BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design graduate Lucy Valentine has had her FMP work displayed in Preston Park Museums victorian street. Inspired by the museums behind the seams exhibition of costumes Lucy loved the parks immersive style that engages children so well.

“When I completed my final project I thought that it would be great if it could be displayed somewhere where it would be seen, instead of just being packed away at home. Preston Park was perfect as their Victorian street fit in with the 1840s time frame that my project was designed for. Nicole Dicicco, the Collections Assistant at the museum was so helpful and helped me with the loan and display of the dress.”

The dress submitted for display is a part of Lucys FMP collection which was created in our sewing studios and submitted this year.

“I loved studying at The Northern School of Art because there was such a creative environment. The sewing rooms and other shared spaced meant that sharing ideas and collaborating on projects was possible and it was inspiring to see the creative projects that everybody else was working on.”

Inspired but the French Second Empire and Charles Worths hay-day as a designer for royalty “the one on display at the museum was designed for Charles Worth’s wife Marie when she was working at a dressmakers in 1845. I aimed to be as historically accurate as possible with the design and look of the dress.”

Lucy is currently working as a costume daily for a Netflix production “This summer I’ve had a couple of days as a costume crowd daily, and at the moment I’m working as a costume junior on a new series for Netflix. I hope to continue in this field and perhaps find employment in a theatre environment.”

Lucy has been enterprising in taking her first steps in to the industry, her advice to future creatives is to make the first step, “I was only able to find this collaboration by making the first step and emailing the museum, so I would say don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make things happen for yourself.”

You can see more of Lucy’s work by visiting her instagram: @lvalentin.costume and her website: lvalentinecostume.squarespace.com 

If you are interested in designing for characters, telling stories with your garments and learning the technical skills needed to build a creative career apply now for our costume degree!