Before starting my degree at AUB, all my skills as a creative were very much centred on the niche area of menswear post-1920 as I had spent the previous four years working in men’s tailoring. Over the last three years, I have been able to challenge myself by researching and interpreting garments of which I had very little contextual or technical understanding.

My final year at AUB allowed to take on two personal projects and explore two very different periods in 20th century costume. Both costumes were cut unconventionally for their era and had extensive surface decoration. I made sure to access as museums and archives, as well as speaking to expert makers and historians to inform my own making and replicate these details as accurately as possible.

I have found the task of trying to faithfully interpret historical garments from an image or museum resources an exciting challenge and an intersection of my passion for history and fashion. Along the way, I have developed my own skills, learning how to breakdown complicated embroidery designs digitally as well using computer drafting in my pattern cutting to improve my accuracy as a maker.

In the future, I would love to eventually open my own workshop that serves both as an atelier for private clients and as a supplier to the costume industry. For now, my goal is to build my experience and find a role that compliments the work I have done at AUB – be that in research, a costume workshop or a cutting room.