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This article originally appeared in British Weekly.

Fashion Stars in 'The House of Eliott' By Robin Rowe Four Stars **** SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (British Weekly) 11/29/07 - "Even after all these years lots of people come up and rave about it," says Louise Lombard who stars as the chic scandalous younger sister in the 34-episode series The House of Eliott. "I know it is sacrilege, but the truth is I haven't a clue about fashion. I can't sew. I can't draw. I got very good at looking like I could do those things." Lombard was once described as "The Mouse of Eliott" due to her unglamorous real life wardrobe. Stella Gonet plays the elder sister Beatrice Eliott. Gonet currently stars as Jayne Grayson in the BBC series Holby City. More...

Creators of Upstairs/Downstairs bring style to roaring 20s fashion house drama.

Evangeline Eliott has a taste for married men and daredevils. "It was a lot of high drama," says Lombard. "There's nice stuff in there to play. They were pretty progressive women." Lombard auditioned for The House of Eliott after starring in the series Chancer opposite Clive Owens. She was hired on the spot, even through the roles are quite different. Lombard's success as Evangeline led to a development deal with CBS. She's played the role of Sofia Curtis on the series CSI since 2004. She starred in the movie Hildago, but reportedly had to pass up Indecent Proposal to do the second season of The House of Eliott, the role going instead to Demi Moore.

The House of Elliot was created by Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh, who had previously come up with Upstairs, Downstairs. When The House of Eliott originally aired on the BBC from 1991to 1994, it was an instant hit and regularly attracted audiences of over ten million viewers. It was also a hit in America, airing on A&E, PBS and BBC America. The series is classic costume drama with romance, elegant costumes, and class struggle. It won an Emmy and a BAFTA award for best costumes.

After their father dies, the Eliott sisters discover he's left them without a penny, and with a meddling guardian. Bea lands a job as personal assistant to a kind-hearted bounder of a society photographer played by Aden Gillett. (Watch for Minnie Driver in a brief appearance replacing Bea as Jack's personal assistant in episode four.) Evie gets a job at a dressmaker. The stylish Eliott sisters are on their way, after many reverses, to their dream of the House of Elliot, the most elegant house of haute couture in London.

The series is quite compelling to watch. If you like fashion, a sense of family, and women making strong decisions, you'll love it. But, resist the temptation to watch all of The House of Elliot at once. It's almost thirty hours. One caveat, the unsatisfying ending to the final episode leaves more questions than it answers.

Distributor: Acorn Media
12-DVD collection
Approximately 29 ½ hours
SRP: $119.99