SOUTH Essex College have appointed a course leader for their new costume construction degree with the Royal Opera House.
Rachel Young has worked in the industry since graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2008 and she’s extremely passionate about the costume industry.
She’s worked in a huge range of roles from costume maker for drama schools and pantomimes to costume supervisor for private clients. She was even part of the team that made the London 2012 Olympic mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville, while employed by Rainbow Productions UK, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mascot and character costumes.
Rachel, originally from South West London, returned to her old university to teach masterclasses to new degree students and that’s when she fell in love with teaching.
She said: “I knew the BA Costume Construction course so well because I had studied it. I jumped at the opportunity to teach at Central and I absolutely loved it!”
Since then, she’s taught a range of skill levels from keen novices to designers and prop makers to higher education students.
When the course leader position at the College came up, it was a no brainer for Rachel. Now she’s due to start teaching the degree in September from High House Production Park’s new Bob and Tamar Manoukian Costume Centre in Purfleet.
She added: “I can’t wait for the students to start! They are going to take part in so many interesting activities that are also going to challenge them. I just want to get students excited and passionate about costumes, like I am.”
Validated by the University of the Arts, London, the course will include many different elements with sections on how costume design influences the construction, print making, historical conservation plus interpretation for fit, shape, size and purpose.
Students will also have the opportunity to work on design briefs with the Royal Opera House production departments, on projects for new productions as well as learning how to work with lightweight and flexible fabrics for ballet. The ROH Historic Collection, which will also be stored in the new Costume Centre, will be used as a learning resource for the course too.
Rachel said: “The students will leave with a high skill set and an expert finishing technique that will take them far in this professional world. They will acquire knowledge from many visiting guest lecturers and learn where they fit in this diverse and unique industry.”
Applications for September 2015 entry are now open. Students should have a background in textiles, fashion or art and design with a portfolio of work to show at interview. Most importantly, they should possess an interest and enthusiasm for constructing costumes for the arts, theatre, entertainment industry and TV and film. For more information and to apply, visit www.southessex.ac.uk/costume.
