Crash this party

You’ve been to the museum. You may have even taken a behind-the-scenes tour. What’s the next step in getting up-close-and-personal? 

Making something unique that’s based on what you’ve seen and experienced, guided by a bona fide master in her field. 

On Oct 5, 12 and 19, join Joanka Micol Medda, costume designer, set designer, illustrator, fashion designer and fashion stylist, to explore some of the coolest, strangest and outrageous pieces of Victorian fashion in the Royal BC Museum collection. 

In this debut of our “Crash Course” series, you’ll spend time under Joanka’s tutelage and experienced eye. 

On the first day, Joanka will take you on a virtual journey through Victorian fashion and escort you to see highlights from our fashion collection. 

On days two and three, you’ll design and complete your own handbag, inspired by our collections. It’ll be yours to keep and fill with whatever you see fit to fit, including Victoriana (just not from our collection). 

Want to attend? You should have some basic knowledge of how to draw a pattern and hand-sewing skills. We’re going old school on this project, so no electric sewing machines for us. 

We’ll provide you with pattern paper, fabric, threads and finishes to create your design. 

Bring your phone to capture—and share!—details throughout the course, your own fabric scissors and a sewing kit (needles, thimble, etc.).

This is the first in a line of Royal BC Museum “crash courses” – all designed to provide you with exclusive access to experts, collections and objects so you get hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the Royal BC Museum.

For more about Joanka, visit her on Instagram.

Learn more about the Victorian Fashion Crash Course.