Biography
For me, costume is a reflection of character, an extension of movement and an exploration of the senses. As an innovative costume and textile designer and maker, I combine my passion for dance with my keen eye for detail to create garments that keep the audience engaged.
Having a textiles background, I have unique skills in sublimation printing, which offers me the opportunity to explore sound and nature as a medium for artistic inspiration. I use my knowledge of textiles and surface decoration and fuse it with my passion for dance to create detailed and innovative garments to enhance a performer's lines, movement and body and to assist them in projecting and communicating emotion and narrative to the audience.
Industry Experience
I have had the pleasure of working with both well known companies and small independent groups that use a love of performance to build a community. My week at Birmingham Royal Ballet gave me the opportunity to experience a large scale working wardrobe and in contrast the Devonport Playhouse and Plymouth Athenaeum’s smaller scale, fast paced productions welcomed my assistance with alterations and dressing the shows.
I was also invited to work on Gok Wan’s One Size Fits All. Needing runners, I helped with welcoming the audience as well as assisting Gok during the first half.
My three years at PCA have taught me valuable skills and new techniques to allow me to explore ‘head to toe’ costume to its full potential. I leave this experience with deep knowledge of character development, refined skills in making high quality, functioning garments and discovery of my own style. My lecturers and peers have supported and encouraged me, giving me the confidence to reach out for professional experience and guidance, which has helped shape me and my practice. As well as my experience, I have had invaluable mentoring from both Peter Machen and award winning Sue Blane.