INTRODUCING ELEANOR
Eleanor Houghton (B.A. Hons (Oxon), M.A., PhD.) is an historical consultant, writer and illustrator. She is a specialist in eighteenth and nineteenth century costume, literature and social history and, drawing on her broad knowledge, she has advised artists, authors, curators, costume designers, television producers and museum professionals on a wide variety of projects. Eleanor is passionate about finding answers to the difficult questions that the past so often presents and approaches every research project with tenacity, creativity and diligence.
Eleanor is also currently writing an highly innovative biography of Charlotte Brontë which explores the famous author’s life through her surviving clothing. Although nearly 170 years have passed since Charlotte Brontë died, witnesses to her life still survive. Material Witness: Charlotte Brontë’s Life Through Clothes finally gives voice to the dresses, corsets, bonnets, shawls and many other garments that were present as she penned the first lines of Jane Eyre, as she walked the cobbled streets of Haworth with her sisters, as she dined with William Makepeace Thackeray at his home in London or as she joined Arthur Bell Nicholls at the altar in the summer of 1854. Powerful as their stories are, their testimonies have remained unheard – until today.
Eleanor is represented by Liza DeBlock and Kiya Evans of Mushens Entertainment.
INSPIRED – The Art Of Making Historical Fashion
Bankfield Museum, Halifax
27th January 2023 to January 2024
Eleanor’s work has been included in a new exhibition that looks at the fascinating world of period costume design. She reveals the part historical consultants play in the production of film and TV dramas and why surviving garments are just so important.
(Image: Eleanor Houghton, 1840s Striped Silk Gown, Pen, Ink and Watercolour, 2023.)
Art Exhibition at Chawton House
This art exhibition, previously on display at the Brontë Parsonage as part of the wider exhibition, Defying Expectations, places focus on some of the remarkable garments and accessories worn by Charlotte Brontë. These brightly coloured, fashionable, even exotic items boldly challenge the preconception that Brontë and her famous protagonist Jane Eyre were, at least in terms of dress, one and the same. The illustrations draw attention to both Charlotte’s ordinary and extraordinary lives but also remind us that she was an active participant of the fast-changing mid-nineteenth century.
Eleanor has also created four original illustrations for Chawton House, taking their inspiration from fabrics found in Jane and Cassandra Austen’s quilt, made c.1811 and now held at Jane Austen’s House.
It runs from the 1 March to 1 June 2023.
Art Exhibition at Chawton House, Hampshire - 1 March 2023 to 1 June 2023
‘1805 Gown’, ©Eleanor Houghton, 2023
ELEANOR’S INSTAGRAM — @eleanorhoughtonhistorian
Defying Expectations - Inside Charlotte Brontë’s Wardrobe
Eleanor has recently curated Defying Expectations: Inside Charlotte Brontë’s Wardrobe in conjunction with the Bronte Parsonage Museum. This large-scale, vibrant exhibition places focus on those garments and accessories that challenge our preconceptions of the author, Charlotte Brontë. It is based on research carried out over the past six years and also features her hand-drawn wallpapers and illustrations.
The exhibition ran from February 2022 to January 2023, Brontë Parsonage Museum, Haworth and was featured in Vogue, The Times, The Guardian and Yorkshire Life.
British Vogue
Rosalind Jana of British Vogue wrote about the Brontë sisters’ real wardrobes and how Eleanor’s new research has challenged preconceptions and radically changed the way that Charlotte, Emily and Anne are now depicted on screen. Read it here.
Exploring Eliot
September/October 2021 - Eleanor worked for the The Exploring Eliot project, funded through the Esmeé Fairburn Collections Fund, which explores the fantastic George Eliot collections at Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery, Nuneaton Library, Coventry Archives and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.
Eleanor was asked to study the surviving clothing of the nineteenth century novelist, George Eliot before training staff on how to tell stories thorough dress.
Recent Film Work
2022 - Eleanor worked as historical costume consultant on the large-scale, period Disney Plus production The Ballad of Renegade Nell written and directed by Sally Wainwright. Watch this space for more details!
September 2021 - Eleanor worked as historical costume consultant to Emma Rees, costume designer for BBC production of The Gallows Pole, directed by Shane Meadows.
2021 - Eleanor worked with the multi-award winning Costume Designer Michael O’Connor and his delightful team on the upcoming film ‘Emily’.
Gentleman Jack
2020 - After a successful first series, Eleanor has now finished working as historical costume consultant to award-winning costume designer, Tom Pye, on the second series of BBC/HBO’s acclaimed drama, ‘Gentleman Jack’ written by Sally Wainwright.
Charlotte Brontë’s Moccasins - Sara Tor, The Times.
Eleanor’s recently published research into Charlotte Brontë’s moccasins has also been featured in The Times in an article by journalist, Sara Tor. A longer version of the article can be found here.
Testimonial
Eleanor Houghton has worked extensively with the costume collection at the Brontë Parsonage Museum and her meticulous research has provided important new insights into the Brontës' lives, connecting them to the world in which they lived. The Museum's staff have been more than impressed by Eleanor's professionalism and scholarship, and by the fact that she is such a delightful person to work with. Eleanor's advice is frequently sought by the curatorial team at the Parsonage, and she is in great demand as a speaker at events organised by the Museum. We look forward to developing our relationship and working with Eleanor on ambitious projects in the future.
Ann Dinsdale, Brontë Parsonage Museum
Image, ©Eleanor Houghton, 2023.