'A Passion for Fashion - 300 Years of Style at Blenheim Palace'

Following her fabulous talk, ‘The Ladies of Blenheim’, in 2023, Antonia Keaney returns for a talk which includes a look at the clothes, underclothes, shoes and accessories which would have been worn by some of the more colourful characters (men and women) in the Palace’s 300-year history, as well as a look at the House of Dior’s continuing special relationship with Blenheim Palace.

The part that arsenic, lead, mercury and mousetraps played in the trends of the day is considered and how, then as now, people went to the most extraordinary lengths to keep abreast of fashion. Metre high wigs, killer cosmetics and fabric dyes which would cause permanent damage to the wearer were not unusual – nor was the involvement of mice in what had to be one of the most bizarre moments in 18th century fashion!

Antonia Keaney first joined Blenheim Palace in 2008 as a member of the Education Team, later becoming the Palace’s Social Historian and Researcher. She has made various TV appearances, including BBC’s Country File, Channel 4’s Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes, and most recently on Channel 5’s The Cotswolds with Pam Ayres.

Venue: Ecgwins Club, 117 High Street, Evesham. WR11 4EQ (Note this is a change of venue from that advertised in the Festival Brochure)

Tickets: £9, including tea/coffee and cake.