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Saturday 21^st September 2024

Longcauseway United Reform Church

36 The Princess of Wales Precinct

Dewsbury, WF13 1NH

Join us for a fascinating exploration into historical and theatrical jewellery, millinery and accessories with two experts in the subject.

In the morning, we’ll have an interactive workshop led by Professor Cordula van Wyhe of the University of York, exploring ideas of the modern woman through the ‘Gibson Girl’ and the ‘Flapper’ with an opportunity to handle original objects from the collection of the Digital Museum of Dress Accessories. In the afternoon, Clare Spooner will share fascinating insights into her work as Head of Millinery & Jewellery at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Morning workshop

Fashion and Global Modernity 1880-1940: New Approaches to the Modern Woman

Led by Professor Cordula van Wyhe of the University of York

The history of the modern woman is premised on the female archetypes of the ‘Gibson Girl’ and the Flapper. Both describe image-based clusters of character types committed to political reform, sexual liberation, and modernist fashion. They emerged in a culture where technological innovations in photography, film, graphic design, advertising and even the ubiquitous postcard trade, shaped fashions and female identities in new and ever-more pervasive ways.

This workshop will aim to come as close as possible to understanding what it meant to be a modern woman: experientially, sensorially, emotionally. We will explore her new world through three different sources; 1. popular imagery - namely commercial and private photographs, advertisements and postcards - 2. clothes and 3. dress accessories such as such as a powder compacts, dress canes and chatelaines.

This workshop is designed to make available the first-hand experience of these objects through the actual handling and understanding of them as material artifacts.

Afternoon talk

Claire Spooner shares a fascinating insight into her work as Head of Millinery & Jewellery at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Examples of accessories made for productions are looked at in detail, as Claire explains the many techniques and materials the team uses.

Both period replica pieces and contemporary designs will be explored, including wirework, foam, featherwork, jewellery, leather and hat-blocking.

Making for theatre requires a 'problem-solving' approach, with quick changes, wigs and physical action all influencing the making process.

Claire trained as a milliner at Leeds College of Art & Design in 2008 before setting up a bespoke millinery studio in N Yorks. As a freelancer, Claire made both theatrical & occasionwear pieces and she worked at York Theatre Royal's costume hire facility for six years and freelanced for couture milliner Justine Bradley-Hill.

In 2022 Claire took up her current position of Head of Millinery & Jewellery at the RSC, where she and her team deliver work for productions staged at Stratford Upon Avon and touring across the UK.

Programme:

10:00am coffee/tea

10:30am Fashion and Global Modernity 1880-1940: New Approaches to the Modern Woman, by Professor Cordula van Wyhe

12:30pm lunch

1:55pm Reconvene

2:00pm Insights into Millinery and Jewellery at the Royal Shakespeare Company with Clare Spooner

3:30pm End

The cost of the meeting is £20 for non-members, and £5 for students.

Places may be available at the door, but booking in advance is preferred. You may book via Eventbrite or send an email to nsct.social.media@gmail.com requesting a Booking Form

Lunch

We will not be providing lunch, but the venue is in the heart of Dewsbury and there are places to obtain lunch. Alternatively, you’re very welcome to bring lunch with you, and there will be ample time to socialize with other members over the break. Hot drinks will be available at the venue.

 

 

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The Society was founded in 1977.

We are a well established Society operating in the North of England.  We have an enthusiastic interest in all things costume and textiles, with a bias towards the historical.

We organise a programme of quarterly meetings with lectures by guest speakers covering a wide range of subjects or we visit private and public collections.

Members come from all walks of life, some with considerable knowledge of the subject, but many who are just enthusiasts keen to find ot more or to share there enthusiasm with others.  We are af riendly society welcoming new members and guests to join us.

If you are interested in any aspect of costume or textiles, particurly their history, perhaps the Society is for you.

We also produce small range of patterns based on actual historical garments which can be purchased on-line.