My talks are usually 45 minutes, although I can extend to 1 hour at no extra cost. 

All the costumes including hats are made by me and I am always happy to take questions. I have an Honours Degree in Social Science so my talks feature women’s roles in society and how that reflects in dress. 

I need two large tables to be available. The costumes are bulky and I need to keep everything off the floor.  I will not have a sales area. 

I am usually accompanied by my daughter Kate Peake, who models the costume. 

This talk celebrates the extremes of Georgian fashion, wide panniers, uplifting corsets, and hidden accessories. This is the ‘Age of Extravagance’.

A luxury silk damask polonaise court dress is fitted to the model. 

This talk is a good one for groups new to us, we introduce ourselves and give the story of how we came into this fascinating hobby. 

Fashion in the time of Jane Austen.

A classical look inspired by Ancient Greece and Rome. Known as the ‘Empire Line’, flimsy materials draped the body in gentle folds. 

Undergarments are shown in detail. 

Two dresses are displayed, including an iconic white muslin ball gown.

Two costumes are presented, including a layer by layer demonstration of a typical. 1870’s walking dress. 

I talk about social influences and how they guided the evolving silhouette of this long and fascinating period in costume history.

My model, Kate, will arrive in a typical Victorian bustle Summer walking dress. This will be taken off, layer by layer to reveal the underlying structures and undergarments. 

After the short film about the early days of the British seaside holiday, I will then dress Kate in a typical 1880’s bathing costume. It includes a museum copy of a swimming corset, and flannel garments.

In the time of the Prince Regent, the fashionable lady would want to look her best in Winter and for the extensive Christmas socialising. The Georgian Christmas season ran from December 6th to January 6th, plenty of time to attend parties, balls and family get togethers.

 This late Regency period is a time to celebrate success at the Battle of Waterloo. We see a return to richer colours, reds and gold silks. The ‘Waterloo Ball Dress’ is my most extravagant yet, rich embroidery, decorated with pearls and precious stones.

The Post War ‘Baby Boom’ created over 70 million teenagers for the 1960’s, these teenagers went on to influence fashion trends and politics. The ‘Young’ became the fashion leaders, enjoying the new fashion fabrics. 1966 is the year of the mini-skirt, was it invented by Mary Quant?

This talk features many famous faces, Twiggy and Jackie O, to mention a few.

As usual, I have chosen to make iconic clothing of the time, a coat, ‘A’ line dress and stunning evening dress. All modelled by Kate. 

This show will bring back many memories for ladies of my age. I have stories to tell, featuring Mary Quant, fashion magazines, shopping catalogues, Carnaby Street, home dressmaking, and well known celebrities.

I Intend to release my talk on FASHION HISTORY OF THE 1970’s around mid 2027.