My talk includes a fabulous display of exquisite gowns decorated with pearls and semi-precious stones, elaborate headdresses, jewellery and fans.

Perfect background for fans of historical fiction.

This event will take place at Community Hub Central, Hartlepool. 

Please note: Tickets will not be issued for any of these events, and you do not need to bring along a booking confirmation. When you arrive at the event, please give a member of staff the name of the person who booked for your party to gain entry.

If you are having trouble booking online, please phone ARC box office on 01642 525199 to book over the phone.

Hope you will join me for this very special event!

arconline.co.uk/whats-on/crossing-the-tees/tudor-costumes-with-julia-soares-mccormick?fbclid=IwAR0net2TiUvWfq5d_optw1K77quDToO5aX8mMwrjoYsxLRKFtSk–xosujY

Last Friday  21 October we presented our Tudor Talk for a ladies group in Brancepeth.

My talk included Tudor Underwear and costumes inspired by King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.

Quite a few questions after my talk were relating to the Tudor Under garments and laundering of the clothes.

What did they wear under their outer garments?

Could the clothing be washed?

Did the ladies wear any type of knickers?

How were the skirts held out?

The chemise, called a “smock” or “shift” in the 16th century, was a simple garment was worn next to the skin to protect clothing from sweat and body oils. As Elizabethans rarely indulged in full-body baths, and as the clothing of the middle and upper classes was not the kind one could pound on a river rock or scrub regularly with ashes and lye soap, the chemise was vital to Elizabethan costume.Smocks were made of fine linen, as fine as the wearer could afford. Many of the better smocks were made of what we now call “handkerchief-weight” linen. Lawn, cypress and holland were three 16th c. varieties of sheer linen used for fine smocks.

These smocks hung to just about knee to calf-length, on average. This is a square -necked gathered smock – it has a  very voluminous body and sleeves, I have gathered the fabric into a square neckband and wristbands. It was sometimes pulled through the slashing of the outer garments during this period.Resistance to fungus and bacteria – Linen has natural antibacterial properties and that is why it is used in medicine. It also acts against the bacteria that make you smell. Regarding washing of the garments – the silk and heavily embellished fabrics could not be washed.  They outer garments were heavy to don and doff, stiff and uncomfortable to wear and to be honest very smelly.  Without the essential chemise next to the skin they would have been even worse

This corset has been inspired by the corset found on the ‘effigy’ of Elizabeth the First. I have designed a tabbed waist corset, which is the type which is the easiest to wear. The tabs distribute pressure so the corset does not ‘dig in’ at the waist. The Elizabethan corset gave a period shape to the body and had straps to help lift the breasts. It was made of linen (I have constructed it in cotton twill or linen. Spring steel boning has been inserted into channels to give strength.  During the 16th century corsets were stiffened with whalebone, reeds, steel or rope. I have used binding on the edges as Elizabeth’s corset was bound with leather. The lacing holes are reinforced with sturdy cotton thread and the corset is laced with cord.

To create the correct shape for clothes of the period a Spanish Farthingale was worn. This was a bell-shaped hoop skirt worn under the skirts of well-to-do women during the Tudor and Elizabethan era. From 1530 to 1580, the farthingale played an important part in shaping the fashionable silhouette. (First Farthingale worn by Joan of Portugal to hide pregnancy – had two illegitimate children)

The Spanish Farthingale, as its name suggests, originated in Spain. Tradition holds that the Spanish Farthingale arrived in England in the 1520s, introduced by Katharine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s future queen. It is true that, beginning in the 1530s, clear evidence of hoop skirts worn by English noblewomen begin to appear in court paintings and portraits.

The pattern for this farthingale is from Juan de Alcega’s Tailor’s Pattern Book, published in 1589. It has been created from sections of calico – which are cut and then pieced together.  The sections of fabric are placed so that no bias seams are sewn to each other. This was to eliminate the sagging which two bias seams sewn together would inevitably experience. I have cut additional pieces of fabric, 2 inches wide, to match the length of each piece of boning to create casings for the stiffening.After everything is sewn together, the farthingale would have been gathered at the top and the raw edges bound with a strip of fabric.  It is reasonable to say that the opening would have been in the back or in the front for a front-lacing corset.Three materials were known to be used for stiffening farthingales in Elizabeth’s time: rope, bent rope, and whalebone. Most recreation farthingales are made using hoop skirt boning. Hoop skirt boning is 1/2-inch-wide stiffened canvas or plastic with spring steel along the edges. It is very stiff and can hold out the heaviest of skirts, yet is lighter than other boning materials. After the boning is inserted the casings are tacked close.  The boning can however be easily removed so the farthingale can be washed.

A Bumroll, which, as its name suggests, was a roll tied around the bum, was an essential piece of Tudor and Elizabethan underwear. In Elizabethan times, it was more commonly called a “rowle”; “bumroll” is the modern term for the item. A bumroll is made from a crescent shape of non-stretchy fabric such as calico which is stuffed with wadding and has ties attached to the ends.

The first hard evidence of a separate roll worn around the hips are a reference to them in Elizabeth’s wardrobe accounts from 1580. It was tied around the hips to make a woman’s skirt swell out becomingly at the waistline before falling to the ground. It was used throughout the 16th century and into the 17th, and considered an essential aid to fashionable dress. Elizabeth I wore one with her gold gowns.

Gold Elizabeth I Gown

By the way no type of panties or knickers were worn – If you are interested – the first type of this type of underwear were in a form of leggings or long drawers, they originated in France in the early 19th century, and quickly spread to Britain and America. Without the correct underwear, the shape of the dress of the period would be unable to be achieved so it is a very important part of the costumes.

You simply can’t look like Lady Jane Grey, Anne Boleyn or Mary Queen of Scots without the right foundation garments. If you make the attempt, the most you’ll achieve is the look of a poor and cheaply made fancy dress costume: A lumpy and ill-fitting mess. It’s impossible to achieve the lines of an Elizabethan gown without a corset (as well as a host of other “underpinnings” such as bumrolls, farthingales, or hoops).

I would like to thank the super ladies of the group especially Janet for their help in setting up the costume display.

I had a great time chatting to them all afterwards – I also enjoyed a couple of cakes, fruit cheese and two glasses of Elder flower wine with them as well  – beautiful!

We really appreciated your kind hospitality and hope we meet again!

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

Really enjoyed presenting our Tudor Talk with costume display this morning for the Newcastle Embroiderers Guild – it had snowed heavily very late last night and we were worried that when we woke up it would be a very heavy covering.

Hey presto! As if by magic all the snow had disappeared this morning and we had no problem to driving to Bartholomew’s Hall in Forest Hall near Newcastle upon Tyne – 0n a good day it’s only a 10-15 minute run from our home in Cramlington.

Newcastle upon Tyne Embroiderers’ Guild is a friendly, enthusiastic group of embroiderers – their aim is to share opportunities for creativity and promote embroidery for all – everyone is welcome, from beginner to expert.

The only qualification needed is an interest in, and love of, embroidery. – they group say you can enjoy embroidery and not pick up a needle.The ladies really enjoyed our talk and we really enjoyed presenting it.

One of my favourite costumes – my Blue Silk Anne Boleyn Gown has been chosen to grace the cover of a novel about my favourite Tudor Queen . I was happy to show the ladies a copy of ‘The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn’  written by Nell Gavin  – my lovely model Laura is on the front and back cover wearing my gown.

While discussing Tudor underwear I mentioned that in the 16th Century Tudor ladies wore no type panties or knickers at all and that that type of undergarment was not deemed desirable or essential and in truth had not even been thought of – however strange that seems to us today.A lady attending the talk asked me if I knew where the names knickers and also panties comes from. The word drawers was invented because underwear was drawn on.

Apparently the word knickers  comes from a novel called History of New York by Diedrich Knickerbocker, supposedly a Dutchman living in New York (novel was actually written by Washington Irving).The illustrations for the book in this country showed a Dutchman wearing long loose fitting garments on his lower body.Knickerbockers were men’s loose trousers worn for sport so women’s underwear were soon called knickerbockers too. In the late 19th century the word was shortened to knickers in the late 1800’s . In America ladies undergarments are called panties, which is obviously a shortened form of the word pants.

I enjoyed chatting to the ladies after my talk and was happy to answer questions or queries about both my costume design and history of the Tudors. I even caught up with an old friend Kath who used to work with me at Northumbria University – it was great to see her.

I am currently producing a new talk for 2016.  It is about Fashion and Queen Marie Antoinette.  My 18th Century inspired costumes will include a pink patterned silk corset and panniers, La Reine Chemise worn with a pretty Bergere hat and and a fabulous court gown worn with an amazing wig.

This talk should be available from early next year – date to be advised. A number of the ladies I am pleased to say expressed an interest in booking my costume event-  I will be providing more information about my new talk in a future post.

We also enjoyed refreshments after my talk – I would like to thank the ladies for their help and hospitality – not forgetting my super son James who kindly set up the display.

Last Thursday we travelled to beautiful Grassington in Yorkshire to present a Tudor fashion Show for the North Yorkshire West Federation WI. It was a large federation event and it proved very popular being fully booked with a large numbers of members in attendance.

We presented our show in the Grassington Devonshire Institute – a large spacious building in the centre of the town. Built in 1855 as a Mechanics Institute and extended in 1923 and 1997, the present building houses a main hall with stage, octagon theatre with stage, kitchen, games room, two further letting rooms, changing rooms and foyer. It plays host every year to a number of popular events.

A number of ladies mentioned they have been watching the recent series ‘Wolf Hall’ on television. ‘Wolf Hall’ is a historical drama chronicling the rise of Thomas Cromwell, the son of a humble blacksmith who became King Henry VIII’s chief minister, as he navigated the corridors of power in the Tudor court.

The series includes appearances by King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour – famous figures of the period all included in our show. A WI member mentioned she had just finished watching ‘Wolf Hall’ and was looking forward to seeing the costumes ‘up close’ – she certainly got the chance at our Tudor Fashion Show.

We chatted to members after the show  – questions included  ‘ are the skirts and bodices separate or stitched together?’, where do you buy your fabrics?’ and ‘how are the ruffs/wisps made?  – come to our next event and find out! All the ladies said they really enjoyed it – we certainly enjoyed presenting it!

On a personal note I found the execution of Anne Boleyn in Wolf Hall the most moving I have ever seen dramatized in either film or on television. Claire Foy gave a magnificent portrayal and although Anne was portrayed as not the most likeable person during the series – she certainly managed to gain our sympathy by the last scene.

This has proved our most popular year ever at Julia Renaissance Costumes – our booking for 16^th century events have certainly increased due to the massive interest in  ‘Wolf Hall’.

Incidentally our bookings for ‘Enter the World of Jane Austen’- my Regency costume talk with display- have also increased as it is the bi-centenary of the battle of Waterloo in 1815 – it is certainly proving to be a bumper year for us!

I would like to thank Margaret at the WI for all her help and support in making the event such a success  – I would also like to thank her for kind hospitality in providing lunch and drinks for my team.

We really enjoyed presenting the Fashion Show in the Grassington Devonshire Institute for the North Yorkshire WI.  Finally I would like to thank my splendid team for all their excellent work!

King Henry VIII with Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour

To launch the 2014 Winter Programme members of the National Trust were invited to a fashion show with a difference held in the atmospheric surroundings of Washington Old Hall.

I presented my Period Fashion show in this beautiful period building which is steeped in history. Washington Old Hall is a manor house located in the Washington area of Tyne and Wear. It lies in the centre of Washington, being surrounded by other villages.
The manor was the ancestral home of the family of George Washington, the first President of the United States.The name Washington goes back to Anglo-Saxon times. The Norman knight, William de Hertburn, settled on the manorial land here before 1183.  Another house was on the site at the time, and over the years the family improved it and added a hall. Parts of the original hall are still in existence, notably the west end arches of the great hall.

Queen Elizabeth I

Our show took place downstairs in the very beautiful hall – at one end of the hall the arches provided a very attractive backdrop for my costumes. It was commented upon how perfectly the dresses suited the venue and how they brought history to life! Wine and canapés were also served in the Liberty Hall upstairs.

A very nice lady at the show particularly loved the silver silk Jane Seymour Gown. She commented  “It it is absolutely perfect for  Queen Jane Seymour, the design of crosses in the fabric is perfectly suited to her pious nature” she also mentioned that Jane loved pearls. That is why I used pearls to embellish the bodice and underskirt of this very elegant gown.

I would like to thank Douglas the lovely gentleman who booked the show for all his help in making the show such a success as well as the very kind man who served myself and my team refreshments during the evening. Not forgetting my friend Diane who introduced Douglas to my work – Thank you all – without your help this event would not have taken place.

[See image gallery at www.tudortalkandcatwalk.com]

Washington Old Hall

We are presenting two Period Fashion Shows this month. I am very excited to announce that the first show at Killingworth is to be filmed and featured on television! The second show is to be presented at beautiful historic Washington Old Hall in Tyne and Wear!

My exciting and dynamic Period Fashion Show includes historically inspired 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. Our 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. 

Tudor Inspired Historical Costumes

We have been booked by North Tyneside Council to present our Tudor Fashion Show at the White Swan Centre in Killingworth on Thursday 25th September 2014. The Centre has excellent facilities and is used to present special events such as weddings and shows. It is an attractive airy building with beautiful natural light – a wonderful setting for our Show.

My Tudor Fashion Show at Killingworth is to be featured on television.  It is to be filmed by South Korean TV Station KBS – the Korean equivalent of the BBC. KBS produces award winning documentaries internationally. The documentary  is to be called ‘Fashionable’  – it will be filmed in UHD, the latest high definition and will be all about hidden and amazing history about fashions, focusing on Corsets and Renaissance Costumes.  We are very excited to be a part of this excellent production.

The show is to presented on Thursday 25 September 2014 at 7pm – for more information including details of how to book please visit the following-

http://www.friendsaction.co.uk/events/tudor-fashion-show

http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/browse-display.shtml?p_ID=553544&p_subjectCategory=1298

Washington Old Hall

The following evening Friday 26 September we will presenting our Tudor Fashion Show again in the wonderful Washington Old Hall in Washington Village for the National Trust. Washington Old Hall is a Manor house associated with the family of George Washington, the first president of the USA. At the heart of the historic Washington village lies the picturesque stone manor house and its gardens which provide a tranquil oasis, reflecting gentry life following the turbulence of the English Civil War. The building incorporates parts of the original medieval home of George Washington’s direct ancestors, and it is from here that the family took their surname of ‘Washington’. It will provide a wonderful historical setting for my historically inspired costumes. I am really looking forward to presenting the show in such an amazing setting – for more information visit http://www.durhamnt.org.uk/socials.html

It is an very exciting time  – I do hope you will join us and become part of my costume events!

Tudor Talk and Costume Display

On Tuesday 6th of May 2pm I will be presenting a very interesting and informative talk about the design, construction and inspiration for historical gowns, as well as a brief history of the people who wore them. The event will also feature a fabulous display of Tudor costumes as well as a personal appearance by King Henry VIII! A lavish cream tea will follow the talk and a private viewing of the Tudor exhibition within the castle.

Do not miss ‘The Power and the Glory’
Enter the magnificent world of early Tudor England in this temporary exhibition at Auckland Castle, the former home of Bishop Richard Fox (1494-1501), who was Henry VII’s most trusted advisor.
Sunday 30th of March – Tuesday 30th of September.

‘The Power and the Glory’ will showcase some of the finest sacred masterpieces from the Tudor period, including the newly discovered State Paradise Bed of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Included with admission to the Castle.

Just to let you know I am to be be interviewed by Chris Percival on his show on Bishop FM Radio next Sunday from 12 noon. We will chat about my Tudor Talk and Display to be presented at Auckland Castle on Tuesday 6th May – don’t miss it! 

see more at http://aucklandcastle.org/events

 A Tudor Fashion Show presented at St Mary’s Heritage Centre in Gateshead

We will present a ‘Tudor Fashion Show’ for Gateshead Council on Saturday 22nd February at 7pm in St Mary’s Heritage Centre.

St. Mary’s Heritage Centre is a unique and innovative visitor attraction incorporating libraries, arts and heritage in one venue.  Sitting high above the River Tyne close to The Sage Gateshead, the centre opened on the 16th December 2008 following a £1.2m transformation, funded by Gateshead Council, the European Regional Development fund and the heritage lottery fund.The interior of the Grade 1-listed church has been completely stripped out to return it as far as possible to its former state, and is open to the public with a programme of exhibitions and activities including a family history section focusing on the church and the nearby area.St. Mary’s Heritage Centre welcomes visitors to learn the history of Gateshead, and provides a spectacular venue for events, family history research and educational activities.

For more information about booking and prices please click     https://online.gateshead.gov.uk/EventTicketsOnline/pages/eventdetails.aspx?ky=2313

This exciting Tudor fashion Show includes a number of superb costumes I have designed and made 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 King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Katherine Howard and a fabulous gold gow for Queen Elizabeth I. Also included are two gowns for Mary Queen of Scots – a fabulous court gown and her elegant execution gown.  Hope to see you at the show!

Tudor Costume Design- Bring History to Life.

As my Costume Talk/Lecture at Woodhorn on Mothering Sunday 10th March 2013 proved so popular I was asked to present it again in June 2013. So this presentation in October 2013 is the second return of my very popular talk  – it is scheduled as part of history week at the Woodhorn Museum in Ashington.

It includes information about the design/construction and inspiration for my 16th Century inspired historical gowns, as well as a brief and sometimes humorous history of the people who wore them.

Integral to the event is a display of my four costumes on mannequins with headdresses, fans, underwear and jewellery – costumes for  Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots and Anne Boleyn are included. There is also a personal appearance by King Henry VIII in full regalia. My talk is to be presented twice on Sunday 27th October at 11.30 am and 2 pm. Ticket price: £4 for my talk. Booking is advised.

Tickets available from Woodhorn Museum who is hosting the event. For further information about my talk  please visit the Woodhorn website –  http://www.experiencewoodhorn.com/mothers-day-costume-talk/.  [See image gallery at www.tudortalkandcatwalk.com]

My talk has also been mentioned in the local newspaper ‘The Evening Chronicle ‘ please find link below

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/community-news-brief-tuesday-8th-6154733

Book early as my talk proved so popular last time staff at the Woodhorn had to turn people away!