Alicia Lording

Highlights

• My work experience in theatre and stage, is still expanding, however my first live production, was a huge learning curve and a hugely important experience towards my understanding of how theatre production works. As a team of ten, it was mine and my fellow students responsibility to source, buy, construct and break down 354 costumes for the WNYO production of "Paul Bunyan". This production starred Stephen Fry and was nominated for a sky arts award and has recently won the Royal Philharmonic Opera award. Furthering from this, I am in contact with and have worked with the costume designer for NoFitStage Circus, for whom I have helped produce, develop and dress, on a live production. This particular performance, inspired my final collection and gave me the foundation knowledge of dance-wear in particular and its performance needs and boundaries. These experiences of live productions, I feel has given me a wide skill and knowledge set on how to cope within the workroom and during performance hours, in order to keep the costumes up to a high standard of aesthetics and mostly importantly function.
  Through work experience over the three years at university, I have worked on productions, such as the BBC’s “Atlantis” and most recently a pilot production by FX Production and the writers of “Sons of Anarchy” at Pinewood, Cardiff. For both, I was part of the Supporting Actors department, however I also became involved in the Primary Actors costume team, for the pilot of a major TV production, based at the newly opened Pinewood Studios. Throughout these experiences, responsibilities included laundry, dressing, alterations, and costume making for the Supporting Actors and helping with Primary Actors costumes when there was the need for additional costume makers. This experience provided an in depth insight into how early production works and how the dynamics of the workroom require team members to be flexible and willing to help with whatever task is most needed, efficiently and with skill.
  Other opportunities and areas of costume, learned through university have included, the opportunity to be taught by the former head of tailoring at the Welsh National Opera, Monica Tyler, and within a five week period, was taught how to create a fully tailored suit. Through this I understand the strict construction process of tailoring, which can be adapted or developed for live production costumes. I have previously produced menswear, such as a full costume inspired by the fashion of henry VIII, which was a particular favourite of mine as I have a huge interest in every aspect of history, but more specifically the history of costume and how to create effective working garments that follow the shapes, contemporary to the time.
  My most recent challenge and project was to produce finished a garment for the Janet Arnold competition 2015, for the 50th anniversary, producing the closest possible re-construction of the chosen 1770-1775 Robe a la Franciase, of which was completely hand-sewn. The garment will be showcased and entered in April 2015. I believe the knowledge gained through the journey of creating this dress, has shown my focus, patience and precision and has furthermore built upon these traits and enhanced them.