Work experience
For me, work experience is the most important aspect of this career as it is the pathway to creating vital contacts in the industry - contacts that may help me. Over my time in college I have got in touch and met many people who are industry professionals, building up my index of contacts, securing many work experience opportunities for when I turn 18. I have also completed a weeks work experience with a Costume Maker from Worthing, learning about the industry and how much it has to offer...
Work Experience as Assistant Designer for play Eastbourne Soup | Eastbourne 2025 - present
I have recently acquired a paid job as an Assistant Designer for a play called Eastbourne Soup run by The Company, a Sussex based creative programme. This work experience will give me the opportunity to work alongside a credited Costume Designer and immerse myself further into the world of costume.
Work Experience with costume maker, Rosie Carne | Worthing, West Sussex 2025
I sourced this work experience, that I completed in the July of my first year of college, on my own through contacting as many costume makers, designers and supervisors that I could find locally.
During this week of experience, Rosie Carne and her employees were working on a couple of costumes for the play Twelfth Night showing at The Globe Theatre in London, which I was given the privilege to help out with. During the week I made sure I wrote down a detailed log of the tasks I was given each day:
- Day 1: Firstly, I did some sampling on different machines (Overlocker and Industrial) and some hand sewing techniques (Herringbone and Slip-Stitch). Then I put the Herringbone techniques to practice on 4 sleeves (2 characters jackets) which made the cuffs stay put in a neat yet hidden way. Then in the last hour I did some tacking on one of the jacket linings so it was ready to be sewn.
- Day 2: On this day I spent most of the day tacking in place a jacket for the London performance of Mamma Mia: The Party. I also got to spend some time asking questions about the industry and found that the people I worked with have done projects on films such as Snow White live action, Cinderella live action and Pirates of the Caribbean.
- Day 3: Firstly, I completed slip stitch on the inside of some sleeves, securing the lining to the jacket. Then I sewed some brace buttons on the inside of some trousers and a few hook and bars to fasten the trousers. I sewed some fabric covered buttons onto the sleeves of one of the jackets to give the jacket a neat look.
- Day 4: I did some more Slip-Stitching onto one of the jackets sleeves at the beginning of the day which I completed so efficiently that I had time to help around the studio by reorganising some of their drawers and the thread wall. Towards the end of the day, I was taught how to create a buttonhole on the sewing machine and spent some time creating a sample of buttonholes.
Work Experience Volunteer The Emperors Old Clothes |Hove, East Sussex 2022
- I worked at The Emperors Old Clothes for 2 days learning all about what its like to run your own business.
- I was given the opportunity to try all the different complex machines that they have to make something of my own which was an incredible lesson that I wouldn't have had anywhere else and demonstrates my adaptability to learn new skills.
- I helped out around the studio doing jobs such as sorting the masses of scrap boxes or cutting out and sewing panels for shorts and trousers which showed how I am a responsible and reliable person who could be trusted to undertake important jobs.
- I also experienced what its like to independently travel to a job everyday that was out of my town while ensuring that I arrived on time.
Industry Contacts:
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Rosie Carne (Costume maker)
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Laura Boseley (Costume maker)
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Rosie (Costume supervisor of TV show Grace) (I have work experience lined up on the set in April 2026)
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George Sayer (Costume Department at Bridgerton) (I have the possibility of work experience when I turn 18 next year)