Information about Beth Read Originals

Beth creates a stunning range of ROMANTIC STYLES and MAGICAL MEDIEVAL GARMENTS under her own internationally recognized label "Beth Read Originals". These garments are treasured by Boutiques and stores, as well as Brides and other private buyers, World wide.

A full range of samples are available at
Home and Studio
168 Royal Road, Massey East, Auckland
New Zealand

Please Phone for appointment. 09 8331514
(All medievalists as well as Medieval Brides are very welcome. Take the contact option, top menu for more enquiries)

Beth Read Originals are also available in -

New Zealand at "Skin Graft, Leather & Lace", 1175 Pukuatua Street, Rotorua.
Phone, 07 3483366. www.skingraft.co.nz

Australia at "Into Camelot", in Fremantle, Western Australia. www.Intocamelot.com.au

ENGLAND at "The Pixie Tailor", and "The Cat And The Cauldron", Glastonbury; at www.witchcraftshop.co.uk and "Arnemitias", Buxton - www.spiritvisions.co.uk

Beth is available at her home and studio to personally clothe Medieval Brides and Wedding groups, and any client World wide, who desires to own one of her exclusive and enduring designs.

Every item Beth produces is original and Classical, and finished to the highest standards. And as well as this she is happy to spend time with her clients, mutually working out the very best outcome for their Theme Wedding, Hand-Fasting, Costume Ball or Event.

Since her early teens Beth has demonstrated remarkable ability in clothing design and manufacture. Even before she trained as a Registered Nurse in Balclutha Hospital she studied Dress design, Pattern making and Life drawing at Dunedin Technical College. Since then many events in Beth's life have contributed to her success in her chosen profession as a Dress designer. On her "O.E." Beth attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, studying singing under Geoffrey Parsons, a renowned Australian musician. Her life among the musicians and thespians in London, along with being able to enjoy the best the World could offer in the way of Opera, Theatre and Ballet performances, further stimulated her enthusiasm for dreaming up costumes from Shakespearian, Medieval and Renaissance times.

Though raised in Otago, New Zealand, Beth has always been inspired by her Celtic Scottish roots, and on returning home she married Phil Read, a professional guitarist, which led to Beth herself becoming a professional Folk singer in the Minstrel tradition. This included appearing on Television's Junior Magazine, and folk music has continued to be a happy and creative outlet for her along side her inspirational clothing. Beth designed and made her own Wedding dress and outfits, and thenceforth created traditional costumes for her Folk singing engagements.
Finding herself alone again, Beth focused exclusively on her dress designing skills as a means of supporting her family, starting in the Artisans Markets of Auckland. She has opened and operated a number of retail outlets, selling her own creations. These Boutiques have included "Avalon" and "Renaissance of Parnell" in Auckland, and traveling to England to sell at the Glastonbury Festival she opened her "Camelot Dream Clothing", now "The Pixie Tailor" www.witchcraftshop.co.uk , adjacent to the historic precinct of Glastonbury Abbey. Expanding on the success of her retail outlets, Beth, in association with her talented daughter Toni, was soon supplying other shops in New Zealand, and 40 shops in Australia, including Toni's shop "Mists of Avalon" in Byron Bay.

For the convenience of her clients she holds Bank accounts in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and is a member of PayPal.

Betty is Beth's Manufacturer. She is an experienced sample machinist, competent in all aspects of tailoring. She has run her own C.M.T. business employing 36 machinists and cutters. Her cool headed competence is an asset in this business, as sometimes the complex Medieval styles throw up problems which Betty can work well with Beth to solve.

Whether it is drafting an intricate pattern or meeting a tight deadline, Betty is there working with dedication, skill and determination, and her work is always of the highest quality.

As well as this she is the sort of person who will always put herself out for others, and nothing is too much trouble for her. She is a very family orientated person, and is inclined to treat everyone in her orbit as family.