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!

Take Part in Fancy Pants with Your Family's Fashion History!

Saturday 30th November will see the launch of the Memory Box!

Fancy being part of Fancy Pants?! You can contribute to our exhibition 'Fancy Pants: A Celebration of Style 1920 - 1945' by sharing your family photos and memories!

We're looking for family photos depicting fashions from the 1920s to 1945. Copies of photos (please don't bring originals as we can't return them!) can be deposited in the 'Memory Box' at Worcester Museum or in Second Hand Rose, along with a form telling us about the photo and any stories and memories you have of the person or persons in the pic!

We're looking for great examples of period clothing in photos from weddings, parties, everyday wear, wartime fashion, military uniform etc, anything that will help us tell the story of our fashion history from the 1920s to 1945.

The Memory Box will be at Worcester Museum and Art Gallery on Foregate St from Saturday 30th November at our Vintage & Craft Christmas Bazaar! See full details in the photo below. There will also be a box at Second Hand Rose in the Hopmarket from Tuesday 3rd December.

High quality digitised photos can also be emailed to us. Just get in touch and share your stories of former fashion glories!

Welcome!

We're excited to announce that July 2014 will see the launch of our vintage fashion exhibition
Fancy Pants: A Celebration of Style 1920 - 1945 at Worcester City Museum and Art Gallery, Foregate Street.

We're currently researching the County archives and uncovering never before seen vintage fashion treasures from the 1920s to 1945. We'll be showcasing what Worcester wore during these decades in a family friendly exhibition with plenty to set pulses racing for vintage fashion aficionados.

We'll be documenting our research here on the blog, highlighting vintage details that delight us and giving a behind the scenes view of how we put exhibition together.

Follow us on Twitter at @_secondhandrose and @jowaterhouse  #fancypants