I have always had a passion for the arts and a love of theatre and film. As a costume designer, I have had the opportunity to bring characters and stories to life through the clothes they wear. Teaching costume design allows me to share my knowledge and experience with students, and to inspire the next generation of designers to explore their own creativity and bring their own unique vision to the world of costume design.

I believe that the key to successful costume design is a strong understanding of the character, the story and the time period. When teaching costume design, I encourage my students to start by researching and analyzing the script, the characters and the time period. From there, I guide them through the process of creating sketches and mood boards, sourcing fabrics and materials, and bringing the final designs to life through construction and fitting.

I believe that creativity and innovation come from experimentation and taking risks. In class, I provide a safe and supportive environment where students can explore and experiment with different techniques and materials. I also encourage my students to look beyond their immediate surroundings for inspiration, whether it be in fashion, fine art, or pop culture. By pushing them to think outside the box, they are able to develop their own unique style and aesthetic.

I believe that critiques and feedback are essential to the learning process. I provide constructive criticism and guidance to help my students understand what is working well and what can be improved in their designs. I also encourage them to give and receive feedback from their classmates and to consider multiple perspectives when evaluating their own work. This helps them to develop a critical eye and to become more confident in their own aesthetic decisions.

When creating a costume design for a specific production, I start by reading and analyzing the script and researching the characters, the time period and the setting. I then create rough sketches and mood boards to explore different design options. Once I have a clear vision for the costumes, I begin sourcing fabrics and materials, and creating detailed sketches and patterns. I then oversee the construction and fitting of the costumes and make any necessary adjustments before the final dress rehearsal.

One particularly challenging costume design I have done was for a production of a play set in the 18th century. The difficulty was to create costumes that were historically accurate and authentic, but also allowed the actors to move comfortably and freely on stage. I overcame the difficulties by researching and studying the clothing of the time period, and by working closely with the director, choreographer, and actors to ensure that the costumes met the needs of the production while also staying true to the historical context.