About me

I've made costumes for stage and screen for the last 27 years on a freelance basis- ranging from the Royal Opera House to tiny fringe theatres. I have costumed beggars and kings, turned men into dogs and statues and made a man pregnant- it's not a sensible job! Now I want to take my skills to a wider public, so I am building a bespoke ladies fashion brand focussing on women over 50 and sustainability.

QuestionsProjectsExperienceTeam

• Hi Pip- just to let you know the Dots is such a brilliant idea, I am loving the workshops and connections-thank you
• Would anybody be interested in swapping couture dressmaking skills for help building a website? I'm trying to upskill but it's tough.
• Is there a student or graphic artist who could create a logo for my sustainable fashion business? I have a strong idea of what I would like.

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Projects

• 9

  Alice in WonderlandI made this costume to brighten the dull days of lockdown- I wanted an iconic character and I lifted the design from the original Tenniel drawings. Another plus is that I knew I had all the fabrics I needed from my stash and charity shop fins. I felt we were all down the rabbit hole a little- so it felt appropriate.
• 5

  Sustainable fashion competition entryI entered a sustainable fashion design competition- only drawings were necessary but I have always been a maker first and foremost- so I made my design up and photographed it, made with almost zero waste, it is 100% cotton in construction, so simplicity itself to recycle. It is interlined rather than lines so has no interfacing or haberdashery, except a draw string in the skirt. The interlining is plain grey and the top is fully reversible. The skirt one the drawstring channel and one French sea
• 4

  Restoration of a 1930's lace dress.The dress was bought in Haight Ashbury San Francisco. It is Hollywood inspired, full length with a bolero jacket also in the lace, probably made by a costume maker like myself as a wedding dress.

Projects credited in

• 44

  Top 10: career advice tips for 2023Job hunting? Thinking of pivoting your career? Struggling with motivation? Working with a tricky client? We’ve got you! We’ve put together our top 10 career-related questions for 2023 to help you navigate through the year ahead, no matter if you’re just starting out, or already have experience in the industry. Click through to see insights, advice and top tips from industry mentors and our brilliant Dots community. Got some thoughts of your own? Please add your own wisdom if you have anything

Work history

F
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Costume MakerFreelance
May 1993London, United KingdomFreelance
I started at the National Theatre then went freelance after 2 years. I have worked for most theatres in the London area at one time or another.

Skills

• Costume Construction
• Costume Cutting
• Millinery
• Teaching
• Embellishment Techniques
• Fabric Dying
• Fabric Knowledge
• Fabric Manipulation
• Fabric Sourcing
• Finishing Techniques

Education

BA Theatre and Screen Costume InterpretationLondon College of Fashion, UAL
Aug 1990 - Jun 1992Oxford St, London, UK
I was hugely lucky to study there when Willie Burt was course director- he had made major costumes for the Royal Opera house for years, and was gracious enough to give me a chance despite being a mature student without the relevant A levels. His deputy, and successor was Bridgid Stowbridge who had a similar CV with ENO- they were both wonderful teachers with brilliant contacts in theatre and opera.