I have just received some wonderful pictures of my recent fashion shows at Belsay Hall.

They have been taken by very talented local photographers  – William Stevenson and Eric Fisher (A7EHF Photography) – I am sure you’ll agree that they have created some stunning portraits of my costumes.

Eric and Bill certainly capture all the fine fabrics and intricate detail.

I really appreciate all your excellent work – thank  you.

On Saturday 5^th May, Sunday 6^th May and Monday 7^th May 2012 we will present our exciting and dynamic Period Fashion Shows three times daily at beautiful Belsay Hall in Northumberland as part of the fabulous weekend of ‘Fashion from the Past’ for English Heritage.

See a variety of sumptuous Tudor costume displayed in fashion presentations revealing the secrets of Tudor courtly costumes.  The shows are accompanied by period music and talks. Find out not only about the history of the person wearing the costume but also how the costumes, jewellery, fans and masks are designed and created.

http://www.journallive.co.uk/northumberland-sites/ponteland-northumberland/ponteland-news/2012/04/18/fashions-brought-back-to-life-61634-30786348/   

Last year over 3300 people visited Belsay to view our Fashion Shows and costume display – I am sure we will have even more visitors this year. Included are my new and fabulous costumes for two of Henry VIII’s wives – Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard.  The costumes will be modelled in the fashion shows and also included in my stunning display of 16^th Century inspired Period Costumes on show in the beautiful library at Belsay Hall from Tuesday 8th May – Sunday 27th May 2012.

My Catherine Howard inspired Gown in deep pink silk gown is designed to be worn at a Tudor Court Masque. It was inspired by portraits of the period and costumes worn in the film ‘Henry VIII and his Six Wives’.  It has a stomacher lavishly embroidered with gold/jewels and is worn with a matching French hood and beautiful ornate gold mask. Catherine Howard was a young, frivolous pretty girl who loved beautiful clothes – she received many as presents from the King. Catherine would have loved this type of very ornate, lavish and feminine gown.

The Gown created for Jane Seymour is a very beautiful and regal silver dress. It has been designed in very fine silver/grey silk and patterned silver damask fabric. The damask has black threads woven  to produce a beautiful pattern of crosses.  Jane Seymour was a very religious person and this pattern has been chosen to reflect her personality. It is embellished with pearls and worn with attractive hanging sleeves in shades of silver and blue.  A lace edged  silver/blue jewelled hood and exquisite silver feather fan complete this regal costume.

Also included in the display are ornate costumes for Henry VIII,  Anne Boleyn, James I, Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth. There will also be  Tudor Underwear on show – it gives a fascinating insight into what was worn beneath a period gown.

I look forward to seeing you at Belsay next month – everyone is welcome.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/fashion-from-the-past-costume-presentations-bh-5-may/ 

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/events

A fabulous weekend of Costume arranged by English Heritage is to take place at Belsay Hall in Northumberland. Belsay is situated next to Morpeth, an attractive market town. Taking place inside and outside the Hall will be a variety of historic fashion displays. From Tudor to Georgian to 20th Century, a variety of historical costumiers will bring their collections to life with informative presentations.

There is music and children’s dressing up too making a whole weekend dedicated to fashion from the past.

Belsay has a grand medieval castle with stunning views from the top of the tower later extended to include a magnificent Jacobean mansion.

The Hall itself is an architectural masterpiece inspired by the temples of ancient Greece, with its fabulous Pillar Hall.
There are huge grounds, packed with an impressive array of shrubs and flowers.The unique Quarry Garden is a fantasy of ravines, pinnacles and exotic plants.

Belsay Hall is one of the top visitor attractions in Northumberland and excellent for a family day out.
Prior to the weekend of Costume I will present a stunning display of my fabulous costumes for ‘Kings and Queens’ in the beautiful library. It will be set up Friday 29th July and the costumes will be on display until Friday 5th August.

We will be presenting our exciting and dynamic period fashions shows twice daily on Saturday 6th August and Sunday 7th August at 11.30 am and 2.45pm. An introductory talk to be followed by models appearing in eight of my fabulous 16th Century inspired costumes.

Also included is a model wearing 16th Century underwear – the foundation of fashion –  to give a fascinating insight into what was worn beneath a 16th Century Gown. Each outfit to be accompanied by period music and a talk about its design and construction.

Included are a Blue Silk ‘Anne Boleyn’ Gown with French Hood, a Gold Silk Elizabeth I Gown with Ruff and Henry VIII dressed in full regalia. You can also watch Mary Queen of Scots being undressed for her execution.

There will be a visit by the Spitfires – a trio of girls in wartime costumes and’ The History Wardrobe’ offers ‘ The Portrait of a Lady’ an enchanting view of the creation of beauty in portraits of the late 18th Century.

It will be a very interesting and exciting couple of days – a weekend not to be missed.