I have been ‘Dressing the Stars’ for a exhibition of film costumes at Woodhorn Museum in Ashington.

It has been hard work and challenging at times however I have really enjoyed myself – it was both varied and interesting.

The Curator of the Exhibition is Yvonne Hellin Hobbs  – a lovely lady who brought the display to Woodhorn.

Some of my special duties included –

– Constructing a stylized wig for Queen I Elizabeth I.

– Sewing the elaborate frill on the cuffs of Ralph Fiennes shirt worn in the film ‘The Duchess’  – Ralph played the Duke of Devonshire.

– Inserting at least five constructions inside a dress worn by Keira Knightley in ‘The Duchess’.  She is heavily pregnant in the scene in which she wears a grey and silver gown.  Keria wore panniers on the sides of her gown, a couple of rolls at the back and two pregnancy pads at the front to create the correct shape – a lot of padding!

– Dressing the mannequin with an Elizabeth I Gown worn by Judi Dench in ‘Shakespeare in Love’. Her costume was so heavy it arrived in two packages and it took three members of the team to lift each package. It was very heavily padded particularly in the sleeves and had a lot of large glass jewels and embroidery.  I think it would be extremely heavy to wear – if you notice in the film Judi Dench is only seen sitting down in this gown  – perhaps she couldn’t walk in it!!

The costume for Jack Sparrow from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ is on display – it is a very interesting outfit with a lot of accessories. Also included is a white leather and silk costume worn by Joaquin Phoenix in that amazing epic ‘Gladiator’. Following the ‘sword and sandals theme’ there is also an attractive costume from ‘Troy’ worn by Orlando Bloom – it required a full mannequin complete with arms and legs and head (a flexi mannequin) to display all the attractive armour.

I love the ‘Elizabethan’ selection of costumes in the exhibition as my favourite period is 16th Century.  However I really adore a selection of costumes from ‘The Duchess’ starring Keira Knightley -there are four ladies gowns as well as two outfits for gentlemen.  They are all beautifully constructed in silk with wonderful embroidery.

Last Friday I attended a ‘Preview Night’ the formal opening of the exhibition.

The leading ‘Jack Sparrow ‘ impersonator opened the display- he was absolutely brilliant – it was like meeting Jonny Depp himself – I honestly couldn’t tell the difference.It was a superb occasion  – I was presented with a gift from the Woodhorn for my work – thank you very much.

Everyone enjoyed a glass of wine and a tour of the display.

If you love costumes don’t miss my forthcoming events at Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland.

Costume Talk/Lecture – a very interesting, lively and informative talk about the design/construction and inspiration for my  historical gowns,as well as a brief history of the people who wore them. Integral to the event is a display of four costumes on mannequins with headdresses, fans, underwear and jewellery as well as a personal appearance by King Henry VIII.  To be presented on Mothering Sunday 10th March 2013.

http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/mothers-day-costume-talk/

Period Fashion Show – My exciting show includes a number of superb costumes I have designed worn by four models. They are accompanied by beautiful period music, a brief history of each historical figure and a talk about the design and construction of each costume. Our show includes Mary Queen of Scots taking off her velvet robes to reveal her elegant execution gown.  It will take place on Monday 6th May 2013.

http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/bank-holiday-period-costume-fashion-show/

I am very pleased to announce I have been asked to ‘Dress the Stars’ by Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland.   

‘Dressing the Stars is a an exhibition of award winning costume designs by British designers.  There will be about forty costumes included  – they can be viewed from 16th February to the 19th June 2013.  The collection is on loan and was put together by Curator Yvonne Hellin-Hobbs.

It will be very interesting as a costume designer to see so many famous outfits from well known and well loved films.

As I dress the mannequins it will be exciting to discover how they have been constructed both ‘inside and out’ – I’m really looking forward to it.

Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/communities/ashington/2013/02/04/film-costumes-on-show-at-woodhorn-museum-72703-32743183/#ixzz2KQqLV7Lq

http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/dressing-the-stars/

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-east-news/2013/02/03/award-winning-film-costumes-showcased-in-exhibition-at-woodhorn-museum-79310-32734243/

Costumes include:-

The very famous costume worn by  ‘Jack Sparrow’ played by Johnny Depp in ‘Pirates of the Carribean’.

Wonderfully glamorous  gowns worn by Keira Knightley as ‘The Duchess’  – a film about the life of the Duchess of Devonshire and a beautiful silk suit worn by Ralph Fiennes as her husband.

Costumes worn by Helena Bonham Carter and Colin Firth as King George and Queen Elizabeth in that unforgettable film  ‘The Kings Speech’ – included are dresses worn by their daughters – Elizabeth and Mary Rose.

I think my particular favourites will a gown worn by Cate Blanchett in ‘Elizabeth’ a film about the early life of the famous Tudor Queen – and a stunning costume worn by Judi Dench as an older Elizabeth I in the film ‘Shakespeare in Love’ .

For lovers of Jane Austen – outfits worn by Kate Winslet , Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant in ‘Sense and Sensibility’ will also be on display.

Also included are costumes from Troy, Gladiator,’Henry V, Tess, Death on the Nile, Restoration and Howards End as well as others.

Roger Furse was the first British Designer to win an Oscar for Hamlet in 1948.  The costume worn by Laurence Olivier will also be included in this wonderful exhibition.  Since then British Costume designers have won numerous awards. Not only will the costumes themselves be on display but information about the designers and the process to create a film costume.

As part of the ‘costume events’ at the Woodhorn this year I will be presenting a ‘Mothers Day Costume Talk ‘ on 10th March at 2pm.  It is called ‘Tudor Costume Design- Bring History to Life’  – a very interesting, lively and informative talk about the design and construction of my 16th Century inspired clothes as well as a brief history of the people who wore them. My costumes have been inspired by outfits worn in such films as ‘Henry VIII and his Six Wives’ and  ‘Elizabeth The Golden Age’. Included is an appearance by King Henry VIII in full regalia.

http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/mothers-day-costume-talk/

I will also present a ‘Period Costume Fashion Show‘ on  Monday 6th May at , 12 noon and 2 pm. The show includes beautiful period music and gowns inspired by costumes from a number of films including ‘Anne of the Thousand Days’ and ‘Mary Queen of Scots’.  Elizabeth I ,Henry VIII, James VI, Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and tragic Mary Queen of Scots wearing her Execution Robes will all be included.

http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/bank-holiday-period-costume-fashion-show/

Events not to be missed if you are interested in films or costume or both!

I look forward to seeing you there.