National Theatre Open Day

A couple of days ago I was lucky enough to be able to visit the National Theatre workrooms and complete a mini workshop in their womenswear department. In a group of ten we were shown the wonderful workrooms that help create the visuals that are performed on the National Theatre stages as well as being taken on a tour backstage, on stage and in the auditorium of the Olivier Theatre. The costume making workshop is shown below. Sorry for my poor blurry photography!

National Theatre Costume Workroom

We then split into different parts of the costume department (menswear, womenswear and alterations) and had tuitions with members of the costume department. I was doing womenswear and made a simple sleeveless boned bodice. Although this is something I have done before I loved having the luxury of one on one tuition. It made this a really fun and relaxed workshop.

This workshop was a trial run and something they haven't done before. Their idea was to make an open day more one on one so people wouldn't feel as intimidated to ask questions. I personally think it worked really well and hope they will do it again. However, I would recommend this open day to first year students as a few of the other girls on the workshop also noted that the skills we were taught were a little basic for second year costume students.

Take a look at the National Theatre's website to keep updated on upcoming open days and they are apparently soon going to post more work experience opportunities. Exciting!

Tweed Waistcoat

For the past few weeks I have been on a work placement as part of my uni course which has given me the luxury of having most evenings off. So I decided to set myself a little project of making my other half a waistcoat. I drafted the pattern from the book Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear and altered it to fit. It is far from perfect but not bad for a first attempt :)

Due to him having such expensive taste it meant me spending silly amounts on a bit of wool tweed and 100% silk satin lining (both from A1 Fabrics, Goldhawk Road). I think he was happy with it! For more info about where to buy fabrics in London take a look at my blog post here. 

Buttons are from Macculloch and Wallis and I got the key hole and bar tack button holes done at DM Buttons. The man who owns the business there is really sweet and bashes out the holes within seconds. The shop itself is around Berwick Street area down a little alley way called Wardour Mews and his shop is down some stairs underground so it's a little strange so maybe take someone with you on your first visit! He also covers buttons as well at very reasonable prices (see here).

Oscar Predictions from LCF Costume Experts

My tutors at London College of Fashion were recently interviewed for the Times to get their opinions on the Oscars this year. They outline a really good breakdown of the nominated films for costume design and what makes good costume for film.

'What role do costumes have in blockbuster movies?
Costume Design should be more than just clothes on an actor, and definitely more than just the fashion of a particular time. A costume has to enhance the actor’s performance and helps to move the narrative along. The costume should give the audience clues to the character within the narrative without the costume becoming ‘seen’. For me, a good costume is one that goes unnoticed, one that subtly fits with the character and adds to the story and the performance.'

Read the full article here.

Find out the Oscar award winners tomorrow (02/03/2014) on their website.
See the full Oscar nominations here.

The Grandmaster -
Costume Designer: William Chang Suk Ping

American Hustle
Costume Designer: Michael Wilkinson

The Invisible Woman
Costume Designer: Michael O'Connor

12 Years a Slave
Costume Designer: Patricia Norris

The Great Gatsby
Costumer Designer: Catherine Martin