Sponsored by the Æthelmearc Clothiers Guild
Hosted by the Barony of Blackstone Mountain
The competition will begin on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5:00pm and end on Saturday April 25, 2026 at 3:30pm. The completed outfit will be modeled in the Fashion Show at 4:30 pm on Saturday evening immediately prior to court.
The goal of this competition is to demonstrate the diversity of historical tools, techniques, and skills that go into garb creation and to conduct a “living display” showcasing the creativity and resourcefulness of our garb-making artisans. Project Promenade is a competition that prioritizes fun and community-building, and we hope that it will be enjoyed by participants and observers alike.
Registration
Due to space limitations, only four teams are allowed in this competition. Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To register a team, email Clothiers_guild@aethelmearc.org by 12:00 p.m. April 19th 2026 and provide:
- A team name
- A team leader
- A project culture and time period.
A final team roster must be registered by 5pm Friday. No late ads will be accepted once the competition has started unless cleared by competition staff.
Team Composition
Each team may consist of between 2 and 6 members.
Each team will need a model who will wear the ensemble for judging and walk in the Fashion Show on Saturday night.
Team members are defined as anyone who works on the project (ensemble or documentation).
If the model works on the project, they are considered a member of the team as well.
Competition Structure
Each team will work within the 22 hour time window to dress their model in a complete pre 17th century outfit.
A ‘complete outfit’ includes all aspects of clothing that are visible when worn. This includes; shirt/chemise, overtunic/dress, pants/skirts, head coverings, etc. Support garments, footwear and accessories (belts/jewelry/pouches/etc.) are optional items; no points will be lost for their exclusion from your entry, but additional points can be awarded for their inclusion.
The competition organizers reserve the right to assign handicaps to teams with stacked rosters (for example, teams with multiple recognized costumers). Competitors should also be ready to pivot with “injections of chaos” which will be presented to them in the form of challenges. Injections of Chaos are intended to be fun with the purpose of making projects more interesting and giving teams a chance to display resourcefulness and adaptability. They will be equally presented, with the option to accept in exchange for “Challenge Participation Points”.
A “Make it Work” Table with an assortment of fray check, hot glue and iron-on hem tape will be available during the last legs of the competition to ensure outfits are wearable even in the worst case scenarios.
All questions regarding the specifics of the competition are to be addressed to Competition Staff (Clothiers_guild@aethelmearc.org)
Plan your Project in Advance!
All construction and assembly must be accomplished on site. Teams must bring all materials and equipment that will be needed for the creation of their entry. Electricity and workspace/tables will be provided in the upstairs area of the Main Lodge.
Fabric cannot be pre-cut, etc. A mockup (muslin) is allowed and encouraged.
If you would like to include period materials that have limitations please contact the competition staff to work out a compromise. (For example, we have allowed weavers to prewarp their looms, beaders may make beads ahead of time, but string on site, etc.)
Documentation should be prepared in advance and will be expected at team check-in Friday night. Each team should display an image (drawings, mockup, etc.) alongside documentation of their entry at the workstation. This means each team should bring 2 copies of their documentation.
This competition will run non-stop for 22 hours. Bring snacks and drinks, take shifts, and budget your rest time accordingly!
Judging
A panel of 3 judges will observe the creation process throughout the competition, and announce the winner during court on Saturday.
Judging will be held promptly at 3:30 pm Saturday and will move quickly. Have your model and presentation ready.
Judges will retire to deliberate in private with a copy of each team’s documentation.
Projects will be scored according to the attached rubric.