Medieval Fashion Show

A woman in medieval dress facing the camera whilst sat on stone steps. Hosted by Tanya Bentham

When: Monday 07 July, 19.00-20.30
Where: Esther Simpson Building: Room 1.01
Free of Charge

For one night only, Tanya Bentham - living historian, re-enactor, and embroidery artisan extraordinaire – will present an array of garments from across the European Middle Ages. Feast your eyes on a fashion show for the ages and of the ages, as our volunteers model courtly and everyday attire from across the centuries. While our runway largely focuses on elite feminine fashion from the High to Late European Middle Ages, examples from more everyday outfits and masculine attire will also be on display. Tanya’s commentary will unpick the masterful work that went into creating each of these garments and explain the intricacies of the medieval wardrobe, including the colours, fabrics, and styles that were popular during each period. With such variety of styles, from the very elite (It’s giving luxury, wealthy, opulence, and ‘I’ve never had to work a day in my life’) to the ordinary (It’s giving warm, practical, and ‘I got up at five to milk the cows’), there is no better way to see medieval people and fashion come to life at this year’s IMC.

Award-winning textile artist Tanya Bentham has been a re-enactor for years, working for the last 20 as a professional living historian. Her main focus has always been on textiles, especially embroidery, but also making detours into costume, natural dyeing, weaving, millinery, and silver-smithing. She has delivered workshops for numerous museums, schools, and community organisations throughout Yorkshire. Her books Opus Anglicanum: A Handbook and Bayeaux Stitch: A Practical Handbook were recently published by Crowood Press as part of their embroidery series.