The UK’s first costume symposium, modelled on a similar event in Oslo in 2017, was held from 15 – 17 June 2018 at the City & Guilds of London Art School in Kennington.  Made up of three days of workshops and talks by leading figures, including designers from Game of Thrones, The Crown and Downton Abbey, the symposium was attended by more than 30 young technicians and designers and was intended to promote costume making and the associated skills vital to theatre, opera, film and television, bringing together young makers from across the country to exchange ideas, learn from leading specialists in the field and celebrate their art.

Speakers included Michele Clapton (costume designer, Game of Thrones and The Crown) and Professor Roger Kneebone (surgeon who champions collaboration between science and the arts).

Workshops were led by Sean Barrett (millinery), Kunza (corsetry), Riina Oun (handmade gloves), Vicky Salway (women’s period tailoring), and Miriam Schultz (embellishment and patination).