ABOUT ME

I was born in Russia and studied civil engineering at Ekaterinburg University. When I came to England in 2005 to marry I decided to change my career. While at university I had taken a two-year course in dressmaking and this spurred me on to become a costume designer.

I am very interested is in period costume design and making. The research involved through books and the internet is fascinating for me. My favourite museums are the Victoria and Albert in London and the Bath Fashion Museum. The quality of the materials involved and the decorations used is demanding and the lessons learned stand me in good stead when designing and making modern fashion.

I enjoy the discipline of design, pattern making, and cutting together with the satisfaction of completing the garments and hats. I am passionate about the discipline of manufacture needed to ensure a crafted final product. Having been brought up in Russia and used to the intricacy of traditional Russian costumes I appreciate the decorative detail of older English costumes, both for ladies and men.

While working on the Hedda Gabler movie I greatly enjoyed interacting with the actors in making their costumes reflect their characters and part in the story and then seeing the actors transformed when donning the costumes. Working closely with the director has been valuable as we both embrace the innovative, imaginative, lavish and dramatic spirit that was present in the Victorian era. The total experiences has been rewarding.

I would not like to think that the images of cotumes and hats on this web site show that I only consider lavish work. I am just a happy helping customers with the more usual tasks of alterations, replacing zips making or altering curtains and even sewing on buttons.