ABOUT ME
At an early age, I fell in love with sewing. The ability to make something unique that no one else would be wearing was extremely appealing to me, and I took every opportunity to improve my ability and learn the craft.
As I got older, the frustration of not being able to find what I wanted to wear on the High Street made me a regular customer at our local fabric shop, when I had spare cash. I began experimenting with clashing colours and patterns, creating clothes that were very different and made me stand out (a little too much at times), but this was the 80s!
At school, I could always be found in either the art department or the textile room at lunchtimes, helping to make costumes for any upcoming school productions, eager to learn as much as I could with the most inspiring art teacher, Betty O’Banger, who firmly believed in my talent.
I left school at 16 with no real idea of which direction to take. Determined to do something creative, I decided to train as a hairdresser. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in a busy trendy salon in Oxford city, where my colourful hairstyles complimented my unconventional dress sense!
I eventually left hairdressing to pursue a career in sales and marketing in the building industry, selling concrete blocks to builders and builder’s merchants.It turned out that I was quite good at selling and marketing, and within seven years I moved up the corporate ladder very quickly. Bizarrely, this is where I met my husband, and finally I took a career break to bring up my two gorgeous children.
Whilst trying to be the best mother I could, I had time to revisit my passion for dressmaking, much to the annoyance of both of my girls that were forced to wear loud, bright clothes with lots of frills!
When my eldest child started school, who was born to perform, my passion for costume design unexpectedly started. Before I knew what was happening, I was making the entire school casts costumes and loving every minute of the challenge. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a 16 year career making costumes at a private school in Oxfordshire, where up until the pandemic I had the privilege of designing elaborate costumes and sets for 6 productions a year.
Now, having set up Crazy Costume Queen and going it alone, I am loving this next chapter of my career and the freedom and excitement it brings!
As a complete perfectionist, it’s very important to me to make sure my costumes are both comfortable for the wearer and made to the highest quality. 'Less is more' has never been in my vocabulary!
In my spare time, I love to make costumes for friends, family and paying regular clients.
I feel completely privileged that I have been able to make my passion my dream job. I find complete joy bringing an idea to life and giving particular attention to even the smallest detail to produce the best costume I can.
I never tire of the overwhelming feeling of achievement when I see my clients beam with joy when they put on the costume I have designed and made especially for them!
I look forward to speaking to you and making some crazy costume magic!
Get in touch now!