Molly Housego is a Tudor costumer who has organised the Tudor fashion show, which is part of the Festival of History in Northamptonshire this coming weekend. Molly has written me some blurb about the fashion show which features Anne Boleyn wearing our very own gold-plated B necklace! Here is Molly’s article:-
Tudor Fashion Show, Festival of History
I have the great pleasure and privilege of presenting the Tudor Fashion Show, event-managed by Black Knight Historical on behalf of English Heritage at the Festival of History, at Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire.
The Tudor Fashion Show is a new feature for 2009, and will showcase early 16th century fashions and everyday clothing, with a date line of 1520 – 1547, the ‘high Henrician period’. The models, mostly experienced historical interpreters, and including some talented costumiers, will be displaying costumes from all walks of life, from servants to courtiers, merchants to queens. Each costume will be looked at and discussed in detail, right down to the underwear!
Each show, of which there are four over the weekend, will not only include a fascinating cavalcade of Tudor costume, but will also feature a different character who will be completely undressed, layer by layer, so observers will be able to see exactly what the Tudors really wore – if hearts quicken at the thoughts of Mr Darcy in his Regency splendour, wait until you see the fashionable Tudor gentleman in a state of undress! However, we will be maintaining modesty and respectability at all times – this is a family show!
All the costumes will be historically accurate, right down to fastenings, decoration, colours, fabrics and cut. Everything displayed will have been painstakingly reconstructed from original sources as far as possible, and there will be no theatrical short-cuts, or made-for-television costume cheats here! Our highlight on Sunday’s final show will be undressing a former famous Queen of England, Anne Boleyn herself. Anne will be resplendent in scarlet silk velvet, and we shall discover the secrets of her wardrobe as layer after beautiful layer is peeled away. Historical costume lovers will be astounded at the construction and details, but the biggest surprises will probably be what is not worn…
Find out more about the Festival of History on our Events UK page or on the special English Heritage Festival of History page. It looks like a fantastic day out!
You can find out more about Black Knight Historical Events at www.blackknighthistorical.co.uk
P.S. Make sure you read today’s other new blog post – see below for Alisa Libby’s special guest article on Catherine Howard.
It is a shame that we can’t all go around dressed like Henry and Anne!
You mean you don’t?!
I wish they would record and air this so I could see.
I’m hoping that Molly will get some photos so I can share them with you all.
I will do my best to ensure that we have some photos of the Shows- I’m hoping we should also be able get some pictures of our models in and around our Tudor Pavillion, which will also look rather splendid!
I am presenting the Fashion Show, but the overall organisation of this part of the event is courtesy of Black Knight Historical, who manage many heritage education and historical events all over the UK, and even into Europe. Take a look at the BKH website at http://www.blackknighthistorical.co.uk
Thanks, Molly, it would be brilliant to get photos for all our visitors who can’t make the event. Good luck with it all!
What a wonderful celebration of this beautiful and elegant clothing. Incredibly pretty – I love the shapes that are formed, the way it all flows and swishes and hugs in all the right places. (and the girls look great too)
Writing from America here and SO JEALOUS!
Molly – will you ever bring your shows to the US? If you ever do, I will be happy to help get the word out and do some viral marketing!
Really looking forward to seeing the photos!
-Kristian
In need of information as to how detailed and embelished Annes kirtle would have been at Hever Kent Castle when she was a young girl ?
I am not an expert in Tudor dress at all but I doubt that Anne would have worn anything elaborate as everyday wear and particularly not as a child.
it sounds so cool!
I am still looking for those photos of the event. Please let me know if a collection of photos is put online.
Hi Catherine,
I shared some photos of it back on 29 July 2009 – see https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/tudor-fashion-show-update/
Thanks,
Claire