Kent School of Fashion’s Fashion&Business Club and Art Classes Group Slough Art&Design Club took part in a sustainability-focused Masterclass at the Royal Opera House, exploring costume design for theatre performances.
Upon arrival, the group were welcomed with a behind-the-scenes tour whilst the matinee show was being set up on stage. They observed set changes, mechanised stage movements and the auditorium from an audience perspective. Next, they visited a workshop showcasing the restoration and preservation of costumes before heading to the Clore Learning Space for their session.
Team members from the Costume and Shoe Department introduced themselves, sharing their diverse career paths and discussing costume design for the romantic opera show, Eugene Onegin. They explored the differences between designing for the opera and ballet, fabric selection, the revival process, and how costumes are repurposed.
Club members then sketched, coloured, and collaged their own costume concepts before bringing their ideas to life using recycled fabric scraps on maquettes. Some created larger-scale draped mannequins, while others customised shoes with fabric pens, producing unique marbled designs.