Peterborough Heritage Festival 22-23 June 2013

strolling in the woods…John Grant Photography

 The weekend of 22-23 June saw us working for Black Knight Historical at the Peterborough heritage festival. it wasnt the first time i have worked there, and the festival, organized by Vivacity, is always a great place to be – lots of interesting displays, demonstrations, market stalls,living history – and off course the Cathedral speaks for itself!

 This year was no exception and for the 2 days the place was bustling with various historical ( and not only) activity.  I , for a change, was not in my customary role there, as Katherine of Aragon – it was Sir Percy Blakely and Margaret Blakely this time and we were spinning the tales of the famous Scarlet Pimpernel – but also discusing the fashions, social and political situation of the era, and above all – the revolution!

there goes the last ship to England, Marguerrite! John Moore Photography

 But let the pictures speak for themselves – we were lucky enough to meet up and work with two tallented photographers: John Moore and John Grant. plus, Lucas ( aka Scarlet Pimpernel) went undercover at one point and snapped a few shots as well. Enjoy!

some serious shaving going on – Neil Storey in his element of a regency era barber and surgeon.. John Moore Photography

i was also making silhuettes – a popular pastime in the era; here Captain admiring the one i made of him:-)

 

boys having fun… John Moore Photography

kids area sported a ferrets’ obstacle course!

boys from the Sealed Knot discussing battle tactics.

John and Suzanne from Quartermasterie preparing for a good day’s trading

Bernie the Bolt’s stall busy as ever – manned, or rather womanned by his lovely daughter, Leanne

no slacking in the Roman camp… hard work all day…

a bit more at ease – the WWII encampment

Mr. Churchill inspecting the medical facilities…

and a rather good photo of me! – by John Moore Photography

  We actually participated in 2 proper photoshoots, posing for the professionals -one for  John Moore, with  few pictures above, and below just a few snaps from  a great session with John Grant. it was not the first time we worked together, and he captured Katherine of Aragon a few times on film, and to a great effect – and working with him was a pleasure. more pictures here, and the  extensive galleries can be gfound on the photographers’ websites too: John Grant, John More

moody…

not so moody here, was actually caught laughing!

great full lenght portrait of Lucas

and of me

 and a few shots of what the Pimpernel is up to when not busy rescuing French aristos..

He enjoys rock music…

and checking out Facebook… 🙂

and me, enjoying a few minutes, being headless…:-)

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Victorian Commission

 

In February I was commissioned to work on a rather exciting project – a set of 7 Victorian dresses, ranging from late 1860 to 1885,  with a couple of sets of underwear.

 The  clothes will be used in a rather exciting venture – a set up photography studio where people can book a complete victorian make over – dress up in all the layers and have their photos taken by professional photographer, resulting in high quality photos of themselves transported into another century. What a cracking idea! 

 The budget limits and the target audience of the clothes  meant taking a few shortcuts and freedoms – the client, in order to save time and money suggested using an overlocker on the inside seams and edges; petticoats sport elasticated bands to fit most sizes. Corsets will be mostly purchased online – a few suitable vendors were recommended, where the client can get cheap corset that will result in approximately silhuette, and which woudl be easily replaced with wear and tear.

 after a few emails and sending over different pictures, I received a set of pictures I was to base the dresses on.  The pictures were to serve as  guidlines only: the aim was to reproduce the look  and the feel within the budget specified for each garment.

 I must say, that was a perfect solution for me – as it also allowed me to use my ideas and creativity – and in the end the client actually got a better deal out of it as i was using far more lace, nice buttons and quality trims etc simply because I enjoyed working with the items and was making sure they are pretty!

 Even before we have signed the contract for the frock, the client bought the first Victorian gown I have ever made – my mother’s outfit for my Victorian wedding:-)

Mother of the Bride outfit in silk brocade and taffeta

  We have arranged for the undergrments to be made first and then each month i would complete 2 or 3 gowns,.

  the first batch: the undergarments:

 bustle cages and pads ( 2 cages and 3 pads altogether):

steel boned bustle cages, decorated with lace

 

one of the pads

 

cotton petticoats – 2 flounced ones, one Natural Form era petticoat

2 flounced petticoats worn on the bustle cages

Natural Form slim petticoat with lace and pintucks, worn on a pad

The dresses were next.

1. a dress in green silk

inspiration photo…

the rendition – in green silk, detachable lace cuss and optional belt. size 14

 

2. A dress in black and gold silk

 

 

 

black silk satin, gold taffeta, gold antique braid. size 12, so could try it on!

3. A polonaise

polonaise – the client requested cream instead of navy, and lace

skirt in silk taffeta, with lace overlay, polonaise in cream silk brocade, size 14

 

back unbustled

 

or bustled up

 

4. a Natural Form era dress in ivory and navy

the inspiration

rendition – silk taffeta in ivory and blue, size 14

too big, but had to try it on!

 

5. 1885 walking dress

the inspiration

 

rendition_ silk velvet and ivory brocade with pink pattern. size 12

 

and the inevitable happened..

6. a dress in red velvet…

the inspiration

red velvet, cream moire skirt, white lace

 

7. the same dress, but in black velvet, size 18

black velvet, white satin skirt,

 

 

 As a freebie, ii enclosed 2 hats – two boaters and 2 visiting, flashier ones.

 the boaters:

 

 

  Altogether, a very iinteresting commission that was a pleasure to work on – the client is very happy and we are currently discussing a similar order, for children’s clothing, also Victorian – so there may be a follow up!

 

 The moment the studio starts thier Victorian make overs, will post a link here too:-)

 Hope you have enjoyed  lookign and the results of the work as much as i have enjoyed making them!

Spring Bride Collection, part2: official photos!

 

 As promised in part 1, in this post i will credit all the contributors who took part in the shoot – and illustrate it all with insanely stunning photos from our photographer, Paul Mockford.

  and so, here it goes!

 Spring Bride 2013 photoshoot team;

 Photography:

Paul Mockford from Shears and Mockford Photography and his trusty assistant, Jason Huckle; fb page

 Styling ( make up and hair) Sarah Dunn from  Sarah’s Doo wop Dos, fb page

Bridal shoes and accessories ( tiaras) – Tracy from Crystal Calla Tiara, fb page

 Florist Anita from Vintage Rose, fb page

Accessories and bouquets: Tina from The Haberdashery Bride, fb page

Jewellery: Tina from The Unfound Door, fb page

hair flowers and the fascinator: Lizzie from LiL MIschief

 Gowns:me! Izabela from Prior Attire/ Prior Engagement, fb page

 Models: me, Gem Bow Tyke,  Anett Novak

 venue: Moggerhanger Park, fb page

  The day was lovely – and we were glad we moved the shoot back by a week, as after a very slow start Nature picked up the pace and we even got a few flowers:-)

 Danielle from the venue organized our changing room and sorted out a very appreciated tea, coffee and biscuits.

   Everybody was in sity by 10.30, unpacked and ready to work so whilethe  boys were walking around the venue  discussing the best places to shoot, the girls  started to get ready..

Sarah setting up her tools…

hair flowers from Lizzie!

stunning shoes from Tracy ( Crystal Calla Tiara)

and loads and loads of jewellery from Tina ( Unfound Door) – all ours to pick from!

gvoodies!

 

First was Briar Rose – here shot in a Sleeping Beauty convention…  took us ages to get the light and composition in that room…

 

outside, the light was much better and we were way happier with the results:

loving the soft 70ties feel to it – very hippie, flower power mood here

 and the best two shots , the true Sleeping Beauty images:

sleeping so peacefully…

and awake…

 

Next was Gem in Alice, the 50ties corseted frock.

picture i snatched on my phone while changing…

 looks everybody was snatchign photos on their mobiles… 🙂

happy snappers – Sarah with two phones no less!

and a professional one:-)

  Next in line was Anette, sporting the elven Lily of the Valley – a true wood nymph!

very dreamy…

 As Anett was climbing the trees, Gem was being prepared for the next dress – the model who the dress was for cancelled the day before, so Gem stepped in – the dress was a bit too big  but it still looked great on her!

Sarah working her magic… pic by Lucas

she looked so gorgeous that everybody was snapping away…

In the meantime I was also to stand in for the model who cancelled – so Sarah got some more work to do on me!

going from the blond to the brunette…

love this shot – stunnign tiara form Tracy, l;ovely earrings from Tina and the bouquet from Tina ( haberdashery bride…)

 and the last frock – Helena, for  Anett, who had to be coerced to emerge the Lily of the Valley corset ( she is a tighlacer so corsets are very much within her sphere of interests!)). Sarah worked her magic and transformed her from the nymph into a silnet movie era star – 20ties suited her very much indeed!

Anett having fun 🙂

 

and one of my absolute favourites:

catch!

 The whole shoot took us several hours, and some of us felt we deserved  cuppa and a scone at Frosts – just around the corner…

  more pictures  can be seen here:

 

 and , to finish the post, a few ‘after hours’ shots..

sleeping beauty – well…. a bottle of whisky would complete the image nicely…. 🙂

Gem trying to eat her sandwich in a dignified way

when not snapping away, Paul makes quite a model too!

important people on a mission…

having a sneak peak at the guys at work…

 

Jason shining away…

 

   next collection- summer bride,will be shot at Wrest Park in July….   better start designing and sewing…