The Abbey Wardrobe

If you had to get locked in somewhere one of top 5 places would be The Abbey wardrobe department, all those gowns and wigs, masks and bustles, swords and waistcoats, tam-o-shanters and crinolined skirts. I worked a wardrobe assistant for The Abbey Theatre way back in 2003. At the time The Abbey were producing The House of Barnarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca. This play had the coolest Spanish costumes, tonnes of black lace and Victorian style chemises. I embroidered black crewel work on a gathered skirt and helped source and style some of the costumes. It was an altogether amazing experience.

In 2011 when I was producing The Lost Fashion History of South William Street I returned to the wardrobe department to borrow costume. The picture above is of a detail of a printed 1930s frock. Delving into their archives of costume is a fun experience and open to everyone theatre or film costumier or not!

See more about The Abbey Costume department here.