27 March 2017 “Enter the World of Jane Austen” – Witham Group of W. I’s 

We will present our talk “Enter the World of Jane Austen” – Regency Costume Talk with Display for Witham Group of W. I’s 27th March 2017 at Washing-borough near Lincoln. A very interesting, lively, humorous and informative lecture about the design and construction of gowns I have created inspired by the Regency period. Beautifully costumed mannequins/dummies will accompany the talk. I will include several costumes and some underwear inspired by the period as well as a morning dress, afternoon dress and evening gowns.

2 May 2017 Regency Talk  – Rothbury WI

We are looking forward to presenting our Jane Austen talk for Rothbury WI. Our venue is the Rothbury Golf Club located across the river from the centre of picturesque Rothbury in Northumberland. We will present the talk in a large airy room with a superb backdrop of the rolling hills of Northumberland. My costume display will include superb reproduction Regency underwear based on extant of the period – a chemise, corset and pantalettes – I will illustrate how important it is to wear the correct foundation garments as the true period shape would be impossible to achieve without them.

5 July 2017 South Shields  – U3A

On 5 July, we will present our Regency Talk – Enter the World of Jane Austen’ for the U3A – The University of the Third Age. We had had a number of bookings for the U3A and always enjoy presenting events for them. We will present our talk in a large spacious hall in the centre of South Shields. The U3A is an organisation was established in South Tyneside in 2001 – it’s motto is ‘Friendship, Fun and Learning’. South Tyneside U3A offers many opportunities to explore new interests, expand old ones and learn something different. They believe in learning for fun rather than qualifications or exam results. We are also looking forward to presenting our new talk about Marie Antoinette for the U3A later this year. 

 2 October 2017    Marie Antoinette  – Bede of Jarrow U3A 

I am presenting a costume event for the University of the Third Age in Jarrow.  This is the third lecture I have presented for the U3A and the very first presentation of my lavish new talk about the 18^th century called ‘Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution’. An integral part of my new talk is a comparison between the large elaborate court gown worn by Marie Antoinette for formal court occasions and the more casual Chemise a la Reine which she preferred.  I will also include a superb costume display of mannequins wearing a La Robe Francaise, La Reine Chemise and reproduction 18^th Century underwear. 

https://u3asites.org.uk/bede/page/61618

La Robe Francaise

 12 October 2017    Regency Talk  – The Mansion House 

I am pleased to be presenting my talk ‘Enter the World of Jane Austen’ for the Mansion House in Doncaster. My Regency talk is a very interesting, lively, humorous and informative lecture about the design and construction of gowns I have created inspired by the regency period. Beautifully costumed mannequins/dummies will accompany the talk. Included are a very pretty white cotton afternoon dress for Jane Austen worn with bonnet, chemisette and velvet spencer,a sumptuous lilac silk ball gown embellished with gold lace – worn with a turban, fan and gloves and Regency Underwear – chemise, corset and pantalettes plus accessories. Also included is a very pretty morning dress and an exquisite gold-encrusted court gown inspired by Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. I also will be assisted by a Regency Gentleman wearing a silk waistcoat, shirt and cravat.

http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/Events/enter-the-world-of-jane-austen-with-julia-soares-mccormick

Saturday 9 December 2017 – Marie Antoinette – Tee-side WI 

This will be my second presentation of my fabulous event about Marie Antoinette.  I will include a Pink Silk Court Gown worn with fabulous wig adorned with towering feathers, a very pretty romantic white cotton dress worn with Hedgehog wig and Bergere (shepherdess style) hat and 18th Century inspired underwear.  The underwear includes a corset, a chemise and two types of panniers – the pocket hoops and the Grand pannier which held out the very wide skirts! 

Chemise a la Reine

 10 March 2018   Marie Antoinette  – East Yorkshire Embroidery Society   

On Saturday 10 March, I will be presenting my new talk about Marie Antoinette and her costumes for the East Yorkshire Embroidery Society.  I will be including a fabulous costume display and also some very interesting information about Marie Antoinette herself. I have already presented both my Tudor and Regency talks for the group and I am sure they will enjoy this new talk.  They are a lovely group who are very interested and informed about costume. I am really looking forward to presenting it.

https://eyes-embroidery.co.uk/201617-programme/

13 March 2018  Marie Antoinette  – Royal Scots Club Edinburgh

I always enjoy presenting my talks for the Royal Scots Club.  They really enjoyed my Regency Talk a couple of years ago and I am sure they will enjoy my new talk inspired by clothing worn in the 18^th Century.  The Royal Scots Club is located in a beautiful building in the heart of Edinburgh.

My new talk ‘Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution’ includes reproduction 18th Century costumes – they will include a very elaborate Pink Silk court dress ‘Robe a La Francaise’ worn with large ornate pompadour wig and accessories. A “Chemise a la Reine” a simple gown worn by Marie Antoinette herself – worn with a Bergere hat and powdered curled hair. Also 18^th Century Underwear – a beautiful silk boned corset, side panniers and petticoat.

5 April 2018     Marie Antoinette   – Dumfries Embroiderers’ Guild

I always enjoy vising Scotland as it is one of my favourite places so I am particularly pleased to be presenting my new talk about Marie Antoinette and Fashion there on Thursday 5 April 2018. I really enjoy presenting talks to Embroiderers Guilds as the ladies really enjoy anything connected to fashion and sewing. I will be including a number of costumes I have designed and made which were inspired by costumes of the 18^th century. I am looking forward to it!

https://dumfrieseg.wordpress.com/meetings/

Pink Silk Court Gown

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]

A television crew from South Korea filmed our show as part of a documentary about Fashion and Corsetry throughout the ages.  I was interviewed by Gina – a lovely Korean lady who  organised the film crew.  I also met the director Luciano Cho of ‘Story On’ the award winning documentary makers who are producing the programme for KBS-TV- the Korean equivalent of the BBC. I enjoyed being interviewed by the team – we chatted about the ‘Renaissance Period’ – the significance of costume and importance of underwear to provide the correct period shape.

My husband was also interviewed – they were very impressed by his very ornate and splendid costume. When he was asked “Why was the costume so ornate” he answered: “Henry VIII portrayed himself as not only a King but as a God – this gave him more power and prestige among his subjects”.

Rachel as Anne Boleyn

The crew filmed in the event with a state-of-the-art camera which recorded in 4K resolution, a format beyond standard HD. I was told that not even the BBC has adopted this camera technology yet.

We really enjoyed the evening – it was very interesting and to be honest quite exciting to be part of a television production.

I mustn’t forget to mention that I was presented with a beautiful gift by Gina the leader of the television crew. An absolutely stunning Korean mother of pearl jewellery box with silver butterfly hinges.  A wonderful gift that I will always treasure – it is so beautiful I have shared a couple of pictures of my gift.

I mustn’t forget to thank my team for a splendid show – Kevin on sound, my son James as Narrator and my husband Mick resplendent as King Henry VIII. My two new models Emma and Rachel were splendid in their first show with Helen my lead model superb as usual!

As soon as I receive a copy of the documentary I will see if it is possible to put an excerpt on my website – so watch this space!

Queen Jane Seymour

Majesty At St Mary’s Heritage Centre

How often did 16th Century courtiers bathe?

Bathrooms were very rare in Tudor houses. On average Tudors took a full bath about twice a year. Rich Tudors probably washed quite often using a bowl of water, soap and a cloth – there are lots of recipes for soaps of various sorts! A poor Tudor who could not get clean water probably hardly ever washed!

Were Tudor corsets comfortable?

There are several myths about wearing corsets, many of which spring from Victorian corsetry rather than Elizabethan. In the 16th century, the corset was not meant to draw in the waist and create an hourglass figure; rather, it was designed to mold the torso into a cylindrical shape, and to flatten and raise the bustline. Another common myth revolves around the horrible discomfort of corsets. This, too, stems from the tightly-laced waists of the 19th century; the corset worn in Elizabethan England, when fitted and laced correctly, is quite comfortable. Some well-endowed women consider them more comfortable than modern underwire bras, and many people with back problems have remarked how much a boned-tab Elizabethan corset feels like a supportive back brace.

King Henry meets his people

Did they wear underwear?

Tudor women did not wear knickers or bras, their underwear consisted of a linen smock and a woman would own enough smocks to last her a week. Heavy gowns could not be washed, and were beaten, so smocks were the pieces of an outfit that could be washed and they protected gowns from sweat and skin oils.

How did Tudor ladies manage to go to the lavatory

I believe that they simply hitched them up around their waists. In the past, women did not always wear drawers so the process was much simplified. Hooped dresses are not the problem they appear; in fact when, many years ago, toilet calls were actually easier than in a modern long dress; the hoops lift up, ballooning forward from the lady as she sits, so that there is no need to crumple fabric around the waist.

After the Show meeting visitors

It was mentioned to me by one of team that a lady stated ‘ she knew exactly who the historical characters were as soon as they appeared’ as the costumes were so well designed’.

All the models particularly King Henry VIII were rapturously applauded – my show proved to be very successful indeed. We certainly enjoyed presenting it – it was both very well publicised and efficiently organised.

I would like to thank my team  – models – Mick (my husband),  Helen, Jess, Laura as well as Kevin my sound engineer. I must mention my son James who presented the talks while I changed the models backstage.

I would also like to thank Jen at Gateshead Council and all her team for making the Period Fashion Show such a success – we would love to present an event in the centre again. It was a fabulous period setting for my costumes!

[See image gallery at www.tudortalkandcatwalk.com]

Costumes include Henry VIII, Catherine Howard, Mary Queen of Scots and an Orange Silk Court Gown

Last Friday we presented two Period Fashion Shows at Muncaster Castle near Ravenglass in Cumbria.

What a beautiful setting for my costumes – The medieval Castle is bordered by beautiful gardens, with the backdrop of the spectacular views of the Lakeland Fells. Unusual plants, trees and flowers from all over the world grow in the landscaped areas and the wild woods. Planted over 200 years ago, the gardens have been described as the Gateway to Paradise.

The Great Hall with its dramatic rich red and wood panelled walls dating from the medieval age.  This room is the heart of the Castle and was the dramatic setting for the shows.  The family’s seven centuries of accumulations fill the castle and the walls of the Great Hall are lined with beautiful portraits.The Castle was a superb venue in every respect

I received excellent feedback – comments from visitors I spoke to after the show included

– “The dramatic finale with Mary Queen of Scots wearing her execution clothes brought a lump to my throat”

–  “I really enjoyed both the history of the Tudors as well as an insight into the design of the fabulous costumes”.

– ” What an excellent King Henry VIII – he really looked the part!”

Everyone said they thoroughly enjoyed the fashion shows.

Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, Mary Queen of Scots and Anne Boleyn

After the final performance the models took part in a photo shoot in the magnificent grounds of Muncaster Castle.  I have included a selection of pictures taken both in the Great Hall and the beautiful grounds – I really hope you enjoy viewing them.

I would also like to thank all the staff of Muncaster especially Andy, Peter and Bronwyn for their help in making the shows such a success. They provided great facilities for the shows as well as excellent hospitality for the whole team – thank you!

My thanks to my friend  Dave Foster for his photographs

Tom Skelton

I am really pleased to announce that we will be presenting two Tudor Fashions Shows at Muncaster Castle in Cumbria on Friday 23rd August . We will be presenting them as part of the ‘Summer of Fun’ at 1pm and 3pm.   http://www.muncaster.co.uk/special-events/summer-fun

We visited Muncaster Castle  for the first time earlier this week  – it is a beautiful castle in lovely grounds an excellent setting for my period fashions.

The historic haunted castle, still a lived in family home is the jewel in the crown of this majestic setting on the Western Lake District – this idyllic setting is simply awe inspiring.

We saw the Castle in all its glory and heard from the Pennington family who have resided in the Castle since 1208, about Muncaster’s colourful history and residents.

There is a fool (Tom Fooley) aka Tom Skelton, court jester at Muncaster in the 16th Century we heard about his links to Shakespeare and the ghost stories about him causing trouble today!

Muncaster Castle

I visited the most haunted room in the castle recently subject for a paranormal investigation screened on TV! for more information see   http://www.muncaster.co.uk/haunted-castle

Hear about the glass bowl, known as ‘The Luck of Muncaster’, has been preserved by the Pennington family since the 15th Century.

The story starts in 1464 and involves King Henry VI. He was the only son of Henry of Agincourt and Catherine of France and had been crowned King of England at the age of eight.

Muncaster Great Hall

By the time he had reached his early forties he had lost his throne to Edward IV. He’d also been taken prisoner during the Battle of Hexham. He managed to escape, and fled to the hills of the Lake District where he lived rough for about a year.

Sir John Pennington, whose home Muncaster Castle was, gave Henry food and shelter for as long as he requested it. In gratitude, Henry gave Sir John a glass drinking bowl and said it was given to the family with a prayer that they might prosper for as long as the glass remained unbroken. The glass remains unbroken to this day and the family has prospered.

Our fashion show is to be staged in the Magnificent Great Hall.

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 magnificent costumes for King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard and Jane Seymour. The show concludes with Mary Queen of Scots taking off her velvet robes to reveal her elegant execution gown.

The Magnificent Great Hall will be a fantastic period setting for my costumes – I can’t wait!!

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. The Show provides a glamorous and different entertainment for Stately homes and in fact any type of special event.

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

I will also be presenting a Tudor Costume Display at Raby Castle from next Tuesday 7th May. Costumes include an extravagant court outfit for Mary Queen of Scots, a silk doublet and hosen for King James VI, a beautiful deep pink gown for Queen Catherine Howard and a stunning silver silk dress for Queen Jane Seymour.

‘Elizabeth the Golden Age’ starring Cate Blanchett was filmed at Raby Castle – hope you will come and visit this beautiful building and see my costumes.

>http://www.rabycastle.com/News_and_Events/3890/5017/

I really hope you will visit my show and display – I am sure you will enjoy them!