It is the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare this year and his life and works  will be celebrated over the country.

William Shakespeare  was born in 1564  and died in April 1616 He was an English poet, playwright and actor and was widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist.

He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. In 2016 celebrations will commence in the United Kingdom and across the world to honour Shakespeare and his work.

Newcastle City Library will be joining in these celebrations and I am pleased to announce we have been booked to present our 16th Century inspired Fashion Show at Newcastle City Library.

We will present our show on Saturday 14 May  – our event is to be included as part of the popular ‘Late Shows’ which take place during the evening in the main library which is located in Newcastle City Centre.

We have already presented a number of events at the venue including costume talks and shows – it is a superb venue with wonderful facilities.We will present our Tudor Fashion Show show on the evening of 14 May- times to be confirmed.

My exciting show includes a eight exquisite costumes I have designed and created worn by 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.

My fashion show team consists of of eight people which includes four/five models.The show is both informative and interesting as well as humorous.

Our show presents King Henry VIII in full regalia arriving to a fanfare of trumpets, Queen Elizabeth I in an elaborate gold silk gown with decorative jewelled ruff, Queen Anne Boleyn wearing an elegant  blue silk/gold gown worn with a pearl trimmed French hood.

A stunning silk Peacock Blue dress with partlet for the young Mary Queen of Scots, a very attractive rose silk gown embroidered with gold for Queen Catherine Howard.

Also included are a stunning silver silk gown worn by Queen Jane Seymour or an elegant court costume with doublet, hat and sword for King James VI of Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots taking off her velvet robes to reveal her elegant execution gown is the dramatic finale to the show.

Please join us on 14 May for this celebration of Shakespeare – I am sure you will enjoy the show.

For more information click –  http://thelateshows.org.uk/2016/newcastle-city-library

Last night we presented a fabulous Tudor Fashion Show of Kings and Queens in Costume at the aptly named Queens Hall in Edinburgh.

What a fabulous venue – a wonderful location for a show – lighting, stage, sound and backstage facilities all superb – it was a pleasure to present a show in this hall.

300 members of the SWRI (Scottish Womens Rural Institute) attended the Show – what a lovely group of ladies and what an excellent sense of humour.

Henry VIII’s codpiece was the inevitably the centrepiece of the event – this infamous King arrived on stage to rapturous applause and general merriment which continued throughout the Show.

I think my husband (as King Henry) really enjoyed the attention of so many ladies  – very in keeping with the King he portrayed – I was quite jealous!

The event was followed by a very interesting question/answer session and a photo shoot which everyone enjoyed.

I would like to thank Isobel and Raymond for all their help with the evenings entertainment.

My son James who modelled the costume for King James VI is leaving to study an MA in London in two weeks so it was his last show. I am so pleased it was such a success – I wish him good luck and would like to thank him for all his help over the last few years.

Everyone including us had a superb time – we would love present an event for the SWRI again.

These fabulous photographs were taken by Selby based photographer Matthew Kitchen –  http://www.matthewkitchenphotography.co.uk/

The show was presented in the amazing Tournament Gallery at the Royal Armouries in Leeds  – Henry VIII’s armour is clearly visible behind the models – it was a superb venue.

I have included photographs of my beautiful new Catherine Howard Silk Gown. It is designed in deep pink and gold – I have hand embroidered the stomacher with gold threads, beads and jewels.

Hope you enjoy viewing the gallery.

Last night we presented our ‘Tudor Fashion Show’ for North Tyneside Council at Wallsend Library .

The event included a selection of my 16^th Century inspired costumes with appearances by Mary Queen of Scots, James I, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and others.

Wallsend Library is a beautiful spacious building with excellent facilities – I am pleased to say the the show was a sell out  –  there were no tickets left.

The event included a short interval with an opportunity to indulge in a cool glass of white wine.

The show included a presentation of my new’ Catherine Howard Masquerade Costume’. This gown has been designed in deep pink rose silk embellished with gold plated jewels/embroidery and beads. It is worn with a chemise and a beautiful ‘French Hood’ – a new necklace has also been created to match the gown.

The evening concluded with a very interesting question and answer session – a part of the show everyone really enjoys.

We discussed a diverse selection of topics including history, jewellery construction, costume design and fabrics. It was great to chat to so many lovely people who are interested both in Tudor costume and history.

Frequently asked questions included:-

• How did ladies from the Tudor Court manage to go to the toilet wearing such elaborate gowns?
• Where do you store your costumes and how do you transport them?
• Where do you buy your fabrics?
• Do you design and construct the jewellery worn with the costumes?
• How did the Tudor courtiers keep their clothes clean?

I have to admit that a particular remark pleased me immensely. A gentleman at the show said ‘I have to be honest – my wife made me come  to the show’ he added ‘however I really enjoyed it and am very pleased I came!’

Here are some of the comments about the Show we have just received from Wallsend Library.

–Very interesting and enjoyable.

-Everything was fantastic, couldn’t do better.

-An excellent show. I really enjoyed it and would love to see more similar events.

-Marvellous.  Could not do anything to improve it.  Well worth seeing. She must be truly dedicated – and hubby, of course!

-Brilliant.  Interesting talks, wonderful beautiful costumes. A very pleasurable evening. Thank you.

-It was very good. I was amazed by the detail on the clothes, and the models acted their roles beautifully – particular mention of Elizabeth.

-Excellent presentation, very interesting, fabulous costumes.

-Very interesting and informative with excellent models. Most enjoyable.

-A really excellent, entertaining and informative evening. The costumes were amazing. They brought the Tudor period to life. Thanks.

-It was brilliant. I loved it. Very informative and visually stunning.

-Excellent. Really enjoyed the evening. The detail was amazing. The models played their part so well.

-Fabulous. One of the best I have attended.

-Lovely costumes. I like the way the room is set out.

-Very interesting and informative, music added to the atmosphere. Because the models walked slowly and showed off items of clothing, we were able to get a good view of them. Whilst still retaining    the models’ modesty, it would be interesting to describe the clothes as they were being removed or put on.  Excellent needlework. Thank you for a wonderful display.

-A brilliant show – very professionally done!  Exquisite costumes. We had a great night.

I would just like to thank all the staff at the library for all their help in making the event such a success and particularly Joanna who booked the show.

I am pleased everyone enjoyed it so much – we would love to present an event at Wallsend library again.

Please view fabulous photographs of costumes at the Fashion Shows in Belsay Hall.

They were taken by photographer William Stevenson.

I have just added new photographs – these were taken by another photographer at the Shows – hope you enjoy them.

The show has a Scottish flavour and will include eight fabulous costumes.

An execution gown worn by Mary Queen of Scots and also a court outfit for King James VI have been specially designed and made for the Show

The dress for Mary Queen of Scots has been inspired by eye witness accounts of the tragic event  The costume for King James VI – the first King of both Scotland and England was based on portraits of the monarch.

The Fashion Show will take place in the historical setting of Trinity Apse in Chalmers Close off the Royal Mile.  It is a fifteenth century church with beautiful large windows and attractive stonework which will provide a fabulous setting for the costumes – also included is atmospheric period music.

Last night we presented a ‘Tudor Fashion Show’ for Carlisle Library.

It was a very enjoyable and successful event which included  two new costumes worn for the first time – Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.

The Elizabeth I Gown is an ornate and beautiful costume consisting of a sumptuous gold silk embroidered gown with hanging sleeves of claret satin.

It was worn with a gold jewelled necklace and girdle as well as three heavy rows of pearl. An large elaborate  gold and white silk ruff was worn around the neck. A stunning period make up and jewelled peacock feather fan completed the outfit.

My Mary Queen of Scots outfit was inspired by clothes worn by Mary for her tragic execution at Fotheringay Castle in 1587.

A black velvet overgown edged with braid is  buttoned over a beautiful silk gown. The silk gown has tie in sleeves with gold aglets and is worn over a chemise. A gold crucifix and  gold rosary were worn around her neck. An attifet, silk veil and period make up based on a portrait of Mary completed this elegant outfit.

This costume created such an impact that a  guest at the show said when she saw it she was  ‘moved to tears.’

Included in the show was beautiful period music and historical images of costumes of the 16th Century.

Henry VIII made his customary appearance in full regalia.  Two young boys aged about eight years old asked nervously if they could possibly shake hands with King Henry VIII.  Henry allowed them to do so on this particular occasion.  Their sister asked if I could make her a dress and I promised to design her a gown when she was older.

On a jovial note – a lady at the show laughingly asked if I could make ‘ a codpiece size large for her husband!

I would like to thank my two wonderful models and all the staff at the Library for their help in making  the show such a success – we would love to present another event at Carlisle in the future.