LE CORSET DE LA REINE ÉCOSSAISE

“I first took interest in the costumes of this historical re-enactor, in particular the jewellery and the corsets. When doing more research into Marie de Guise and Mary, Queen of Scots, who had both lived at the James V Palace in Stirling Castle, I was inspired by the crosses they wore. They were devote catholic and Mary, Queen of Scots eventually died in part due to her religion. This research lead me to want to sew a corset embellished with a cross that was carved out of wax and cast in brass. I was also drawn to the swirled shape of the fire dogs in the Great Hall this inspired the boning made form millinery wire, dyed green and bent into a curved shape. I chose to use the colours black and gold as during the time of Marie de Guise and Mary, Queen of Scots these colours were only worn by nobility. During this time black was very difficult colour to make and gold was rare so both could only be afforded by the richest in society. I also chose to use green as I was inspired by the green drapery in the Great Hall and the green used in the ‘Hunt of the Unicorn’ tapestries.”