work in progress Folly costume

Some work in progress pictures of 'Folly,' a 17th century court opera costume design by Jean Bérain. He has been occupying most of my time in the last months. He has a large padded belly under there, a giant pair of breeches and many other hidden items. There is a lot of work left to do on his sleeves, an overskirt, hat and surface decoration (beading, embroidery etc). He will then be thoroughly broken down to age him, I really want him to look like an old costume that was brought out every year for the court balls, a bit battered and faded but still beautiful.

Still lots to do!

costume cupboard: Double Falsehood at the Maddermarket

behind the scenes at the Maddermarket. Elizabethan costumes for a newly discovered Shakespeare play 'Double Falsehood', which took to the stage in March. The Maddermarket marks its centenary this year with the Norwich Players having been founded 100 years ago, and the Maddermarket opening 90 years ago. This is one of the most magical working theatres England has to offer based in the heart of Norwich, one of very few left that has a traditional costume department, still handmaking and storing wonderful period and contemporary costumes! They have a particularly exciting season on its way with productions including: Forty Years On by Alan Bennett, Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward, Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters, Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood and The Hollow by Agatha Christie.

eugene onegin costume

My handmade costume based on an original 1954 Motley design for Sadler's Wells: a singer for the opera Eugene Onegin. Made with midnight blue cotton velvet with silk velvet piping and buttons. It has hand made lace at neck edge (handmade by a lovely lady in Peru, bless the peruvians!), gigot sleeves with satin under sleeve, copper silk dupion belt and cuffs and pearl beadwork on bodice. The dress was based on an original 1830s pattern (although you can see the 1950s sweetheart neckline influence!) complete with handmade undergarments: a steel crinoline, quilted petticoat, and corded and quilted corset based on original 1840s corset.

crinoline

some current work going on in the costume studio

dusty costume cupboards

Clearing out dusty old costume cupboards at the Maddermarket theatre, finding bags of turn of the century stockings with lace detail, tights in every colour, hand knitted wooly argyle winter socks in moss green and bright red, moth eaten frock coats, wicker baskets full of top hats, victorian tail coats, and massive creaking trunks full of untold treasures.