For the Donkmeer Museum in Belgium we created 9 costumes, including 4 historical philosophers: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Charles Louis de Montesquieu and Jean Jacques Rousseau. For these figures we made researches into the costume of the period in which these gentlemen lived. While the heads were produced, we designed the costumes and drew the patterns. After the mannequins, fabrics and accessories were chosen , the costumes were handmade.

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher who was alive during the English Civil War (from 1588 to 1679). There are very few images that show the attire worn by Hobbes. So, in addition to clothing descriptions we received from the Donkmeer museum, we extensively researched the attire worn during this period. Beautiful patterns were then drawn based on the designs we created. His costume is made of black velvet that has a grey gloss. The specific collar he wore required particular attention. His head was reproduced based on the available images. Our make-up artist ensured that he received exactly the same hairstyle as in the paintings.

John Locke was a British philosopher from the early enlightenment. He was born in 1632 and died in 1704. Because Locke was almost always depicted as an older man wearing a dressing gown, we have also represented the figure in this manner. Based on available paintings, his head has been recreated to represent how Locke would have appeared in younger years. We made his dressing gown from brown velvet, finished with brown satin.

Charles Louis de Montesquieu was a French philosopher who lived from 1689-1755. The current political structure of western democracies is based on his ideas and those of John Locke. We received the following attire description: Black leather shoes with a buckle, half-length socks, breeches, half-length waistcoat, white undershirt and long overcoat. Montesquieu is always depicted in a huge overcoat or cloak. This is why we emphasised this in our design.

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a Swiss-French philosopher, writer and composer. For his attire, we received the same description as for Charles Louis de Montesquieu. The only point of note was that his clothing had to be a slightly lighter colour than that of Montesquieu. Because Rousseau, somewhat more than the others, led a very lively lifestyle, we gave him a more colourful costume than other philosophers. We gave him a cheerful flowered under-shirt (still in old fashioned colours), salmon-coloured knee-length velvet trousers and a lovely dark turquoise overcoat.

This scene depicts a counter-revolutionary being executed by guillotine. The decapitated figure represents a nobleman. The figure’s clothing had to be consistent with 18th century fashion for nobility or higher civil classes. In this case, the following elements were important: Close-fitting breeches with matching socks, late 18th century shoes and shirt. The head of the unfortunate individual lies in the basket which was used to collect the head.

The 18th century village priest has been given a light under garment, with a slightly darker and more pronounced habit. A stunning grey-blue velvet motif has been worked into the matt grey fabric of the habit. The under garment has been finished with cream-coloured lace.

The overcoat of the 18th century merchant is made from light blue velvet, which is fitted with a row of buttons. His waistcoat is made from a print fabric, and is nicely embroidered with gold brocade. The colour of the waistcoat perfectly matches the overcoat and breeches, which are made from dark brown velvet. The colour of the socks is natural white and the cuffs and collar are made from fine lace.

The 18th century country squire wears a good quality blouse, a nicely embroidered neutral-tinted waistcoat and dark green checked breeches. His socks are natural white and he wears shoes featuring a buckle.

The long dress worn by the 18th century country woman consists of a dark blue fabric with a checked blue/white apron over the top. Further, she wears a light cream blouse, over which she wears a bright red waistcoat featuring a few large buttons. The whole outfit is finished with a checked scarf.