Costume Illustrations

Drawing is central to Eleanor’s research methodology. When studying extant clothing she adopts what has been termed ‘the slow approach to seeing’. So much can be gleaned by looking closely at garments; by questioning how they are constructed, how they would have been worn, how large or small the wearer was, how the garment would have sounded as it moved or how it might have altered posture. Drawing forces the artist, or in this case, the historian, to fully engage with the material object in front of them and thus to begin to answer questions that might otherwise have been overlooked.

In her work as historical consultant, drawing also allows Eleanor to convey costume ideas or character interpretations to her clients.

Eleanor’s work is sold in numerous museums, including the Brontë Parsonage Museum and Chawton House Museum, and also in her own online shop and on Etsy.

Commissions

Eleanor takes commissions for costume illustrations from museums, authors and from the media. She can work from photographs of garments or material objects. Where the item is damaged, fragmented or even missing, using her deep knowledge of dress history, of sartorial codes and conventions and of contemporary manufacturing processes, Eleanor will ‘reconstruct’ or ‘reimagine’ an item otherwise lost to the recesses of time.

Over the past eight years, Eleanor has taken art commissions from a great number of organisations and individuals and has proved herself knowledgeable, creative and adaptable. Read her case studies and testimonials below for more information.

Case Study

Eleanor was recently commissioned to produce artworks for the Bankfield Museum’s January 2024 - January 2025 exhibition, ‘Inspired: The Art of Making Historical Dress’. The exhibition played a key part in Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2024 celebrations and was an Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project with the London College of Fashion.

The curator asked Eleanor to produce four drawings of an 1840s striped, silk gown held in their collection. The images would be shown in a case alongside the gown itself and would allow visitors to see the inner workings of the gown and to notice details that they might otherwise overlook.

Eleanor’s detailed, annotated drawings of the gown (along with other drawings from her own collection) proved hugely popular, not least because they offered a sneak peek into a usually forbidden world.

Costume Illustration Testimonials

  • "Aside from her professional talents, Eleanor is a delightful person to work with. She is a true scholar, while also generous and friendly to fellow researchers and writers. I cannot recommend her highly enough."

    Sharon Wright, Writer and Journalist

  • “I had the great privilege of working with Eleanor on a lengthy period costume project and was astounded not only by her grasp of historical fashion but also by her instinct for it. She is meticulous, wonderfully intelligent and so incisive in her choices. I could not recommend her with more enthusiasm - she is a jewel.”

    Antonella Gambotto Burke, Writer and Journalist

  • "Dr Eleanor Houghton has worked with Bankfield Museum on a number of exhibitions in the Fashion Gallery. For 'The Art of Making Historical Fashion' exhibition in 2024 she produced a series of stunning detailed drawings of an 1840s day dress from the collection. These were displayed alongside her other works including bonnets, models and sketches. All of these works were enjoyed by visitors from around the world with comments such as 'beautiful drawings', 'love it, so inspiring!'"

    Elinor Camille-Wood, Museum and Heritage Consultant, Curator of 'The Art of Making Historical Fashion' 

  • “Eleanor produced a wonderful, detailed drawing that became a key plate in my book. She also provided me with an explanation of their likely attire, based on her intimate knowledge of early nineteenth century fashion, for the chapter ‘Becoming Mrs Brontë.”

    Sharon Wright, Writer and journalist