Photoshoot - Behind the Scenes

Earlier this week we had a photoshoot at the Museum and Art Gallery for some promotional images for our exhibition. As well as photos of a gorgeous gown from the county collection (which we're currently keeping under wraps!) the museum needed some family friendly images to promote the fun, family aspects that will appeal to children during the Summer holidays.

Our lovely regular shop model Holly stepped in to help us out again and we dressed her in an amazing, original, 1920s velvet, opera cape, worn over a modern 1930s-style dress in a plain, bold colour.

Detail pic of the technicolor dream cape!





We staged a dressing up scene for one set of photos, as at the exhibition will feature a dressing up area for children.





We had a super professional young model Clara for these shots who did a fantastic job, we were very impressed!





The photographer took some super stylish shots utilising the Museum's fantastic staircase:










We can't wait to see the finished results, thanks to everyone involved!

Researching The Collection

It was an overcast day at Hartlebury Castle when we visited the county costume collection archive at the County Museum, Hartlebury.

We're researching the collection to pick out iconic and interesting pieces from 1920 to 1945 to display as part our exhibition in July. On this particular visit we focussed on hats and shoes.

Sadly we can't show you everything we found as we have to leave the majority for the grand unveiling at the exhibition. We can say that what we did see got us very excited though! We'll be displaying some truly wonderful hats from cloches to 1940s tilt hats, and some really fantastic shoes from fancy flappers gold dancing shoes, to CC41 utility court shoes. 

We were able to make some important decisions of what will be included in the final displays and now have a clearer idea of how they can be displayed as a group, something we can't wait to get stuck in with nearer the time!

Although we can't share a lot at this stage, we can whet your appetite for what is to follow with a few detail images. 

Hand stitching detail from a woven, 1920s cloche hat:

Clever feather! A feather sewn to look like an bird as decoration on a fur felt hat:

And this close up shot of a fabulous bejewelled, 1920s heel:

Just look at the exquisite embroidery this pair of evening shoes:

An original tag still on a pair of 1930s 'Four Square' shoes, made for older ladies boasting extra room for bunions!

We'll be sharing more goings on behind the scenes soon, as we prepare for Fancy Pants: A Celebration of Style 1920 - 1945!