Rebecca is a freelance consultant in historical dress and textiles, an independent researcher and an 'original practice' maker of reconstructed historical clothing of the 18th century. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Rebecca is an experienced public historian who designs and delivers programs for museums and heritage sites to enhance the visitor experience and interpret objects and stories linked to the host s
ite. One of Rebecca's specialities is demonstrating for your visitors how garments were made in the 18th century, the fabrics and materials used for clothing, how women in the fashion trades learned and practiced their skills and the role these women played in society. If you would like to engage Rebecca to develop a public program around aspects of your collection and the interpretative messages you are keen to convey, please email Rebecca at [email protected]. MAKING
She specialises in making research-based garments, underpinnings and accessories and in re-creating/re-constructing surviving originals held in public and private collections. She takes commissions for a wide range of 18th century costume of a very high standard, with every item made bespoke to suit your needs, whether for museum/exhibition display, historical re-enactment, living history or social events such as Georgian dinners, parties and balls. She can also source jewelry, hats, shoes, wigs, makeup etc, as needed to help complete your look and ensure a consistent, high quality presentation. Please visit Rebecca's online shop to see options for custom orders, as well as items currently in stock and ready to ship now:
https://www.timesmith.co.uk/shop
SPEAKING
Rebecca offers talks, lectures and demonstrations on a variety of topics connected with 18th century womenswear, from textiles to cut and construction to fashion consumption. She is available for study days, public events and internal development programmes at museums, heritage sites, academic conferences, schools and universities, costuming and historical societies. If you have an 18th century historical dress topic you’d like Rebecca to speak to your group about, please message her for more details. Meanwhile, check out her schedule to see where she is speaking next:
https://www.timesmith.co.uk/calendar
TEACHING
Rebecca teaches historical sewing and construction techniques, both in her home workshop in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, United Kingdom or alternatively she can travel to teach your group. Here are Rebecca's next scheduled workshops:
https://www.timesmith.co.uk/book-a-workshop
MEMBERSHIPS
Rebecca is a current member of The Costume Society (UK), the Southern Counties Costume Society (UK), Costume Society of Scotland, the British Society for Eighteenth-century Studies, the Association of Dress Historians, The Costume Society of America, Dress and Textile Specialists (DATS), the Women’s History Network, Women's History Scotland, the 1745 Association, The Clan Mackenzie Society of Scotland and the UK, the Scottish Tartans Authority, and the NMTF (National Market Traders Federation).
