Woven Threads: Conversations with Costume Designers

Amy and I chat about the particular kind of creativity of working in costume - that it's about being a responder rather than working "from a blank" - and the lively life it leads to.Greatest hits:Seven Dials (2026)H is for Hawk (2025)The Crown series 3 - 6Prime Suspect 1970s (2017)Swallows and Amazons (2016)Jamaica Inn (2014)The Tunnel (2013)Call the Midwife - first series (2012)Mrs Biggs (2012)Upstairs Downstairs (2010)Margot (2009)Wuthering Heights - the Tom Hardy one (2009)The Virgin Queen (2005)The Queen's Nose (1995-2000)Brassed Off (1996)

Pam and I had a conversation that kept coming back to the idea of working with other people: how to approach organising a team and how you all relate to the other departmentsGreatest hits:Dr Who (2023-5)Funny Woman (2022)Mr Malcolm's List (2022)The Spanish Princess (2020)The English Game (2020)The Trial of Christine Keeler (2019)Agatha Raisin (2016)The Enfield Haunting (2015)Episodes (2011)Lark Rise to Candleford (2008)NY-LON (2004)Guest House Paradiso (1999)

This is the second in my "Early Career Costume Designers" mini series. My interview is with Sinéad Kidao, whose attitude to leading her department I found very inspiring.Boost up your volume!Greatest hits:The Franchise (2024)Joy (2024)Golda (2023)Life After Life (2022)The Pursuit of Love (2021)Small Axe ("Red, White and Blue" and "Education") (2020)This Way Up (2019)

This is the first in a little mini-series I've decided to do where I focus on Costume Designers at the earlier stage of their career (although my interview with Lucille really belongs to the series too) This episode is with PC Williams: we talk about how her background in styling has informed her costume work, and the angle that it has given her on the Costume world as a whole.Boost up your volume!Greatest hits:Back to Black (2024)The Kitchen (2023)The End We Start From (2023)We are Lady Parts (2021)Frank of Ireland (2021)Powder Room (2013)

My sixth episode is with John Bright. John runs Cosprop, a costume hire and making house in London, alongside being a Costume Designer. His ability to adapt and yet hold fast to what really matters comes across very clearly here, and I feel very glad to have recorded this conversation.His film credits include:The White Countess (2005)The Golden Bowl (2000)Onegin (1999) - with Chloe OblenskySense and Sensibility (1995) - with Jenny BeavanThe Remains of the Day (1993) - with Jenny BeavanHoward's End (1992) - with Jenny BeavanMaurice (1987) - with Jenny BeavanA Room with a View (1985) - with Jenny BeavanThe Bostonians (1984) - with Jenny Beavan

*Make sure your volume is up high - I recorded our voices too quietly!*My sixth episode is with Lucille Acevedo-Jones. Lucille talks about her appreciation for other departments and topping up your creative, and personal, cup.Greatest hits:Men Up (2023) - as DesignerThe Pact (2022) - as DesignerThe Flash (2023) - as Assistant Costume DesignerEveryone's Talking About Jamie (2021) - as Assistant Costume DesignerDevs (2020) - as Assistant Costume DesignerFantastic Beasts: the Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) - as Costume AssistantPhantom Thread (2017) - as Costume AssistantBlack Sails (2015) - as Assistant Costume DesignerHugo (2011) - as Costume Assistant

My fifth interview is with Howard Burden. Howard talks about how things have changed - and not necessarily in a good way - and the relationship with suppliers. Greatest hits:Red Dwarf (1989 - ongoing)The Scarlet Pimpernel (1999)Dead Gorgeous (2002)Colditz (2005)Whitechapel (2009)Robin Hood (2009)Dr Who (2012 - 2014)Jekyll and Hyde (2015)Home Fires (2016)Poldark (2017 - 2019)Worzel Gummidge (2019 - 2021)Young Wallander (2020 - 2022)The Last Kingdom (2022)

My fourth interview is with Natalie Ward. Natalie talks about things feeling "real", being adaptable and the upsides to having small teams.Greatest hits:24 Hour Party People (2002)The Mother (2003)Enduring Love (2004)Derailed (2005)Venus (2006)Breaking and Entering (2006)1408 (2007)The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)Last Chance Harvey (2008)Red Riding: 1974 (2009)The Debt (2010)Welcome to the Punch (2013)Black Sea (2014)The Lady in the Van (2015)The Wedding Guest (2018)Together (2021)Typist Artist Pirate King (2022)