When Queen Victoria died in January 1901 a reign, a century and an entire age were passing. Her son, Edward VII, would give his name to an era of unparalleled luxury and opulence. A new decorative style was emerging, Art Nouveau, with its flowing, organic forms, which were reflected in the sinuous curves of the Edwardian lady. The height of fashion still seemed to be that of the Lady - mature, sophisticated and well bred. However, increasingly, there was hope for the ordinary woman, hope that had been founded in the last decade of the previous century. In fact, even the flowing lines of Edwardian fashion were rooted in the final years of the Victorian age. Though we conveniently define these eras as Victorian and Edwardian, stylistically, the line between them is blurred.