Last night we presented our new talk ‘Enter the World of Jane Austen’ in the fabulous new Customer Service Centre in Wallsend – it only opened on Friday 28 February four weeks ago and my event was the first to be presented in the new building!
As well as providing a new library, customer services advice suite and self-service cash payment kiosks, it will offer three community rooms available for hire, an art display area, public toilets, baby changing area and free wi-fi throughout.
The state-of-the-art library area will feature the latest in furniture and design, with 26 public access computers – two of which are designated for children, two designated computer areas for self-study, an art display area; self-issue and return terminals and comfortable seating areas.
I presented my ‘Regency Talk’ on the first floor in a beautiful open plan area surrounded by walls of windows which provided fantastic natural light. My costume display was situated on a purpose built stage giving the audience an excellent view of all my dresses. The seating area was spacious and very comfortable – in fact the facilities were fabulous.
Regency Chemise with Corset
Over 40 guests were due to attend my talk however as over 50 were present additional seating had to be arranged – refreshments were also provided .
Quite a few guests were old friends who have attended my Tudor Talks and Fashion Shows however there were quite a number of visitors new to my events.
A Gentleman who attended the talk stated he was not looking forward to it as he was coming only as a chauffeur for his wife – however he said to me “I really enjoyed it and that you didn’t repeat yourself once” praise indeed from a man!
A Lady mentioned to me after the talk that she was very pleased that a ‘Jane Austen’ event was being presented in the North of England as she is a member of the Jane Austen Society and all the events seem to be located in the South of England! I was only to happy to oblige.
The Three Graces – provided a great laugh during my talk as I explained why a chemise was worn under Regency Gowns.
The Three Graces
Like a slip it kept transparent muslin or silk dresses from being too revealing. it helped keep skirts in a cone shape, not clinging to one’s legs; At the turn of the century, when lighter cloths were used to fashion gowns and when the dress silhouette was columnar and worn close to the body, the use of a chemise or petticoat was even more crucial, for the thin fabric would cling to the legs and work its way between them without the barrier of the petticoat. While caricaturists showed enormous zest in depicting the new revealing fashions, they exaggerated the trend of these flimsy gowns out of all proportion in their visual commentaries.
Another visitor asked me what inspired me to make costumes so I explained that – In 1969 at the tender age of 11 I attended a screening of a film called Anne of the Thousand Days ‘starring Genevieve Bujold as ‘Anne Boleyn. With the romance and beauty of the gowns, as well as sets and costumes used in the production it inspired in me a lifelong passion for anything connected with ‘Anne Boleyn’ as well as a desire to recreate historical costumes. I made my first ‘Anne’ costume at the age of 14 from a cut down red velvet dress of my mother’s – I thought I looked wonderful.
It was announced by staff at the library that on Thursday 25th September 2014 my exciting and dynamic Period Fashion Show is to be presented at the White Swan Centre Killingworth. Included are historical costumes worn by models accompanied by beautiful period music. There is also a brief history of each historical figure and a talk about the design and construction of each costume. My show includes Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Catherine Howard and Mary Queen of Scots taking off her velvet robes to reveal her elegant execution gown. An event not to be missed!
Afterwards everyone said they really enjoyed the talk and loved my costumes – I am so pleased that all the guests had a great evening – I really enjoyed presenting my lecture and chatting to everyone as well!
