This new event for Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016 will showcase all aspects of Renaissance style, from sumptuous clothing to the beautiful carved stonework that adorns the castle walls.
Take your seat front row at the fashion show of the centuries as we take you on a journey along a Renaissance catwalk with characters from the castle’s past. Performers will explain the court’s international fashion influences from Italy, Spain and France in the form of a modern fashion show. And for all the budding fashionistas out there we want you to come dressed to impress in Primark or Prada, Renaissance or Retro. We’ll be awarding a £50 voucher for our shop to the best dressed. Or if you’ve ever secretly fancied dressing in period costumes, visit our 16th century selfie booth in The Chapel Royal where you can rock your renaissance style.
There will also be displays on historic hairdressing, makeup and perfume, as well as the stunning jewellery of the time which was designed to flaunt a wearer’s wealth and sophistication.
Design and Creative Industries students from Forth Valley College, working with renowned Scottish milliner Sally-Ann Provan and costume designer Diana Guthrie-James will be showcasing costumes they’ve designed inspired by Renaissance style. See some of their work in the New Renaissance exhibition, alongside jewellery produced by local adults working with Artlink Central and jeweller Laura Murray.
Sumptuous clothing was not the only aspect of style in vogue in the sixteenth century, and the event will also look at interior and exterior design. Our Conservation Team will be in the Queen Anne Garden to explain the craftsmanship that went in to the castle’s stunning buildings and will explain how we maintain them today for future generations with insight tours.
Live weaving and woodwork demonstrations will showcase the skills involved in creating the extravagant tapestries and decorative Stirling Heads which adorn the palace today. And our Stonemasons will be on hand throughout the day to give stone carving and letter cutting demonstrations, with a chance to try your hand and see if you have what it takes.
In Vogue is also part of the Festival of Museums (13-15 May), and our Collections Team will be on hand with a ‘pop up museum’ to showcase stylish objects from history from red ochre paint used by residents of Neolithic Skara Brae to a Post-medieval wig curler. There are some fascinating items to see from across the centuries.
Young visitors will also be catered for with our craft activity in the Chapel Royal where they can fashion their own peg people. The Regimental Museum will have storytelling and puppetry with Sylvia Troon and we’ll be inviting fashionably fantastic children to strut their stuff on the catwalk at the end of the 2pm show in the Great Hall.
One things for sure there will certainly be something to suit people of every age and interest.
It’d be a crime against fashion to miss it!
Sat 14 & Sun 15 May 12pm-4pm
Admission to In Vogue is included as part of the Stirling Castle admission price. Historic Scotland members go free.
