Description
Join us online via Zoom on Friday 10 July 2026 at 19:30 UK time to hear Flora Swietlicki give an account of the process of researching and creating life-size, wearable costume as seen in the portraits of these two extraordinary ‘Leading Ladies’ of Inveraray.
Flora will consider the lives of the ladies portrayed and contextualise their choice to be painted in costume against the backdrop of their particular milieu. The work and technique of the two artists, Hoppner and Jervas, will be explored alongside an analysis of the garments depicted in the portrait. Are they entirely fantasy, or a mélange of contemporary fashion and historicism? What kind of person might have made these garments, and what were they made of? The theme of divinity appears in both portraits, albeit in very different expressions.
Flora will also talk about the creative process of design decisions, material sourcing and pattern drafting was followed by the actual handsewn construction, much of which took place in front of castle visitors. The dynamic of engagement between sewist and visitor became an integral part of this very special project.
Speaker Biography
Flora is an Argyll local with a strong, longstanding interest in historical dress and textiles, as well as Scottish history. Her first degree was an MA in Spanish with Scottish History from Glasgow University. On graduating, she lived in London for several years, with various jobs including a time with the BBC World Service, and teaching evening classes in Spanish at the University of London.
On marrying, Flora moved back to Scotland, and for several decades was a homemaker and carer to her four children and latterly, a severely infirm family member. During this period her family became involved with 17th century re-enactment, which first sparked her interest in historic costume, with a focus on historic construction and hand sewing.
In 2019, Flora was one of eight dressmakers who worked on a reconstructed version of the iconic 18th century Isabella MacTavish Fraser tartan wedding gown. This took place event at the National Museum of Scotland, as part of the Wild and Majestic exhibition.
After her children flew the family nest, Flora took a job at Dunollie Museum and Castle as a tour guide (thank you, Donald!), which led to her undertaking a Masters degree in Museum and Heritage Studies at St. Andrews University. In 2020, Flora worked on the ‘Women of Dunollie’ costume exhibition, which can be seen on the museum’s website.
Flora was then appointed Education Officer at the West Highland Museum, Fort William, before leaving to pursue a further Masters course in Dress and Textile Histories at Glasgow University. She is currently on hiatus from this course, as she took up a one-year contract as Education Officer at Dunollie Museum.
Flora was delighted to be offered the extraordinary opportunity to create costumes from those depicted in portraits in Inveraray Castle, as part of the Leading Ladies project, in 2025. She has particularly enjoyed interacting with visitors while sewing the garments in the Tapestry Drawing Room.
Key Info
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This event is FREE* for members of the Friends.
*Please note: Friends must be logged in to their web account to receive their discount!
Tickets for non-members are £10. Find out more about becoming a Friend here: Become a Friend of Argyll Estates Archives – Friends of Argyll Estates Archives
Image: Portrait of the Hon Mary Bellenden (left) and Lady Charlotte Campbell (right), courtesy of Argyll Estates Archives.