Medieval costumes of the exhibition ’The splendor of the court in the 16th century’ Potes, Cantabria

Vera Simons van Mourik (Netherlands, 1946) began to show interest in fashion during her childhood, a time when she was already making outfits, footwear and accessories for her dolls with the colored skins she found in her father’s shoe store. Throughout her life, Vera Simons has made and embroidered dresses self-taught while she has acquired skills in drawing, painting and the accordion. However, the creator has studied the history of fashion in depth, through books and publications from different national and international publishers, both current and from other times. Her personal hallmark is the search for natural fabrics and noble fabrics such as velvet, brocades, silks, linen, cotton, wool and lace. Vera Simons began creating and making medieval and Renaissance costumes in 2012. Since then, the artist has had exhibitions in notable places in Cantabria such as the Casino de Santander, the Espolón de Comillas, the Círculo de Recreo de Torrelavega or the Casa Gothic of Mazcuerras, among others. The dressmaker, who has lived in Santander since she was 21, has always made costumes for herself and her children, winning various awards at carnival due to the quality of her work. Likewise, in 2003 she participated in the first period costume contest at Baños de Ola, where she won two first prizes in the adult and children categories.