Our Creative Industries learners have been working with the Barn Theatre in Welwyn Garden City again!
Following the success of their previous project, our fashion students have been working with the Barn Theatre to design costumes for a contemporary version of a traditional play.
Back in October, our students visited the theatre to tour their facilities, including the auditorium, backstage area, lighting and sound galleries, prop stores and main stage sets under construction. Our fashion learners then met with Wardrobe Mistress and Costume Designer, Yvonne Bartlett.
Yvonne and Ian, Chairman of the Barn Theatre, then set our fashion students a professional brief for their designs. This year, our students were asked to design a modern costume for the Barn Theatre’s autumn production of Shakespeare In Love.
Students were given 30 hours to create designs for their chosen cast-member, beginning by researching character traits and background information to assess the style of outfit the character would’ve worn in Elizabethan England. Students explored how class, gender, and social mobility would’ve informed historical clothing choices, and then transformed the design into a modern costume-interpretation.
Each learner compiled a 3D portfolio of their research and design ideas, outlining explanations behind each creative decision. Their thorough analysis of key elements like concept proposals, illustrations, colour palette and fabric samples helped to evidence their journey towards unique final costume designs.
Learners displayed baste garments on mannequins, draping and pinning mock-ups of their final designs which re-purposed existing materials from previous garments. This sustainable process saves money and re-uses old costumes.
Ian and Yvonne visited the fashion studio at our Hitchin campus and were impressed by our students’ mock-up designs and project portfolios!
The group had a fantastic session with Ian and Yvonne, critiquing and discussing the group’s ideas. They covered matters such as visibility, effects of lighting on fabrics and colours, connotations of colour choices, and explored practical aspects like layering and quick-release fastening to facilitate quick changes backstage between scenes.
Some of our learners were slightly apprehensive about approaching the complex world of Shakespeare but enjoyed understanding the stories told by fashion throughout history. They explored the power of fashion design in communicating key messages to the audience, a concept brought to the runways by designers each season. For many of our students, Shakespeare never looked so good!
Wardrobe Mistress and Costume Designer, Yvonne Bartlett said:
“I, for one look forward to working with them again. Such a talented bunch of students. The pleasure was all mine”.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to our partners at The Barn Theatre for this incredibly valuable work experience opportunity. Is your organisation interested in getting involved with North Hertfordshire College? Our Give a Future campaign offers a chance for you to help shape our students’ skills and give back to the next generation. Find out how your business can get involved by visiting our Give a Future page.