About Me
Monique is a Costume Design & Construction student in her 4th year of study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Born and raised in the Essex countryside town of Maldon, her passion for costume began at a young age when she was part of an Amateur Musical Theatre Company for 10 years. Although she was a performer, Monique found herself more drawn to behind the scenes. After seeing the musical Wicked in 2009, she knew costume was the career for her. During her teen years, Monique gained a strong interest in historical fashion, with a love for Haute Couture designers such as Dior, Chanel and Givenchy (who designed for her idol Audrey Hepburn).
During her time studying Monique has gained an interest in the men’s tailoring industry but is keen to combine her love for costume and historical fashion with this and create men’s suits for film/tv. When she graduates, Monique hopes to continue living in Scotland where she will start her tailoring career.
Work Experience
TBC 2020
Tam o' Shanter
Queen Margaret University
Supervisor & Specialist Maker (Tailor)
November 2019 – January 2020
“Morrigan”
University Film - Queen Margaret University
Costume Supervisor
2nd July 2019 – Present
The Real Mary King’s Close (tourist attraction, Edinburgh)
Head of Costume
Make/replace all costumes for the character tour guides
19th-30th August 2019
National Theatre – London
Men’s Tailoring Work Placement
Compulsory Work Placement as part of my 3rd year of uni. Completed 2 pairs of trousers for ‘War Horse’ and started making a jacket using traditional tailoring techniques.
11th – 15th June 2019
“Gangs of London”
HBO
Work Experience Costume Trainee
May/June 2019
"Love's Labours Lost"
A 'Theatre in the Garden' Production
Costume Assistant
Worked with a team of costume students and recent graduates to make costumes for the production & assisted backstage.
February 2019
“Harry Potter Fan Fiction”
Fan Fiction Theatre – staging at QMU Blackbox studio
Wardrobe Assistant
Helped with quick changes backstage.
January 2019
“The Ballad of the Sad Café”
Queen Margaret University Costume Dep. for Napier’s Acting for Stage and Screen course
Costume Assistant
Worked with a team of 4 other costume students age ranging 19-22 on a student production staged in the black box studio at QMU. The costumes for this production were primarily sourced but there were small makes here and there. After 5 weeks of sourcing and making, I then worked backstage as a wardrobe mistress during the show helping with quick changes.
November/December 2018
“Jack and The Beanstalk 2.0” Pantomime, Livingston
Queen Margaret University Costume Dep.
Costume Assistant
Worked with a team of other costume students age ranging 18-26 on a professional pantomime to be staged in Livingston, Edinburgh. I worked with Lycra creating a bodysuit on this production which was a challenging fabric to work with.
September – November 2018
John Dalton Production
Prism Arts
Queen Margaret University
Assigned to make a puppet for a travelling production, teaching children and adults about the life of John Dalton who discovered the Atom. Prism Arts are an organisation who are proving that anyone can be an artist. They work with adults who have special needs and other disabilities.
April - May 2018
“A Touch of Ivory” Promenade/Showcase
Queen Margaret University
Costume Trainee
Worked with a team of other costume students age ranging 18-26 on a promenade/catwalk with a Jane Austen Theme, staged at St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh. I created 2 waistcoats for this production.
November 2017
“A lie of the Mind”
Napier University
Dresser
Assisted a Queen Margaret 4th year costume student backstage with quick changes on the run of Napier University’s production. Helped to age and distress costumes as well as helping dress.
October 2017
“A View From The Bridge”
Queen Margaret University/ Napier University Collaboration
Costume Trainee
Worked with a team of other costume students age ranging 18-23 on a student production to be staged in Morningside, Edinburgh. I made an early 1950s Blouse and Pencil Skirt for this production
Photo by Callum Crisell
Skills
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Confident with using both sewing machines and overlockers (Domestic & Industrial)
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Pattern Cutting & adapting
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Photoshop
Education
Queen Margaret University – Edinburgh - BA Costume Design & Construction
Colchester Sixth Form College - Colchester, Essex – (September 2015 – July 2017) –
ALevel English Language & Literature, ALevel Textiles, ALevel Photography
Thurstable Secondary School - Tiptree, Essex – (September 2010 – July 2015) –
10 GCSEs Grade range A-D including English (C) and Maths (C)