It is a beautiful building in the Regency style – it includes a colonnaded entrance as well as a beautiful ornate and opulent staircase.  I mustn’t forget the pretty gardens as well.

We photographed my lovely model Helen in three of my Regency costumes.

A beautiful afternoon dress and jacket with bonnet that could have been worn by Jane Austen herself was the first outfit worn by Helen.  A pretty white Regency style cotton dress with red velvet Spencer jacket and matching bonnet with gold ribbons. I’m sure you’ll agree the pretty garden proved a lovely setting. 

Helen then wore a high waisted opulent lilac silk evening gown trimmed with gold and lilac guipure lace. The gown was accessorised with a matching turban trimmed with swaying ostrich feathers, gold tassel and a jewelled brooch. The beautiful colonnaded entrance provided a spectacular setting for this costume.

 Helen’s final appearance as Empress Josephine in  a gold gown inspired by the Empire/Regency period was spectacular. She wore a lavish gold spangled velvet court robe with train over a gold satin empire line gown trimmed with gold.  Helen carried a gold fan and wore a spectacular diadem in the roman style. I am sure you’ll agree she looks magnificent descending the beautiful staircase at Longhirst Hall.

I would like to thank Claire the Sales Manager at Longhirst Hall for her help with this photo shoot – without her it would not have been possible. I would also like to thank my lovely model  Helen Redfearn and photographer Tony Lambert.

I am sure you’ll agree Longhirst is a fabulous setting for a costume shoot!  [See image gallery at www.tudortalkandcatwalk.com]