Jade Katz

Education

Equipment

My Equipment/Kit: Domestic Sewing Machine, Pattern Master

I can use: Sewing Machine, domestic sewing machine, industrial overlocker, Pattern Master

About me

I have just finished studying a BTEC Extended National Diploma in Fashion and Clothing at Amersham and Wycombe College. I currently work as a waitress at the Carriage House Restaurant at Claydon House. I attended Waddeson C of School until May 2009, after which my family and I moved to Norfolk. I then attended Downham Market High School, and then the College of West Anglia to begin my BTEC course. My family and I moved back to Buckinghamshire in February 2011, and so I transferred from the College of West Anglia to Amersham and Wycombe College to complete the course. I have recently completed my course and I am now awaiting my grade results.
Industry awards:
The achievement I am most proud of is winning the Royal Opera House Design Challenge for Costume Design in 2012. From completing the work for the competition I learned how to design costumes for the stage, based on the synopsis and character analysis of La Boheme. I also learned about the fashions, history, social and economic influences of the period, which I had previously not known.

From this research I then designed costumes for four selected characters: Mimi, Musetta, Rodolpho and Alcindoro. I then developed my designs and selected a final design to realise and construct, which was a costume for Mimi in Act 1. I developed and constructed the pattern, worked out a costing and then sourced the fabrics and trimmings needed. I then constructed the garments and finished them with details such as embroidery and ageing.

I was very proud the finished costume as I had worked independently on the whole project, and I was very pleased with the final product. Also, it was my first period garment and also my first experience at designing a costume. It was brilliant to have my work recognised and appreciated, especially by industry professionals.

I learned a great deal of new skills while completing the project, from how to make a gigot sleeve to how to do embroidery. I also experienced the process of costume designing; the research, analysis of scripts and characters, design development and construction.

Skills

Secondary Job Title	Costume Assistant
Job Titles	Costume Designer
Years in industry	less than a year