Lucy chose to study Performance Costume at ECA because the programme, unlike the majority of UK performance costume courses, offers tuition in both making and design. 

Since graduating Lucy has been working full tine in film and television as an assistant costume designer and hopes to venture into the theatre industry in the future.

Why I chose to study Performance Costume - BA (Hons)

As well as being a beautiful city, Edinburgh has a lot to offer like The Edinburgh Fringe festival, a variety of theatre and being only a short train journey from artsy Glasgow. ECA boasts a large range of facilities to use, as well as having small course classes which grant you the one-on-one tutor time and space to fully indulge in your work. The Performance Costume course offers tuition in both making and design, which is what I was seeking when applying for uni. Not many costume-related courses in the UK offer both sides.

My time at ECA

During the degree we covered a range of projects, from music video designing, life drawing, millinery, opera design, outdoor live performance, graphic design, historical fashion and our own choices. We were lucky enough to have historical pattern cutting classes each week, where our skills in sewing and pattern drafting improved dramatically, resulting in us being able expand our own costume project designs. The work load was substantial, however I did find times during the Fringe festival in the summers, to design and make costumes for some theatre performances.

I wouldn’t change my time at ECA, however if I were to do anything differently, I would try and collaborate with other degree programmes within the school like photography, silversmithing and textiles. I think working with other students within a different discipline could have produced some interesting smaller projects.

My experiences since graduating

I was sad to leave ECA as I made friends for life and have some great memories, but I was excited to get out into the world and start working using my new degree. I took a leap and moved to London, and the next day began my first job on ‘The Crown’ series 3 as a costume trainee. I originally wanted to work within theatre when I graduated, however due to my first costume job being in TV, I have since worked only within film and TV. I thoroughly enjoy working within the industry, and hopefully in the future can dip into theatre in quieter times between film and TV work. I’ve been lucky to work full-time within the industry since graduating, and been involved in a range of projects. I’m currently working as the Junior Assistant Costume Designer on a new action/thriller film which has now been my biggest achievement to date.

My advice to new and current students

For anyone who is beginning first year, my advice would be to explore as much of campus and ECA as possible. You will discover facilities you could use for your work, as well as making new friends across different degrees.

For those graduating, take some time off for yourself as no doubt you’ll be exhausted, then hit the ground running and network as much as possible. Never turn down an opportunity, as you never know where it could lead you or who’ll you’ll meet!