Academy Costume Hire, London.

Last week (w/c 9th September 2013) I spent a week volunteering at academy costume hire in London. I had such a great time and learned so much. The first morning I was thrown straight in and was fixing loads of holes in a beautiful rouched chiffon dress worn in the west end production of my fair lady.
Then we started to construct two spacement costumes which was quite difficult as the material was very thick and I had to do a lot of hand sewing.
After this we made costumes for the Argos Christmas advert and also some robes for a new film coming out called Moses.
I met so many lovely people and had the best time. It has really made me excited about graduating and I really want to get stuck in to my career!

Birmingham Costume Hire

I have just completed three weeks work experience at Birmingham costume hire and had the most wonderful time. The majority of my time was spent fixing costumes and organising them before they then went out for rental. The company works very efficiently and in an organised way and rent out costumes which they have collected from opera's, films and other theatrical work rooms over the years as well as making their own. They rent out to many different theatres, films, and television productions as well as small amateur theatre company's and schools. 

during my time there we organised and packed all sorts of different productions including a 1920's show which meant alot of sewing on beads and sequins. Also we fixed and adjusted costumes for a regency production, and Edwardian.

We would also organise the costumes that were delivered back after being rented out to places like the Minac Theatre. And of course all sorts of small jobs including washing, ironing, sorting. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there and met some lovely people. 

(photographs to follow) 

Final Photo's from Independant Project where I constructed a Tutu from the ballet Bugaku. jennifermclachlancostume.tumblr.com

Final Photos from Commedia Dell'Arte Project

Independent project

Keep updated with my current project, I have a separate blog specifically for it ...
jennifermclachlancostume.tumblr.com
there are some good photos of the ballet tutu and bodice I am constructing at the moment for I.P.

Tudor Ruff

Sewing some ruffs today!

Commedia Dell'arte

Finished my project for the term today! Really pleased!
Only have to do the workbook to go with it before hand in. See the Beautiful photos of Sian the actress who modelled throughout this project. Photographs by Alexander Simpson.

Independent project

This next two months i will be creating a costume that replicates one from a museum. I haven't decided yet what exactly in going to be doing but fallow me on my official tumblr blog for this project to keep updated!
Www.jennifermclachlancostume.tumblr.com

Last day at Hampshire Wardrobe! Did all sorts of fixing and adjusting jobs, was so much fun. I've had a great week!

Day 2 at Hampshire Wardrobe

Today at Hampshire wardrobe I had the challenge of making cuffs to go with the genie costume, they look great! I also was given a plain white hat to decorate like a glamorous Edwardian! I used flowers feathers, shiffon and lace. Then once I had competed this I started on decorating an old ballet bodice to make it look more new and detailed. Can't wait to crack on with it tomorrow! I will be adding some pearls and beads on top of the lace.

Work Placement at Hampshire Wardrobe

Had the best day today! Was my first day at a volunteer at Hampshire wardrobe. Was

so pleased as got stuck in straight away and got handed a waistcoat to alter and finish. Was half expecting to just be making tea and doing the odd bit of tacking but I have been given loads of little projects to do instead! So pleases and cant wait for tomorrow where I will be carrying on with making the cuffs to go with the waistcoat for a Genie costume!
Hampshire Wardrobe is such an exciting place to work as its not only a costume store but a workshop at the same time. You could loose yourself for hours in there looking at all the different costumes. They have almost everything imaginable! It's like an Aladin's cave.

Commedia Dell'Arte

My Current project is making a costume for the play "The path of True Love" which is a Commedia Dell'Arte performance. I have been given the character Isabella. She matches her 'lover' Lelio. The fabrics I have chosen are soft and natural, as the designer wanted a 'sea side' theme. I have included many traditional 16th Century techniques, shapes and patterns. This is only midway through the project as we have our fittings tomorrow!