Royalty at Raby

Today we presented two exciting Period Fashion Shows at Raby Castle.

Raby Castle  is near Staindrop in County Durham, England. The castle sits in a 200 acres deer park. The castle was built by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby in approximately 1367 to 1390. Cecily Neville, who was the mother of the Kings Edward IV and Richard III was born here. After Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, led the failed Rising of the North in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1569 Raby Castle was taken into royal custody.

Every room in Raby Castle, from the magnificent Barons’ Hall, where 700 knights gathered to plot the ‘Rising of the North’, to the Medieval Kitchen which was used until 1954, gives an insight to life throughout the ages. Behind the powerful exterior of towers and fortifications, Raby houses a fantastic art collection and splendid interiors.

The shows were presented in the fabulous Barons’ Hall an absolutely stunning setting for my costumes. The hall contains fabulous period furniture was well as a beautiful selection of historical paintings.  Some of the figures in the paintings wear costumes that the echo the styles of clothes worn in my shows.

Both performances of the show were full – the events proved to be extremely popular with all seats taken.  Feedback was excellent – I am so pleased everyone had such a great afternoon.

We really enjoyed presenting the events – I would like to thank my team – models Helen, Laura and Meghan as well as my husband Mick and costume assistant Alison.  I would also like to mention my son James who both narrated the show and provided the music – thank you Jamie!

I have included a couple of photographs of the event – they include a picture of  a very pretty little girl Logan Mia Barton who came to the event dressed in her very own Tudor costume. She looked absolutely splendid in her period outfit!

I would also like to mention Lord Barnard, Claire, Rachel and all the staff at Raby who contributed to the success of the shows – thank you for all your help!