How to Dress a Georgian Woman
July 15th 2026
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum - Lichfield
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join British fashion designer, Gemma Thompson, for a fascinating talk on women’s clothing in the 1700s.
Gemma will demonstrate how the rich and stylish of the past got dressed; from luxurious and extravagant outerwear to underwear that created the iconic shapes of the period.
Join us for an entertaining exploration of sumptuous garments, learn how style reflected status, and find out how clothing was bought and made.
This informative one-hour talk is accompanied by Gemma dressing as a Georgian Woman, demonstrating the many layers and garments worn.
Tickets cost £12 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets can be booked in person in our Bookshop, or by calling us on 01543 264972. Tickets are also available to buy online via our Eventbrite page.
Marie Antoinette and the Fashion of Versailles
June 24th 2026
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum - Lichfield
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Step into the dazzling world of 18th‑century Versailles as designer and dress historian Gemma Thompson brings the fashions of Marie Antoinette’s court to life.
In this talk and live demonstration, Gemma will be dressed in a robe à l’anglaise like the one seen in Marie Antoinette’s portraits, revealing the hidden details of construction, fit, and silhouette that can’t be seen in paintings.
Through stories of Rose Bertin, the rise of the royal marchandes de modes, and the influence of Versailles from the reign of Louis XIV to the arrival of Marie Antoinette, discover how fashion became a language of power, artistry, and rebellion.
Tickets cost £12 per person. Pre-booking is essential, spaces are limited. Tickets can be booked in person in our Bookshop, or by calling us on 01543 264972. Tickets are also available to buy online via our Eventbrite page. Tickets are non-refundable.
Guide to a Lady’s 18th Century Wardrobe (2026)
May 21st 2026
Erasmus Darwin House - Lichfield
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Get dressed in iconic fashion styles of the 18th century with fashion designer Gemma Thompson.
We’ll explore the changing silhouette of the rococo era with a demonstration of how ladies would have dressed at the time.
Guide to a Lady’s 18th Century Wardrobe
March 28th 2025
Erasmus Darwin House - Lichfield
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Get dressed in iconic fashion styles of the 18th century with fashion designer Gemma Thompson.
We’ll explore the changing silhouette of the rococo era with a demonstration of how ladies would have dressed at the time.
18th-Century Women's Fashion and Revolution - Sold Out
February 19th 2025
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum - Lichfield
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join us for an exploration of Women's fashion from the second half of the 18th century.
For this fascinating one-hour talk, British fashion designer, Gemma Thompson, will delve into the history of women’s clothing in the 1700s.
This is a unique opportunity to hear how these luxurious garments were made and how fashion was influenced by the age of revolution. See Gemma get dressed in the iconic robe à l'anglaise.
Image - British Library Image: B20037-09
How to Dress a Georgian Woman: Show and Tell - Sold Out
September 4th 2024
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum - Lichfield
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join British fashion designer, Gemma Thompson, for a fascinating talk on women’s clothing in the 1700s. Gemma will demonstrate how the rich and stylish of the past got dressed; from luxurious and extravagant outerwear to underwear that created the iconic shapes of the period. Join us for an entertaining exploration of sumptuous garments, learn how style reflected status, and find out how clothing was bought and made.
This informative one-hour talk is accompanied by Gemma dressing as a Georgian Woman, demonstrating the many layers and garments worn.
Image from the British Library archive. Shelfmark: L.R.32.b.2
