Costume Maker

Freelance

June 2012 –July 2012 (2 months) September 2012 – October 2012 (1 month)

Employed ad hoc with Marigold Costumes to construct costume replicas for the forthcoming BBC Worldwide/Starz UK television series Da Vinci’s Demons. This work demanded intricate detailing, historical accuracy and adherence to strict deadlines.

Costume Supervisor

Gridiron UK (prod. Brushy Creek Films)

July 2012 – September 2012 (3 months)

Primary Responsibilities: A feature film set in 1980s Cheshire, production involved discussions with designers, character study, sourcing and procurement of costumes, adhering to very strict – often shifting – deadlines, scheduling of fittings, maintenance and proper storage of costumes and props, dressing of actors on set, continuity supervision and coordination with other senior department heads. Outcomes of my time on this fulfilling assignment include an understanding of contemporary industry best practice,and further enhancement of my professional skillset in terms of workload management, proper delegation technique and large budget control.

Tailoring ... 

As part of my second year i completed an advanced skills project that involved me making a tailored jacket. With help from Royal Welsh Opera tailor Monica Tyler I designed and constructed  a tailored jacket based upon these two images. Using the curves from these two churches as a reference I created the following woman's jacket.

Front

Close up on the front detail.

Back view

Detail of the panelling on sleeve.  

Its My Shout, BBC Wales, Edna's Bench. 

During the summer of 2010 I was a costume trainee for a BBC Wales short film, Edna's Bench. 

My role involved reading through the script, creating a costume breakdown, sourcing and buying costumes for the actors/actresses, fitting the costumes and finally dressing and continuity during the filming. 

The film was shown on BBC One Wales and nominated for a welsh Bafta.

It was a story about an elderly man, George, who puts up a bench in memory of his lately deceased wife Edna, only to find that someone has vandalised it by scratching a name into it.
The couple below, Dylan and Mared, break up for from school for the holidays very much in love but when they are seen later in the film he is sultry and withdrawn. 

Above is Jade and Adam who are friends with Dylan and Mared. 

During many conversations through the film we find out that it was Dylan who carved the name into the bench. His sisters name who passed away during the summer holidays. 

Within my role as Costume Trainee we had to dress all the actors depending on which scenes they were in.

As it was the last days of school they had writing on their shirts which we had to do on set. Each day we did continuity so that in each scene the costumes were the same which did prove rather tricky when battling school ties and wet weather !!! 

... And That's a Wrap! 

Mid Summer Nights Dream, Steam Punk.
Helena 

2010 - First year in university and our project was to design and make two characters from Shakespearian play Mid Summer Night Dream. With help from Paul Shriek, fashion designer and maker, I made two costumes in a steam punk style, which is a mixture between Victorian and punk.

This was the design that I worked from, drawn by Donna Adams.

I created this bodice by sewing many strips of fabric onto the basic bodice then snipping the fabric then tearing and shredding it. I then put it in the washing machine which further shredded and frayed the fabric. 

The next item i made was this under bust corset, also called a waspie. I used the pink lining and cording to create a contrast with the white.

Fairy 

As part of the same project i designed and made a second costume, a fairy! For this i made a traditional ballet tutu then used shredded tartan to create a punk style. 

Kings and Queens

2009 - 1st year at university and after learning how to master the industrial sewing machines i completed a project called Kings and Queens.

I was given Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

After research into paintings, photos and drawings and research into the 19th Century fashion i made an interpreted a four piece 19th Century suit. The shirt, frock coat, waitcoat and trousers wre all made from natural fabrics such as plain cotton and calico in black and white. No Colours.

This image is the basis of my design.

Back and Front views of the Frock Coat.

Not exactly a Historically correct pose but i thought it looked good!

The waistcoat in detail, because i couldnt find a fabric with the corect stripe in cotton i had white cotton and sewed black cotton tape on.

Prince Albert and Queen Vicoria.

Queen Vicoria was made by Emma R Wilson.