Costume Conversations 1: Collecting Costume Stories

This workshop will bring together researchers, curators and practitioners to launch Film Costumes in Action.

This AHRC-funded project investigates how costumes have been designed, made and used in British film from the 1960s onwards. Costume plays a central role in film imagery and is fundamental to understandings of character, atmosphere and setting. Yet little is known outside the industry about the creative labour of costume design and construction.

The workshop sessions will include:

• An introduction to the project, and methodologies for researching costume, feminist film and labour history. We invite participants to share research into historical and contemporary costume, including curation, fashion and performance.
• A conversation between Costume Designer Jane Petrie and Costume Supervisor Yvonne Duckett. We'll explore the role of collecting in the creative and practical processes of costuming film, using case studies from Jane and Yvonne's careers. We'll look at real costumes and open discussion to all.
• Mapping the Costume Journey - drawing on all the expertise in the room, to track the life course of a costume from concept to creation and reception.

Lunch, tea and coffee will be provided.

We welcome participants from different disciplines with interests in costume, craft, and performance histories - including practitioners, PGRs and ECRs.

To encourage conversation and participation, places for this event are strictly limited. If you would like to attend, please complete this form before 26 February, describing your research and interests in film costume.

For any questions contact Alice Sage, a.e.sage@leeds.ac.uk