Ellen Francis
Costume Design and Making BA Hons
Bucks New University
Specialisms: Costume Design - Stage Screen Dance / Atelier - Pattern Cutting /
Location: High Wycombe, United Kingdom
Ellen Francis
First Name: Ellen
Last Name: Francis
Specialisms: Costume Design - Stage Screen Dance / Atelier - Pattern Cutting
Sectors:
My Location: High Wycombe, United Kingdom
University / College: Bucks New University
Course / Program Title: Costume Design and Making BA Hons
About
Hi, I'm Ellen and I'm an aspiring costume maker, currently studying at Buckinghamshire New University. I love creating garments that feel unique and personal to the character they were designed for. My designing style varies from project to project and I love experimenting to find the best outcomes, whether this be through sketches, textile experiments or draping on the stand. Understanding character and the purpose of a garment helps me to understand my vision and concept for a piece. I hope you enjoy my work so far, and I look forward to sharing more as my skill and style develops further.
Second year project on my university course where I designed and made a contemporary take on Mandy Barrington's 1680-1700 corset, paired with jodhpur style trousers for Milady de Winter, inspired by the BBC series The Musketeers. The corset consists of 3 layers of fabric, steel and plastic boning, covered with a floral brocade and finished with bias binding. The trousers are constructed from a horsehair canvas and lined with cotton. Each piece was fitted and altered to create the final outcome.
Second year project on my university course, making and designing for characters from The Inspector Calls by J.B Priestley. Using millinery techniques, I crafted a bowler hat by steaming and shaping a wool felt capeline, finished with petersham ribbon. In addition, I constructed a wool tailored waistcoat featuring pad-stitching, single welt pockets and a roll collar.
Second year project on my university course where I designed and made a 18th century Pet en L'Air for a character from Dangerous Liaisons. The robe was draped and constructed on the stand and consists of a pleated back, panniers with pleated details over the top, and a decorated stomacher.
A live project for my university course, designing and making for one of the characters from Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus. The project was designed entirely in black and white and my concept explores travel and the stars which feature frequently in the book.
A live project for my university course, designing and making for one of the characters from Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. We created regency era men's fall front trousers for this project and my concept considers animals and their representation in the human world.
The first live project of my university course, designing and making for one of the characters from the 2023 Barbie movie. For this project I created a 1950s box pleat dress for the character weird barbie.
A live project for my university course, designing and making for one of the characters from the movie Ammonite. For this project I made two bonnets and a self-drafted pocket and collar inspired by nature.