Major Project

My Final Major Project at University is one of my proudest moments in costume making so far. Not only did this include the work experience at the Royal Opera house, but I also put all my skills to show in making a Pancake tutu inspired by a design in my Godfathers house which is an original design from the production of Sleeping Beauty, Royal Opera house in 1977 by David Walker.
I am particularly proud of myself in this project because I ended up having to work completely independently due to the illness of my Ballet tutor. I worked so hard into researching the design, how to make a tutu, as well as fishing out all my previous knowledge. Luckily I managed to get myself this work experience as well as a workshop with Serena Fusai, who is a Tutu and costume maker at English National Ballet. This was all fantastic experience and really broadened my knowledge in tutu making.
All of this hard work has finally produced a garment which I am proud to call my Major Project. This will be on show in the Arts University Bournemouth Exhibition in June.

The Royal Opera House

I have recently completed Two weeks work experience at the Royal Opera house. It was such a fantastic place to work and I learned so much in the time I was there. We worked on two shows while I was there; A winters tale of which we got to see the General Rehearsal, and Don Quixato which is a show coming up in January. The way in which they work there is so special and is what makes it one of the best Opera houses in the world. We were even allowed to go on a tour which was just breathtaking to see how huge the opera house is and how much goes on behind the scenes. I was so pleased that while I was working there that all my skills I have learned through my three years in training were being used and meant that I really felt welcomed and part of the team. I didn't feel like I was a work experience student, I actually felt useful and put all my skills into practice.

Persuasion, Jane Austin

A cute little photo of the Jacket I made for the Arts University Production of Jane Austin's Persuasion.

Dissertation

Since the beginning of summer I have also been working on my Dissertation. This has been an exciting and informative adventure on researching the essence that make up Ballet. I finally decided on the Title:

Did Daniel Rabel create Ballet or was it Leonardo Da Vinci?

This was an exciting research project on the two main costume designers of the Renaissance and how they became to create the modern day ballet. This has inspired me to do more work with Ballet and Opera and reaffirmed my love for this area of Theatre.

National Theatre

Another little side job along the way was helping to finish off a costume for the National Theatre. One of the girls who was making the costume unfortunately fell ill, so I took over from her to finish the costume and it was set off to be in the show Emil and the Detectives.

Cupcake Hat!

As a little side job I was asked by a friend to make a Mascot hat for the Baking Society at Cardiff Uni! This was just a bit of fun, but I did get paid to make this cute little hat. They had a logo which I just followed as a design. They were so pleased with it that it got taken up to the British University's Baking Society challenge and the 2013 winner of British Bake off even tried it on!!

Persuasion - Jane Austin

After Christmas I straight away was back at University working on the next AUB production of Persuasion. We all worked as a big team making the costumes. My main costume was a Jacket for Lady Russell. This was a beautiful regency costume made of a chocolate coloured silk dupion with a fur and velvet trim. I had a few problems with this costume as the design kept changing, but eventually I got it finished in time for the show, which was a fantastic show!

CATS the Musical

Straight after working on all the Pantomimes I was offered an amazing opportunity to go and work as a Dresser/Costume Supervisor on the tour of Cats the Musical while it was in Oxford over Christmas. I scheduled up there for the last week before Christmas day. I was there for about an hour and they straight away asked me back for another week after Christmas as a paid job! My first paid costume job! I was absolutely delighted as I adored the people that worked there and felt part of the family straight away. My general role was shoes and costume maintenance between shows, and then a fixed dresser schedule throughout the shows. I did find that it was a very long day when we had Matinee and Evening performances but I was enjoying it just so much that I really didn't think about it! They really did look after me very well; we even had a fun secret Santa!
All the actors and crew were just the most wonderful people and I am so grateful to have been allowed to become part of the team, even if just for a few weeks.

More Pantomime!

Straight after working with the Winchester production of Snow White where I made the Lady in the mirror, I was lucky enough to get Work experience at Plymouth Theatre Royal to work on their production of Robin Hood. There were a few famous faces which was exciting! We were given costumes from QDOS pantomime company and we spend the week in fittings and fixing the garments ready for the show. I met some absolutely wonderful people and made some real good friends here as well as having the best time.

Pantomime Season!

As soon as I started back at University for my final year back in September, we were straight in with making costumes for the Winchester Theatre Royal Pantomime. I luckily was able to make the costume for the Lady in the Mirror, who was a major role in the show. There was so much to do for this project - even though I was only to make one costume, we were all a big team and were helping out each other all the time. I made a large 50's petticoat to go underneath the costume, and then the top fabric was made with hand sewn lace on beautiful fabrics that we sourced in London with the designer. It was a fantastically challenging project as it was the first time I felt fully responsible for a costume in the industry. At the end of the project a few of us volunteered to do a few days helping at the theatre before opening night. Unfortunately a few of the other costumes that were made by professionals in London didn't fit properly and were made a little oddly and therefore me and the girls reconstructed a few of the garments as well as taking on a Wardrobe mistress/supervisor role. This was fantastic experience with beautiful outcomes; sold out tickets and many pleased audiences.

Catch up! - Academy Costume Hire.

I can't believe how busy I have been since September and I haven't updated my blog! I have so much to share and record these past few months have been challenging and the most fun I've ever had.

First off is to share with you the photograph of the Space man suit we finished at Academy costume hire back in the summer, and then I will explain what I've been doing since then!...