Profile
My education history has always leant towards Textiles, which has influenced my work as my skills continue to develop. My passion is the manipulation of fabrics through treatments, print and dye, and experimenting with silhouettes. My heart lies with fantasy based costume as it allows for more magical creations. My foundation allowed me to experiment with all aspects of art and gave me a penchant for designing and experimenting with a wide range of materials on a big scale; interpreting pre designed briefs as well as creating my own.
Key Technical Skills
- Design
- Theoretical studies of Costume and Performance
- Measuring, Pattern Drafting, Pattern Cutting, Fitting
- Corsetry, Men’s Tailoring, Stretch Wear
- Millinery, Beading
- Use of Digital Camera and SLR, as well as black and white processing and developing
- Basic use of Photoshop
- Comprehensive use of a PC - Word, Publisher, Excel, Internet etc
Education & Qualifications
| Sept 2006 - Present | London College Of Fashion, University Of Arts London: BA Hons Costume for Performance |
| Sept 2005 - June 2006 | The University Of Northampton: BTEC Diploma Foundation Studies (Art & Design) |
| Sept 2003 - June 2005 | Northampton School For Girls Sixth Form: A-Levels: Art: Textiles (A), Film Studies (A), English Literature (B) AS Levels: History (B) |
| Sept 2000 - June 2003 | Northampton School For Girls: GCSEs: Art (A*), Textiles (A*), History (A*), Religious Education (A*), English Literature (A), English Language (A), French (A), Maths (A), Chemistry (A), Biology (A), Physics (A). |
Work Experience
| May 2008 | English National Opera Print and Dye. 5 week placement in Print and Dye Department. Breaking down, designing prints, screen printing. dyeing fabric and existing costumes. Productions included ‘Der Rosenkavalier’ and ‘Madame Butterfly’ |
| April 2008 | Spooks: Helping on set, with the stand-by; maintaining the costumes and taking notes on continuity. Assisting the supervisor with paperwork and lining up costumes. |
| July 2007 | National Theatre: Print and Dye. Helping out in the Print and Dye Department; liasing with supervisor, breaking down, surface pattern, costume props and dyeing existing garments as well as fabric. Productions included a ballet and ‘St. Joan.’ |
| September 2004 | Zandra Rhodes Studios: Internship. Assisting with research, fashion and print design, pattern making and presentation. |
Employment
| Sept 2006 - Present | London College Of Fashion: Costume Student Representative. Attend meetings with tutors, heads of pathways, and other representatives to discuss student well being within the course |
| June 2006 - Sept 2006 | Camp Kennybrook: Specialist Counsellor. Running Fabric Arts department, and teaching to children from 7 to 16. Sleeping in and looking after a ‘bunk’ of seven 8 and 9 year olds. |
| Sept 2003 - June 2005 | Northampton School for Girls: Textiles Officer. Working with year 10 and 11 GCSE classes as a teaching assistant. |
| Sept 2003 - Present | Arcadia Group: Dorothy Perkins and Burtons Menswear: Sales Advisor. Measuring men for suits, Customer service, answering phones, recruiting for account cards, cashing up, and general maintenance. |
Skills
Communication:
- Travelling to America on my own, moving into University halls, working in different Arcadia stores as well as work experience has meant I have had to adapt to new situations and communicate with a variety of different people on different levels.
- Working in Arcadia I am sometimes the most experienced Sales Advisor on the shop floor and I have to communicate to others what needs to be done or explain processes they are unfamiliar with.
- Camp Kennybrook and Northampton School For Girls I had to communicate with different children from different backgrounds ranging from age 7 to 16, explaining on their level, so that they understand, and feel enthusiastic about the task in hand.
Organisation:
- Studying a degree and living away from home requires organisational skills in terms of structuring your day and workload, as well as organising and paying bills on time.
Interests
I attended stage school when I was younger for 7 years and it was this that caused me to fall in love with performance; musicals, ballet and film in particular. Another passion of mine is live music. I enjoy going to gigs with my friends, and occasionally enjoy live comedy. I love to socialise and meet new people, which is part of what encouraged me to go to America on my own for the summer, as well as my desire to travel. My foundation course really opened my mind, and I have come to appreciate a wide range of art. I love to visit exhibitions as often as I can; in whatever country I can.
Additional Information
I am a friendly and outgoing person who gets on well with others. I enjoy working in a team, but can also work individually. I am a reliable and conscientious person who enjoys a challenge, works hard and pays attention to detail. I am flexible, keen to pick up new skills and eager to learn from others.
Abi’s love of costume knows no bounds. She is enthusiastic and passionate, relishing every moment she spends in the design process...She is so committed and talented in this area that she never ceases to gain my admiration and approval" - Lynda Foulkes, Head of Textiles, Northampton School For Girls.
Everyone found Abi to be Trustworthy, capable and a keen hard worker. She came out of herself as time went on and displayed a great sense of humour along with a mature, sensible approach." - Claire Sly, Head of Textiles, Zandra Rhodes Enterprises.
References available upon request