Ex-student exhibits for Heritage Weekend

21st September 2018 4:21pm - Return to press releases

Ex-East Riding College student Charlotte Hanson put on an exhibition of costume at the Morten Gallery at 12 High Street and The Toft in Bridlington Old Town as part of its Heritage Weekend. 

Charlotte, aged 27 from Bridlington now works at Bridlington Spa in technical theatre, which includes making costumes for touring shows. 

Charlotte left East Riding College when she was 20 with a BTEC in fashion and textiles and went on to study a degree in historical and performance costume for stage and screen at what was then Yorkshire Coast College in Scarborough.

Charlotte’s exhibition for the heritage weekend included an elegant Marie Antoinette inspired dress based on an early portrait of the ill-fated queen of France.  Another creation was a detailed replica of a costume from The Draughtsman’s Contract for which Charlotte used her grandad as the model.  Both costumes were exhibited at Grade II listed house The Toft, which provided the perfect backdrop for the elaborate seventeenth and eighteen century designs.

Charlotte said, “I chose Marie Antoinette for one of my uni projects as I think she’s a bit of a babe, she’s quite cool.  I found a really early portrait of her and replicated the full outfit, the dress, the corset and underwear.”

Also included in the display at the Corner Gallery is an embellished burlesque outfit specially designed for easy removal, a fantastic Mr Toad from the Wind in the Willows costume, complete with ‘fat suit’ and examples of corsetry and fine dressmaking.

Charlotte has previously worked as a costume restorer and historic costume maker, both at Sewerby Hall in Bridlington and Burton Constable Hall and has undertaken many commissions, from wedding dresses to fantasy costume. 

The exhibition has proved so popular that it has remained open beyond the heritage weekend and is open for the next two weekends (22-23 September and 29-30 September) in the afternoons.  For access on weekdays and for school visits, contact the Alex May Gallery on 01262 409773.