This dress represents three years of planning, buying, and construction! I fought to play Helena again, and this was one of my favorite Bristol-experiences!
The bodice was made of Indian silk embroidered with gold bullion; I came across the fabric on a whim three years ago and swallowed my planned budget when I spent $450 on just one and a half yards of it! Never duplicated, that’s for sure! I dyed it three times to acheive a dark blue color, and then added red swarovski crystal beads in the center of the flowers.
The sleeves are an ecclesiastical fabric that I couched gold cord onto, and then hand-sewed marquise-cut red rhinestones and pearls in a pattern inspired by Elizabeth’s Phoenix portrait.
The skirt used two trims from a wonderful Indian seller on eBay called Heritage Trading; the trims were covered in gold bullion embroidery and beaded already, so I cheated a little there! The skirt was a very heavy-weight cotton velvet.
The hat is based on a portrait of Elizabeth Knollys, mine out of blue taffeta with a hand-beaded band.
I had such fun playing her!
Most of the jewelry is from Sapphire and Sage; she did a beautiful rush job for me!
I also wear a tiny portrait of the late William of Parr, Marquis of Northampton, that I painted myself:
I also wore a pendant with an interesting story:
In 2004, when I was still playing Helena as an unmarried Maid of Honor, a gentleman visiting from the Virginia Renaissance Faire came to court playing William of Parr, and he “courted” me all day. He was such a lovely gentleman, and he gave me this as a gift from the Marquis of Northampton.
It was important to me to wear it as Marchioness!
I dearly loved playing her again; her sweetness and ineffable spirit was such a joy to portray. I hope to get the chance to do it again someday!