Drop Dead Gorgeous: A Talk on the Fashion for Tuberculosis in 19th Century England – by M Faye Prior, Collections Facilitator
On Saturday 16 April 2016, the York Castle Museum’s History Team held a special event looking at this more unusual aspect of 1840s fashion as part of the new exhibition, Shaping the Body. Find out more…
Last Saturday the Castle Museum explored the fascinating world of ‘TB Chic’, a fashion phenomenon at its height in the 1840s where women styled themselves to look as though they were susceptible to tuberculosis.
Dr Carolyn Day, a visiting speaker and Assistant Professor at Furman University (USA) gave a talk about TB Chic, and Collections Facilitator M Faye Prior led an object handling session with 1840s dresses and accessories. They were joined by volunteer Anni Shepherd, dressed in a reproduction TB Chic outfit – chemise, corset, petticoat and gown – all made by top historical costumier Lindsey Holmes.
Lindsey, who wrote Making Georgian & Regency Costumes for Women, then put on a stunning historical fashion show on Shaping the Body’s brand new Fashion gallery, with the help of 11 volunteer models. The History Team sends a massive thanks to everyone who took part.
Discover more about fashion, food and lifestyle in our Shaping the Body exhibition.
