Redesigning Historical Romance Book Covers to be Actually Historical PART 2!

[@bernadettebanner]

👒🔍 Download June’s Journey for free now using my link: woo.ga/aupdti

[@redouroboros8923]

Cute game

[@TurangaNibbler]

Spotted a sneaky Morgan Donner at 5:11; I love that you watch her too!

[@Fionacle]

I know you probably won’t even see this, but I wanna make an OC from medieval times. She’s a 5yo little girl, some kind of noble. I’m gonna make her wear a red dress because I think red was an expensive color in medieval times or whatever, but as for the dress design I have no idea where to start! She’s friends with a knight and that friendship is the main thing of the story, I think I want it to be in medieval times. Do you have any ideas on where I should have it set and how thr dress should look? You’re the only person I trust to know what historically accurate clothes would look like

[@Fionacle]

(I said medieval times twice sorry)

[@GracieM23]

I started playing because of y’all and I’m so happy we got a glimpse of your island lol during this ad read!!!

[@sylviaperich970]

It’s hilarious that once “Wicked and the Wallflower” became period appropriate, it instantly became much more saucy.

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Ditto the "Perks of being a wallflower" cover too! 😮 I don't know whether it's just BB's skill, or if it's about the much greater level of individuality that the characters gain...?

[@lydia1634]

Especially since garters and stockings are associated with lingerie.

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

@@lydia1634 Yeah, isn't it interesting that garters & stockings have so strongly retained that instantly-readable connotation of "ooh, saucy", even whilst being superseded by a lot more racy lingerie options and basically falling out of anything approaching everyday use...? (Don't feel like bloomers or guys' undershirts have made anywhere near that same kind of transition, for example, even though once upon a time seeing them would've been just as scandalous! 😝)

[@rebeccat715]

I agree! I remember thinking the same thing when Bernadette added wool stockings to the romance in Scotland in part 1. It's amazing how what's saucy is more an equation of what skin is covered and where (+maybe the situation) rather than just less clothes = better. Like, I notice people's shoulders way more in a cold shoulder top than a regular sleeveless blouse

[@rebeccat715]

​@@anna_in_aotearoa3166 I think thigh high/above the knee clothing draws attention to what's *not* covered (upper thighs, which are close to the lady parts). Plus they can be romantically rolled down. I feel like a historical man's undershirt or bloomers don't have as many saucy vibes because either removing them is not super different than today's equivalent or because they don't have the sudden "the clothes stopped and I see skin now!" effect that stockings do

[@rosettaelemental7275]

The thing about generic covers is, I feel like a lot of people would be more intrigued by a unique cover than a generic one.

[@Feimicha]

I’d say so too. For me, modern iterations of historical fiction-type written works is quite dull and a horrifically tired trope, so it would be refreshing and very eye-catching to see.

[@namtellectjoonal7230]

yeah, I usually leave books with covers like this on the shelf😅 if it's a budget issue I completely understand but from a marketing perspective, I'd always go for unique

[@shadowfox009x]

You would be surprised. The majority or readers go for generic covers that transport the tropes and have cohesive branding. They sell better than unique covers. Publishers, especially self-publishers who have more creative freedom, have tested that out. Plus, it's almost impossible to find historical accurate stock-images even on stockphoto-sites that aim more at historical . And doing an exclusive photo-shoot would simply blow the cover-budget.

[@gisela_oliveira]

@@shadowfox009x tottaly true. the only way to have a personalized cover is probably with some art instead of a photo, so you need to do yourself or have somoene do it for free or very little cost.

[@raraavis7782]

Oh well...quite soon, stuff like that will be completely AI generated anyway. And we might actually get more creative/historically accurate covers out of it, actually. For the simple reason, that you won't have to pay someone with both artistic talent and very specific knowledge about historical fashion, to draw or paint every picture individually. Just type in your theme, time period and other parameters and...boom...you got your cover. Hopefully, with the correct number of fingers on your protagonists 😎

[@anotherterribleday]

13:40 "But consider this: waistcoats." YEAAAH YAYAYAH waistcoat supremacy! Have you ever seen someone look bad in a waistcoat? No, no you have not, they are just too cool for that

[@DarylMathison]

I have purchased a couple of waistcoats just to see how I look and my spouse definitely enjoys the look. I will be making a few of my own when time permits.

[@mayochupenjoyer]

i wore one to a party last night and i looked FABULOUS so no, waistcoats never fail

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

Waistcoats with shirtsleeves is way more exciting than generic dude in open dress shirt!

[@m.maclellan7147]

Another vote for waistcoats ! Male, female, or whatever gender. Slim or a bit padded, everyone looks good in them !

[@HosCreates]

I've seen badly fitted waistcoat s paired with ugly jeans. It can be poorly done

[@kaivoid7649]

Aaah that first one, sounds like putting Tommy in a dress is a complete misrepresentation of what... readers... should expect! Your cover would certainly attract MY interest!

[@CindersSpot]

That's what I was thinking as well!

[@gwhitcom]

There’s one scene in the book where Tommy wears a dress, I seem to remember🤔

[@rosettaelemental7275]

Honestly I'm thinking of going to read it now. I need more queer romance stories to satiate my utter lack of real queer romance.

[@Caldella]

It sounds like they just sucked all the unique traits out of both characters to make the cover more "generally appealing" ...which seems to happen a lot for romance novels. I'm tempted to look this one up based on how they're actually described.

[@linneathesystemsdruid308]

Honestly tho Like it seems so much more interesting knowing what the characters are actually described as

[@mk_oddity2841]

To be honest, I feel like the generic covers have less to do with appealing to the mass market, and more to do with not wanting to pay illustrators... Lovely video as always!

[@rwolfheart6580]

Definitely a factor, it's way cheaper to pay a graphic designer to change some colours on stock images and slap it on a background than it is to pay an illustrator to create an image from scratch, or a photographer to create a unique photoshoot accurate to the period and characters. No shade to graphic designers intended, they're as overworked as all creatives.

[@octo448]

As a graphic designer, this is absolutely a factor. Notice how basically none of them have any details that could not be in another format. I'm pretty sure I've seen the man on the builder/teacher romance novel in a modern romance novel with some adjustments and flipped, it's stock photography. The "cover appeal' is probably how they justify it internally, but the real reason is that a photoshoot and historical dress rental or paying a good illustrator is way more expensive than paying for an hour or two of my time, which is all stuff like this would take.

[@gaerekxenos]

Undoubtedly cheaper/faster to make these generic designs than to hunt down appropriate outfits for the timeperiod/book. Hell, they probably only got a generic/simple description of characters/portrayals rather than read the entire thing if they're doing the job for cheap. Why work harder if they aren't paying more for it, especially if they aren't asking for more effort

[@cheshirenevande4701]

Funny thing, I've not met ANYONE who likes the photo covers. So I'm not sure who they appeal to.@@octo448

[@robynnordstrom7799]

@@octo448As both an illustrator and cover designer, I second this opinion. I worked for a small publisher for a decade and did a LOT of illustration because, being on staff, it was cheaper than buying/licensing images. Also, they could ask for super specific images that just weren’t available in stock catalogs. I also wonder if there’s a bit of shorthand with the images being generically “historical” sort of like when actors employ an English accent as shorthand for “foreign”?

[@JaneNewAuthor]

As a writer of romance & erotica you've no idea how frustrating the issue of covers is! The heroine of my erotica series is plump & in her 40s. All the covers show a slim, 20ish woman. The publisher gave me limited choice, I ran with it. But I'm going independent for my medieval romance. Even then, when I got the cover back from the graphic designer, the woman was wearing a satin cape & had long fingernails with blue nail polish on! I had to send him images of medieval women. So, so difficult, especially as readers DO judge books by their covers!

[@wilderulz]

I so hear you. I'm wanting to design a more unique cover for my romance book but all the marketing recommendations are telling me that naked or half clothed male torsos are the way to go lol. its just so generic!!

[@celadongreen_]

What’s your book called? I’d love to read it!

[@JaneNewAuthor]

It's called The Troubadour. Not out yet, but in the final stages.

[@JaneNewAuthor]

@@wilderulz I feel for you! And I do think the half naked man is a bit of a cliche these days. My target audience is a more discerning woman. She doesn't want to feel embarrassed by reading it!

[@naurahdeatrisyagitany8365]

@@JaneNewAuthor I've seen some erotica writers releasing discreet editions of their books with covers of plain colors or patterned with seemingly innocuous but symbolic things. Also, yeah, the half-naked man is definitely a cliche. God knows I've seen so many of my fellow women thirst more for a well-dressed all suited up men and I get it (though in a more conceptual aesthetic way because I'm ace)

[@abbeysimmons8751]

I LOVE how Bernadette takes into account who the characters are (personality, social status, occupation) when redesigning their clothes. It just adds really nice detail

[@nudgificator]

I feel like a lot of these have just gone 'hey, Bridgerton's popular, let's make it look like that' regardless of the period in which the plot is actually set.

[@aloras405]

They also know most people don’t actually know much about historical fashions so they don’t put in any effort.

[@ChandlerFaye]

Romance novel covers have been wildly inaccurate for decades, well before Bridgerton's fanciful interpretations of historical dress came on the scene 😂

[@geornesewillis3630]

Rebel was out before people knew what Bridgerton was

[@giasharie274]

@@geornesewillis3630 Which is why it doesn't look like Regency. Op said a lot of these, not all

[@simplystreeptacular]

While also completely misunderstanding exactly what 'Bridgerton' is even doing with its costumes and why (spoiler alert: historical accuracy is not a primary or even a tertiary consideration and I kind of love them for it).

[@kinrateia]

Was not expecting to get a sapphic historical romance recommendation out of this but I'm not complaining in the slightest, ahaha

[@GrainneMhaol]

She covered The Lady's Guide to Celstial Mechanics in the last one.

[@kinrateia]

@@GrainneMhaol that one is way more known! Basically a classic

[@valarya]

Same! hahah

[@snazzypazzy]

@@GrainneMhaol Missed that last time. Review says: "If you enjoy stargazing, sewing, and smashing the patriarchy, then this is the book for you!" I'll add it to the list

[@missaeaton4411]

Hmmm, and I thought *those* relationships didn't exist until the 20th C. (Tongue firmly planted in cheek)

[@HannahCornish]

'More hinged than others' is my new favourite phrase. I will be using it regularly from now on. Thank you.

[@Hoobastomp]

"It's all ogre now..."

[@thomaswrightson2230]

🤣I had to do such a double take when I saw that cover. It makes Discreet Young Gentlemen look positively respectable.

[@Blueborne-music]

She should….theoreticallybewearingabonnett Bernadette is entering her Micarah era 💀

[@0dungeon_frog0]

Bonnets are a MUST!!!

[@chlomo2618]

Plastic cable ties for boning coming up next...

[@lemonsanidiot]

*Flashbacks to the Little Women video*

[@chrisdowney427]

ill say it again, these redesigns help sell the "romantic" aspect. They don't look trashy and generic. The Wicked and the Wallflower redesign in particular i liked because it made it look more fun, campy, and...well...WICKED!

[@BlueRaven73]

Agreed. That 2nd cover was way more sexy, because you got the impression the you were not supposed to see her legs. The original was too modern and everyone has seen a modern woman's leg.

[@treeflamingo]

Unrelated, but those black nails you have in some shots are fabulous

[@hannahfox5422]

As is that lipstick! I desperately want to know what shade it is.

[@williamdrum9899]

You're right they look amazing

[@azrani2023]

I thought so too!!!

[@CindersSpot]

I think your redo for the first one is not only more accurate for the characters, but would also be more successful at drawing lesbian and queer readers in. A real shame that cover designers for romance novels get so little information about the book and time to design the covers that they can't make something that actually expresses the vision of the author and does the job of drawing potential readers in.

[@gisela_oliveira]

I don't know a lot about USA publications, but is obvious that most of this autors didn't had a photoshoot made for their books, you mostly pay for stok photos that your r cover artist can use, so it realy depends on having a propper photo. regency seems to be easy to make (dresses are smaller), the public tends to associate the story with Pride and Prejudice, wich is a big hit, so you thnk will be just as good, and does seems "sexier" than other periods due to the lack of fabric, corsets, crinolines and etc.

[@CindersSpot]

@@gisela_oliveira I don't think it's the author that pays for the cover, but the publishing house, which is why all these covers are so similar and similarly bad. It's one the main benefits to publishing independently, you have way more of a say in what the finished product of your book will look like. That's how I understood it from an author KZbinr I followed a while back, at least.

[@gisela_oliveira]

@@CindersSpot well, here in Brazil the author pays for the cover and for the publisher, so is their choice, but is a very limited choice.

[@irmar]

Of course the redo is much more faithful to the description of the characters, no question about that! However, I think that the existing cover design was meant to emphasize that it's a lesbian relationship by showing both of them as feminine, and it would be more likely to attract the right sort of readers/buyers the redo. So I don't agree that the redo "would be more successful at drawing lesbian readers in", because in the redo it's not that obvious she's a woman, having short hair and male clothes. Thus people browsing the bookshelf would probably think it's a man on the cover. Maybe something is written on the back of the book, but some potential buyers don't bother to read that, whereas the cover has an immediate impact and gives an immediate message. Side note: the character, while technically a lesbian, seems to be more of a transgender person, since she says she identifies as a man "most of the time". Lesbians don't identify as men, they are women loving other women. For the other character, the plump, soft and frilly one, it's almost like dating a man - but not quite.

[@eryxsky]

@@irmar Interesting, the character of Tom read to me as genderfluid to me because the descriptions that were read aloud matched personal thoughts I've had myself of being a man or a woman, both, and also none of the above. edit: yeah from the book, Tommy says "Sometimes I feel like a man, other times I feel like a woman, but mostly I feel like both." that is 100% genderfluidity (at least how I see it as a genderfluid person!) I don't want to dismiss the possibility of Tommy being transgender but that wasn't what was described in the book and quoted by Bernadette for the cover art, so I just wanted to point this out. No hard feelings!

[@carolynclarke1196]

Bernadette, I cannot express (but obviously I can) how pleased I am to see the multicultural nature of this video. So few presenters realize that the historical period included more than white people. Not to get on a soapbox, but it pleases me and makes this so much more enjoyable (even though I don’t read romance novels) to see your representations and actual photos supporting your suggestions of more appropriate illustrations for these types of novels. Thank you so much.

[@f1zz-k1d89]

On this note- i love how she makes the effort to find photos of POC when she’s drawing them! also, the fact that she made the effort to focus on period-accurate Black hair. its great to see this type of attitude in the fashion history community becoming more common

[@jackieknits61]

For someone who doesn't read romances, I highly recommend both of the books with people of color. They are well written, good storytelling with some notes of why she chose to diverge from historical accuracy, which they occasionally do. Both of these authors have significantly added to the genre in both accuracy and understanding that modern readers are not interested in bodice rippers.

[@DawnDavidson]

@@jackieknits61Nice! Thanks for the recommendations! It’s great when we can get sexy combined with historical accuracy AND diverse representation. So unusual (unfortunately). Thanks for the recommendation!

[@MJ-98]

i came to the comments to say exactly this. I do so enjoy seeing people of color portrayed in these eras, because we existed then too.

[@jessicabrown1305]

I also loved that she brought up the possibility of the Chinese woman embroidering culturally significant symbols into her chemise decorations

[@_.-_]

Ah, once again, I find the more historically accurate re-imaginings so much more appealling! Idk, maybe it's because of the demographics of this channel, but I just feel like wouldnt someone who wants to read something set in that point in history want something more immersive? A picture so modern looking really takes away from it and i personally would be less interested in it

[@Lena-fc9ce]

and they all look the same! if i picked up any of these books in a store i think the only info the cover could give me would be the hair colour of the leads and if it was a queer or straight romance. that does nothing to pique my interest as a reader tbqh.

[@KarenM2012]

as an asexual woman i am probably a horrible person to share my opinion. lol. That said, something about the cohesiveness of putting all the accurate parts of history together (hair, clothing, etc) really just feels right. Also, some variety rather than regency-modern lady with open pirate shirt man is far more interesting to me.

[@revmaillet]

Ikr.... The look of a hand grasping a person with a puffy sleeve just shows the passion they have for that person... imo

[@benzaiten933]

that's exactly it! if I were to crave some historical romance/detective/whatever story, then clearly an accurate cover would appeal far more to me than those modernized versions with boobs and abs hanging all out. of course I know it's the age-old 'sex sells' stuff at work, but I don't think the historical versions are less appealing at all.

[@Kyosumari]

I think it happens due to lack of resources or lack of direct creative control. Sometimes publishers have more control over the finer details depending on contract. Nowadays people can self publish on Amazon but I think perhaps commissioning professional artists can seem overwhelming if you don't know the process or know one? Or simply too expensive. Depends on how old the novels are too.

[@arthurpiglin]

Your covers aren't just more historically accurate, but honestly also way more aesthetically pleasing! They're actually so pretty

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Agreed! And the increased individuality and humour of the characters just makes the book so much more appealing, at least to me? I've definitely been put off what turned out to be really good books by publisher-selected cover images that were way too generic and/or inaccurate...

[@zucchinigreen]

As someone half black and Chinese, seeing historical pictures of both majes my heart swoon! Love it! Also, I think I now have a thing for garters 😂

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

You should totally get hired to design book covers because these are great! It's easy to say "never judge a book by its cover" but most people definitely do just that.

[@benzaiten933]

as a frequent reader of old fashioned 'real' books I can definitely say the cover and author are the first things I'm going for when browsing at the book shop. and why wouldn't it be? let's say I crave some fantasy and go the appropriate section, from all those hundreds of books, how else would I decide which to pick up and inspect further? the cover art, author (if I'm familiar with them), the title of the book and then I'll read the description on the back - but it's mostly the cover and author which lures me in first. and of course publishers now this and thus such cover art comes to be.

[@adaddinsane]

Which is why they'll keep doing the same thing.

[@sebastianevangelista4921]

@@benzaiten933 Yep!

[@LynnHermione]

Interesting how the stockings and petticoat make the second one MORE sexy in the redesigned version

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Honestly all the redesigned covers felt more spicy and intimate to me even though the characters' poses had barely changed...? It's weird; maybe it has to do with the characters seeming so much more genuine and unique? 🤔 (Mass publishing cover imagery often feels very "plasticky" and overly-posed to me, regardless of genre, which I do find off-putting)

[@guitargirl1517]

I feel like it's unexpected in our modern minds for a woman of that time to be showing her legs, while it's very expected nowadays. A lot of what seems "appropriate" has to do with connotations and expectations.

[@OldGuyVibes]

I am SO glad you brought up the facial hair and sideburns! It's so easy to overlook the finer details of menswear because it "hasn't changed much", but we often don't realize how much of a difference the hair and facial hair can affect how historically accurate someone looks.

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Great observation! I've noticed something odd too: photos showing people in their youth often look really dated, whereas shots of that same person in old age fit way more into the current era. It's weird specifically because a lot of people find a style in their earlier years and stick with it reasonably firmly through life, so you'd think they'd appear MORE anachronistic as they aged, not less...? 🤔 Perhaps it's just that people tend to gravitate towards more extreme styles when they're younger, and those are more time-period-specific??

[@chickensalad3535]

@@anna_in_aotearoa3166I think that’s a very big part of it.

[@benanddadmechanical6573]

In the mid eighties there was this one guy named Fabio who was on a huge number of Romance novels. The females were different but the males were all Fabio. it was weird to look at my mother’s collection (6 bookcases) and see the same guy on all the covers.

[@benzaiten933]

well, she certainly had/has a type!

[@parkerbrown-nesbit1747]

I remember Fabio.

[@MorgenPeschke]

It probably helps that Fabio built a whole brand about being almost unrealistically wholesome as well as unrealistically handsome, so I can definitely see the appeal 🥵

[@KristiChan1]

Oh dear Deity I had completely forgotten that Fabio was a thing. It was remarkable to see how many age groups were infatuated with him. I wonder what he's up to these days?

[@daxxydog5777]

He was hot! I bought books because he was on it. Stories were decent. He transferred to my brain well.

[@lauramathews3151]

1830's hair always actually reminds me of those chocolate sculpture challenges and sugar sculpture competition shows on food network that peaked in the 2000s. Hair that doesn't look like hair but abstract modern art.

[@karladenton5034]

Or the hats that the minor royal princesses often wear. I sometimes think Beatrice and co and in a competition to see who can have the most outrageous headgear LOL.

[@_mels_]

"but consider this: waistcoats." how dare you read me like an open book, Bernadette! 😂

[@tierneykurfess2618]

I love Danny’s editing of your slight rambles, they’re such a sibling roast detail 😂

[@AmazedbyGrace95]

OK, SO, the way you drew and painted the couple in Rebel is so full of a soft love?? Idk but it's so lovely.

[@catherinepoteat]

Its so tender *sob*

[@AmazedbyGrace95]

@catherinepoteat It is!! So so tender and lovely. 😭

[@wandaXmaximoff]

Honestly your covers seem far sexier than the original ones. The more historically accurate clothing is just so much more appealing.

[@ksaunders4362]

Yes! Shoutout for waistcoats! I love them. I love wearing them, I love sewing them, I love seeing them on other people. There is no body shape on earth that is not flattered by a waistcoat.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

And you can wear pocket watches with them and feel like an old-timey gent.

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Sadly I am the single person in existence I've ever seen who does NOT look great in a waistcoat, and it's so frustrating, because I think they're the snazziest things!! 😆 I still live in a vain hope that one day I'll finally find a specific pattern-cut that works, and get to live the waistcoat dream...? 🤞

[@yvettevandermolen2455]

If "wide appeal" didn't also mean "hideous bridesmaid dress made mostly of plastic your cousin made you wear to the wedding she didn't even want to invite you to," the original covers would be far less egregious. You are too generous and kind, Bernadette. Your designs are clearly sexier than these cheap raids of the discount rack. The suspenders over an open shirt on a workman! The very obvious nod to Rhett and Scarlett! The gartered stockings and visible petticoats! And the corset!!! It's all just too steamy for the masses, apparently.

[@yvettevandermolen2455]

Oh, and the short hair and trousers that honor the author's intentions? Chef's kiss 😘

[@savannah115]

As a certified historian and unbashed lover of romance novels, this is MY FAVORITE THING THAT YOU DO.

[@SamiKelsh]

Maybe I'm not the average reader the publishers are marketing to, but based on the character descriptions of the first book I was way more intrigued to read the book than I would have been having only seen the very generic Regency Ladies cover art!

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Not just you! 😁 I know some people do read romance novels indiscriminately with the historical setting being little more than set dressing for them, but I think publishers would be really surprised by just how many romance readers actually enjoy something more accurate, both in covers & in social mores within the story itself? The whole thing feels like it's just one part of the denigrating attitude that publishing has had to the genre since forever... (Basically "girls read it so it sucks, but hahaha we can still exploit them for big bucks!" 🙄)

[@garbtheater]

These period-correct covers are so much more interesting and eye catching than the tropish covers common with this genre. Who do we need to email to launch this movement?📖

[@goodgollymissmolly7624]

THE LONG AWAITED RETURN OF THE SERIES 🎉🥳 Edit: Can I just say, the couples look so much happier in your covers? I love them!

[@enanan-y8y]

Time stamps (bc I'm bored). The Perks of Loving a Wallflower: 2:44 Wicked and The Wallflower: 7:14 Un matrimonio degli Hathaway: 11:49 Rebel: 15:23 The Duke who Didn't: 19:21

[@zucchinigreen]

What is with all the "Wallflower" books lol. If I were the "Perks of a Wallflower" author, I wouldn't know whether to be mad or flattered.

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

YAY

[@ValkyrieTiara]

Fun fact: "Hathaway" is Italian for "Wallflower". Trust me, I'm a doctor.

[@aldergreen]

@@ValkyrieTiara Unfortunately it's not, but the author Lisa Kleypas have a series called The Wallflowers whose characters make brief appearances in this serie and they're all set in the same time frame. So it's a Wallflower centered video lol

[@cls3282]

The italian(?) book is actually "A Hathaway Wedding" by Lisa Kleypas. Not sure why this translated version was used, but maybe the cover is different. I love Sarah MacLean, Lisa Kleypas, Beverly Jenkins AND Courtney Milan! All incredible authors in the space. I hope they see this and get a good chuckle 🤭 I need to pick up the perks of loving a wallflower too! I think Courtney Milan is self published and makes her own covers. She has written in the past about how she alters bridal stock photography for her covers. Would be cool if y'all could collaborate on her next one!

[@aldergreen]

Hi :) I'm the one who sent the the Italian book, I sent this because it's the one I read. I added the Goodreads link and the original title in the email, but the English original is way cuter than the Italian one. The covers are unfortunately different in the original English versions, and I should say the English ones are generally way better designed.

[@cls3282]

@@aldergreen ah that makes sense! Thank you! I saw Kleypas on the cover and was like waaaaait a second haha

[@storyranger]

"The Duke Who Didn't" is such a fun story and the redesigned cover is so lovely. Publishers need to go back to paying illustrators!

[@lavakeese]

Give us what we really want: enormous sleeves!

[@chloesibilla8199]

One thing I've been wondering lately is ; what would Cinderellas gown look like? I mean, one of the most famous depictions is Disneys blue dress but there's many depictions, the story just says that it's a stunningly beautiful dress. It can be assumed that it's so stunning that nobody looked at her face and even her own stepmother didn't recognize her and the prince didn't remember what she looked like. What would something that beautiful be in the setting and time period of Cinderella? Would it be all purple because of how ridiculously expensive that would be? Would it be all white for similar reasons? Would it be covered in elaborate filigree? I would love to see a 'period accurate' Cinderella dress, what would it theoretically look like if a fairy with unlimited budget and magic created a dress to wow and astonish more than anyone else in a full royal ballroom full of literal princesses wearing their absolute best.

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

There seemed to be a trend a wee while back of various costubers all doing historically accurate interpretations of Disney princess outfits, but now you mention it, I don't remember having seen any of them do Cinderella...? 🤔 (I might've just missed it though!) Karolina Zebrowska's version of Snow White was fascinating; SO much rich ornamentation and complex sewing!

[@chloesibilla8199]

Boost

[@daughterofbastet]

@@chloesibilla8199 Charles Perrault's "Cendrillon" was published in 1697, so if you look up French court fashion at that time, you should get a good idea of what Cinderella's gown would have looked like!

[@Chloe-ew4qh]

@@daughterofbastet you're amazing and deserve good things !

[@azrani2023]

@@Chloe-ew4qh Damn but now I really want Bernadette to make a video of this! Your comment 100 % triggered my curiosity!

[@msmartymoose3000]

I love romance novels and it’s fun to see a more accurate representation of the characters! Although, if I’m not mistaken, the Lisa Kleypas book is “ A Hathaway Wedding”. It’s a novella about the main character’s wedding day (their full novel was Seduce me at Sunrise.) Wonder if knowing that the groom is Romani would’ve changed his appearance for the cover, but guessing the waistcoat is perfect for a wedding scene! Absolutely love your cover for Sarah MacLean’s Wicked and the Wallflower. It seems even more scandalous than the original. Of course I enjoyed reading that book too, lol!

[@victoriah.2083]

I understand publishing houses are in tight competition in this highly popular genre.- But, I also believe that most readers choose this sub-genre specifically because of the HISTORICAL aspect. Therefore that includes-- historically accurate dress or costume to add to the ambiance and feeling of romance. What a great vlog 💡 ! Luv it! More 🙏 pls!

[@gracelament]

We need to bring back those old school illustrated romance covers. They allow for more variety! (I doubt they'll make a return though, because money...)

[@Chibihugs]

I loved your recreations. I think they were way better than the orginals. Living for the 1830s restyling ❤

[@FarhadHakimov]

Who would've thought that Bernadette would post a video after the long hiatus literally minutes after me finishing my Darcy / pirate / 18th century men's shirt! Thanks B, for singlehandedly inspiring and setting me on my sewing venture ::)

[@kinrateia]

Absolutely unrelated but that third lady reminded me of Amber from Sophia the First and I want someone to historically redesign Sophia the First😳😳 Children's wear is pretty fun too and I rarely see it done!

[@mer_acle8101]

PLEASE!!

[@rubyscott1902]

Sarah Maclean is one of my favourite authors and I’m sure she would love your historically designed cover ❤

[@DawnDavidson]

Perhaps someone - including you? - should send Bernadette’s work to her. Maybe she would insist on using Bernadette or another actually historically informed artist in the future! (Which presumes she has ANY control over that, which she may not.) As you say, she’d probably at least enjoy it! (I’m not (yet) a fan, so it doesn’t feel like my place to do it.)

[@eddieboyky]

"A suitably fluffy look for everyday wear." This is my new fashion goal.

[@Shahrezad1]

From my perspective as an Illustration major, you're a pretty dang good artist. Well done, both on the accuracy front and the actual drawing front.

[@fernandalimabarbosa6003]

This is slightly tangential to the video, but I find it immensely satisfying when you do the line work at the end of the illustrations. SO GOOD

[@JustSaralius]

Having a really rough time with fatigue and depression. This kind of content is just what I need right now! Hugs to all! ❤

[@dees3179]

Can I make a cheeky recommendation? Retro Claud channel. Historic costumer with chronic illnesses including fatigue. Full of information about how she manages it. I find it very useful, being in the same shit*y boat. Sending hugs.

[@giraffegirl1691]

Glad Bernadette was able to brighten both our days. Hope you are able to feel better!

[@KristiChan1]

@@dees3179Discovered Retro Claude a few weeks back, and I really enjoy her content. I'd also recommend SnappyDragon.

[@michellegordon6586]

​@@dees3179 That is sad I hope both get some relief and that yours lives become mire comfortable! God bless you both!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@greatauntlizbethg9137]

Hug recieved. Please accept one in return 💛

[@karikelly2797]

The fact that you have framed your NY Metro Card is so whimsical it made me smile. Fun video as always.

[@richardcooke9948]

I appreciate the historical photos to accent your ideas and that the photos are of the people you are dressing.

[@NarutoBaby94]

The Rebel re-draw is just so romantic. It’s like two soulmates just basking in each other’s presence

[@Beading_Kate]

Your covers certainly look more intriguing to me! All those little details, like undone shirt, ruffles, pettycoats and stockings with little bows… they look much more sensual in a way. I think it’s because we have a glimpse of something that normally was hidden from sight.

[@gabriellef651]

As an avid reader of historical romance, I so enjoy these shenanigans!

[@Ananenina]

I’m a historical romance reader purchaser 😆 and I would love to have accurate dress period representation in the covers!

[@because78...9]

Props for also correcting the characters themselves! That’s pure character design dedication 🙏🙏🙏

[@aerolb]

Another fun video! Alas romance novel covers are a guilty pleasure since most of them are there to draw the eye - however, modern novel covers are getting better about it though I'll miss the "sexy" covers lol

[@SibylleLeon]

Trust Bernadette to turn a bunch of unspeakable novel covers into something I might actually buy xD

[@caitie226]

I can't emphasise enough how much I love these historical drawing videos!

[@Sophie_Cleverly]

I love this! As an author, the way it usually works for me is that my editor sends a short brief to the designer, and then the designer commissions the illustrator. I usually only get a say on the more-or-less final cover. That tends to mean things like that character's clothing and hair often end up very different to what I've described! For example I have a character who always dresses in black because her family runs an undertaker's. She ended up with a bright yellow dress on the original design 😆 I realised though that black would not work with the cover at all, so we went with dark red and she had to expand her wardrobe a little. 😂 (I love my covers but if Bernadette ever wanted to draw historically accurate outfits on them I'd be very pleased lol)

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

This one always puzzled me a bit! Surely the overlap between speedily voracious readers and cover artists is not so small that they should always be expected to create from a brief, not actually read a decent chunk of the book...? Perhaps not feasible when it comes to fantasy doorstoppers, but most romance novels or YA books in particular are not super-long!

[@medicwebber3037]

I love that you do these book 're--covers'. Just as in movies, when book covers 'get it right', they _immediately_ pull you into the story. If only the cover designers got that. Thank you, Bernadette!

[@lilykatmoon4508]

This video was just as fun as the first one you did on this topic! I love how you included a diverse array of romance novels featuring a LGBTQ story and others featuring people of color. ❤

[@debbiewaksmonski4100]

As an avid reader of historical romance, I can't tell you how many times I have been frustrated with the cover of a book, because it was "wrong". I love what you did with the new covers. As well as the diversity in your choices. Love ALL of the "time traveling shenanigans" you get up to on your channel❤❤

[@redraven_the]

I bow down to your will to, tact for and consequence in variety and diversity. Thank you so much.

[@k3nel]

I have just read a fun story, "The Time-Traveller's Seamstress" by Natasja Rose and all the time I was reading I was picturing you as the main character ❤

[@suecarol1563]

❤

[@steelebird]

The second original cover is giving me strong AI vibes where it looks like a standing figure was machine photoshopped to move her legs to the side 😨 thank you for fixing both her clothes and her anatomy lol

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Well observed! 😆 Honestly it's hilarious how often cover model anatomy makes one go "huh?" if you stop and look too close! Even if it's only the ridiculously contorted "sexy action" poses....

[@johannageisel5390]

The historically accurate covers look so much more interesting and cooler than the generic ones. I think that for the one around 11:42 making the belt buckle white-ish like in the original (silver, maybe) would have looked a little bit better with the white in the sleeves and petticoats, though.

[@kida4star]

I want to write a historical romance just to ask Bernadette to do the cover.

[@morinomajou]

Set it in the 1830s, just as a treat for her!

[@KacielNolwen]

I loved that! I am especially found of that last one, I love that you mentioned that they may include some details from their own culture into the region appropraite clothes cause that is totally a thing that would be done! Particularly in the under clothes.

[@divinechild16]

I’m so happy you did a sequel. I just love when you redesign covers and costumes. Please if you can, can you do another historical accurate halloween costumes redesign. I would love to see another one since your drawing and painting skills are such a delight to watch while listening to your excellent explanation of historical fashion do and don’t.

[@Eugene-k6z]

By going beyond your own problems and taking care of others, you gain inner strength, self-confidence, courage, and a greater sense of calm.

[@Aneres225]

I LOVE this series! I can't express enough how refreshing and calming it is for my soul to see people of color in history just chilling and be fashionable. I thank you for collect books depicting various types of romance and searching for accurate representation of those people during the period they live in.

[@jamievee8375]

Bernadette fixing the first cover you werent kidding that the characters were misrepresented, round of applause!! Every redesign for all the books is so well done like always!!

[@onemercilessming1342]

What an original idea! If this is going to be a series, it will be informative and interesting!

[@elisaninis]

20:20 Bernadette's tone going very personal about corset day-long wearing 😅 When you know, you know!

[@xXZauberhaftXx]

I could watch this for hours and hours and not get bored

[@justherbirdy]

These are so beautiful, the authors are so lucky to have you interpreting their characters and we are so lucky to have the brilliant commentary on the details of each period.

[@tiffyj]

Oh I love this series idea. Looking forward to part 3 at some point in the future? Thanks for the video.

[@DuncanLake-ye7ib]

Please continue doing what you do. From spinning yarn to book covers, you always provide a smile for the day.

[@DanielleStJohn]

I love your excitement over the 1830s ❤

[@Sky-bx9mn]

I love when you do these!!! I hope the authors also enjoy these if they stumble across them. It's only so possible to customize a cover and have it still be affordable, so this is a rare chance to see their vision and the history they've tied their vision to come to life.

[@86fifty]

Oh daaaang, I'm a new subscriber, so I haven't seen Bernadette PAINT before! I didn't know she had THAT skill too! :O These redone covers feel more like real people, not models in a studio, and that would attract my eye on a book display stand much more than the generic Regency-esque ones. It's a perpetual problem, cover artists not having enough character detail to work with to create a good scene. And thank you so much for featuring all the diversity!! Even tho they're all set in England, apparently, there are SO MANY different kinds of people, and different decades and regions and classes! Seriously, it warms my heart :)

[@teleriferchnyfain]

OMG your covers just up the appeal of these covers by 1000!!!! Love it!

[@nerdaccount]

Your facility with watercolor and ink is AMAZING!!!! So beautiful. Edit: Opps... I mean gouache!

[@KasSommers]

That one with the pink dress and the petticoats - it's so much more enticing with the petticoat and the garters showing.

[@A.Fort.]

If you do another one, *please* do A Lady for a Duke. It's had two covers that I know of and they're both *dreadful.* eta. I LOVE this series. As a former bookseller and current librarian, there are so many painfully bad historical covers out there. Romances in particular tend to get hit hard by bad covers. (Sci-fi too but that's mostly outside the scope of your channel XD )

[@johannageisel5390]

Nonono, I insist on seeing some historically accurate sci-fi fashions now! What will be wearing in the 2080s?

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

@A.Fort. As a former librarian & always-bibliophile... THIS, 100%!! 🙄 Whomever the majority of publishers have in mind with their cover choices for romance or specfic (& most particularly the crossover between the two), it really does NOT seem to be the people who can become the most dedicated fans of the author's work? Instead, seems to be some possibly-imaginary lowest-common-denominator abstract consumer base whom I'm not sure even actually exists... I would swear a lot of these authors succeed DESPITE their book covers, not because of them! 😖 It's especially frustrating when you know how essential cover art really is in finding exactly that emotionally-invested core fanbase, who will then enthusiastically promote the author to all sorts of other readers, many of whom may be more casual or indiscriminate fiction consumers...? It feels like they're going about the whole thing backwards! But I guess it's a quantity-over-quality thing, just as with so much else in the mass-market publishing world...

[@itsirkeel]

I love that not only do I get to learn more about the eras and clothing and see your reinterpretations, you share photos of real people from those eras. Seeing real people of a wide variety of lineages and cultures throughout those eras is a great reminder of the diversity existing throughout time. Thank you for taking on the challenges!

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

Definitely agree wholeheartedly! Our pop culture images of most eras of history have tended to be so skewed in that respect, a heckton of people genuinely seem to think that people of diverse ethniticities (let alone queer folks) just didn't exist in certain eras??

[@moore2life_2012]

I absolutely LOVE your redesign videos!

[@paulaunger3061]

Love watching you create these pictures. Watching your painting technique is as educational as your sewing videos. In fact, it would be lovely if maybe you could go through your painting work sometime - I was wondering, is this something you learned as part of your course? New covers - such an improvement on the originals!

[@EmilyExplosion27]

Very much appreciating the 1830s love. How can anyone not love the sleeves? I love Regency, but I would much rather be in an 1830s gown. And the hair is just so fun.

[@CheyenneSedai]

So glad to see you back. Hope that once the AMPTP gets its act together you can do some costume analysis for S2 of WOT. And just more making new outfits in general

[@rin9001]

Ok now the redesigned covers make me want to read the books Love these kind of videos

[@smeastwest]

I love your re-do of the builder and the teacher! They're so sweet! He looks so happy to be with her!

[@diamondslashranch]

I really want to live in a world where Miss Bernadette has fixed everything.

[@owellafehr5191]

I just can't get over how much better these look. Your art style is so lovely, and your attention to detail so wonderful! Also, I'm glad that someone else appreciates 1830s fashion - it's so over-the-top and underrated!

[@Haamulikka]

I love your recreations of these covers! I hope you will continue doing these one day. I really do feel like these are a nice way of learning things about past fashion, especially with the reference photos you showed along the way. :)

[@jane_s.]

I just want to let you know I appreciate the subtitles so much. I have ADD and trouble focusing, so the subtitles allow me to fully take in your awesome content

[@sharee103]

Yessss I’ve been waiting for a part 2!! I love this❤

[@LizAgnesEarl]

Thank you for redoing The Perks of Loving a Wallflower. I read that book a while back and never connected the characters to the cover. Yours is great!