A needlework sampler survives with the maker's name Jane Austen stitched within it: is this THE Jane Austen? Austen experts already have their doubts, and an alternative possible attribution, but I dare to venture into the debate because I bring two relevant skill sets to the question which have not been employed in the discussion…
Spencer first worn by Jennifer Ehle as Lizzie Bennet in P&P (1995) It's not widely known that productions will often reuse costumes from earlier productions. With all the Austen adaptations since 1995, plus other movies set in that era such as Vanity Fair, Becoming Jane, Miss Austen Regrets, and more, you're bound to see some…
Are you watching Sanditon? I am...sort of. It's not capturing my whole attention, so I can't seem to make myself watch it without a lot of fast forwarding to get screenshots for this post. The costumes are quite decent (of course I could nitpick, but I'm assuming most readers don't care to have every tiny…
A new adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma has been released and is, as I edit this post (originally published just before its release), is about to be released for streaming. I have access now only to images from the trailers--but even having seen only those tiny previews of this production, I decided I am HERE…
Two English princes, sons of the monarch, with ducal titles, marry beautiful women who attract the interest of the public at home and abroad. Fashion magazines use them to promote various styles. Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex, 2010s? Nope. Try Clarence and Kent, 1810s. Both duchesses in question hailed from small German principalities--one smaller in…
The Curator's Curio 