Projects and collaborations

The School has taken part in many research projects regarding the cut and (re)construction of historical clothing, in collaboration with museums, universities and independent researchers.

2022-24

 The School team (tailors and seamstresses) cut and constructed all the costumes for Jude Law to play Henry VIII in the film Firebrand (UK release 6/9/2024), directed by Karim Aïnouz. We worked for our friend Michael O’Connor, the wonderful costume designer of the film. We based our patterns on those extant garments and dressed him in all the appropriate layers of clothing. Jude Law was the most interested actor and extremely patient throughout the many fittings necessary. CLICK HERE to watch him talk about the costumes in a press conference at Cannes Film Festival.

Cutter and maker Aurélie Noble @aurelie.costumes.et.broderies
Makers Adrien Chombart de Lauwe @leliontailleur, Jordan Colls @jordan.colls1 , Alice Gordon @whiterabbitlynens, Lou Martinez @loularajane, Sébastien Passot @passot_sebastien, Joanna Rice @joanna4446, Jenny Tiramani, Paweł Tomaszewski @pablitobypablito.

Hats made independently by Josephine Willis @jowillis_millinery & Rachel Frost @rachelfrosthatter



Photos © Brouhaha Entertainment Limited

2017

Reconstructed clothing, headwear and horse equipment, in collaboration with curator Jonathan Tavares, for the new Deering Family Galleries of Medieval and Renaissance Art, Arms, and Armor at the Art Institute of Chicago.

 

 

2016

 

The School of Historical Dress was commissioned by the V&A Learning Centre to create two half-sized mannequins in authentic Early Modern dress of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. These interpretations are based on two prominent figures of that period: Archduchess Isabella and Archduke Albert VII, who reigned together in Brussels.

GALLERY OF ALBERT’S CLOTHES

GALLERY OF ISABELLA’S CLOTHES

The mannequins can be fully undressed, as can be seen in the V&A Learning Centre step-by-step guides available HERE for Albert and HERE for Isabella.

You can read more about the whole project “State of Early Modern Undress” HERE.

Photography and resource design © Victoria & Albert Museum