For this project, I designed and made a costume for the historical figure, Mary Queen of Scots. This character choice was inspired by the biography Embroidering her Truth by Clare Hunter, which provides an empathetic account of Mary’s life, using the medium of textiles to investigate her life.

I explored her character through fabric, colour and motif. Hand embroidered blackwork on the linen smock demonstrates Mary’s link to the English and Scottish thrones; opulent gold foiling, embroidery and beads on the quilt highlight Mary’s status as queen, with the fleur-de-lis indicative of Mary’s link to the French court; precise and well-researched Tudor construction techniques allow the garments to be as historically accurate as is possible to make in the timeframe and budget. Research into materials of the 16th century ensured the main fabrics of linen and taffeta I used to construct the garments, were accurate to the time period, further allowing audiences to view just how these items of clothing would have looked.

This project is designed to be an exhibition piece, allowing audiences a glimpse into Mary Queen of Scots. The final costume is also a wearable piece, functioning as a Tudor smock and kirtle would.

Progression to undergraduate course in Performance Costume at the University of Edinburgh.