Costumers of Color

Inclusive Costuming & History

The Costumers of Color inaugural annual historical costuming event was a success! The Salon at Palais Royal brought together historical clothing (and OH MY hair!), 2 educational lectures, a historical sword fighting demonstration, and a classical violin concert culminating in such collective joy… it was all phenomenal. Over 40 of the 140 attendees were POC (people of color) and I cannot tell you how full of joy it made us to see them having fun, letting their guard down with each other, being welcomed and valued by the inclusive costumers of all races in attendance, and enjoying this niche hobby we all share. To attend an event knowing the bare minimum is to be respected and supported by the attendees who are not POC is not common in historical costuming. However, it is the new normal for all of the events Costumer of Color have planned. 

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Location – Seattle, WA at the Women’s University Club

Dates – October 4th & 5th, 2024

Tickets – https://buytickets.at/costumersofcolor

Accommodations – Renaissance Seattle Marriott Room Block

Attire – 1779 to 1799 fashions

Costumers of Color 501(c)(3) is inviting people of color (POC) and anti-racists to come to Seattle and party like it’s 1799! The Salon at Palais-Royal: An 18th-Century Chevalier Experience is an historical educational not-for-profit event with a theme reminiscent of Paris in the time of Jospeh Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges. Enjoy an afternoon of education and then an evening of classical music, with a swordplay demonstration, historical games, 18th-century dancing, a Bologne concert, low-sensory embroidery sitting room, and refreshments where all attendees are dressed in the historical clothing of 1779-1799.

“[Arthur] Lee gave Us an Account of [Chevalier] St. George at Paris... He is the most accomplished Man in Europe in Riding, Running, Shooting, Fencing, Dancing, Musick. He will hit the Button, any Button on the Coat or Waistcoat of the greatest Masters. He will hit a Crown Piece in the Air with a Pistoll Ball.”

John Adams – written on 17 May 1779 in his diary

This event will contribute uniquely to an understanding of the presence of artists of color at a formative time in both American AND Western European history. It is your chance to pay homage and celebrate the excellence/ resilience of POC from the past while participating in 18th-century activities and wearing Georgian/Directoire clothing. The venue is a beautiful Georgian Revival style that houses the Women’s University Club of Seattle. The entire weekend will be filled with informative demonstrations, lectures, delicious food, historical games, Joseph Bologne’s music, dancing, and lively conversation. All attempts and interpretations of 18th Century costume are welcome, from exacting historically plausible dress to inspired afro-futurist designs! Read more about Jospeh Bologne at our blog post here.

Itinerary

  • Friday, Oct 4 – Dinner in Seattle (6-8pm)
  • Saturday, Oct 5 – Afternoon Lectures & Demonstrations (1-4pm)
  • Saturday, Oct 5 – Evening Salon (7-11pm)

Host: Gigi, Executive Director of Costumers of Color / @costumersofcolor

Cohost: Christine of Sewstine / @Sewstine

Fashion Timeframe:  1779-1799 (Georgian/Directoire)

Date: October 5, 2024

Salon Event Venue: Women’s University Club Seattle, 1105 6th Ave

Hotel Block: Renaissance Seattle Marriott, 515 Madison St

Link to our block for Oct 4-6, 2024 https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1684353556325&key=GRP&app=resvlink

EVENT TEAM

@CostumersofColor was created by Gigi Coulson, a Black autistic scientist, in 2020. The purpose of this 501(c)3 nonprofit organization is to promote the inclusion and belonging of Black, Indigenous, and People of color (BIPOC) in historical costuming. Gigi has created successful online educational events (Known World Italian Symposium, Silk Routes Symposium, and the SCADEI Symposium), led historical costuming trips to Europe, and is now focusing on this first in-person event. There is no other BIPOC-led organization in this particular niche. Thank you for considering support of this inaugural event!

All of the wonderful people below are being compensated for their contributions to this event. This is a not-for-profit event so all the $$ from ticket sales are being using to run the event.

Event Supporter

EQUITY, INCLUSION, & BELONGING

For this event the planning team will follow the checklist for planning an inclusive event. A behavior policy and grievance policy has been created and posted for this event. Any violation of said policy will be grounds for removal from our event and social media spaces.

MUSIC

In this video, you can listen to Joseph Bologne’s Symphony Concertante in G Major, played by the Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble:

Spotify Playlist of Jospeh Bologn’es music here
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/31aJDs8TUiexIr82jfpVEI?go=1&sp_cid=7bce60cd7fb6452f640ba990fcec756e&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop

For a list of Joseph Bologne’s works visit this site https://imslp.org/wiki/List_of_works_by_Joseph_Bologne_Saint-Georges

#ChevalierEvent #SalonAtPalaisRoyal

#costumersofcolor  #ChevalierEvent #costumingincolor #historicalcostuming #POCcostumers #BIPOCcostumers 

#georgianera #georgianerafashion 

#directoirestyle #18thcentury #18thCenturyDress