Bustle Dress and The Future...

So recently I finished my Specialist Practise unit, my first project of my final year of Costume-etc-etc. As mentioned in a previous post I was making a Victorian Bustle Dress for the University's Costume Store. I was given the character of Lady Bracknell from Wilde's 'The Importance Of Being Earnest' and was let loose! It was nice to once again not have to pay for materials, but I'm sure that's to act as a nice big reminder on how much we'll probably spend on EMP.

I really enjoyed draping on the stand once more...it gave me a bit of a confidence boost from my flop in a previous project. This project acted much as a boot up the backside - whilst I felt a tad cocky when it came down to timescale I found that I was cutting it close to the deadline after 9 weeks of work.

As I didn't have any time to take proper photos of the costume I plan to grab my model in the new year for a quick photoshoot, she's looking forward to wearing the completed version!

On to EMP...I have the rather cunning plan of making two Steampunk costumes! It is a genre I have slowly been creeping towards, attracted to the period, the aesthetics and the mechanics that Steampunk is solidly stapled to, and I thought that EMP would be the perfect excuse to do 1- something I've designed myself, and 2- costumes that compliment and co-ordinate with one another. At London Expo this October I managed to talk to the likes of Miss Ladybird, Herr Doktor, Vincent Shaw-Morton and so many other wonderful Speampunkers to get an insight into this world. I felt so welcome by each individual I spoke to! I seems that the Steampunk world is very character and plot driven - each person had either a character that they had created or even used themselves and placed that individual within the genre, be it a Tea Purveyor, a Mercenary or a Fairy Collector.

Over the Christmas period I want to work on the story behind my two characters and develop their personalities before I begin the final steps towards an ultimate design. The costumes will be for myself and my boyfriend, allowing a larger chance for varying costumes.

Watch this space!

Hooray, Self Directed! Hooray, Work Experience!

Wonderful news for me - my project for Self Directed is in, and I have been given a week of work experience!
First off is the Self Directed Project. Whilst I would have loved to do my Erte-esque project my tutor pointed out that this was something more suitable for third year. It makes sense to put off that project for now, especially since I have been given the project working for the National Theatre's hire company! Allow me to copy and paste my brief from my tutor's email:

Costume Makers x up to 10 students.

The National Theatre is commissioning the costume course to create a number of costumes pieces for their hire department in North London. This is an exciting opportunity to work for a number of costume makers. Undertaking this role you will work closely in a team with other makers to realise a number of garments for the National Theatre. This project will replicate workroom practice. A cutter from the National Theatre will draft the patterns and you will work as costume maker making the garments chosen by the costume designers and head of the hire department. An example of the garment to be made include Period shirts, Breeches, Victorian Blouses and 18^th military Century Waistcoats. Each person will make approximately 4 garments each but this will be negotiated with your unit tutor.

All materials and patterns will be supplied by the client.

Such exciting stuff! I really need to make a little trip to see if I can have a mooch around the hire department either before or whilst I'm working on the project.

Next up...work experience! First a little story. Another of my tutors sent an email offering work experience on a big London production, not letting on which show it would be for. Working on a big London production? Yes please! Practically leaping for the oppurtunity I said yes, though poking forward my thoughts of my confidence in my sewing though I only considered them 'average', however this experience may boost my confidence and skill a bit further. Lo and behold, hearing back a week later I will now be doing a week of work experience at Les Miserables, coincidently my favourite musical!

Ok, so I haven't seen many musicals...but still, I had to scream and jump around my room before shrieking down the phone to several people. I think I need to get out more.

Both of these projects will offer me so much and will hopefully strengthen my skills as a costume maker. I have been slowly gearing towards working as a part of a show, theatre company or costume department, so the combination of these two at least compliment my dreams for the future! Hold on tight!

Summer Plans!

Ok, so I have now entered the wonderful stage of SUMMER...meaning finding a job and trying extremely hard not to spend all of the money I earn from it. Horray.
One of the best things about this Summer though is that I'm currently helping out cutting out fabrics for costumes for the Hillingdon Dance Theatre Company (the name of which I've probably just gotten wrong) for my friend Lucy and her Mum. Tons of fun, lots of work to get done for a show in a week's time! Hopefully I can get some photos taken of the work I've done, and I'll get a reference by the end of it! Sorted!

In other news, here's Ben Kenobi. (Here for no reason other than this image of him looks a bit like my dad).

I've been on a Star Wars rave recently...especially after watching the newer trilogy I have decided to at some point attempt to replicate one of the costumes. To push myself, maybe try an Amadala/Padme costume. Who knows. Maybe Summer will be a push to make cosplay outfits. I had planned to make the three good fairies/Maleficent costumes from Sleeping Beauty for October, and while money and time issues put me off I'm considering attempting it once more...that or just making the one costume for myself!