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)

Ian speaks interestingly here about how his knowledge of period costume informs his contemporary design, and about how he is both fluid and organised.Greatest hits:Unchosen (2026)Black Doves (2024)A Very British Scandal (2021)It's a Sin (2021)Giri/ Haji (2019)Kiri (2018)The Last Dragonslayer (2016)Murdered by My Boyfriend (2014)

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)