The House of Eliott Complete Collection

Enjoy the style, glamour and beauty of an addictive British drama series cut from a different cloth. From Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins—creators of the all-time classic Upstairs, Downstairs—comes this costume drama that follows gorgeous, ambitious sisters Evie (Louise Lombard, Hidalgo, CSI) and Beatrice (Stella Gonet, Persuasion, Dalziel and Pascoe) as they plot, scheme and strive to succeed in London’s fashion industry in the Roaring Twenties. Watch as three seasons filled with dashing suitors, cutthroat scoundrels and impressive haute couture showcase how the Eliott sisters’ passion for fashion transformed them from inexperienced naives to admired pioneers. Precise attention to period-era details helped this BBC series win top awards for costume design, including an Emmy® and a BAFTA®. Twelve-disc set includes all 34 episodes (Series 1, 2 and 3) of the award-winning BBC drama series. Seen on A&E, PBS and BBC America.

Series 1

Episode 1 - After a row with their father which accidentally culminates in his death, sisters Beatrice and Evangeline Eliott learn that unwise investments of his money and outstanding debts have left them virtually penniless.Though they are not without friends, it seems they are going to have to work for the first time in their lives. Beatrice is offered a job as a Lady's Companion. Evie finds a job as a dancing partner with a Dancing Academy, but to her fury, her cousin Arthur (Executor of the Eliott estate) forbids her to take up the position. When Evie helps a stranger, Mrs Watkins, to her slum dwelling, she meets and becomes friends with Penelope Maddox, who works in the local mission. Penelope has a brother, a successful society photographer who is in need of a receptionist. Beatrice accompanies Evie to the interview with Jack Maddox and is offered the job herself - Evie is too pretty - but Beatrice declines. The girls have come across some surprisingly expensive clothes in their father's wardrobe. Beatrice visits an evasive Arthur, determined to find out exactly what happened to their father's money.The truth is hard to comprehend: all their lives Beatrice and Evie had to go without and had to behave with decorum, while their father led a double life and had a succession of mistresses. Shocked and angry, Beatrice makes a momentous decision: to accept Jack Maddox's offer.

Episode 2 - Evie opens a letter addressed to her father and suspects it is from her father's mistress. Among her father's papers is an address for the woman, Mrs Pearce, in Bournemouth. With Beatrice busy in Jack Maddox's studio, she confides instead in Penelope. (They have just paid a visit to Mrs Watkins and met 16-year-old Tilly, who impressed with her intricate embroidery skills.) Evie and Penelope travel to Bournemouth and discover that Mrs Pearce moved several years ago, but Evie leaves her address just in case. Arthur has been worrying about Evie and Beatrice's behaviour. He consults his mother, Lady Lydia Eliott, who thinks some sewing work will keep Evie occupied until she can be married off. Jack Maddox invites the sisters to a party. He escorts Evie, and his friend, Piggy, escorts Beatrice. The Eliotts' attire receives many admiring glances, especially from the flamboyant Daphne Haycock, and by the end of the evening they have obtained a couple of private dress-making commissions. Arthur is also at the party, and is shocked to see Evie demonstrating the latest dance and being kissed by Jack. The new few days find more skeletons trooping out of the dead Mr Eliott's closet. Beatrice is summoned to Arthur's office, where she is informed that her father was more in debt than had been realised.The Eliott's house is two-thirds mortgaged. Evie, meanwhile, receives a letter from Bournemouth, giving Mrs Pearce's new address - in London. She has still not told Beatrice and visits Mrs Pearce alone. There she learns that Mrs Pearce and her father had a 25-year affair and that she has a half-brother, Sebastian. Upset, Evie rushes to the studio to see Beatrice, only to catch Jack Maddox in a compromising position with Daphne Haycock.

Episode 3 - While Evie begins her first job - as an apprentice dressmaker with Mrs Partini, Mrs Pearce calls upon Beatrice. She has come to stake her claim upon the estate and tells her all about Evie's visit and Sebastian. Beatrice is shocked to learn that Evie has been keeping secrets from her. She consults Arthur, who doesn't think that Mrs Pearce has any legal claim; he is more concerned that they sell the house before they get further into debt. Meanwhile, Beatrice and Evie's reputation as dress designers is growing. They are receiving enough private commissions now to enlist the help of Tilly. Evie is progressing well at Mrs Partini's and, when a position becomes vacant, she suggests that Beatrice apply. Jack Maddox is delighted that she has such a good opportunity and so Beatrice too joins Mrs Partini's exclusive establishment. Arthur finds a buyer for the sisters' house, but his mother - hoping to check the sisters' conduct - persuades him to only let them have a fifth of the money and put the rest into a secret trust fund. Beatrice and Evie move into an apartment in the same building as Jack Maddox. It is the beginning of a new life for them both. Evie is now making clothes and developing ideas for Mrs Partini, whilst Beatrice looks after the books and orders, however a heated disagreement soon arises when Mrs Partini takes credit for Evie's work and refuses to give the girls proper remuneration. Beatrice is left with no alternative but to resign, taking Evie with her. Surprised at their own actions and worried about their future, the sisters decide to go to the cinema to forget their worries. When they return to the flat, they are surprised to find Sebastian, their half-brother, waiting for them.

Episode 4 - Evie is taken in by Sebastian's charm, but Beatrice doubts whether he is, in fact, their half-brother. She refuses his dinner invitation and asks him to leave. Evie is annoyed, but there are more pressing matters to consider. The few dressmaking commissions they have won't keep them for long. Fortunately, Mr Duroque, owner of a fashion house, offers them both a job. The girls agree to work for him during the day, but in the evenings they continue to make clothes for private clients. Mr Duroque recognises talent when he sees it and, in time, they are given more responsibility. Sebastian, meanwhile, calls upon Arthur to find out what he and his mother will get from the Eliott estate. He quickly drops the charm and threatens Arthur when he is told they will get nothing. Arthur receives several mysterious phone calls, which prompt him to visit a seedy nightclub, the 25. Here he meets Susie Hofman and is introduced to Peter Lo-Ching, an oriental businessman who wants to invest in the club. Arthur is not happy. At Duroque's, a valued customer, Miss Spencer, is unhappy with her dress. Evie interrupts Duroque and puts forward her suggestions. Miss Spencer is delighted; Duroque is furious. But though incident nearly loses Evie her job, Mrs Spencer asks Evie if she would privately make her some outfits. After deliberating over the ethics of it, the sisters agree. Beatrice notices that Duroque's ethics have not stopped him using some of Evie's original ideas in his new collection, and tackles him about money. One evening, when Beatrice is out, Evie receives another visit from Sebastian. He says he just wants to be friends and Evie thinks him sincere. Then the inevitable happens: Duroque discovers the sisters have been taking private commissions from Mrs Spencer. Publicly, he dismisses them both.

Episode 5 - Though Beatrice and Evie are out of work, they are not out of demand. Jack persuades them to install a telephone in their flat because he is fed up taking messages for them. He suggests they should go into business for themselves, but Beatrice is not confident. Their dismissal from Duroque’s has become public knowledge. Lydia is upset by the gossip and insists that Arthur do something to help Evie before he loses influence over her. Evie, meanwhile, has not heard from Sebastian and decides to contact him. Christmas is approaching, and the sisters are suddenly so inundated with orders they have to work flat-out in order to complete them all. Evie pays a visit to Sebastian, who is not pleased to see her. After a drive to the airfield where he works as a pilot, he tells her that his mother had lied to him and that he is not really their half-brother after all. Meanwhile, Beatrice has been fretting over Evie’s absence and has telephoned Arthur, who arrives in time to take Evie away. On Christmas Eve, Arthur gives Evie an expensive ring as a present which she promptly returns. At Jack’s party on New Year’s Eve, Beatrice announces that the sisters are planning to set up their own fashion house. Piggy promises to make a large investment, which allows them to offer Tilly a full-time job. Arthur leaves her party early to enjoy himself at the 25 club. Lydia later discovers where he has been through a visit to Daphne Haycock. Having made the decision to go into business properly, the sisters need finance. Beatrice visits the banks to seek a business loan, but is unsuccessful.Then Piggy breaks the news that he has lost all his money on bad investments and can no longer invest in their business. He has decided to become an actor, and asks Beatrice to come and live with him. She is flattered but turns him down. Arthur visits Evie and, finding her on her own, proposes marriage. Surprised and repelled, she tells him to leave.

Episode 6 - Evie and Beatrice are still having problems getting financial backing for their business. As a last resort, Beatrice goes to see financier Sir Desmond Gillespie. Although he has not been in contact with the family for years, he is Evie’s godfather. He has doubts about Beatrice’s proposition, but agrees to put it to his board for consideration – if Arthur stands as guarantor. Jack Maddox offers to make a small investment too, which the sisters accept on condition that he become a Director. Lydia, meanwhile, is furious to learn of Arthur’s proposal to Evie, and that he has not silenced Sebastian. Her visit galvanises Arthur to action. He summons Sebastian to his office. He has some damning information about Mrs Pearce which he threatens to expose if Sebastian continues to see Evie and Beatrice. Sebastian departs, but waits outside Arthur’s office and later follows him to the 25 club.There Arthur demands to see the books and is suspiciously stalled by Susie Hofman and Peter Lo-Ching. When Arthur returns to the club a few days later, he is again followed by Sebastian. Sebastian learns from Daphne Haycock that Arthur is a Founder-Director and shareholder in the club, and also that prohibited drugs are available there. Sebastian informs the police and the club is subsequently raided. Arthur, Susie and Peter are arrested and charged with various serious offences. At the trial,Arthur is heavily fined and sent to prison for a month. On his release, he admits to the sisters that his career in England is finished and he is emigrating to America. He confesses that he held back funds which are rightly theirs.With the settlement from their father’s estate and the profits from the 25 club (in which their father was a major shareholder), Beatrice and Evie have enough money to be able to set up The House of Eliott.

Episode 7 - The sisters now have enough funds to refurbish, decorate and expand their premises.The House of Elliot has become a professional fashion house and, while Hugo Bunting takes charge of the interior design and Madge Howell is employed as Head Seamstress, Evie and Beatrice concentrate on building up their clientèle. The official opening is a success. Sir Desmond Gillespie is now a director of the company as well as the financial adviser, but Penelope is concerned to learn from a man named Fox that Gillespie was responsible for ruining his business and putting him in prison. Hugo takes a shine to Evie and starts to take her out. Sebastian reappears and also begins to take a romantic interest in Evie. After an exhiliarating ride in a plane, he offers to fly her to Paris, but Evie is unsure. Jack recommends the sisters to one of his photographic clients, Francine Bailey. She is an actress who has decided to try her luck in Hollywood, and needs outfits to replace the ones owned by her previous studio. Although happy that the business is up and running Beatrice is convinced that they need more clients to survive. Conflicting advice from Jack and Gillespie about whether or not they should advertise does not help her much and she remains cautious. The sisters work hard at designing and making Francine Bailey’s wardrobe, it proves quite a challenge for everyone as Francine is not the easiest person to please. Penelope sees Fox prior to his prison release and he is worried that Gillispie might threaten him, he also claims to have incriminating evidence against Gillespie. Penelope gets no support from either Jack or the sisters and resolves to visit Gillespie herself. He proves himself to be straight and honest and it is Fox who is the liar and bears a grudge. Francine’s wardrobe is completed and despatched to her address on time. When Beatrice later phones her about the bill, she discovers that Francine has already left for America without paying the bill. It transpires that Jack hasn’t been paid for his portfolio. Depressed and despairing, they receive a visit from Francine’s lawyer who presents them with cheques in settlement of their bills.

Episode 8 - While Evie is enjoying being courted by both Hugo and Sebastian, Beatrice’s own emotional life is put into turmoil - when the man she was originally going to marry unexpectedly comes back into her life, after ten years of silence. Sarah White, who is having an outfit made for the Royal Wedding, provides a helpful image-boost for the House of Eliott when she commissions the sisters to make her whole season’s wardrobe. However, when her husband, Captain Philip White, comes to collect his wife after a fitting, Beatrice recognises him as the man she was once going to marry. She is upset and confused. When he later pays her a visit one evening she learns - to her horror - that her father had been instrumental in ending the relationship. Beatrice is still in love with Philip and although he admits to loving her, he is also in love with his wife. They are both faced with a difficult dilemma. Philip wants to rekindle the relationship and asks Beatrice to phone him. Sarah guesses that Beatrice knew Philip in the past and what he felt for her. She would like to continue their business association - but says she’ll understand if Beatrice is against it. Beatrice welcomes Sarah’s future patronage, and meets Philip in secret to sever any future liaison. Evie, meanwhile is being pressured by Sebastian to go to Paris with him and although Beatrice wants to refuse on the grounds that it wouldn’t be proper. Gillispie makes it impossible by saying that Evie would stay with his daughter who is living in Paris. Hugo, jealously hearing about the trip, arranges to drive Evie to the aerodrome. On the day of their departure, Hugo deliberately causes Evie to be late and Sebastian is forced to take off without her and although she is furious with Hugo and Beatrice, accusing them of conspiring together to stop her going to Paris, they have in fact saved her life; Sebastian’s plane has crashed killing everyone on board.

Episode 9 - An increased workload causes a strained atmosphere, and Tilly has problems coping as her eyesight gradually gets worse along with resulting headaches. Madge finds herself covering up for Tilly, offending Betty and Agnes, two new employees. When Penelope collapses through overwork and exhaustion at Evie’s surprise twenty first birthday party, she realises that this could also be Tilly’s problem. After a visit to the optician,Tilly’s need for spectacles is confirmed, and because of the extra work she has been doing at home she gets a raise. Beatrice and Evie attend the House of Eliott’s first board meeting, where the possibility of their own collection is discussed. Gillespie suggests that they should plan to launch it in six months but the sisters must settle their style differences if they are to succeed - creating yet more tension at work.

Episode 10 - Evie’s design ideas mean using expensive fabrics for lithe figure, whereas Beatrice wants to be more commercial and cater for all types of figures using cheaper materials. They cannot seem to agree on a statement that satisfies them both. Their ongoing arguments get deeper causing a rift between them. Evie goes along to various museums for inspiration - but Beatrice isn’t happy with any of the suggestions she comes up with. Lydia meets an old friend, Emily Murray, who is organising an event for the hospital fund raising committee. Lydia offers her services and her house for a special party. Beatrice is summoned to the house of Lady Latner who wants her to make a quantity of clothes for a fashionable baby party. Beatrice is reluctant - until Lady Latner promises the House of Eliott her exclusive patronage. Evie is furious when she learns of this order - and it alienates the sisters even more. Evie feels stifled and thinks it’s time to move out. Gillespie’s daughter, Rose, arrives from France for a short holiday. He brings her to the House of Eliott to see the sisters and their work - and they both sense the tension between Beatrice and Evie. Evie moves out and goes to stay with Penelope. Jack tries to comfort Beatrice who is upset. He takes her out for a meal where he tells her about getting his own film off the ground. Beatrice persuades him to take back his original investment in the business to help the film. Lydia sends out invitations to the party - but all she gets back is rejections. The whole affair has to be cancelled much to Lydia’s embarrassment. It proves to Lydia that she really has become a social outcast. It is only Gillespie who manages to stop her making a fool of herself. Penelope advises Evie to return home. Beatrice is pleased to see her - but they still have not resolved their differences. Jack philosophically admits to the sisters that he has been duped - and lost the money he had invested in his film due to an unscrupulous producer who has disappeared. Gillespie and Rose, who have taken the sisters out for a meal, can still sense that they have not agreed on a general design concept. Rose is instrumental in making Beatrice and Evie see each other’s point of view. The evening ends with them settling their differences and deciding upon designing and making a set of evening gowns in blue for their new collection.

Episode 11 - Evie, after having seen Whistler’s painting ‘Nocturne in Blue and Gold’, is inspired to call their collection ‘Nocturne’ as it is a selection of evening wear in blue. They both work closely together to sketch and create the designs. Penelope is unhappy with her work at the mission since a new administator,Mrs Cormack, has joined. She constantly criticises the way Penelope works, and by-passes her in organising a charity ball. Robert Adams, the minister attached to the mission, does his best to placate Penelope. Customer, Andrea Ratigan, wants the sisters to make her a copy from a French magazine. They refuse on the grounds that they only do original designs. Furious, Andrea approaches Madge to undertake the commission. Madge is keen to do it and tells Andrea she won’t have to pay if she doesn’t like it. Jack and Beatrice’s relationship has deepened. Whereas Jack has really fallen for her, Beatrice feels her work is more important and will not totally commit herself to Jack. Beatrice persuades Jack to see Gillespie for advice to get backing for his film projects. Gillespie later tells Jack about Benedict Elsom, who will provide initial development money. The Charity Ball. It is a very sumptuous affair. Evie is introduced to Victor Stride, a top fashion writer, who has been Evie’s idol for many years. Victor is interested in the Eliott sisters and arranges to come and see them. Jack proposes marriage to Beatrice, but she will only come to a decision after the collection. Penelope, disgusted by all the waste of money at the Ball, publicly makes a speech and berates everyone for the whole charade. She is later sorry for having made a fool of herself. Robert offers comfort, but then tells her he is soon off to Africa to run a mission. Victor Stride interviews the sisters for an article in a top fashion magazine. They are excited. Madge is caught out, first by Tilly - then by Beatrice, for using the firm’s time to make Andrea’s dress. Madge is cautioned. When Madge eventually delivers the dress, Andrea decides she doesn’t want it. Victor is unhappy with his Editor’s decision to rake up Arthur Eliott’s scandal for inclusion in the article. But it is too late - the article is published. Beatrice and Evie are shocked to read it, as it infers that the House of Eliott was founded on funds from drugs and illicit alcohol. The article has done them untold damage. Victor comes to see the sisters to explain - but they refuse to see him.

Episode 12 - Madge’s new boyfriend works for Yolande Hermane. Madge tells Evie about the date of Yolande’s collection - which prompts Beatrice to bring theirs forward. Still reeling from Victor Stride’s article, they are determined to gain some sort of professional recognition. Evie is keen to know when Beatrice is going to marry Jack, but Beatrice will still not commit herself. Evie is surprised to read an article on them in another fashion magazine, ‘Couture’, which positively praises them - written by Victor Stride. He later explains to them that he was not responsible for the original slur. Having moved to Couture he has promised the magazine an exclusive on the sisters new collection. Beatrice is not happy with this. Victor tries to get an inkling of what the new Eliott designs will be - but Evie is careful not to reveal anything. She is attracted to him, and is disappointed that he shows no personal interest in her at all. The day of the show. Everyone is impressed - until Yolande Hermane leaves the show in disgust - accusing the Eliott sisters of plagiarising her own forthcoming collection. There is great consternation all round. What is going on? The situation is put into solicitors hands when Yolande publicly reveals sketches which are virtually identical to the Eliotts’. Questions and accusations start to fly. Madge is interrogated and as a consequence resigns. Beatrice even doubts Jack, who had taken the original photographs. It puts their relationship on very rocky ground. Even when Jack finds out from Gillespie that Beatrice is really the mysterious investor Benedict Elsom, he still feels hurt and betrayed. It is not until he discovers a break-in in his studio with some negative plates missing - that they realise they have been plagiarised. Evie has a sudden idea and confronts Victor. He finally admits to have stolen the negatives because of his love for Yolande - who didn’t have any ideas for her own collection. Penelope, unsure of what to do with her life, is invited by Robert Adams to go with him to Africa. Uncertain she talks to Jack who tries to persuade her against it. Evie’s reaction is the same. Penelope finally makes her own mind up to go. Lydia receives a letter from Arthur. He is getting married and wants her not only to come over for the wedding, but to consider actually settling in America. Lydia decides to go. Yolande publicly apologises but ends her relationship with Victor.The collection has proved a success - which has well and truly established the House of Eliott.

Series 2

Episode 1 - Since the success of their collection the sisters have earned a place in London fashion. As well as being inundated with orders, Bea and Evie have been swamped with invitations to all the best society parties. They have had to take on extra staff - including Florence Ranby as Head of Workroom, an experienced Fitter and Cutter and Joseph Wint as book-keeper. Tilly has been promoted to Head Seamstress and is finding the new job taxing under Florence’s strict supervision. The sisters are impress by Gilles Caragnac’s London showing of his Paries collection. To them he is the top couturier. They manage to meet him at a soiree, and are flattered by his compliments and interest in their work. He pays a visit to the House of Eliott and offers them both a job as his assistants at his fashion house in Paris. Jack’s relationship with Bea is still on-going. While he still wants to marry her, she remains uncertain about committing herself. Still unsure about whether to accept Gilles offer, he persuades the sisters to go to Paris for a week where they can decide if they like it or not. In Paris, Gilles entertains them and shows them round his vast empire. They are impressed and love Paris. Jack unexpectedly arrives at their hotel. He and Bea have a wonderful time and Beatrice agrees to marry Jack in Paris. She also decides not to take the job. She leaves Evie to make her own decision. Jack and Beatrice marry in a Paris Registry office. Just as they are about to leave - Evie breaks the news that she is going to accept the job and stay in Paris. Jack and Bea return to England without her.

Episode 2 - Beatrice moves into Jack’s flat. Her trip and experience in Paris has made her even more resolute in building up the House of Eliott and in making it more successful. Evie is now in Paris making a new life for herself. Chloe Rhoades, an old friend of Jack’s, arrives at his Studio wanting to have her photo taken. Bea explains that he is no longer in business but promises to talk to him. Jack isn’t interested, yet Bea persuades him to accept a dinner invitation from Clara and her husband. At the dinner Bea learns that Jack and Clara were once engaged. Clara then has tea with Bea and asks her if she is looking for a vendeuse for the House of Eliott, because one of the ladies at the Huzzars fashion house could be tempted to leave. Beatrice is interested and meets with Alice Burgoyne. Alice turns the job down however, as she says there is not enough room. After she has left Evie comes through the door. She has come back for good. The job did not work out for her. Although Gilles has seduced her the real reason she has returned is that she would rather work with Bea and help make the business more successful. The phone rings with bad news - Sir Desmond Gillispie has committed suicide. The shock of Gillispie’s death is followed by a mystery surrounding their invested finances in the bank. Gillispie’s partner Ralph Saroyan, promises to deal with their affairs. A surprise legacy from Gillispie to Evie is spent expanding the premises which will now include Jack’s old studio. Clara persuades Bea to try Alice again. Alice is in demand and they could lose her. Beatrice shows Alice round again and with the new rooms Alice agrees to take the job, but only after some heavy bargaining. The exclusive client list that Alice originally promised does not materialise. Evie decides to do some investigating. She learns that Huzzars had been trying to get rid of Alice for some time. They have been duped into employing someone inferior. Jack suspects this is Clara’s work and has it out with her. It was her way of getting back at him for originally jilting her. Beatrice is furious when he tells her, Alice is going to be an expensive liability.

Episode 3 - A client, pleased with Alice’s work, introduces Edith Duglass. Edith wants her daughter Frances to be fitted for a coming out gown and suggests that Evie comes down to the country manor with some designs. Florence has been clever and filled Beatrice with doubts about Tilly. Tilly admits that she has taken on more than she was capable of. Rather than be sacked,Tilly suggests that she is demoted to ordinary seamstress to stay at the House of Eliott. Florence suggests a friend to replace Tilly and is angry when Beatrice persuades Madge to return as Head Seamstress. James, Edith’s son, drives Evie down to the country. They are attracted to each other. James likes motor racing and drives at high speeds. Evie meets Frances who does not with to be presented but wants to go to art school instead. She and Evie get on well. Evie notices Frances’s father, Leonard, who is in a wheelchair, doesn’t communicate with his children. The sisters are horrified to discover the real state of their finances when Ralph Saroyan outlines the truth and that all their investments are tied up. Ralph has a hold on them and declares himself a Director of the House of Eliott. James takes Evie for a spin - which results in a crash.

Episode 4 - James’s car has landed in a ditch. No-one is hurt. Evie says nothing to Beatrice about the accident. Tilly is courting and has taken her demotion well. Madge is proving a match for Florence, causing her a lot of frustration. Alice reveals that her terminally ill husband has died. It is Christmas and Evie goes to spend the holiday with James and his family. Jack takes Beatrice to meet his parents. Beatrice gets on famously with Jack’s mother, Ann, and is impressed with the illustrations in Ann’s forthcoming book on Flora and Fauna. So inspired is Beatrice that she decides to scrap her original ideas and base the collection on the drawings. Alice introduces the sisters to Jessie Christy, a professional dancer, who is persuaded, along with some of her friends, to act as mannequins and model the collection. Disaster strikes in the workroom when both Madge and Florence go down with Flu. Without thinking Tilly takes over and manages to save the day. Her lover, Norman, proposes to her and she accepts. The collection is received with mixed reviews. Beatrice is thrilled when she learns that Jack has leased a country cottage for them to use at weekends. James takes Evie to a race meeting where there is a crash and he is nearly killed. As a result Evie breaks off their relationship. She couldn’t live with that kind of danger. Jack’s film is a great success. His new fame, coupled with Bea’s, could now affect their relationship.

Episode 5 - The sisters are persuaded to design the costumes for a new abstract ballet. The workroom girls are excited making Tilly’s wedding dress. Florence is the only one who is not involved and makes excuses not to go to the wedding. Tilly and Norman get married in a small church. Jack and Beatrice spend their first wedding anniversary at the mill cottage. The weekend is ruined when the argue about the question of children. Jack is anxious to start a family and Bea does not feel ready. Agnes is caught stealing but Tilly persuades Bea not to sack her. Joseph informs Bea that they have a cash flow problem. They go to see Ralph Saroyan who persuades them to take out a bank loan to tide them over. Work designing the ballet costumes gets under way. Beatrice and the ballet’s manager, David work very intensely. This means a lot of late hours with Beatrice sacrificing her time with Jack to be with David. Jack becomes suspicious of their relationship. The ballet is a critical disaster for David but a success for the House of Eliott. Ralph Saroyan informs the sisters that Joseph was dismissed from his bank for dishonesty and they must get rid of him.

Episode 6 - Joseph explains to the sisters the circumstances regarding his dismissal from the bank. Having discovered something unusual which he questioned, he then found himself sacked by Saroyan. The sisters are still unsure if he is telling the truth, and decide to have the books checked. Florence is unhappy at the way Madge and Tilly work. At home Florence tells her husband of her frustration. He does his best to calm her. Jack’s new film has it’s first showing at Montford Hall, the location used - which belongs to Lord Alexander Montford, a junior minister at the Treasury, and Lady Elizabeth Montford a Lady-in-waiting at the Palace. Alexander and Evie are attracted to each other. Beatrice persuades Elizabeth to patronise the House of Eliott. Saroyan is angry when Beatrice does not give him the books and even more concerned when they tell him they have been checked and Joseph has been proven honest. After an accident to Lady Elizabeth’s dress the workroom are put into a panic about getting it fixed for the following days fitting. Florence leaves specific instructions to remedy the fault. Madge and Tilly feel they can do it in a more economical way and get Evie’s permission to do so. The next day Florence checks the garment and is pleased - until she discovers how it was done. She demands that Madge and Tilly are dismissed and when they are not she resigns. Beatrice is determined to get her back - but they are all guiltily shocked when Florence is knocked over by a car and killed outside the premises.

Episode 7 - Everyone attends Florence’s funeral. Her husband blames the House of Eliott for her death. With Florence gone Madge is made Head of both workrooms and Tilly is made Head Seamstress. What they need now is an experienced tailor. Jack talks to Joseph about the problems regarding Ralph Saroyan. Joseph promises to see what he can do. Joseph purloins incriminating files from the bank which he passes on to Jack, who in turn passes them to Alexander at the Treasury for investigation. Alexander shows Evie around Parliament and Jack recognises the chemistry between them. The young Duchess of Bridgewater, Gwendoline Garland visits the Eliotts unknown that she is being followed by a young reporter, Eric Bulmer. Gwendoline charms them all and is full of the latest gossip. Eric charms Agnes and asks her to pass on any bits of gossip she may hear. Agnes overhears part of a story that Gwendoline is telling, but confuses the identity of a mystery woman as being the Duchess herself. Agnes passes this on to Eric and the next day a newspaper is full of the scandal citing Gwendoline as having behaved improperly. Gwendoline blames the sisters accusing them of breaching confidentiality. Agnes is found out and is about to be sacked. Eric who has lost his job takes it out on Agnes and beats her up. The sisters have not the heart to sack her now. Evie goes to the cottage alone for the weekend. She is surprised when Alexander turns up and begs not to be sent away.

Episode 8 - Evie has spent the weekend with Alexander at the cottage. Their relationship is now committed. Jack goes to the Treasury to discuss the Saroyan files and is surprised to learn of his weekend with Evie. Joseph promises Jack he will return to the bank and try and get more information. He does so successfully. As a result of this Alexander tells the sisters of the seriousness of the situation and that he is passing the matter into police hands. Opera singer, Grace Vosper bumps into Elizabeth after a fitting. Elizabeth manages to acquire Grace’s services to sing at a forthcoming charity concert which the sisters are also invited to.A new tailor, Charles Quance, joins the staff. The relationship between Jack and Bea has been very cool of late. The decide to go to the cottage to talk. The charity concert is a success. Alexander snubs Saroyan and Grace Vosper notices the intimacy between Alexander and Evie. Grace passes this gossip onto Alice who later tells Beatrice. Bea thinks the idea preposterous but decides to confront Evie, who finally admits the truth. Bea warns her of the repercussions her affair will have. Elizabeth now learns of the affair. Saroyan is very worried when the police remove files from his bank. He tries to contact Alexander at the Treasury but his calls are not returned. The sisters confront Saroyan at his home. He is very dismissive of them and of Gillispie. They discover that he actually murdered Gillispie to take control of the bank but he says the cannot prove anything. When they leave he realises it is time to go and he escapes to Germany. The bank’s finances are left in ruin which will create problems for the House of Eliott. Jack and Beatrice go to the cottage and, finding that they have drifted apart, decide to split up, as there is nothing to keep them together.

Episode 9 - Beatrice moves in with Evie. Ralph having absconded to Germany with their savings has left them with nothing.They are forced to cut staff wages. Jack is frustrated because Abraham Barak, his producer, doesn’t like the ideas Jack is offering. He wants Jack to try and find a vehicle for Emma Casson, a new actress he has signed up. Jack meets her at a party and they get on well. Elizabeth wants to maintain appearances and tells Beatrice that she doesn’t hate Evie. Despite the affair she continues to patronise the House of Eliott. Now that Bea has moved into the flat, Evie and Alexander find it difficult to be alone together. Evie admits that she can’t give up Alexander. The sisters start to design in earnest for their new collection but they can’t seem to get inspired. Due to problems with the Miners, a General Strike is announced. Madge’s father and brothers are miners. Betty’s husband is also on strike and she thinks, with their wage cuts, they should be the ones on strike. Jack persuades Barak to let him shoot a fictional story weaving around the strike. Using Emma Casson, he shoots scenes in the street from the actual strike to integrate into his film. While Elizabeth is relieved of her duties at the Palace, Alexander is warned that his liaison with Evie could cause the Government embarrassment. The strike ends and the sisters still have no inspirations for the collection and decide to cancel it. Alice warns them that the cancellation will lead to serious repercussions which could damage their reputation.

Episode 10 - Evie and Bea are invited to view the premises of Maison Gilles. They realise the competition is a serious threat to them.With business so bad - partly due to the cancelled collection and partly due to Evie’s notorious affair.They have no alternative but to lay off Betty, Agnes and two others. Alice is approached by Maison Gilles to come and work for them, she is interested by turns them down. Jack continues to work with Emma, after the film is finished their relationship deepens and they have an affair. Jack later feels guilty and breaks it off. Elizabeth asks Bea to persuade Evie to give up Alexander. Bea refuses feeling she must support her sister. Alexander and Evie continue to see each other in public and their indiscretion leads to the press publicising their relationship. A scandal breaks. Maison Gilles offers to buy any redundant designs from the sisters. While Evie refuses, Bea is hesitant. Joseph tells her there is not enough money in the bank to pay the staff wages. So, without telling Evie, she sells some designs. Reporters now surround the House of Eliott to get more coverage of the affair. Evie tries to see Alexander but his aides stop her, without him knowing. They eventually meet in Jack’s flat. Alexander tells her he is going to resign. The next day the papers are full of the news of his resignation. Alexander meets Beatrice in private. He realises the business is in trouble and offers some financial help. Bea is grateful but feels she must talk to Evie. Evie meets with Jack who also wants to offer money. Evie will talk to Beatrice about it. The sisters can’t decide whose money to accept. A decision is complicated further when Hector, from Maison Gilles, arrives offering to buy the House of Eliott outright.

Episode 11 - Beatrice is on the point of phoning Maison Gilles to accept their offer when they are summoned to meet Dame Caroline Troye, who wants them to design the gowns for her next West End show. Caroline wants a style of clothes similar to what the sisters wear themselves every day.The idea leads Evie on to inspiration for a possible collection. Evie takes matters into her own hands by refusing Alexander’s offer and turning down Maison Gilles. They have no alternative but to attempt a new collection and accept Jack’s offer. Jack’s new film Strike is a huge success. Elmer Jeffard-Hendry, an American film producer, impressed with Jack’s work, offers him a film in America. His wife, Harriet, becomes a customer at the House of Eliott. Alexander tells Evie that he has been offered an Ambassadorship in Rome and is considering the job. Elizabeth feels she can no longer patronise the business and makes it clear to Evie that she will never let Alexander go. The work on Dame Caroline’s outfits begin, with Betty and Agnes being reinstated in their old jobs.The sisters decide to hide themselves away in the flat in order to design the new collection. Elmer and Harriet hold a 25th Wedding Anniversary party. Jack turns down his offer of an American film. Due to the success of Caroline’s show, Elmer asks the sisters to design the costumes for his next film.They accept. Elizabeth invites Beatrice to supper where she tells her that she is leaving for Italy with Alexander. Beatrice also learns that Alexander did not really resign because of Evie, he had to because he mishandled the Saroyan affair. Alexander tells Evie about leaving for Italy with Elizabeth. He had no choice. Evie is heartbroken. Beatrice later finds Evie in despair. She does her best to comfort her, having to lie about Alexander and defend him in Evie’s eyes, despite knowing the truth about him.

Episode 12 - The new Spring Collection is launched and is a critical as well as a commercial success. Two mannequins, Liddy and Kitty have their contracts extended with the Eliotts. Liddy invites Evie home to meet her husband Peter. It transpires that Peter and Jack were Army friends during the war, but have not seen each other since. Peter announces that he saved Jack’s life during the war. Evie decides to set up a surprise reunion. Alexander arrives in London for a few days. He contacts Jack to help him see Evie but Jack is very reticent. Jack talks to Beatrice and they both agree that Alexander should not see Evie. The reunion proves a success and Jack and Peter renew their friendship by going into partnership and opening a new film studio. Miriam Sargisson, a buyer from Sears, Roebuck in America is interested in marketing some Eliott designs for their catalogue. Miriam offers a very lucrative deal which will entail the sisters and their collection doing a short major city tour in America to promote their designs. Beatrice and Evie are thrilled.They decide to take Tilly, Liddy and Kitty with them. Alexander arrives at the House of Eliott hoping to see Evie. She is out and Beatrice is very sharp with him. He goes, leaving a letter for Evie with Alice. Jack starts work on his film. It becomes clear that Peter is not as efficient as Jack had hoped. Peter spends a lot of time chasing an actress, Fay, who asks Peter to use his influence with Jack to build up her part. Jack is angry and will have none of it. Peter then calls in a favour by asking Jack to persuade Beatrice to get Fay on the American trip. Jack feels he cannot refuse and does so. When he later learns that Peter did not save his life, Jack gets Liddy reinstated on the trip. Evie is upset when she learns of Alexander’s visit. Beatrice is unrepentant and recounts the truth about his resignation. Evie decides not to open his letter. Jack folds up the studio and accepts an offer to direct in Germany. Beatrice and Evie get ready to go to America. All their futures are exciting but uncertain…

Series 3

Episode 1 - A party is thrown for the Eliotts at the end of their triumphant tour of America Beatrice is very friendly with Donald Bradley, a Sears Roebuck director. The sisters return home to find that client numbers have dwindled and their Vendeuse has left to join Maison Gilles who have launched a fabulous collection. There is still no word from Jack in Germany. Donald sends an affectionate telegram from America. The Eliotts buy two drawings from a young dressmaker Grace Keeble, and learn later that one of her dresses is on sale in a dress shop. Evie is furious and confronts Grace, who is just as cross with Evie for destroying her credibility as a designer. Grace reminds the Eliotts how tough it was for them when they first started. Out of guilt and compassion and their need for expansion Bea persuades Evie to take Grace on as a trainee. Mrs Armstrong persuades the sisters to take on her daughter Jessica as the new vendeuse. At first Jessica shows a great talent for entertaining but unable to deliver bookings, this soon changes after a weekend houseparty resulting in a sudden influx of clients. Evie meets a manufacturer Larry Cotter who suggests that the Eliotts go in to business with him making ready to wear clothing. However he ruins his chances by making a pass at Evie. Bea discovers that Jack has left his flat with John Davenport, who has no idea where Jack is. Donald turns up in England and reminds Bea that the future of fashion lies in ready to wear. Bea is pleased to see him.When she goes to pick up some items at Jack’s flat, she is disturbed is disturbed by someone entering - it is Jack. Madge finds her husband Gerry hasn’t really missed her and isn’t really interested in her trip to America. At work Charles in particular enjoys hearing about it. Agnes is courting Percy who frequently borrows money from her.

Episode 2 - Bea and Jack try to clear up their past differences, but their attempts lead to quarrels and they decide they should be no more than good friends. Bea finds Larry Cotter’s proposal interesting, despite Evie’s misgivings. Donald gives her advice and encouragement. The sisters visit cotter’s workshop and white his goods are sub-standard he shows an understanding of trends in the business. Joseph is enthusiastic and they decide to go ahead. They present Cotter with terms giving them almost complete control, in return for their investment. Grace learns couture techniques, and Evie attends Grace’s Birthday party and meets an arty, bohemian set. She befriends Miles a talented illustrator who is employed by the sisters to illustrate their designs. The Eliott’s find a permanent vendeuse. Bea continues to see Donald, who before leaving for Paris, makes it quite clear he is serious about her. Jack takes his new film idea, portraying the German point of view of the war, to Abaraham Barak, and is given the brushy off. Bea reads it and tells him it is shocking to an English person.They are enjoying a glass of wine when the moment is interrupted by the appearance of Nathen and Katya Beletky, emigre friends of Jack’s from Berlin. Tilly decides to leave work when her baby is born. Charles gives an account of his wife’s death and Betty suggests he did her in. Madge’s brother Albert an unemployed miner comes to London to find work without much success. Percy is still borrowing money from Agnes and when he stands her up she joins Betty, Madge and Albert at a bare-knuckle boxing match, organised by Stan, Betty’s husband. Agnes is pestered by one of the boxers and a brawl develops, resulting is Stan knocking the boxer unconcious. Next morning Betty discovers Stan is wanted by the police; the boxer is dead.

Episode 3 - The Eliotts go into partnership with Larry Cotter to make ready-to-wear fashion. The range is modelled for a few buyers, who all place orders. Bea makes it clear that she does not intend to resume a relationship with Jack. However, their good night kiss becomes passionate, and they spend the night together. Next morning Bea again resists commitment, which angers Jack. Grace shows talent for ready-to-wear, Evie enters into a bohemian social life with Grace and Miles, who is falling for Evie. She meets their friend, impoverished painter Daniel Page.When Evie acquires a hangover, Bea asks Grace to supervise couture, and Evie is furious when Grace orders some changes. Evie buys a painting from Daniel, and tells Bea she intends to help him financially so he can resume painting. He is reluctant to accept, but her enthusiasm wins him over, and she and Miles enjoy establishing him in a new studio. Jack discovers that no studio will touch his “controversial” scenario. He has been labelled as radical. A Journalist friend persuades him to write an article about his experiences. Donald returns from Paris and proposes to Beatrice, who for time to consider. Betty’s husband Stan is charged with manslaughter.Tension rises between madge’s husband Gerry and her brother Alber. Nathan Beletsky cannot find work, so Jack persuades Joseph to take Katya on. Madge berates Jack for bringing Katya into the business when there was no work for her brother Albert. He finds work for Albert on a building site. Albert loses an arm in an accident and has to return home. Jack feels responsible madge encounters Charles at the pictures. He makes excuses about his fiancée’s absence. Betty teases Katya, but Joseph is supportive. He takes the Beletskys in as lodgers. Nathan dies in the night, leaving Katya distraught. Agnes shows Percy the workroom. He steals Tilly’s purse. Katya is accused, but when Joseph investigates, she mentions that she saw Percy in the basement. Agnes is reprimanded, and realising what a fool she’s been, she hands Tilly her whole wagepacket. At the successful couture show, pregnant Tilly faints and is sent home. Donald asks Bea for a decision. Evie tells Grace that she is to be put in charge of ready-to-wear while Evie handles couture. Grace is bitterly disappointed. Miles declares his love for Evie, who lets him down gently. Bea tells Jack that her friendship with Donald is over. She also tells him she is pregnant.

Episode 4 - The Aurora Clothing Company is launched.When the first prove to be substandard, Grace defends Larry cotter, and the next batch meets requirements. Grace shows Larry some of her own designs, and appears to be making some sort of advance towards him. Beatrice moves back in with Jack. She continues to work hard, making no concessions to her pregnancy. Jack becomes concerned. Bea tells Evie her ambivalent feelings about becoming a mother. Jack writes articles about Albert Howell’s accident, and finds that he has a talent for journalism. He writes a piece about Archibald Lovat, a radical thinker and finds his arguments for economic reforms very thought-provoking. He also makes an impression upon Lovat. As the business expands, Evie moves to a new flat. She takes a close interest in Daniel’s progress. She and Beatrice arrange an exhibition at a client’s gallery for him, Miles and other artists. During an afternoon on the river Grace notices that Daniel and Evie are getting on well. At the private view, editor Nan Bayliss asks to cover the Aurora Collection in her magazine. A client, Helen Gourlay-Hamilton, throws a glass of wine over Daniel, who reveals that Helen was once his patroness, funding him through art school, but when it became clear just what she expected in return, Daniel broke off the relationship. Neither Daniel nor Evie herself can quite understand the ferocity of Evie’s anger and sense of betrayal. He questions her motives for sponsoring him, and walks out. Miles receives an offer from a rival couturier, but despite Evie’s apparent indifference, decides to stay with the Eliotts. Enquiring after Daniel, Evie learns from Miles that he is working well. Betty falls behind with HP payments, and Joseph turns down her request for an advance. Betty confides in Grace. Stan is sent to prison for 10 years. Madge and Gerry’s marriage deteriorates further. Madge tells Charles she has realised that his fiancée Clara is an invention, and persuades him to tell the truth. He tells the workroom that Clara has jilted him. Katya Beletsky turns out to be an illegal immigrant, under threat of deportation. Joseph enlists Jack’s help in obtaining permission for her to stay in England. Tilly leaves work, and she and Norman make careful preparations for the birth of the baby. Bea visits, and finds holding William a very emotional experience. She is talking to Jack about her own fears about motherhood when they hear that Tilly’s baby is dead. Bea puts off going to see Tilly, but when she does so, and starts to cry,Tilly reassures her that the baby will be all right.

Episode 5 - During a magazine interview about the ready-to-wear collection, Beatrice faints. Evie persuades her to slow down for the rest of her pregnancy. Jack buys her a new book about babies, and she soon shows the enthusiasm of a convert for special diets and the like.They go house hunting. Max Keller, a radical friend of Jack’s from Berlin visits. He attends a protest against the imminent execution in America of Sacco and Vanzetti, two Italian Communists accused of murder - an international cause célèbre. The men are executed, and Jack goes with Max to report on a huge demonstration in Hyde Park, where Max’s intervention in an incident drags Jack into a fight. They are arrested and cautioned. Jack features in the press as associating with a Communist, and suddenly finds it more difficult to get commissions from certain papers. ILP member Archibald Lovat introduces him to the editor of the party weekly, and Jack is offered a column, starting with a series of articles about working conditions around the country. In Glasgow, ILP leader James Maxton shows docks and tenements. Bea goes into early labour, and the birth of daughter Lucy causes serious haemorrhaging. Jack is summoned. He rushes back to her, finds her weak but recovering, and holds Lucy for the first time. Evie asks Miles about Daniel again, and confesses to missing their previous social life. Miles invites her to meet him and Daniel at the Pierrot Club and go on to a private view. Daniel and Evie clear the air between them, but the gallery owner drags Daniel away to meet an American dealer. Evie tells him she has missed him he offers to telephone her. The call doesn’t come. Grace tells her that Daniel has been offered work in New York. Evie goes to Daniel’s studio to find him leaving for the Pierrot Club with Miles and Grace.Walking her home later, he confesses that the offer hasn’t come to anything - no more has been said about it. She invites Daniel in, but with her new neighbours in earshot, he declines. Seeing Jack and Bea together with Lucy Brings Evie to a decision. She calls at Daniel’s studio.They embrace. Miles does some designs of his own, which impress the sisters. He starts to observe the processes of couture. Joseph encounters Grace and Larry in quiet conversation, but they fall silent when he appears. One morning, someone sets fire to the Aurora Collection. It looks like malicious damage after attempted burglary. Most of the Collection is ruined, and progress is delayed by ten weeks. Katya finds Grace searching Joseph’s desk, which Grace shrugs off. She works hard on the Aurora collection, but Evie declines to give her more design input elsewhere. The collection is back on course by November, but Betty is distressed by the loss of overtime. Grace takes her aside for a chat. Tilly visits William’s grave. She returns to work, but is very withdrawn. She goes off her food, and Norman becomes concerned. Charles finds Madge in tears. She tells him about the crisis in her marriage. Charles suggests they go to the cinema together.They start to meet regularly.

Episode 6 - Evie and Daniel, now lovers, return from a holiday. Bea criticises Evie for neglecting work, and expresses doubts about Daniel’s commitment, but Evie dismisses this. She wants Daniel to move in with her, but he feels they should remain independent. They dine with client Lady Celia Romford, who sets her cap at Daniel, to Evie’s irritation. Celia then persuades Bea to ask Daniel to paint her portrait. He reluctantly agrees, in an effort to get on better with Bea. Evie is furious. During their argument, Evie throws away some experimental designs, which Daniel quietly retrieves. At a sitting, Celia makes a pass at Daniel. He extricates himself with tactful ambiguity. Celia implies to Grace that she and Daniel are lovers.Grace tells Evie, who confronts Daniel.To demonstrate his commitment, Daniel agrees to move in with Evie. Celia receives the deeply unflattering “portrait” and angrily withdraws her custom from the House of Eliott. Bea blames Daniel, but Evie accuses her of having arranged the commission to prove that Daniel is untrustworthy. Evie asks Bea not to interfere any more, and Bea walks out. Grace expresses to Daniel her frustration at her lack of recognition. Evie rejects Bea’s suggestion that Grace should be given some couture work.The Aurora Collection is back on schedule and the press presentation goes well until they hear that Sears Roebuck have gone elsewhere for their latest lines. Larry and Grace now have a close relationship.A tired Betty tells Agnes that she is helping out with the Aurora finishing, but Madge mustn’t know. Katya notices something amiss with some Aurora outfits, but Evie is too distracted to listen to Joseph when he voices his concern.The collection is ready. Late at night, a van arrives at the workshop, and two figures enter the premises. Jack researches an article on working conditions on London country building sites, where the Labour group have proposed safety measures. The Tories oppose it and the Liberals are wavering. Jack Lobbies Liberal leader Graham, and discovers a sub-contractor has a corrupt relationship with a Tory councillor. Graham insists that the overall interests of Londoners must prevail, but the vote goes in favour of the measures. Jack’s sense of involvement and achievement lead him to join the Independent Labour Party. Madge and Charles are meeting regularly. Madge uses Tilly as an alibi.Tilly covers for Madge, but Gerry is unconvinced. Agnes overhears them arranging another rendezvous, and invites herself and half the workroom along for a Christmas drink, where she sings at the piano, and surprises everyone by doing rather well. Gerry accuses Charles of messing around with Madge, and Miles has to prevent a fight. Gerry storms out. Madge turns up on Charles’ doorstep - Gerry said stop seeing him or get out. Tilly attends church every morning before work to pray for her dead son, and refuses to move the crib. Norman is worried, but Tilly is unresponsive. She turns up unexpectedly at Bea’s to see Lucy, and calmly tells Bea that her Baby is with God.

Episode 7 - On the morning of the Aurora launch, Joseph sees what appears to be poor quality versions of the Aurora collection in a store window, one they have not sold to. He calls the sisters. Evie remembers Katy’s worries about dresses she saw at Baywater.There is no answer when Bea telephones Larry. At the store, the “Crystelle” collection is on sale for half the price of theirs. Buyer Miss Baxter says the manufacturer was Larry Cotter and the designer Grace Keeble.The Eliotts have been defrauded by their designer and their business partner. An Aurora buyer, Robson, demands a refund of his advance and returns the clothes. Grace’s office has been cleared.The Crystelle collection is on sale in Manchester. None of the workroom staff knows anything about the affair, but Agnes starts to worry about Betty’s recent overtime at Bayswater.The workers at Bayswater are owed wages for the nearly double normal hours they have been working recently - on the Crystelle Collection. Evie goes round to Grace’s deserted flat, and finds Crystelle sketches there. When Miles tries to prevent her searching, she accuses him of being in league with Grace. Outraged, Miles quits. Agnes questions Betty, who rebuffs her. Next day, Betty doesn’t turn up.The Crystelle collection is in over 20 stores. They offer some of the Crystelle buyers the Aurora in exchange, but Miss Baxter at Stone and Wilkinson is not interested - nor will she tell them where Cotter and Keeble are. Nor will any other buyers. When Bea criticises her for snapping at Joseph, Evie points out that it was Bea who had wanted to go into ready-to-wear, and take on Grace. Bea in turn accuses Evie over neglecting the business of Daniel.Their row prompts Agnes to speak up about Betty’s work at Bayswater. Miles comes in after all, and Evie apologises. Jack gets a call from editor Arnold Tomlinson, who has a story accusing the Eliotts of running a sweatshop. Madge,Tilly and Charles decide they should check with Betty in the morning before telling the Eliotts of their suspicions.Tomlinson reads out the article stating that the seamstresses were working 80 hours a week on the Aurora, for their normal wages. It also mentions Jack’s campaign for improved factory conditions and a minimum wage. Arnold agrees to put their side of the story, and tells them his informant was a seamstress from the couture workroom.They assume it was Madge, who is still in the workroom beyond. Jack accepts that Arnold must publish. Bea is outraged and turns on him. He slams out, leaving Bea in tears. She and Evie challenge Madge. Charles tells them it was Betty. Evie and Daniel are living at her flat, and have spent an awkward Christmas with Bea and Jack. Bea and Daniel have not hit it off together. When the fraud emerges, Evie is initially upset when Daniel seems to be taking Grace’s side, but realises he is simply trying to understand the situation. Jack meets Tom Patterson MP, who is trying to get a Private Member’s Bill through to limit working hours and establish a minimum wage. Jack has a hard time arguing with a group of sceptical union-backed Labour MPs, but his obvious passion and conviction impress Patterson, who suggests that Jack stand for Parliament. Bea assumes this is a joke. Norman is reduced to tears over Tilly’s obsession with religion since William’s death. He cooks a special meal, and talks about his own sorrows and needs, and needs, but Tilly will not listen. The supposedly dead Dora Quance turns up at Charles’s flat to claim what is hers. Madge asks her to leave and Charles has to make a choice. He sends Dora packing.

Episode 8 - Reports accusing the Eliott sisters of running a sweatshop appear in the newspapers. Beatrice and Evie determine to clear their name and seek advice from solicitors Simpkins & Co, with the intention of suing Larry Cotter and Grace Keeble. Angered by advice not to take legal action, they resolve to redress the balance themselves. Questioned by Bea and Evie, Betty admits her part in the scandal, but, in return for being allowed to keep her job, tells them how Cotter and Keeble bribed the buyers in the stores and provides details of their whereabouts. Bea and Evie visit Stone & Wilkinson’s store, but Mr Wilkinson refuses to believe his employees may be involved. However, he replaces his suspected buyer Miss Baxter with Miss Prebble for an arranged meeting with Cotter and Keeble and confronts them attempting another underhand deal. Miss Baxter is sacked and Wilkinson says he will ensure Larry and Grace never do business in London again. He offers to buy next season’s ready-to-wear collection. Bea offers the story to the newspapers and The House of Eliott is vindicated. Bea and Evie ask Miles to design next season’s ready-to-wear and he accepts. Katya is promoted to office clerk at the Bayawater workshop and invites everyone to celebrate with her at the pig & whistle. Agnes getsup to sing a number and is asked by the pianist Barney Kemp to do a regular spot.Thinking it’s a ‘come on’, she refuses, but Charles tells her Barney is well-known and Agnes later asks him to reconsider. Tilly continues to brood over William’s death and her work begins to suffer. Madge tells Norman, but worries she has gone behid Tilly’s back. Norman realises the situation is getting out of hand and he asks the vicar to talk to Tilly. Tilly is furious and confronts Norman at work.They have a blazing row and Norman leaves Tilly standing, telling her that things have got to change. He returns home that night to find her in darkness. The crib has gone and she tells him she now realises what he was going through. Norman tells her how much he needs her and Tilly makes a tentative gesture of reconciliation by taking his hand. Jack gives a speech to industrialists citing the situation at The House of Eliott as an example that could have been precented if legislation was introduced to protect workers against exploitation.Tom Patterson again asks Jack to stand for Parliament. Daniel expresses his concern at having to attend Lizzie Gurney’s party and feels uneasy mixing with the country set, but he promises to be on his best behaviour. However, he gets progressively drunk through the evening, is rude to his host and embarrasses Evie in front of the guests when he accidentally tears her dress. Bea tries to console Evie and forcefuly upbraids Mrs Gurney when she is openly disparaging about Daniel and more particularly, Evie’s morality. Jack tells Bea he has decided to stand for Parliament and she says she will give him her full support. Latyer that evening, Daniel creeps along to Evie’s bedroom to apologise for his behaviour. Evie tells him how important their relationship is to her and asks him to marry her.

Episode 9 - Bea is asked by Phylis Crowborough to design a dress for her elderly mother Lady Maude Westlake. Bea and Tilly visit the Crowborough household and find Maude cantankerous and uncooperative.Tilly, however, stands no nonsense and she and Maude develop a mutual understanding and respect.When Maude’s maid, Jane, resigns unable to tolerate her position any longer, Tilly is horrified to discover bruising on Maude’s arms. She assumes Sir John Crowborough is responsible, but Maude admits it is Phylis. Evie announces she and Daniel are getting married. She persuades Daniel to arrange a meeting with his parents, Mr and Mrs Page, with whom he has not spoken for years. Daniel reluctantly agrees. The encounter is disastrous and Daniel and his father argue bitterly over his sister Mary’s thwarted desire to go to art school - a scenario rewiniscent of Daniel’s own history. Unbeknownst to Daniel, Evie sends the Pages a wedding invitation. She later tells Daniel who is furious and doubts there can ever be a reconciliation with his father. An advertisement appears in the paper for the manageress job in the Bayswater workshop. Madge is disappointed she wasn’t approached directly, but Charles encourages her to apply. Bea is embarrassed when Joseph shows her the list of applicants, but she advises him to go ahead with the formal interviews and Madge is offered the job. Agnes’ continues her pub singing and Barney tells her she could go a long way. Agnes reminds him of his contact with the well known singer Ellie McCabe and he arranges a meeting at the Mackney Empire. Agnes is devastated when Ellie laughingly says she hopes Agnes wasn’t expecting her help in getting a job. Daniel is invited by George Holt, his ex-tutor at the Chelsea Polytechnic of Art to discuss the possibility of an art bursary. The wedding day arrives.To Evie’s delight the Page family attend and Daniel and his father make a tentative attempt at reconciliation. Madge feels depressed but Charles consoles her and presents her with a ring.Tilly and Norman make their excuses to leave for a meeting with Lady Westlake.They are dumbstruck when she offers them both positions in her house and their own cottage. When a bye-election becomes imminent at the death of Lovat, Patterson asks Jack to put himself forward to the General Committee for selection as a prospective Parliamentary candidate.He competes for selection against feminist Lilian Brownlow and Union man Godfrey Simpson, and is successfully elected. The morning after the wedding, Daniel opens a letter from George Holt offering him a study bursary in Paris for a year. Evie assumes he will have to turn it down, but hesitates when Daniel’s silence reveals he way have other ideas.

Episode 10 - Beatrice and Evangeline’s Spring collection is threatened when their planned venue is suddenly unavailable. At The House of Eliott, Evie is surprised when Joseph shows Lady Phylis Crowborough’s cheque returned by the bank. Bea tells Evie that Miles’s mother Faith made a surprise visit. Bea has invited her and her husband Harry to dinner. She wants Daniel and Evie to join them. Evie pursuades Daniel to accept the offer of the bursary in Paris and considers joining him. Jack has an idea about the collection and the following day takes them to Barak’s Picture Studios. Bea and Evie are sceptical but Daniel’s enthusiasm inspires them.Together he and Miles set about designing and arranging the staging. As Daniel and Miles work into the night, in an unguarded moment Miles reveals a curious degren of interest in Evie’s future plans. Evie decides to go to Paris with Daniel and tells Bea who is shocked at first but later agrees she’s made the right decision.The collection is presentation to great acclaim Harry’s interest in the House of Eliott grows and he requests a formal meeting with the board of directors. Norman hands in his notice and Tilly announces her resignation to the sisters. They offer Norman a temporary job driving the company’s new van. Charles annoys Madge when he offers to put up the couple at his flat. After a hard day canpaigning, Jack and Bea go to hear a speech by his political opponent John Crowborough. Systematically he demolishes Jack’s reputation, accuses The House of Eliott of running a sweatshop and slanders Evie. At lunch the following day Harry and Faith hint at Crowborough’s unethical business practice and dishonesty suggesting Jack takes a closer look at his affairs. On the eve of the election and armed with incriminating evidence, Jack confronts Crowborough but he is unmoved. The following day Jack is elected. Crowborough storms off leaving his humiliated wife to make her own way. Seeing the papers,Tilly fears for her future but Madge reassures her. In the absence of the Eliotts, Joseph negotiates a premiun on an existing range of clothes and is rewarded by being made Managing Director. Agnes asks Barney to organise an audition at the Hackney Empire. Barney is reticent and frustrated, Agnes walks off. The following Sunday she arrives at the Hackney Empire but is turned away from the stage door by Syd Beaumont. She steals into the auditorium, but is frightened out of her reverie when Syd tells her to “clear off.” Feeling sorry for her, he agrees to give her an audition. Later he telephones and offers an engagement. All the staff organise an outing and Betty if forced to apologise before she is allowed to join in. Seconds before they are due to go on Barney is seized with nerves and can’t play. Agnes reassures him with their first kiss and she makes a confident stage debut. When Tilly and Norman arrive at the Crowborough, Lady Westlake informs them that Crowborough’s bankruptcy has forced her to sell the house and all its contents for the sake of her daughter. They are devastated. At the board meeting Harry tables a generous offer of investment, on condition that his son Miles becomes a full partner on equal terms with Bea and Evie – and that Haute Couture will be phased out in favour of Ready to Wear. Evie is vehemently opposed but is voted down. She resigns and storms out, confronting Miles with accusations of duplicity. Daniel voices his own awareness of Miles’ scheme to separate him and Evie. He convinces Evie to stay, saying he will remain with her in London to give support. Evie re-enters the board meeting, announcing that although Miles is now a partner, she has decided to stay and will fight the phasing out of couture every step of the way…

“The House of Eliott is gorgeous – intelligently written, elegantly realised in all its design aspects and peopled with characters who are highly watchable for their virtues or their vices.” The Age

“This is the kind of drama that has been absent from our screens for far too long … the script was excellent, and the characters well distinguished, with scenes short and punchy … Credit must also go to the cast, in particular Stella Gonet as the angst-ridden Beatrice and Louise Lombard as her younger and rather naive sister Evangeline …Attention to period detail was flawless, evident in both interior and exterior scenes … This series should run for several years to come.” Stage and Television Today

“…eminently watchable … Not since Upstairs Downstairs has television produced such a class act. Shot in the tall, majestic homes of a bygone era and packed with the glitter of beautiful parties The House Of Eliott has nearly 10 million viewers hooked.” Daily Express

“…strong storylines, engaging characters and an immaculate attention to detail … not to mention Louise Lombard's eyebrows, which some male viewers would suggest are almost worth another series of their own.” Daily Mail

“Beautiful women, glamorous clothes and exotic locations … the best drama television has to offer.” Daily Express

“A lavish costume production … Superb acting, attention to minor detail and impressive sets, puts The House of Eliott in a league of it's own.” Daily Express

BAFTA Craft Awards 1991
Best Costume Design

Primetime Emmy Awards 1994
Best Costume Design for a Series

CableACE Awards 1994
Best Costume Design