During my time at Academy Costumes, I have been heavily involved in various projects across theatre, television, and film productions. My responsibilities have included ensuring timely procurement of supplies, maintaining a functional work area, and packaging and dispatching costumes within the UK and internationally. I often lead fittings with actors and clients, coordinating alterations with factories, managing schedules, and facilitating meetings with talent. These fittings often involved practicing quick changes and ensuring easy access to all garments. My background, in textiles, has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of fabrics and their suitability for different tasks. I sourced fabric for shows by outsourcing from the UK or internationally, including both vintage and new textiles. Working alongside the hire department further enhanced my skills in handling vintage and delicate garments, instilling in me a deep appreciation for their value.My experience is a hybrid of costume coordinator and accounts administrator. This involved issuing and following up on invoices, staying informed on project timelines and working closely with the director to issue cost updates and to communicate with the clients. Other duties included logging all receipts, such as credit card and travel expenses, as well as inputting all payments, into the QuickBooks system.I have also worked as a freelance costume assistant for Kudos Production's This Town, a BBC One production, with Molly Emma Rowe and Stephen Knight. In this role, I selected and sourced fabrics for the principal lead, portrayed by Michelle Dockery. It is always thrilling to collaborate directly with the designer to bring their vision to life through fabric choices. I also focused on creating a cohesive colour scheme and utilising complementary tonal palettes to enhance the different actors and their characters.
I have a strong admiration for period dramas, particularly for the way they bring historical scenes depicted in paintings to life on screen. I am fascinated by the use of colour palettes to convey different emotions and tones in the storytelling. The opportunity to create an immersive experience for viewers and transport them to another time and place is what fuels my passion. The process of turning a concept into a vivid and believable reality is truly magical.