The costume making process

As a starting point, it is useful if you can provide Shirley with an image or images portraying your ideas for a costume on which a subsequent design can be based.

Following an initial consultation, Shirley will outline what work is involved, an approximate cost and time needed to make the costume. Each costume is priced individually and can range from £100 to £1,000 or more, depending on the amount of work involved. Materials and decoration are priced separately.

If you decide to go ahead with the commission a deposit is required and measurements taken. Shirley usually makes a "toile" (a rough version in calico) of the costume and will arrange a fitting with you when alterations can be made.

One example of a project was to reproduce a French period costume from the 19th century - the reference point was a painting, Manet's "Bar at the Folies Bergere".

This represents just one type of costume Shirley can make. It may be that you have a much simpler costume in mind and depending on your requirements Shirley can outline a number of ways the costume could be made.

Depending on the amount of work involved, the costume may take from a few weeks to a couple of months to complete.

Please note that Shirley specialises in bespoke costumes, which are handmade to your specific measurements.

Please contact me should you have a project in mind.

Some of the costumes featured on this site may be for sale, please contact Shirley for details.