Faire Ladies, Faire Lords

Quality, American-Made Renaissance Costumes

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Happy Birthday to ME! Have a coupon!

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Happy Birthday to ME! 30 years ago this month I officially started up my little costume business. What a crazy thing. Faire Ladies, Faire Lords started as a gamble on working for myself in the arts. I’m sure my parents wept and my partner too. Goodby safety net and standard life. Hello avocation!

Story time:

In 1996 I started this business working part time and also in the fashion industry while finishing my college and university education. I built a booth (pictured), jumped into the SCA as a vendor, and also started attending small 1 weekend Renfaire events close to home, 1 day marketplaces and tourneys; whatever I could, hoping to attend and grow customers.

Weekend two at Koroneburg: The theme for week 2 of Koroneburg is Merchant Mayhem!…After the millennium passed, I made the decision to go fulltime. I was clocking in over 45 weekends traveling to small shows annually for a few of those years. Driving all over 3 states in a giant station wagon overfull with the booth and products. Whew! I even organized demonstrations in charter schools, and produced renaissance weddings and to make ends meet. I produced Twelfth Night in San Diego for many years too. In 2008 I tried to launch a wholesale division. Awful timing. I persevered, times moves on. During this time I got established at Koroneburg Renaissance Festival and worked with a great friend, Jesse. I launched this retail website with much better success.

So, the next big thing was being accepted into the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in 2017 and the Northern California Renaissance Faire a few years later. Mind you, I had been applying to large shows for almost 2 decades. Some things don’t come easy. Now I’m a ‘real vendor’ at 2 big shows and have concentrated my efforts on scaling the business UP and improving my online shop. I teach interns, donate to theatre groups, I volunteer and do my best to give back and support artists and independent businesspersons.

Faire Ladies, Faire Lord shopWhat’s next:

Its 2026 and life is good. I’m thinking about the next phase in this career, looking for booth managers for example. Taking the decisions one day at a time. I love this job. Time to celebrate!! Coupon: “happy birthday to me” is good for 15% off any items in the online store. Go for it!!!

Thank you everybody for lessons learned, hands held, and mostly for loving my art.

~ Martina

 

 

Doublet and sleeves special order

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Gentlemen! Come one and all – I’m taking requests for doublets and removable matched OR coordinated sleeves.

I can create an ‘off the rack’ doublet/sleeves set with ties and aiglets for you in 4 to 6 weeks on average. If it is ‘faire season’ (spring and fall) it may take longer – I will for sure let you know how long it will be to build. If you wish to order a set please contact me HERE and provide the following information:

  • I need your doublet size mens size chart
  • the length of your arm from your shoulder point to your wrist bone
  • do you want it open or closed
  • if open, wood or metal buttons?
  • what type of aiglets? I have plain and super fancy too

I usually have all the ‘basic’ colors of linen on hand. I also have a selection of brocades and wools. Be sure to confer with your costume director before ordering.

I will send you an invoice for your doublet and sleeves special order when its finished. Please keep in mind that the cost of the sleeves can be more than the doublet itself depending on details. 

 

sketch of a removable sleevea human wearing a doublet with removable sleeves

 

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Huzzah to the 2026 Renaissance Faire Season, I’ll see you all out under the canvas!

Martina

Captain Phinn’s Pirate Fishy Show video!

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I have a friend that I work with at faire, and IMO she’s a genius. Creator of Captain Phinn’s Pirate Fishy Show, she is my kind of people. She’s loud, she’s funny, she has puppets and is not afraid to use them. She loves dressing in pirate fashion and making very silly videos.

So, on the advice of yet another friend/fan I asked her to make a promo for my Stripey Pirate Socks. And the rest is comedy gold. As the OzzyMan says ‘CRANK YA SPEAKERS!’

Here’s the video, watch it, like it, subscribe to her channel? You will find there’s a QR link to my website and a coupon for $2 off the Stripey Pirate Socks. Buy some sox and she gets a dollar too for her trouble. Pretty sweet I think. We’re supporting the arts!

Yaaar!

The video Captain Phinn’s Pirate Fishy Show VIDEO

This is the Youtube channel – Captain Phinn’s Youtube Channel

This is her Facebook page too. Captain Phinn’s Facebook Page

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Thanks for reading this shameless plug! Please share this with your friends and family, shipmates, guild mates, play dates, your cosplay people. And as always if you need help or just want to get in touch, I’m on Facebook and you can email me here.

Studio Intern/Assistant opportunity

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Studio Intern/Assistant opportunity

Work and learn with a master historical costume and apparel designer. This opportunity is available to early-career individuals who have a strong interest in the costume design, apparel design or textile arts.  I am seeking individuals who are robust, actively engaged, productive people who are passionate about their art and wish to learn about the workings of a design studio, small production manufacturing, and effectively running a business.  Interns are integral parts of the studio process.  This is an excellent opportunity for dedicated new artists and aspiring designers to improve a wide range of hands on skills in a supportive experiential learning environment, adding significantly to their professional skills and real life business practices.

It is a long term/permanent position; starting part time. You will share studio space with access to supplies, equipment and research materials in exchange for approximately 8 – 10 hours per week of paid work in the respective area of internship interest and responsibility. Participants are expected to continue formal education, and attend buying trips and sales events.

The internship program is rigorous physically and emotionally; and participants will receive support, encouragement, knowledge, an enriching intern experience and professional development opportunities in return.  If you have drive and are motivated; please consider applying.

Qualifications:

  • Ideally you are a student locally at John Hancock College or a recent graduate of a fashion/costume design school
  • Rudimentary skills – ie you can sew, you’re familiar with patternwork and garment construction
  • Willing and able to work with your hands. Some days we sew, some days we load a truck, some days we drive to LA and hunt for fabric
  • You are competent at basic business skills such as computer use, spreadsheets, writing skills
  • Reliable, motivated, and resilient

Compensation:

This position offers hourly compensation and opportunities for paid piecework. Approximately 8 – 10 hours per week with a flexible schedule to accommodate school, increasing during busy season.

To Apply:

Applicants must write an introductory letter outlining their educational and career plans, and be able to demonstrate competency with basic sewing and design skills. References will be required. Send your application HERE

UPDATE: The Green Linen Project

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UPDATE: The Green Linen Project

I don’t know where the time went, but here we are at last. The hunter green linen has landed!! That took a while, yes? If you don’t recall or maybe never knew, I’d been trying for a LONG TIME to source my linen and linen blends in Hunter Green. Here’s the original post about it.

Its really the MOST popular color in the Renfaire genre in my experience. But alas, it was nowhere to be found at a wholesale level. So, I figured out how to order a custom color from China. I got a few folks to invest/pre-buy and went halfsies with a fellow business owner. Add in the tariff hassles, and a lot of chaos because my importer up and moved their warehouse out of state with no notice right as the fabric got to Los Angeles. Its been exciting at the least. But, its here! Its a good linen/rayon blend, lightweight and with a good hand feel.

So far, I’ve got Venetian Breeches made up. Some are going on my website, some are going to faire this fall at Casa de Fruta. I’m in process of sewing linen shirts, and ladies skirts, and partlettes. All are going to faire this September.

There will be more, of course! I’m thinking ahead to the spring season having Doublets and Bodices in the Hunter Green Linen. I’m also branching out my sourcing and changing fabrics in a few areas – details to follow in another post. I should be sewing right now. I’ll be back.Patrick and I

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I am a costume designer specializing in renaissance faire and historical costumes. My shop name is Faire Ladies Faire Lords . I make the clothing in my shop at faire from linen and linen blends. The good stuff.

Winter Renfaires! 2024 – 2025 season

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In the warmest parts of the US its time for awesome winter renfaires! Some of the biggest and best Renaissance shows are happening during this time, and the fun has just begun. The rest of the country is chilly and tucked away; meanwhile faire goers are garbing up in linen doublets, gowns, bodices, etc. Performers are readying their acts and the show will go on! Huzzah!

Here’s a list of SOME of these shows happening this 2024 – 2025 season. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if I’ve forgotten your favorite winter renfaires. Some of these shows are very new, and some like the Arizona Renfaire are established long running traditional renfaire gems.

Arizona Renaissance Faire (AZ) – February 1 – March 30, 2025

Brevard Renaissance Faire (FL) – January 18th to February 23rd 2025

Castlefaire Winter Renaissance Festival (GA) – January 17 – 19, 2025

Yule Viking Festival (TX) December 6 – 22, 2025

Orlando Renaissance Festival (FL) – December 7 – 15 2024

New Braunfels Renaissance Faire (TX) – December 6 – 15 2024female human wearing a partlette

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Now to the really important things, like what to wear? Well of course I’m here to advise you take a look at my online store and pick out some new gear. I’ve been working diligently on keeping stocks up all year long. Now’s your opportunity!

Thanks for reading! I hope this info will give new opportunities to play faire and live your best life. Please share this with your friends and family, your guild mates, your cosplay people. And as always if you need help or just want to get in touch, I’m on Facebook and you can email me here.