Hello! In all this crazy economic madness I’ve not yet really had time to introduce myself to all of you. So seeing as I’ve had some unexpected time on my hands(!) I thought I’d do that now, alongside working hard to improve our digital platform.
A freelance Costume Supervisor and Maker for Theatre, Opera and TV I have worked in the Arts and Entertainment industry for nearly 10years having studied a BA HONS (Sandwich) in Costume with Textiles at The University of Huddersfield. A sandwich degree meant that I spread my learning over 4 years instead of the traditional 3, and in my 3rd year was able to spend a year out in industry putting into practice the skills I’d learnt so far. I was able to gain such an amazing variety of experiences that spurred me on to work hard in my final year and return to the ‘real world’. During my studies I learnt pattern cutting, textile manipulation using dyes and printing as well as script interpretation and design techniques. All skills that I have used nearly every day since then!
I always knew that I wanted to spend my time working in live performance in some capacity, some of the best memories of my childhood involve my Grannie taking me and my sister to see West End Shows such as Dr Dolittle, staring Philip Schofield and Julie Andrews, and Beauty and the Beast. Having had a career as a Ballerina and run her own Dance School she was key in igniting the love both me and my sister have for theatre. As a child I dragged my parents from ballet to amateur dramatics to music lessons and spent many hours dressing up and ‘performing’ with my sister. I think I must have spent more time deciding what my toys would wear than actually playing with them! I was always keen on making things, from knitting items for toys to making small items out of wood. However it wasn’t until one GCSE textiles lesson that I had my ‘costume epiphany’ when I realised that there was a job where I could combine a love of performance with textiles and making. I chose my A-levels accordingly, and spent the next few years making sure I could go on to specialise at degree level.
Since graduating I have worked my way up from Assistant to Deputy to Supervisor in various areas of costume such as on international Opera festivals, at Regional Theatres, in Further Education establishments and in workrooms that produce for Historical TV Dramas and West End Theatres. I love the different challenges that each area has presented, and the variety I have been lucky enough to have in my career so far.
My love of costume supervising and making has been the driving force to taking on this project to develop it and expand it. I look forward to meeting you all and creating wonderful costumes and uniforms for you to love.