have the pleasure of admiring two unique dresses of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), faithful replicas of the originals, created exclusively for the Achilleion Palace by the internationally renowned fashion designer Monika Czedly, who recently visited the Achilleion for the first time and expressed her admiration for the palace.

Specifically, throughout this year’s summer season, the Empress’s dresses will be displayed on models walking through the Palace gardens from 10:00 to 16:00 daily, evoking the romantic atmosphere and aura of Princess Sisi.

The blue dress, which was auctioned in Vienna in 2012, dates back to 1890 and was part of the Empress’s wardrobe for Corfu. Research confirmed that it indeed belonged to the Empress’s collection, evidenced by a label on the back of the dress’s neckline featuring the distinctive embroidered dolphin crowned with a tiara, which appears on all dresses from her special wardrobe for Corfu.

The pink dress, according to the Austrian museum, dates back to 1880. At that time, the women’s movement was very popular, except for a brief period from 1878 to 1882, when the movement temporarily disappeared due to early reactions against women’s emancipation. During that period, black dresses were in fashion.

It is believed that some alterations were made to this dress so that the Empress could wear it in all seasons.

The white dress is the one worn by the young Elisabeth, symbolizing the purity and innocence of youth.

A few words about the designer:

Mónika Czédly founded D’Elia Salon in 1989. It is a Hungarian family business that designs and creates unique, one-of-a-kind dresses. Monika Czédly is particularly known for creating authentic replicas of Empress Elisabeth of Austria’s dresses.

Currently, Mónika Czédly is presenting her unique creations, authentic replicas of Sisi’s dresses, on display at the Haltburn Palace in Austria until October 26, 2022.

Empress Elisabeth was considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, known for her distinctive style and unconventional approach to fashion.